1986 Pontiac Parisienne Brougham review from UK and Ireland

Starter had to be replaced three times. My theory is that this car likes them and eats them constantly, requiring new ones every 50.000 kms.

An ominous warning light, "Service Engine Soon", comes on erratically, stays for a while, and goes off again. No reason has been found yet, but it has been happening for 10 years now.

The fuel pump has broken down at about 220.000 kms.

The GM cassette deck gobbles tapes.

The little link between the gear lever and the transmission mode indicator has broken after 240.000 kms.

The fuel gouge had to be replaced after 190.000 kms.

Great compromise-car: It manages to look incredibly cool on European roads whilst being utterly economical to own.

The 4.3L V6 has one hell of a time lugging the car's weight around. Better get a 5.0 or 5.7 V8.

Fuel economy is good and can even get great: I average 9L/ 100kms, but have had 8 while driving in Sweden (35 mpg).

Don't do any wild, Alpine driving: Chassis and brakes just can't handle ambitious driving, and the car wallows and lurches in curves, basically feeling inclined to ignore them altogether.

Fantastic long-distance cruiser: The car is a dream on open roads at speeds between 100 and 140 km/h, where it just glides effortlessly and quietly, eating up miles like nothing I've owned before (and I've owned Lincolns, Mercedes, and Cadillacs).

The seats are terribly low-tech, but great just the same. Still look like new.