Faults:

New headlamp due to water ingress at 2,000 miles (warranty)

New water pumps at 12,000 miles and 18,000 miles (warranty)

Engine coolant leaks at 28,000 (warranty) and 32,000 miles (£60)

Blown cylinder head gasket at 32,000 miles (£450)

Poor starting and "engine fault light"especially in warm humid weather.

General Comments:

I am glad I took out a 4 year warranty. Unfortunately it had expired when the head gasket blew.

The car has been treated gently and covered less than 7,000 m per year.

When it works the engine is lively! The handling is mediocre.

Faults:

When new, it was fitted with a 3-door central locking system. Unfortunately it is a 5-door car!

Black plastic bodywork faded to grey very quickly.

Faults:

The exhaust back box split after 2 weeks of ownership.

5 trips to the dealer to fix a idle problem that was related to the ECU.

3 trips to the dealer after the idle was fixed due to a leak in the head rocker gasket.

The idle problem has returned with another weird knocking noise in the engine block.

The front passenger and driver's seat have now begun to squeak.

Rapid consumption of fuel, possibly due to problems occurring with the engine.

General Comments:

Since owning the car I have corrected the spongy roll on the cornering by fitting up-rated springs and replacing the rear shocks, lowering it 40mm closer to the ground giving it a lower center of gravity and making it hug the tarmac.

Fitted 15" alloys for better grip.

The cabin is comfortable and pleasing with the controls within easy reach.

The back seats are comfortable and head room is fine.

The leg room in the rear is of acceptable standards for such a car.

Faults:

The heater controls jammed after about three months, so there was no ventilation coming in unless you opened the window. Fixed under warranty.

Headlamp bulbs have a habit of blowing. I think I've been through 3 sets in 3 years.

The exhaust gas recirculation valve malfunctioned after about 2 years. I have no idea what it does, but it made the car idle erratically and cost me about £200 to fix.

An oil leak was found during one of my services and the sump gasket had to be replaced.

Battery died after about 2 and a half years.

Radio had to be replaced after about 6 months, when it refused to play tapes.

General Comments:

For a 1.4 engine, this car flies. It handles well, but not as well as the Lotus tuned suspension would have you believe. There is just a little too much body roll.

The interior is OK. The design of the seat trim is tasteful, but the dashboard is too plastic, basic, and a bit too flimsy.

The dealers are always willing to help. They may be a bit on the pricy side, but they will get the job done properly. I have no problem trusting my car with them.

Although I listed quite a few problems I had with the car, it always got me to where I was going. It could certainly hold its own on the motorway, and never let me down with performance or reliability.