Faults:

Radiator fan switch connector corroded.

Petrol filler cap leaked when going around corners.

Exhaust pipe rotted - difficult to find a replacement.

Side Indicator connectors corroded - soldered the wires to the bulbs eventually.

General Comments:

Probably the best I ever owned for blasting country lanes.

Very flimsy construction and the front windows used to pull away from the car at about 70mph - very noisy.

Pretty poor fuel economy which wasn't helped by a leaking fuel filler.

Very small inside and the boot was lost to the spare wheel.

Faults:

Gear linkage popped out of place with monotonous regularity.

Thermostat for fan failed, causing the car to overheat.

All sorts of electrical problems.

Air flow meter needed re-setting.

Stalling at low speeds.

General Comments:

The GTi is basically a body-kitted Visa with the same engine as the Peugeot 205 GTi crammed into it. It therefore suffered from the Visa's diabolical build quality (I think they made them from old Gitanes packets) and the 205's questionable reliability. Having previously owned a BMW 518i, it was a bit of a culture shock.

On the odd occasion it ran, the performance was excellent, with a very free-revving engine. The car was lighter than the 205, so was fractionally quicker off the mark. Winding up XR3i drivers has never been more fun.

Handling was good too, with a wide front track, and reasonably chunky 185 tyres.

The interior was crap. Unsupportive seats, cheap plastics, and instruments that had minds and moods of their own. The Visa is also a very narrow car, so it helps to be on good terms with your passenger. Long journeys weren't much fun.

The boot space was pathetic. With the 1.6 engine, the spare tyre had to be relocated from its usual home above the engine (apparently it directed the air flow on early air-cooled Visas) to the boot, which it filled.

It was fun while it lasted, and I got more trading it in than I paid for it. You wouldn't catch me buying another one though.

Faults:

Worn interior, in particular seats and dashboard.

Some rust on the bonnet and front wings.

Some steering parts worn (cheap to buy, though).

General Comments:

Extremely good mileage, especially if the car has all its filters and oil changed regularly.

This is the most reliable car I've ever seen, especially as regards the engine, which is an air-cooled one and needs good quality oil and change every 5/6000 kms, and it will easily last for ages.

If you buy one, paint any parts that do not look good and don't forget to inspect the inner part of the bonnet.

Faults:

The clutch had been replaced and the brake was repaired when the car had 40000 km.

General Comments:

It is a very good car.

The design is very aerodynamic, with a Cx of 0.35.

The fuel consumption is rather low, and it is very comfortable.

The interior is modern, with a satellite that command all the instruments.

And it is a Citroen!!

Faults:

Clutch every 70,000 kms (42K miles). Easy to replace (by yourself).

Exhaust at 140,000 kms.

New head brake cylinder at 120,000 kms.

The seats are worn at low mileage.

Rust in front and especially rear wheel cases (check suspension fitting!).

Several controls failed (interior light, buttons, etc.)

General Comments:

I have owned two cars of these, and both had rust problems. Check especially in the boot, the rear wheel suspension fitting. Welding is possible.

This car can be driven long without major problems and without maintenance (not recommended though...). It has a very smooth roadability and is very comfortable. Parts are cheap, interior space is huge (...) and practical, engine has high mileage (1 to 15/16 is possible). The 1.1 engines are even better performers (1 to 17/18 is possible) and the drive train is a bit more 'quirky', due to extra stabilisation rods. Greatest car in its class/years! Buying is cheap, add some more for eventual welding and repairs! Then you have a good car!