Faults:

Clutch renewed at 111.000 Km.

Front drive axles and gears at 148.000 Km.

General Comments:

Bought it used from a Swiss lady – almost like getting a car from the priest, right? - with 111.000 Kilometers on it.

Exchanged the clutch and the shocks immediately after buying it – Costa Rica’s roads are very poor with lots of potholes, bumps, etc..

The car was very reliable and did not let me down once in whatever kind of weather.

The Pros:

· Very fuel-efficient. Ran it at an overall average of 6,52l / 100Km (36.10 mpg) mostly in stop & go city traffic. On the open road it would get down to 5,70l / 100Km.

· Good engine response, even for a 850cc three-cylinder sawing machine.

· Good visibility, even for a small and relatively low car.

· Excellent brakes.

· Very good body finish. It did not have one speck of rust, even in this tropical climate.

· It paid less road tax than for my 750cc Yamaha Virago motorbike.

The Cons:

· Loud! (I am a retired sound recordist).

· No 5th gear.

· Spare parts horribly expensive.

· God forbid having a frontal crash with it.

I eventually sold the car with 148.000 Km on it due to arising problems with the front drive chain, and “lost” just a thousand Dollars after three years of fun and reliability.

I am getting a 2003 Cuore in the next few days, and we’ll see how that one turns out.

Saludos from Costa Rica!