Faults:

The first problems I had were related to the computer and electrical flaws. One of the window elevators stopped working. Also, I couldn't change the display of the computer, so the only function I could get, was the fuel gauge. And, the ABS display had gone crazy and started to flash a malfunction message that never stopped (Oh, and the ABS was fine).

A few months later the clutch started to slip, and replacing it, was definitely not cheap.. (I don't know about other countries, but the parts for this car here in Portugal are really expensive).

And recently the fuel pump started to make a noise, which means the pump is facing its final days.. And I'm about to solve that problem.

The interior plastics quality is really poor, and if you don't keep an eye on it, you'll see plastic cracking all over the place.

General Comments:

It's a beautiful car, with an impressive performance even nowadays. Still surprises lots of drivers on the road..

Besides fast, it's safe. It has a good structure, and handles really good, even at higher speeds. The seats are excellent, very comfortable, and well positioned. It's a really well equipped car, problem is, that equipment doesn't last long, and the maintenance cost is almost ridiculous (at least here in Portugal it is).

This car demands constant attention. If you get too distracted, when you come back to find one problem, you will find a dozen of them.. Since I bought it, I didn't stop buying parts, and solving flaws. But hey, it's a 1989 car, and to own one of those, you really got to love it.

Faults:

When I bought it, it was in very bad condition. So I've spent about 3.000 euros to put the mechanics like new. It was worth it.

General Comments:

One of the best quick saloon's.

Faster than a Delta Integrale from 80 Km/h to 120 Km/h (in stock)

Very good comfort (leather seats)

Pretty well equipped for a model with 14 years old.

Faults:

Heater matrix broken from purchase.

Rear suspension replaced at 103000.

Front suspension, ball joints replaced at 126000.

Fuel tank straps replaced at 135000.. nightmare job. Bolts seized and sheared... hell...

Minor wear such as exhaust and brakes.

In 4 years this car NEVER failed an M.O.T.

General Comments:

Superb engine. 120 BHP, 0-60 in ten seconds. Responsive throttle, especially around 3000 RPM in third when the injectors really come into their own.

Plenty of torque, even at speeds exceeding 70 MPH. Superb crisp performance, talky steering giving precise control and accurate handling. Once you bury the car into a corner, despite it's size, balance it just right and it just grips and hurtles through the corner like a whippet out of a trap. A real nasty tendency toward understeer in the wet, but it's a gentle understeer not a snatch, and with practise is easy to control.

The car has NEVER let me down and NEVER failed to start first turn of the key. Am really saddened to finally be selling her for a newer Laguna.. she will be very sorely missed.

Faults:

Left hand drive shaft buckled at 103,000, to be expected really with such high mileage for a G registration.

Clutch went at about 107 thousand miles on the clock. Not bad actually for the year!

Constantly bursting coolant pipes. Cheap enough to repair, but annoying!

Driver'ss seat came off its mountings. Easily repaired but still annoying.

General Comments:

Well, I got the car as it's 4th, yes FOURTH owner.

It's obvious to me the last owner didn't take care of this car.

Apart from the list of faults, it's been fairly reliable. Good fuel economy. And takes some beating too.

I've had a Sierra bash into the back left hand door and an Accord scrape its side along the front, ripping off the bumper, smashing the driver's side headlight and denting the nose plate.

But she still keeps going!

Very comfortable and even at the base level of equipment.

Fairly quick, but not the fastest.

But boy can it carry a load!

Have spoken to owners of other 21's from new. No problems for them!

Must be this 4th owner thing.