Cracked windscreen due to stress fracture - replaced for £50 by insurance.
Exhaust rattles from front mounting point by catalytic converter.
Cat failed at 55000 miles - £210 to replace.
Failed engine management sensor.
Cracked headlight due to stone damage (still works though, so not paying out £200+ to have it replaced)
Squeal from starter motor (?) on starting car for 1st time each day.
Despite other poorish reviews of this car, I have never had any real problems with it.
Reliability has been fine, with the car getting me to work and back for 4-5 years without any problems or breakdowns. The only time the engine management light came on, it turned out to be a failed sensor which cost just £15 to replace.
For a 1.6 litre, 8-valve, engine, I'd say the performance is more than adequate, although it will never astound.
The car has a tendency to understeer quite badly, a trait which is exacerbated by tyres. The worst were Pirelli P4000 which made the car almost undrivable. The best tyre I've found for the car so far is Goodyear Eagle Ventura which improve front end grip considerably, but at the expense of tyre life.
Returns 35-40 miles per gallon when driven fast and hard.
Coupe design has lasted despite the model being quite a few years old now.
Boot space is limited, but not as much as 'real' sports coupes. Rear seats are usable (at a push) by adults.
You said the car "squeals" when started. It sounds to me as a slipping belt probably fan belt, if this isn't it does the ignition barrel on the cranking setting flick back straight away after you release it. Only other thing I can think of would be faulty starter motor or air (pressure) escaping from somewhere, such as radiator or p.a.s pipes
hope this was helpful.
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