Faults:

As I bought it when it was off road it needed some work to be brought up to scratch.

I have had a new brake and exhaust sytem.

New tyres (partly my fault for hitting kerbs!!!)

Also the central locking has disappeared!!

More recently the master cylinder has decided to go too.

General Comments:

I think these are one of the most wicked cars on the road. They are popular, but not too popular so they are always a head turner.

Seriously fast but I would not recommend going round corners too fast in the rain as the car spins out of control due to it being so light. I am a girl therefore I show all of the other boy racers what a woman driver can do in one of these cars!!!!

I love it to bits and would definitely get another one!!

The only small car I know which can burn off an XR3i.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

This car is the biggest load of crap! Why anybody would want to buy one of these is beyond me! I used to see them around town and think to myself "Wow, those are nice!" (till I bought one), what utter crap! The car is so slow it's unbelievable! I feel like an old man driving it!

Apart from that, I suppose it's OK!

Faults:

Overheating.

Engine rebuild.

Wishbone replaced.

Driveshafts.

Clutch.

Siezed brake caliper.

More overheating.

Starter motor.

General Comments:

Car is lightning quick, faster than XR2i's and Corsa GSi's since I fitted a new air filter (K+N).

Faults:

Most things! These cars are so unreliable it is untrue. The bodywork dents if you blow on it and the interior rattles like a kids toy. Often I wondered whether the car was going to fall apart.

The brakes in standard form are absolutely shocking and couldn't stop an airport luggage trolley!

The list of problems is so big that I might as well tell you what didn't go wrong! - the engine never seized!

General Comments:

On the flip side, this car is absolutely mental!! For a 1.4, insurance group 10, you will not get a faster or cheaper car. It keeps up with a lot of hot hatches and can really throw you back in your seat, if you twin choke it in a low gear (although petrol consumption goes through the roof!). Every passenger in my car was impressed. However they do run out of steam, soon after 70mph, and as you hit 100mph, you have serious doubts as to whether the car will stay in one piece.

I have heard that they handle well, however my experience is quite different! I have never driven a car that is so out of touch with the road! Oh and by the way, if you thought the handling in the dry was bad, then wait till it rains - I learned the hard way, by understeering into the side of an Astra.

If you don't have much money to spend, and/or cannot afford "hot hatch" insurance premiums, then go and get yourself one of these. However if not, avoid them like the plague and get yourself something decent!!