Faults:

New shock absorbers needed, but the Sportrak has been standing for a while.

New brake pipes needed when I got it.

5 months after buying it I needed new exhaust system, but I was fourth owner.

General Comments:

The Sportrak is fantastic for its size. It is a bit too small, a few inches would make the difference. Also the backs eats fold up providing more room, but the seats 'hook' is in the middle of the floor.

In the summer it is great fun to take the roof off and make it a convertible.

For towing its very effective due to short overhang.

Much more solid than my previous 4x4 (Suzuki Samurai)

Faults:

Rear shock absorbers snapped with heavy off-roading.

General Comments:

This was one fun motor. It had a removable top, the kids loved it, got through loads of snow and mud, we towed our friends out of trouble, and we totally abused the thing. I never changed the oil or filter in 5 years, and never serviced the car, but the thing would not stop.

My wife adored the car's two tone silver and blue, the boot was kinda small, but come on, what do you want? Fun, loads of fun, or practical... Well get yourself a Mondeo...

Solid, hard ride, bouncy, slowish, but fun. In the 5 years I have had it, at 14 years old, the last 5 years, not a job to do (honest) for any MoT. I just changed the rear shocks.

Get one.

Faults:

Ignition coil has failed twice.

A rear spring has broken and the electrically adjustable rear shocks have burst.

The radiator top filler neck broke off.

General Comments:

The car is very reliable and has never let me down. The problems with the coils were probably poor replacement parts as one lasted six months.

The bodywork and underside are perfect with absolutely no rust. The interior is very good with no signs of ware.

The engine is a little sluggish when pulling a trailer. Otherwise the car is nippy and very comfortable on both long and short journeys and the driving position is very commanding.

Spares are not easily available in France, but the UK network is very good with most parts being sent within 48 Hours.

The car handles very well both on and off road. Fuel consumption has always been above 30 mpg and approaches 40mpg on long trips. The engine is very strong, but lacks grunt at the top end, but is happy to cruise at 65mph all day. Its major problems are the lack of air con. and the lack of boot space.

Faults:

Slight problem with 4 wheel drive when I first got it, (see previous review / comment).

Catalyst just replaced, but that might be because I had the engine tuned when I bought it and it has never been right since (cat only cost £165 UK though).

General Comments:

Great little jeep, I love it, but it's a bit to small for my use. I've taken the back seats out completely to give my Labrador more space, but now the only storage is behind the front seats.

Very reliable, but a little sluggish although this could be because the engine isn't tuned properly, I have tried adjusting it which increases the power, but the engine starts 'pinking'.

Not much good for serious towing, but it pulls a broken down car OK.

Absolutely first class off road. Never been stuck yet, and its been in some pretty rough stuff!

Wouldn't hesitate to take it anywhere when out shooting or working my dog.

Wouldn't recommend using 4 drive low ratio in 1st gear when descending hills, its just to low, 2nd gear is much better.

Suspension is a little bouncy! I have mine set on soft all the time, but it certainly shows when you travel in a normal car. Don't let that put you off though, you do get used to it!

Cruises nicely at 60 mph, but much faster and it gets a bit noisy.

Fuel economy isn't too bad, I get 31mpg on almost every tankful, only drops very slighty in the summer with the air conditioning on or when off roading.

Parts are about average, but not many dealers around.

Would thoroughly recommend this car, but don't waste it on the road the whole time, go and have some fun. As long as your sensible (and reduce the pressure in your tires) it won't let you down!