Faults:

New clutch installed on purchase; old one was shot.

Upper radiator hose, engine block connector corroded, causing a loss of cooling water.

Throttle position sensor is on its way out.

General Comments:

This little car's engine is a ripper, can get enough of the performance it puts out for such a small engine.

However the suspension could do with a freshen up to make it handle and track better.

Very easy to work on at home; no need for an expensive mechanic, as everything is readily accessible.

Fuel economy is unbelievable; 550km out of 1 tank that costs $35 to fill to the brim; who can complain about that?

Faults:

One High-Tension spark lead broke.

General Comments:

At 221,000 kms this car was a little worse for wear when I got it. The previous owner had parked it under a tree for a year or so, but the shine came back up after a cut and polish. What is remarkable is that there is not a hint of rust anywhere on this vehicle.

The front seats were quite torn up when I got the car, so I replaced them. The rear seats and other trim (carpet, roof skin, etc) are still quite good.

This was the basic model, so is lacking in basic comforts such as a clock, tachometer, remote bootlid and petrol tank flap release, rear windscreen wiper, only has 2-speed front windscreen wipers (slow and fast), but does come with air conditioning.

The engine has not been well looked after through its life, but regardless, does not smoke. It is quite rough though, even for a 3-cylinder engine, and is due for a rebuild. It still starts first time, every time.

The drive is quite ordinary, and while it takes time to get up to any speed, once there it's quite easy to maintain that speed if you feel like being tossed around a little through the corners. The engine is a slow revver, so even on the up-shifts, you find yourself waiting for the engine to drop its revs before you slot it into the next gear. Down-shifts are a little more fun, as the engine revs up a lot faster than it revs down. However there is no "kick in the back" from the acceleration as the output is probably at best 35kW at the wheels.

Lateral support in the seats is negligible, and going around corners fast can be uncomfortable as a result. Driver information in the base model is limited to fuel, temperature, and speedo, as well as all the usual warning lights. So its up to you to tell when its time to change gears, which is not terribly difficult as you can hear every noise the engine makes.

Faults:

Hardley any problems this this little car.

Had to get the wheels alligned shortley after purchased the car.

General Comments:

The Brakes are quite squeaky.

Great first car for short people.

Great reliability.

Very good performance for a 1.0 litre car.

No engine replacements, which is very good for a small car that's done 221000 kilometres.

Faults:

Absolutely everything, but the most notable thing was the spectacular way in which it all went wrong at once.

500km's after buying the car, the auto trans blew up.

Another 500km's, the oil pump packed up, the front brakes were also shot and so were fixed at the same time.

In less than 500km's the engine then completely hand-grenaded, blowing the head, and water pump.

I could have accepted this being an old car now, but meanwhile, it was painfully slow, excruciatingly uncomfortable, and truly truly ugly. Add in a healthy dose of rust, dangerous handling, pathetic quality of interior and build and numerous water leaks when it rained, causing fungus!!! It was a total pile of poo.

General Comments:

If this car were a fridge it would wear a four star energy rating. Fuel bills are the smallest outlay possible on this car.

If you buy one, people will laugh at you and you will become an outcast, seriously unhinged and in need of therapy.