Faults:

Idle problems.

Starting issue if you have just run the car - engine flooding.

Front wheel bearings.

Seats in the rear ripped to bits.

Gear box shifting weirdly, then BOOM! No gears at all, and stranded in the middle of nowhere!

Head gaskets blew.

General Comments:

Awesome performance from such a wee car, and it sounds wicked. Really enjoyable to drive...

HORRIBLE to repair! Will suck more money than it's worth. Definitely go for the manual and do not touch the auto. Check the radiator for bubbling and signs of head gasket issues with these cars.

Not economical for a 1.8, but economical for a V6.

The car had a rebuilt engine as well, but obviously the rebuild was of poor quality, due to the head gaskets going in less than 5000kms. There was over 12k spent on this 2k car!