Faults:

Carb failed weeks after buying the car.

Track control arm worked itself loose (just needed tightening).

Clutch pedal was very sharp and needed replacing.

General Comments:

The car was bought and within days I was spending money on a new carb, but apart from that it is a very cheap car to insure and drive with 100 miles to £10 unleaded petrol (at 77.9p per litre). The car runs and handles well and I am generally happy with it and it is a car that I would recommend.

My friend has just bought one and the gears feel very floppy with rusty sills. This has made me realise that mine is particularly good. As I have a good one the body work is very tidy and I wouldn't sell it for double what I paid because of ther money it is saving me on petrol.

A common problem seems to be the car having the wrong clutch pedal as there are 5 different types - a new one is easy to fit and costs about £15.

As I said, I wouldn't swap it for any other car even though the doors clang, the driving position is great and the driving quality is wonderful.

If you have a rattly one with tappet noise, you can get it SILENCED for about £10 at any good garage.

Faults:

Blown head gasket.

Worn driveshafts.

Niggly electrical problems.

Rear wheel brake cylinder.

Dirty fuel system (due to neglect by the previous owner).

Leaking sunroof.

General Comments:

Delightful to drive... nippy around town.

Reliability can be fine, but you must keep an eye on it!!! Very economical and easy to self-service.

Faults:

Accelerator cable.

Fuel mixture screw.

Electric window motor.

Steering rack.

Wheel bearing.

General Comments:

Awesome performance but shame about the reliability and the small amount of people who want one, but aren't prepared to pay for it.

Also attracts Novas etc. like flys around crap.

Faults:

Engine blown on the way home, the seat bolsters snapped, not much more I can break whilst it's immobile.

General Comments:

This car will work again one day, £560 for a new engine, £210 for new Recaro seats and a whole other load things that need doing but at the end of the day it still canes all my mates cars and it still looks dark, get one if you have a need for the finer things on the road.

Faults:

Cracked the engine block.

Replaced the engine.

Head gasket blew.

Snapped both drive shafts.

Replace the anti-perc motor.

Blew around 50% of the hoses in the engine.

Replaced the alternator and battery but still get bad electrical current!

General Comments:

This car is a nightmare when it comes to reliability! With huge servicing and repair costs it can empty your wallet extremely quickly!

However when everything is going good it is unbelivable. I have never driven a car that puts such a big grin on your face, and the speed, you can take almost anything stupid enough to have a go! If you buy one, make sure you have the number of a good mechanic!

Faults:

Have had really strange brake problems, out of balance all the time - fails MOT every year!

General Comments:

I've spent a lot of time and money on my R5 but I love it. Only broken down once in 3 years of ownership (snapped clutch cable in the middle of a busy London street) but apart from that it just goes on and on!

Faults:

Everything, it is the biggest pile of crap I`ve ever had the misfortune to buy, even the bloody seat has broken.

General Comments:

Be prepared for endless starting problems, and general engine trouble. So go and buy a Clio or a Fiesta instead.