1986 Reliant Scimitar SS1 review from UK and Ireland

Starter Motor, had 3 in 12mths, two wrong ones fitted then the 3rd worked. Clutch Cable snapped, easy fix. Electrics are toy like, indicator switch failed, so fun waving my arms out the window, although, pop-ups never let me down, only had to replace the odd bulb etc!

I didn't have a lot of cash to splash on the car at the time, had it as a 2nd car, so my budget only bought a 100k + example, with a few knocks on the body and alloys badly needing refurb - however, putting aside, all the negs, when it started and I drove it, it was a buzz to drive, good pull from a 100k ford unit engine, still nippy and low to the ground, with a lotus elan like chassis, it was a dream drive, massive grip, like nothin I've driven since, and I owned this car in 97/98.. I've had loads of sports cars since and they're naff, when it comes to chassis, this car, could have been a superb long-term production opportunity, a shame in the later 1.8 TI and Sabre forms, that no fool bought the rights to produce it, because although the MX5 was a better built car and finished better, as you'd expect, its not as fun to drive.. but its 100 times better than the shocking MGF..

Mine was white with white hard-top.. boy, did I pull the ladies in that passion wagon, bearing in mind, 205 gti's and Golf's were the order of the day in the late 90's.. this thing looked 'the part'.. would I have another, sure, but i'd grab the 1.8ti or a superb cond 1.6.