Faults:

At about 36,000 miles, I noticed that the car would tend to stall, (possibly twice a month); i.e. no revs to pull the car, quite dangerous! Idle speed problem, either too low or too high. Dealer replaced E-PROM, (micro-chip) twice, but to no avail. Changed air-filters, fuel filters, checked cables. The car was brought back to the main dealer, under warranty, 16 times in 12 months. After all new parts were put in the car, it performed 10 times better, but problem was never fixed.

Radiator fan-motor burnt out; new one will cost IR£220 to replace, and that's before labour costs. Still haven't got it done.

Parts are VERY expensive from main dealers, shop around.

General Comments:

Excellent car to drive, with fabulous handling.

Replaced 13" steel wheels, for D-Turbo 14" alloys (from 165/75 R13 to 185/60 R14). This improved the handling dramatically, but decreased the comfort a little.

Basic interior, but it's laid out well. XN model's got powered assisted steering, and a remote controlled stereo with 4 speakers.

It's my first car, and all-in-all I love it.

Faults:

Radiator replaced due to corrosion.

Power steering hose burst.

Rear brake cylinders leaked.

Rear wheel bearing replaced (60,000 miles).

Water in diesel sensor faulty (warning light was continually on).

Various rattles from the dashboard.

General Comments:

Overall I am very pleased with the car. It has a great mix of performance and economy. However I am disappointed with the reliability of the car and the general maintenance costs.

I found that the dealers were not interested once the vehicle was sold.

I also found very little work is actually carried out during servicing.

Faults:

Numerous brake system problems - and very expensive one's at that.

New cooling fan required.

Hates damp and refuses to start completely if it's rained all night.

Even after pointing the problem out pre-service, if it is damp or very cold there's a lot of jolting until the engine warms up.

I had a VW Polo for 12 years and never spent that sort of money on it - plus it was a much stronger vehicle.

General Comments:

The car does handle well, is nippy and comfortable.

Never had any major engine problems and the original battery is still going strong.

Pity the other problems overshadow this.

Faults:

The battery died 2 weeks after buying (probably down to the poor servicing of the previous owner).

Had to replace severely worn brake discs and pads all round (again due to poor servicing).

Brakes have developed a worrying amount of judder upon use. Also, brake application inconsistent at low speed (it's going back into the garage).

General Comments:

In the dry, the handling of the car is superb. The steering is responsive, the suspension is fantastic on cornering, the car sticks to the road.

Handling in wet is disappointing due to the poor grip of the tyres (although they are non-standard wheels and tyres).

I love the shape of the body. Stylish but subtle - no ridiculous huge spoilers, excellent front bumper and fog lights and the trim is nearly identical to the GTI6.

Engine performance is also very good. Below 3000 revs the power is a little understated but the car is perfectly happy being driven at 35mph in 5th gear doing 1400 revs or so. Racing performance is fantastic above 3000 revs. Despite the relatively low BHP I can out-race the majority of cars on the road. I even kept right behind a GTI6.

Despite the faults I've had to deal with, I have no regrets about buying this car. My next car will either be a GTI6 or a BMW.