Faults:

My alternator went out of service as the car slept for two years before I get it. Everything else is in a perfect condition despite 2 years of inactivity.

General Comments:

It is a cheap and sure purchase, as long as you have nothing to spend on it. Spare parts are pretty expensive. Performance is surprising, but above all the engine is especially pleasant and it is a pleasure to cruise. I am really in love with this car and I would now like to buy the a more recent & powerful one. One problem : hard to sell...

Faults:

There are occasionally problems starting the car after it has been for a long run (one hour or more). It does start after a few turns though.

The radiator top hose became fractured due to friction against the engine. I tried 3 scrap yards before finding a suitable replacement hose and have now placed a pad between the hose and the engine.

Still on the cooling system, it also has a slow leak which I haven't yet located.

Minor intermittent electrical faults like electric mirrors not always working.

General Comments:

The cabin is adequate considering the cars age. Grey interior is a bit gloomy, but functional.

Heated seats are a luxury in the winter, and do actually heat up quickly.

The car doesn't look out of place parked next to newer cars as the bodywork is still very nice.

Faults:

There is a small problem with transmission because of driving with out recommended level of oil in gearbox.

I had to buy new battery.

General Comments:

Good car for longer distances.

Good handling.

Comfortable.

Faults:

Throttle-control motor failed - lost idle speed and rev-limiting - cheap replacement.

Hatchback support-arms frequently shear off - slight design modification now implemented on replacement struts.

Clutch cable broke (but clutch still going at 157000miles...)

General Comments:

This car is a wolf in a very boring, box-shaped sheep's clothing.

Apart from the strange clutch-foot position that doesn't allow you to rest your foot on the ground (although you can cancel the left-indicator with your knee...), it's extremely comfortable - seats come with lumbar support, heaters and are low, sporty and bucket-like!

The car has stupid amounts of torque at low revs making economical driving easy as it is very possible to drive, never having to go above 2000 RPM (even on steep hills).

It goes amazingly and stunningly fast. Will do 90 in 3rd gear and sounds perfect at 4000+ RPM!

Faults:

It needed a new alternator.

It drinks oil for some reason.

Needed a new bumper, front left headlamp and wheel, after I drove it into a bush!

Now the windscreen has cracked from bottom nearly to top!

Computer says oil needs checking, again!

Bulb needs changing on brake light.

Trim rattles, which is very annoying.

General Comments:

My dad got this car in 1997 and put me on the insurance in 2000, so in effect this was my first car, and what a car to drive for your first car!

This car is very fast and can beat any boy racers in their Nova SRi's and XR3i's at the lights.

My dad claims to have had it up to 130mph and said it could have gone further, but he didn't want to try it.

It looks like a sensible car which is why it is probably so under-estimated, but underneath that bonnet is a beast!

It is quite insurance friendly also, even if I did have my own insurance and wasn't on my dads.

Everyone came to college in their Metros and Micras and it just made me laugh when these people tried to race home with me!

Fuel consumption isn't bad either, only if driven in a sensible manner, which I never really did!

It's at its best on the motorway and cruises very well. It is also very comfortable.

The trim is rattly and is hanging on the passenger door by a thread, but if the stereo is turned up you can't hear them.

It is a fantastic car and I still go out in it when I'm missing the thrill!, as my Corsa TD doesn't offer the same performance.