Faults:

After routine service one of the hoses wasn't replaced properly and car was spewing out coolant. Quickly remedied by dealer.

Problem with heating system ducting - spent 2 weeks at dealer due to the mass of wiring with dashboard out.

General Comments:

This late version of the 2.8i had the widened wheel arches and imperative standard Lotus suspension. It cornered like it was on rails and was a real head turner.

168Bhp isn't very much by todays standards, but it still reportedly managed 0-60 in 8.6 seconds and crack over 130mph.

Steering wheel was very boring for such a cool car.

Plenty of buttons to press to keep the men happy!

Auto + O/D also Power & Normal options to control the gear change and economy.

Digital dashboard very cool at the time.

Standard car had very high spec level.

It had bags of character and I miss it very much and

Faults:

The brakes were a constant problem. Rear discs replaced when I bought the car. Handbrake shoes were never much use, but it passed the MOT.

Drive shafts knocked on medium to sharp turns, but were cheap to replace the joints.

It liked to remove the tread from the front tyres, but this was my fault, rather lacking in mechanical sympathy then.

General Comments:

As it only cost £500 to buy, do the repairs for the MOT, tax and fill the tank, this was performance motoring on a budget.

It was rough round the edges, rusty wheel arches and a previous owner had a problem matching the silver/blue paint. The only thing that let it down was rot. The last owner was living right on the coast and the North Sea salt air had taken it toll on the underside.

It had all the toys inside that I wanted, electric windows, mirrors, aerial and sunroof. Air-con was used about 5 times. I saw 142mph on the speedo a couple of times. Argue over its real speed if you want.

Was sad to see it go, but it was disposable at £500. Still sitting in a field and starts first time, every time.

Faults:

Wheel arches are beginning to corrode badly and some spots are also appearing round the sun-roof.

Strange knocking sound from the near-side rear suspension... any ideas?

Electric aerial sounds terrible.

Burns a little oil too!

General Comments:

I bought this car a year ago and apart from a few niggly problems it has been very reliable, starts first time even on the coldest mornings.

The performance for a car of its age and mileage is superb. It will take on and beat most hot hatches and corners like a dream.

Seats are comfortable for the first hour, after that I find my back aches due to the lack of lumbar support. Cabin is about as roomy as you would expect from a 2+2 (don't expect any tall friends to sit in the back).

Faults:

Starting at the front....

Cooling fan fell off (literally!).

Head gasket blew and head damaged after thermostat failed.

Slack in steering rack.

Drive shafts noisy.

Leak in roof.

Lots of clonking noises from rear suspension.

Both rear callipers seized.

I'm sure there is more..

General Comments:

Why have I given 8 out of ten for reliability with that list of things that have gone wrong? Well, the car has done 110,000 miles, was very badly treated both by me and the previous owner and still refuses to die! I've seen one example for sale with 250,000 on the clock.

Running cost are average as although I only get about 25mpg, I never get around to fixing anything so repair bills are nil!

I do all repairs (when absolutely necessary!) and servicing myself and find it very easy to work on. A good job as I have yet to find a service manual.

A great car as long as you get a good one or are prepared to put up with rough edges. Just watch out for overheating (dodgy thermostat or incorrect coolant?), seized brakes (looked like the fluid was not changed in 100K miles) and leaking roofs (obvous sign is rust in rear wheel arches and corroded spare wheel).