Faults:

Exhaust fell off, £116 to replace.

Windows stopped working, still to replace.

Central locking collapsed.

General Comments:

The car is not quick, probably because it's a 1.8L engine dragging a heavy car.

However, fuel is economical, if handled carefully, you can get approx. 25 MPG.

Handles well on corners and is very comfortable (for short people), limited engine noise from the cabin. Limited space for rear passengers.

Therefore boot space is huge, can easily fit loads of luggage (2 large suitcases)

Faults:

The radiator leaked.

Seats have started to wear badly.

Sunroof can sometimes stick.

Rear windows tend to stick as well.

General Comments:

Great cruising car, especially on long trips from Kerry to Dublin.

This car is seriously quick and handles like it's on rails, especially since it came with 17" 235 tires.

Its true what the sales person said to me "This car has a great set of lungs!", just gently touch the accelerator and it takes off.

Faults:

So far nothing has "Gone wrong" with the car, although since owning it, I have found some problems that will need to be remedied.

Firstly, there is an apparent, albeit, intermittent, smell of petrol, I suspect from the fuel lines.

Second, after the first few minutes, when the car reaches "normal" driving temperature, when stationery, the engine idle speed rises and then drops of it's own volition, (any ideas?)

Thirdly, the car "judders" at 90 Miles per hour. And the car judders under braking, suspect warped brake disks.

The interior, apart from the drivers seat is in very good condition, and have been offered a complete interior for £100, cheap as chips.

General Comments:

Although it would appear that there are some problems with the car, as above, you would expect some problems buying a used car of that year, so I was not daunted by the prospect of getting them fixed.

The car is a pleasure to drive, the body work is solid black, which when polished looks stunning, the car is lowered, probably a little too much, as certain speed ramps have caused concern for the exhaust system, but handles well both in the dry and the wet, although it can still slip out when driven hard, so ignore this at your peril.

I looked long and hard for this car, and paid less than £1000 for it, and am thoroughly pleased with it.

Faults:

-Noisy tappets, replaced camshaft

-Steering links needed replacement

-Fuel lines rusted

-Gear lever gets a bit loose and wobbly with age

-Throttle position switch soaked in oil prevented idling correctly

-Fan clutch failed, caused overheating

-Coolant reservoir cap failed, overheating.

General Comments:

I've done all repairs on this car myself, otherwise I couldn't afford to keep it. With insurance costs so high in this country too a 1.8 engine is even expensive to run. But If you love tinkering with real cars this is a good introduction. It hasn't missed a Monday morning yet.

To drive, it's cozy yet it rolls and handles solidly. The chassis is quite wide and you can feel this in the stability when turning, along with the anti roll bar keeping you level.

The engine is a bit small for the size, but cruises gloriously.

If you find one of these without a rattling diesel sounding engine, you're very lucky, change of camshaft and tappets sorts this out though.

When I can afford the running costs I would love to get into a 525 or 535 but I'm loving this car for now.