Faults:

2 mufflers, timing belt, all general maintenance. Very, very reliable, always starts in Canadian Winters.

General Comments:

I bought this car four years ago with the hope of it lasting two years. It has been by far the best car I have owned. It is small and the seats are not very comfortable after four or five hours. After all this there is economy and it delivers. It is fun to drive with the five speed and does 'scoot'. It delivers about 40 to 45 mpg (imperial gallon). I am an accountant and understand value for money. It would be hard to consider buying another car when this continues to be a gem.

Faults:

CV boots split on a regular basis. At about 70,000 miles a plug lead went, causing a misfire.

General Comments:

A superbly reliable car, which I felt to be a little slower than I'd expected - it needs revving like mad to get the best from it BUT it likes revs ie very smooth engine. I sold my car at 100,000 miles and it felt perfect, having only ever had 1 exhaust, 1 new battery and a set of brake pads, BUT lots of CV boots. Parts prices are the only real drawback - an outer CV boot was £70, however I did manage to find some Ford ones to fit and these lasted longer than the originals! The car never let me down - even when the plug lead went I drove it home!

Faults:

Not much.

Exhaust needed replacing. (8 years old, not bad)

Dashboard can be a bit rattly at times.

Dodgy headlight switch. (Switch cleaner sorted that out).

General Comments:

In nearly 3 years of ownership it has only not started once, and that was due to me not checking my battery fluid and running it flat. An excellent car and highly recommended. Great fuel economy. Parts and servicing can be expensive but, touch wood, not much has gone wrong that needs replacing.

Faults:

Blown ignition chip.

Bearings on CV joint.

General Comments:

A comfortable and reliable economical car. It won't set the world on fire, but it has got enough oomph for overtaking and cruises easily at 85+.

Low maintenance. Easy to live with.