1994 Vauxhall Corsa SRi review from UK and Ireland

* The speedo stopped working, but was repaired under warranty. Sod's law, the warranty has recently expired, and the problem has returned!

* Cambelt pulley's replaced under a recall scheme by Vauxhall.

I bought this car as I couldn't afford the insurance on a Calibra 16v, and have been pleasantly surprised with it.

I've now done nearly 30,000 miles, and although I drive it hard, it's never returned less than 38mpg, and usually gives around 44mpg.

The 0-60 time of 10 seconds is brilliant for a group 6 insurance car, and often surprises the Nova SR and early XR2 drivers away from the lights! It also performs much better than you'd expect with four adults in the car, with no change downs necessary on the motorway.

The only reservation I do have is that of interior trim quality. I've got a 12" sub in the boot, and it has mercilessly exposed every weak piece of trim in the car!

If you're after a cheap to run and insure but surprisingly nippy car, you could do a lot worse than one of these.