Faults:

Lots of small electrical problems, lights that didn't work, faulty switches, etc.

Most problems fixed by replacing with new parts.

Stopped dead twice. Trouble traced to faulty ignition (again electrical) part.

Poor interior plastics. Several rattles that could not be traced and fixed.

Still attracts young vandals when parked in town, front door kicked in and mirror smashed.

Poor image. Most people don't understand why it's considered a classic.

General Comments:

Fantastic performance car. Handles like no other.

Probably the greatest hot hatch of all time. There will never be another like it.

My later model (with ABS and power steering) was easier to live with, but lost some of the raw edge. Had a much better (more precise feel) gearbox though.

Superb dark green metallic colour with original alloys. Green and black leather/fabric interior was more tasteful than original red interiors.

Well equipped, pity about the unreliable electrics.

But the sheer joy of driving the thing on twisty, winding secondary roads was worth all the troubles and sneers from badge snobs!

Faults:

An air hose on top of the engine "flew" off and I got oil all over the engine room. After it was re-fitted I put 2 liters of oil in the engine to restore proper levels.

Small (but many) electrical problems in the interior.

Car-door pockets about to fall off on both sides.

Oil leakage (probably from oil filter box)

Water leakage (source unknown)

General Comments:

I bought this car about 3-4 months ago and have had the problems listed above. Altough they are quite a few they are all minor errors. The car is quite old (1990) and I am the 10th (!) owner of it and that's not something you want especially when it's a GTi.

I choosed to buy mine anyway since it had nice interior (except some minor electricity problems) and the engine was running fine without black clouds comming out of it.

There are some rust on it even though I've seen many ~89 models looking just perfect. Why mine has begun to rust I don't know. The rust is mostly in and around screw holes in the engine room and front spoiler. So be sure to check that out (check front-frontspoiler screws).

In general the car is a fun experience to drive. Although very noisy (90KM/h+) and does not handle well in rain (even with brand new tires).

I love it when it works, but I really hate it when it don't since the French engineers made some extremely (!) strange solutions of some things.