Reliant Scimitar Sabre Overview: Generations and Which to Buy
The Reliant Scimitar Sabre is a rear-wheel-drive roadster built from 1984 to 1992, offered with 75–135 hp and manual gearboxes only. This overview covers its single generation and the version worth buying.
The Reliant Scimitar Sabre is a compact roadster produced from 1984 to 1992, with outputs ranging from 75 to 135 hp. Every version pairs a manual gearbox with rear-wheel drive. It suits drivers who want an open-top two-seater with a simple mechanical layout and driver-focused controls rather than a long options list.
Reliant Scimitar Sabre generations
1 generation (1984–1992)
The first and only generation of the Reliant Scimitar Sabre ran from 1984 to 1992 exclusively as a roadster. Power spans 75 to 135 hp across 2 modifications, all with a manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive. The notable version is the Reliant Scimitar Sabre 1.8 MT (1 generation): its 1809 cc engine produces 135 hp, accelerates the car to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds, and returns a combined fuel consumption of 8.6 l/100km. With only two modifications in the range, the lineup is easy to understand: the 75 hp base version and the 135 hp 1.8 MT sit at opposite ends of the same body and drivetrain layout.
Which Reliant Scimitar Sabre to buy
- 1.8 MT (1 generation): the most widespread version, with 135 hp from its 1809 cc engine, 0–100 km/h in 7.9 seconds, and 8.6 l/100km combined — the strongest performer in the range by a wide margin over the 75 hp base output.
On the used market, every Reliant Scimitar Sabre dates from 1984–1992, so age varies by only a few years across the whole run. The single-generation, manual-only, rear-wheel-drive lineup means there are no gearbox or drivetrain variants to compare — the main choice is simply between the two power outputs, and the 135 hp 1.8 MT holds a clear performance advantage.
Which Reliant Scimitar Sabre to avoid
The data shows no dominated version among the two modifications: the 75 hp variant is simply the entry point of the same roadster body, manual gearbox, and rear-wheel-drive layout, while the 135 hp Reliant Scimitar Sabre 1.8 MT is the performance choice. Pick by how much power you want — 75 hp for a milder open-top drive, 135 hp for the 7.9-second sprint to 100 km/h.