Faults:

Both drive-shafts (in both cases due to CV boots splitting and shedding grease)

Starter problem (occasionally wouldn't start when hot) - ultimately turned out to be inherent wiring design problem, sorted with aftermarket relay.

Central locking periodically goes loopy - requires micro-switch contacts cleaning.

Some bars of heated rear screen have stopped functioning.

Speedometer over-reads (indicated 75mph=actual 70mph)

Rear speakers sound distorted.

General Comments:

The car is reasonably quick (0-60 in 9.5 with 1 person and ~empty fuel tank (measured) ), yet typically gives ~53MPG on combined country/A-road/motorway run.

Gives a range of about 500miles.

Handling is pretty good, although ultimate grip could be better, and non-power assisted steering is a bit slow.

Interior is comparatively low quality, thus is somewhat rattly, although hard plastics wear well.

Overall, it's the best car I've owned - (moderately) quick, pretty reliable, good fun and (almost) completely DIY-able repairs. Plus, no-one is likely to pinch it :-)

Oh, and pretty good headlights - better than many a more modern steer.

Faults:

What hasn't gone wrong? In chronological order:

When I bought it:-

The interior ventilation directional control jammed on window de-mist.

Rev counter did not function.

Since I've owned it:

Interior fan stopped working.

Off-side drive shaft snapped at 90,000 miles.

Intermittent starting problem (found to be due too bad starter motor connection).

Engine won't switch off (faulty fuel cut-off solenoid).

Various rubber hoses have perished/split (oil, water, fuel).

Drivers seat came loose from mounting as a result of rusty floor.

Central locking became erratic then stopped working altogether.

Passenger door locking mechanism jammed. Door cannot be opened.

Various oil leaks.

Nearside drive shaft making excessive noise now.

General Comments:

Despite being relatively cheap to buy (K reg/£900) its reliability and build quality has been quite disapointing.

However, the car is deceptively quick and has probably encouraged "enthusiastic" driving by many of its previous owners as it has with me.

It provides highly addictive in-gear acceleration, thanks to the turbo, which allows for safe overtaking and relaxed motorway driving. The ample torque eliminatates the need for high revs, and you don't need to exceed 4,000rpm to make very swift progress.

When entering a derestricted zone it easily leaves the XR2/XR3/Nova SR, that has been sat right on your arse, for dead (or possibly trying to navigate the plume of black smoke that you've emitted), without the need to down-change.

The GTI style seats are very supportive (when they are fixed to the floor - see above), and the power steering is perfectly weighted and very direct when on the move.

Very good m.p.g. can be achieved on long drives (up to 55+), though it is still very reasonable when driven hard, and probably never drops much below 40-45mpg.

Faults:

One oil leak.

Believe it or not nothing has gone wrong with it.

General Comments:

When I first had the GRD diesel engine I was extremely please with its all around performance its handling was great and the body work was in great condition.

It would start first time in and kind of weather first time every time.

This car never once let me down I couldn't have asked for a better car for only five hundred pound.

If you want a cheap car that will never let you down and that's cheap to run then get a grd.

I'm only 22 so I changed the diesel engine and I fitted a Mi 16 super chipped engine to it so its now faster than most cars around. I spent about five thousand pound on the engine and the upgrade, but worth every penny. this car will easily take on any other Mi 16 peugeot and come off the best each and everytime lol.

I have a one off body kit fitted and I have spent 3k on amps and subs for the car. I also added flip paint to it. I don't have any door handles they have been taken out and I've had them smoothed into the body work. I open the doors by remote control.

I have also added security film to the car so no one car break into it.

Going back to how it used to be it was a great car.

If you want a good car for very cheap money then this is the car for you without a doubt.

I paid five hundred pound for my car when it was standard, but since I have changed the engine and added a one off body kit the car is now worth just over £8,500.