Faults:

I bought the car as a non runner. A learner driver had burned out the clutch. I repaired this myself which was a pretty easy job.

The starter motor went. I bought a secondhand one for 25 euro, It was easy to fit also.

The Ignition switch seized, I picked up a lock set for free from a crashed one. This was a big job, as the steering column is one with the ignition. The dash had to come out, along with the wiper mechanism!

The coil module went leaving me stranded on the side of the road.

The car has had 3 left hand side wheel-bearings since I bought it.

The fan short circuited.

General Comments:

For its age and mileage the car is in great condition. I do a 50 mile round trip to college and back daily, and the car has been comfortable and never looses it's cool in traffic, It's also able to hold its own on the motorway, one never realises what speed one is doing.

The car is a very practical load lugger, and it frequently carries my band and our equipment.

I love it!!

Faults:

Clutch cable snapped whilst driving, but was only a reasonable £30 to replace and I was able to do it myself.

Timing belt snapped! Not good at all. This was a very expensive job costing me £350. I was not pleased, but I love my car and so I paid for it and kept it running.

Small bit of rust around the passenger side of the car, but this was fairly easily sorted.

Manual driver side window regulator broke, a new one is in the region of £50 but I was able to use eBay to get two brand new ones for £5. Nice one!

General Comments:

I am 17 and this is my first car. I bought it because as a regular reader of max power I have seen some very well modified ibizas. I am currently in the stage of modifying my own. I've so far spent well over £1000 on it.

It is a really good runner nippy to due to engine mods, but was pretty quick before.

Personalised interior, easy to achieve, I am very pleased with the car as a whole.

Faults:

I have driven over 20,000 miles in this car with no problems.

The timing belt was changed at 75,000 miles, but this is normal.

General Comments:

This car is surprisingly quick for a small car.

It's handling is far superior to that of the Volkswagen Polo, Ford Fiesta or the Toyota Yaris.

The cabin is quiet, roomy and comfortable for a car of its size.

It is a solid car, which gives a real feeling of safety. This is due no doubt to the fact that it is built on the Volkswagen Polo Chassis, even though its' ride is much more responsive.

Overall it is a safe, reliable and nippy car, far out performing all of its rivals, even it's cousin the Volkswagen Polo.

Faults:

Electrics, electrics, electrics!

Is now on its third starter motor, at 140 pounds each, obvious when it's going as it sounds like the battery is getting flatter with each start.

The glow plugs have been replaced twice.

Also buy a spare 50 amp fuse as it can blow these, it won't start without it.

Rear wheel bearings at 80,000.

General Comments:

It is very economical returning 50mpg or thereabouts.

The interior is very dull and spartan.

Suffers from a lot of vibration and squeaks/noise.

Faults:

Nothing major - a couple of niggles which the dealer sorted under warranty (dealer is very good). Never fails to start and has never broken down. Not bad considering 35,000 miles in just over 2 years - most of that around town so it gets punished.

General Comments:

An amazing car - very good all rounder. Great around town (not to big) but large enough for touring. Well built, and very nippy for a 1.4, with good low down power. Can be a little heavy on petrol if pushed, but with such a good drive, you can't help pushing!!. Group 4 insurance, and a 20,000 main dealer service is about £110. This is my second new style Ibiza, and I am awaiting delivery of a 1.4 SXE Ibiza in Jan 98.