Faults:

Bought a used 2002 Corsa Rogue this year, May 2010, at 134000kms.

Worked fine, no problems for about 4 months, then the headaches started.

At first, it started coughing (jerking like there was no petrol) while doing about 110km/h. This was the first warning sign. Took it in, had the fuel filter replaced (even though this was before service time). It worked well for a week, then started coughing and needed to change down to recover. This issue got more and more frequent, and then it started losing power (while driving at any speed, you would hear the revs high, but the rev counter would gradually go all the way down to zero, till the car switched off).

Had to to wait 10-30 minutes, started the car, and away it went with no problems - sometimes. At other times, it would go 300m and then it would cut out. Took it in for diagnosis and checkup, no problems found. Another mechanic who had one suggested we replace the fuel relay. This was done, car ran with no problems for 3 to 3.5 weeks, and then all of a sudden started coughing again, and losing power again. Took it to an ex Opel mechanic, and he stated the possibilities of the cause of the problem I am experiencing:

Fuel relay - This was changed - R470.00.

Idle control valve - R3200.

Mass airflow sensor - R1900.

Crank position sensor - R2800

Coil pack - R4000.

As I do not have the money to replace all of these items, I drive on the extreme left every day, waiting for the coughing, then change down and hope it kicks in again.

The coughing and losing power is like it's not getting fuel. This happens even with a full tank. It can occur just after starting up in the morning, or after 5 minutes driving, or after a day of driving.

Any Opel - car never again!!!

General Comments:

Very good car when it works properly...

Faults:

At 21,800 kms the car suddenly refused to start. The agents gave it a diagnostic test and reported no faults with it. Ran for another 300 kms and then began "hunting" when idling. Took it to the agents who took 7 days to report that the Electro Fuel Valve had to be replaced and rectify this.

After this was done the fault continued to plague us. The car then cut off completely one day and the AA had to tow it to the agents. The agents had it for 10 days and only after I contacted GM's Head Office here in South Africa did they finally find the problem. This time they replaced the Fuel Pump Relay and everything is now fine.

This car was made in Brazil, but utilises the same 1.4 motor that all the Opel Corsa hatchbacks and LDVs have here in South Africa.

General Comments:

Lovely small car with a large boot and 66 kws of power!

The build quality is superb, and the 14 inch wheels handle our South African potholes with aplomb.

Being manufactured in Brazil, which has similar roads and conditions to ours, has given this car wonderful roadholding and handling.

The paintwork is like new after 9 years.

Excellent value for money.

Faults:

In order to get a reliable car, you need to spend quite a lot on maintenance, maybe not a lot of money compared to other cars, but knowing the price of this model, at 85,000 km the catalytic converted burst and it cost about 150 € to fix it, also you need to change the battery yearly.

But the upholstery is not as good as I wish, it's badly worn on the driver's seat, but all the other seats are quite fine.

About the engine, I have not had any problems with it, it runs smooth. There was this time in a flood, when the front wheels weren't touching the ground, the car started to float, but no water got inside the cabin, and the engine did not stop. Also service parts are cheap.

And you must perform a major maintenance every 10,000 kilometers which includes:

- Air filter

- Time gage

- Spark plugs

- Oil change (you're suppose to go for this every 5,000 kilometers)

- Oil filter

- Injection system cleanup

- Gasoline filter

- Acceleration body cleanup

If you do this you'll have it running forever.

Also cheap on gas.

General Comments:

You need to put attention on the maintenance, but if you do, as you should do on any car, everything will be fine.

Faults:

The handbrake has a weak grip, since day one.

The door lock radio command sometimes responds only to the fourth or fifth action, to open or close.

The gearbox switching system, made with plastic spheres and levers, deteriorated severely around 40000km, leaving only the 3rd, 4th and 5th gears usable.

General Comments:

Very nice engine, runs smoothly until 4500rpm, and then gets the claws out for thr red line. Awesome for just a 1.2 Liter.

Suspension is great, firm, but not too uncomfortable.

Very bad lateral rear window design, cuts sight badly to the rear sides.

Watch out for the gearbox switching mechanics, once those plastic spheres lose their lubrication, you might find yourself stranded.

Faults:

Nothing yet.

General Comments:

A very cool and easy to drive car.

Good performance despite the engine (1.0 12v), very relieble and economical car, perfect for the city.

The transmission could be a little bit softer and I believe the car should have better suspension (in some curves it balances a lot).