Faults:

Cooling system didn't cope with extremely hot driving conditions (50C). Had radiator flushed and fixed a small leak in the top tank.

Thrust bearing on clutch was noisy.

Gearbox lost hardening on 2nd and 3rd gears. Very noisy. Replaced with a cheap 30000 K import.

Rear brake calipers seized and vehicle couldn't be moved.

Soft top aging and the plastic rear window is hard to look through. Replaced with new top with a glass window.

General Comments:

This car is much more than the sum of its parts. It's getting on in years; its body is a little tired, and its interior is a little shabby. It uses a bit of oil.

And I'd rather drive it than anything else I've ever owned or ever driven. It is just so much well balanced FUN!

For its age and use, it has been surprisingly reliable. But I don't care about how reliable it is... I don't even care much about how fast it is (well maybe a little)...

It is the most consistently enjoyable driving experience I have ever had in a car.

Faults:

210,000km whine from rear differential. had it replaced.

205000km, play in the steering rack meant it failed a 'warranty of fitness', so rack was replaced.

Drivers door lock would not unlock, just wear and tear. replaced lock.

Very little actually.

Just regular maintenance: tyres, brake pads, spark plug leads, cambelt and water pump, and oil changes.

General Comments:

Although not absolutely perfect reliability-wise. Mostly wear and tear stuff. It is now a 14 year old car. Considering the mileage I have done in 7 years of ownership, and the sometimes aggressive driving style, the car has done very well. Still on the first clutch, but I feel it slipping a little on quick gear changes.

Have changed the air filter to make more air get in more directly, perhaps a small performance gain.

Bigger tyres on 16" alloys, better grip in the wet, the old 14" felt skittish and scary in the wet.

Reasonable performance and economy, great handling. Still turns heads after all these years even.

More fun, economical and quicker than the boring Toyota Camry which is the other car, although that is more comfortable and safer.

Great little car, that's why I've kept it so long.