Faults:
There isn't much to put down on the car, only the usual wear and tear parts.
The worst thing was the water pump, but it wasn't really a hard thing to fix. Used a couple of hours.
The locks on both left hand doors. The rear door won't lock at all, and the cylinder on the drivers door is most often a bit tricky. Also a wear and tear part.
The arm on the rear diff, that turns on the diff lock, had rusted so much it wouldn't move.
General Comments:
The most fantastic car I have ever had. It's rare, so no one knows what kind of car it is. It has Italian style and sportiness. The engine seems robust, and purrs like a kitten.
Also, it has many details that are only becoming standard on "normal" cars today, like heated mirrors etc. It also has quite an advanced electronic engine control, but that is another chapter.
Very comfortable seats, and a spacious and easily overlook able drivers area.
I was impressed by the "elegant" details like how switches (like for the wipers for example) don't make any noise at all when you switch it on or off. Generally a very elegant and stylish car.
When it comes to handling, the car lies on the road like it was a train. On dirt or tarmac.. And it is fast; originally it has 170hp, but mine is tuned to a 220-240 hp. 0.8 bar is the original turbo pressure, but there seems to be no problem adjusting it to 1.4.
A pity and a shame that this car is so rare, but that is also one of the positive things about it. I'm really "taken" by this car.
28th Oct 2015, 17:39
I'm the original poster of the review.
The car now has 284 000 KM on the odometer and still going strong.
Had problems with high pressure oil hoses and oil radiator, but mostly because the car mechanics that worked on it did not have adequate knowledge and ruined the car.
At one point they actually mounted a wishbone that is not for this car, and the wheel was going under the car when I tried to back out from the garage! Worst experience ever... Also found out that they didn't replace the handbrake wire, but they did charge for it. Worst experience ever.
The biggest issue was to find a decent mechanic to do normal maintenance.
After a recent crash, I was unable to find the door that matches the interior trim, so it looks weird.
I'm looking at an Alfa Romeo now :) 156 or 159.
Generally, the old Lancia Dedra held its own against VWs and Fords, and the running costs were lower than expected.