Faults:

Usual wear and tear stuff: cam belt change, wheel bearing, exhaust, tyres etc.

Bizarrely, the fuel shut-off solenoid failed open so engine wouldn't switch off - had to use the manual cut-off switch on the fuel pump. How the mechanic laughed - but it only cost me twenty pounds to fix.

General Comments:

Fantastically reliable. Has never let us down in forty-odd thousand miles.

Handles very nicely, and is quiet and comfortable at speed.

Not quick but very strong. From a standing start you can work your way up into fifth gear without using the accelerator!

We've worked out the car has averaged 54 miles per gallon over the last four years.

Faults:

Nothing drastic:

A minor oil leak in the gearbox.

Rear windscreen heater does not work (common problem).

Horn stopped working.

Rear brake lines starting to show signs of perishing.

CV and steering boots have split, but this is not unusual in a 13 year old car.

General Comments:

Good, practical car. It has been perfectly reliable during the time I've owned it and starts first time, every time.

Engine is bulletproof. Excellent on long trips thanks to fairly high gearing for a 1.6. I noticed that another review of the same model mentioned that it revs at 4300 rpm at 70 mph. Either something is badly wrong with that car (severe clutch slip??), or the owner has not discovered 5th gear. Either way, mine revs at just under 3000 rpm at the same speed.

Handling is also very good.

Faults:

It always goes wrong. But the biggest problem is that the engine will not start!!!!!!!

General Comments:

I wouldn't buy this car at this age if I were you. But there is one positive thing about this car: it does not rust.

Faults:

Just about everything! Barely a week would go by without something going wrong. Only started first time in warm weather, and I had the low coolant warning light come on every few days without traces of a leak. The final straw came when the head gasket and starter motor went AT THE SAME TIME, costing me just short of £500 to repair. That car had to go, after a mere 7,500 miles of driving it!

General Comments:

Unreliable, thirsty and noisy. When cruising at motorway speeds, the rev counter registered 4,300rpm at 70mph, which is way too high.

Faults:

Two driveshafts needed replacing, track rod ends. In total about 250 quid.

Otherwise, just the usual bits and bobs.

General Comments:

Had this car for 2 1/2 years and 20,000 miles (now on 138,000) and it never let me down once.

Faults:

Aside from new tyres very little. Only a new radiator at 64000, due to lack of care.

General Comments:

1.3 engine is fun and revvy, performs very well given its size. Handling is massive fun and I do love driving it. Interior trim is rubbish and it's tatty outside, but it's great value for money and you'll have lots of fun with one.