Faults:

Purchased at a good price, as the previous owner was returning to the UK on holiday and had no where to store it. There was some rust to be removed around the bottom of the window screen, the right rear guard, the bottom of the passenger door and inside the doors on the body frame. The clutch also had to be replaced, it was totally toasted.

About 1000kms into my ownership the gearbox expired, and required a total overhaul as there were no reconditioned units avaialble... ouch!

Next on the repair/restore list is the upholstery (the hounds tooth weave wears appallingly), then a re-spray. Mechanically it may need to have the tappets done on the next service.

General Comments:

Once the major mechanical problems were out of the way it's settled in nicely. It's had a few trips away and has handled them really well.

Performance is about par with a new 2lt saloon due to it's light weight, but the lack of power-steering and some tourqe steer hampers it around town, especially in the wet.

Only complaint is the exhaust knock due to the oddball "s" design, it sounds great, but can grate on the motorway occasionally.

Faults:

Water pump replaced due to noise; lots of electrical gremlins, non serious; gear linkage rebuilt due to poor/imprecise change quality (common fault).

General Comments:

Overall build quality poor, but the car has been reliable everyday transport and hasn't let me down. Its great assets are the brilliant neutral handling, good grip; wonderful, rorty engine; good looks and sheer 'Italian-ness'. It's an inspiring car to drive.

As regards rust, I used the car over Winter and the bodywork has suffered - it's a car that really ought only be used in the dry...

Running costs are quite high, mainly a result of highish fuel consumption and a high insurance grouping (UK 14).