Faults:

Leak in passenger foot well.

Horn didn't work.

Engine grinding when started.

Leak in driver's and passenger's foot well again!

General Comments:

Performs extremely well for a 1.4.

Excellent road handling, and very comfortable ride.

One of the most easiest cars I have driven.

Very impressive sound system, and engine noise, when thrashed.

Always very keen to go faster, power always there when needed.

Faults:

One of the ignition coils broke down at 60 000km (37 500 miles) (It was cheap to repair, so no major faults).

The pointer of engine temperature isn't always doing its job, but most of the time it works fine.

And the drivers seat creaks silently sometimes (while accelerating or braking harder). Started to do so at 95 000km (60 000 miles).

And there is always been slight problem with rain sometimes when it rains heavily water might come in through the bottom of the right door (but it really have to rain heavily). Dealer service repaired it, but the fault came back after 15 000 km-s (10 000 miles).

General Comments:

I am really happy with that car, performance is seriously good, it handles great a bit soft on circuit compared to cars like Honda Civic Type-R, but it's much better on roads.

Sound system is pretty good.

TCS (traction control) is a bit too harsh.

Faults:

Rear brake light failed four times: at 8,000 miles, 15,000 miles, 23,000 miles and finally at 33,000 miles.

Tailgate catch broke at 18,000 miles.

Remote locking function failed at 25,000 miles.

General Comments:

Handling and performance were both great.

Bargain price at £14,500 for the hottest hatchback in Europe.

A handful of electrical faults were the only issue with the car's quality.

Faults:

Front passenger door seal leaks water.

Water pump failed at 37000 miles.

Emission Light occasionally comes on.

General Comments:

I received this car after it had spent 2 years being a pool car within the company I work for and therefore the car had been abused by most that drove it, all 4 tyres were completely worn down to the Carcase, the brakes pads were shot, but the car started straight away and still sounded great.

Since I have been the main driver of this car I have covered approximately 18000 miles and apart from the couple problems the car has been faultless.

The car has bags of power and pulls really hard in all of the 6 gears with only the slightest amount of turbo lag.

I found the handling is good for general fast road use and doesn't roll too much and it has a very planted feel, however the steering can get a little vague at high speed.

The brakes are powerful and require a light touch when in traffic to ensure smooth stops.

The interior is nicely laid out and makes the car feel more spacious than it is.

The stereo is good quality, but I find the speed sensing automatic volume control increases at a too low road speed.

Would I buy one of these cars? : Definitely yes, even with the little niggles this is one, well made fun car!!.

Turn the traction control off and have a laugh.

Faults:

Nothing, significant, no water leaks of any kind. Seat belt on passenger side sticks sometimes which means it does not retract when the passenger un-clips it. I expect dealer to sort at next service.

General Comments:

I am very please with this car, drives and handles very well. For a 1.6 it's lively enough. Good room in back for passengers and also good for picking stuff up from the local DIY as seats fold down well for a good loading space. No major squeaks or rattles, build quality seems solid enough for the price.