Faults:

From time to time is seems to lack fuel and splutters, losing power for a few seconds, even 10 or 20 seconds on two occasions. This only happens at low engine speeds, cruising. Driven hard it goes fine.

Minor rust on doors just below windows, also near one tail light.

Rear window de-mister wires were loose.

One speaker only sometimes works.

Hatch door rattles.

Dashboard cracked in places.

Interior drivers door handle trim falls off.

General Comments:

I paid $2000 for this in roadworthy condition, so can live with the odd mystery fuel problem. Solid feel, good brakes, comfortable seats, effective air-conditioning.

Spoiler is handy for siting picnic items on, I question the aerodynamic benefits.

Has always started first time.

Faults:

The starting-engine blew, twice.

Had to replace the key-starter, it made the starting-engine blow.

Bad bulk inside cockpit, driver-side, it has started to rust badly.

Oil-leakage that I can't find, or I am just too lazy to find.

Window-whisker "squirter" is broken.

Brake-cylinder leakage.

General Comments:

It handles turns like a rally-car.

Straightens up like it was automatic.

Fine cockpit.

Replaced all brakes, still it's a bit bad.

Starts to shake after 120 km/h, balanced the tires, so now it shakes after 140 km/h.

Could be a bit tricky in the winter, have to turn the key about 3-5 times more than usual.

Faults:

Factory Mags were warped out of shape.

New Timing Belt needed.

New Clutch and Gearbox overhaul needed.

Torque Tube Failure.

Doesn't start first go (even after tune-up)

Injectors always clog open and allow too much fuel into the engine, resulting in shocking fuel economy and bad acceleration.

Speedo erratic between 40 - 55kmp/h.

General Comments:

I bought this car with the intention of doing it up and make people see that even Volvo's can be cool. However every week a new problem arises. I'm sticking to my guns though, I'm determined to make this car a hot little number.

The car is very comfortable.

Doesn't have much sting until about 2500rpm.

Faults:

The car has been rather neglected as it needed servicing, like a new distributor cap and a set of ignition cables. I carefully replaced the timing chain and a few hose lines too.

Loses a bit of cooling fluid, but it's less than 1/2 a litre per year, the water-pump under pressure seemed to be all right, so I neglected it.

Tends to corrode below the doors.

Only once out of order because of a corroded fuse holder for the fuel pump.

General Comments:

Very cheap because of the (completely wrong) image of an old ladies car, but it's a wolf in sheep's clothing. Cheap in insurance (in Germany) too.

Heavy drinker with 9-10 l/100 km.

Most reliable and solid car I ever had, saw the service in 3 years only for the fuse and the annual emmisson/biannual technical control (like MOT in England).

Needs a new shock absorber in the front now.

Faults:

The alternator broke down, something to do with the brushes.

The steering is hard to turn when at low speeds and at idle.

Steering arm joint was broken, I got it fixed and now it's better than new.

When I put my turbo in it, the engine was blowing smoke from the exhaust, I then reconditioned the whole engine and placed two head gaskets in as well as a decompression plate on the head.

The muffler at the rear was blown and I replaced it with a 3" stainless steel exhaust system all the way through.

Blown axle... well when I sit every day I expected it.

General Comments:

I love it, the best small car to go drifting in and do burn-outs in.

If you ever want a bit more fun around a corner, put a Limited Slip Diff on it and see it go like an animal.

Handles like a beaut.