Faults:

Needed a new exhaust system, new brake pads and a new battery, - all just standard things that need replacing every now and then. Fitting of new exhaust system allowed me to make it better as well!

General Comments:

This car looks fantastic and is a great bargain.

The engine revs up to 6750 rpm before the red line kicks in so you can get a lot out of each gear. I was suprised when I first drove the car as I have driven many 1.4s before, but this can do 0-60 in 9.5 seconds which is roughly the same as the new mini cooper, (my friend has one and believe me we have tested this out!). Despite only kicking out 90bhp with a displacement of 1396cc the lack of weight makes up for it giving the car a very decent power to weight ratio. I have done over 125mph in this car and have to say its the best car I have owned to date.

The ride is made to feel even better as the seating position is similar to an elise with the driver pretty much lying down in the seat, although this can get uncomfortable in long journeys as the seat has a lack of lumbar support - but this can easily be sorted.

The reliability is brilliant, the only time it hasn't started was because of a dead battery which all need replacing now and again.

The grip is also good, but not as good as it can be. The car comes standard with 13 inch wheels which don't give the maximum grip you want when you drive the car. The wheels are the only point of contact with the road so it always worth having a good set of tires and wheels. I have upgraded mine to 15inch and the thing flys round corners.

Another good thing is the space inside the car. It looks small, but is deceptively huge inside. The boot is huge and the legroom for the rear passengers is very good.

Overall a brilliant, fast, reliable bargain and better than its rivals!

Faults:

Indicator switch doesn't always self cancel after left turn.

Had to repair tear in drivers seat.

General Comments:

I suppose for a 12 year old car, the above failures aren't too serious!

The radiator may need replacing soon as it has lost about half its fins, but it doesn't leak and never overheats.

Performance is blistering for an engine this size, below 5500 rpm, it's not much different from any other 1.6, but keep the right foot on the floor, and the engine losses its smooth purr and takes on an angry roar (very addictive), then watch Gti's vanish in the rear view mirror!

I'm 6'4" and the leg room is the best of any car I've driven (although the same can't be said for the rear passengers).

The cabin is open and spacious.

The overall build quality is good for a car in this class, still no squeaks or rattles.

Always returns 32 mpg, however I drive it.

There are a few niggles though:

Boot space is a joke.

Headlights could be better.

Extra passengers seriously reduces performance.

Factory speakers are useless.

The fact they didn't fit power steering and central locking, as on the lesser 'GL' model.

These are just minor gripes when you consider the overall package though.

It's not often you can buy a car for less than two grand and come out grinning after every journey!

Faults:

Nothing as gone wrong (yet!) but I was told when it passed it's mot that I would need new CV bellows come next year, but that's only going to cost around £90 fitted!

General Comments:

I have owned many cars and this is my favourite. To think that this car still looks and holds its own now is a testiment to its build quality and engineering. I still get total strangers asking me if I want to sell it... and its getting on for 11 years old!