Where to start!?
New clutch (twice)
New brake pads every 4000 miles.
New water pump.
Thermostat blew apart at 40000 miles.
Petrol tank split and leaked onto exhaust pipe.
New wheel bearings after 10000 miles.
Door handle fell off.
Speedo/mileometer faulty, stopped recording miles at 80k, except when you were sitting in traffic where it would wind up to 180mph and spin on many miles.
Boot rusted.
Get it lowered and stick on some alloys that won't corrode so much as the standards!
I put a stainless steel straight thru exhaust on mine, added an extra 5-7bhp.
Get it rolling road tuned and invest wisely in spark plugs! I had 140mph out of mine after this...
Upgrade the brake discs, pads wear out V quickly on the model I had, probably due to having drums on the back!
Basically this car was my pride and joy, I saved up to buy it and then it bankrupted me by being in the garage every month!
My dad had a 33 1.7ie and the engine was FANTASTIC, it was the fastest car he has driven!! The engine ROARED!!! He got 0-60 in 7.9secs and 140mph without tuning it, if you give me your e-mail address I will tell you how to do it which would take yours 10mph + faster!! Quite a lot started going wrong with his as-well but managed to give it back just in time (company car).
I also own a 33IE. You're right, it is quick and a joy to drive. Let me know how your dad achieved that 0 - 60 time. My email address is nnamdiugo@hotmail.com.
Thanks.
Note: A Comments RSS Feed 
is available. New comments appear in the Members Area before the main site