Faults:

Lots, but mostly wear and tear.

Exhaust mid and rear section.

Shocks + springs back and front (expensive!)

Alarm and immobilizer was temperamental; had to get an auto electrician out to fix it as it had a stupid code entry system and could not get it started one day, even after repeated correct attempts.

The engine developed a small oil leak in its last year of my ownership, but nothing major.

Tried to look after it as much as I could, changed the oil and drove it carefully, but I do not think the previous owner took care of it.

General Comments:

This car was bought as a stop gap for a couple of years when I was a student and couldn't afford anything better. To be fair, apart from the problems above, it was a decent car and did not break down.

To drive it was not as fast as you might think - a 1.6 in a small car... quick right? No - remember this was the standard 1.6, and it was an automatic. Do not confuse this with the VTS, that was the hot hatch to have; this was by no means fast. Did a solid 40 MPG if you drove it carefully though.

Interior was as dull and cheap as it gets, but it did stand up very well to my wear and tear. Comfortable enough (just!) seats felt cheap and nasty, but you got used to it. Ride was interesting - felt bouncy even after those new shocks and springs; maybe it was meant to this way, French cars always ride indifferent from other cars.

Sold mines on for pretty much most of what I paid for it, so I was happy, though generally these cars don't hold value well.

Not got much more to say about it, it was an honest little car; nothing more, nothing less. Don't see too many around these days in standard spec, except maybe a VTS for hot hatch nostalgia, and that is what you should look for if considering buying one of these cars today.

Faults:

Driver's door catch sometimes freezes in winter.

Rear passenger side brake sometimes freezes on in winter.

Fan belt squeals in low temperatures (I've replaced it, and the new one still does it).

The boot catch is temperamental; it sometimes takes a bit of jiggling to get it open.

Exhaust fell off twice (separated at the front, just underneath the engine).

General Comments:

Despite the small engine size, the car has decent acceleration, especially when gear ratios are used well. The small engine size also means it's fairly cheap to run, and combined with its age, it is also reasonably cheap to insure.

Inside it's small, but comfortably fits four adults (or, less comfortably, five adults can manage) and being a hatchback, the boot is large enough to carry all manner of things. It's also quite comfortable, handles fairly well, and doesn't have much problem driving on ice or snow.

Great features include:

- No central locking (less to go wrong).

- Fuel cap requires the key to open it (no doubt about whether it's been locked after fueling).

- Front two doors have to be locked either from the inside or with the key (dramatically reduces the chance of locking the keys in).

- Brilliant visibility.

- Manually adjustable wing mirrors (can be adjusted to suit perfectly).

In 3 1/2 years of owning the car, very little has needed to be replaced or repaired, and usually only then due to general wear and tear (such as brake pads, windscreen wiper rubber). I've read several reviews from people who were ticked off about their Saxos pretty much falling apart, but mine has been very reliable - even when the exhaust fell off twice, it was simple to repair. I am slightly pleasantly surprised at how decent my car has been so far, especially as I drive mostly country roads with potholes and hills, but it has served me very well so far, and I hope it continues to do so.