Faults:

Rear wheel arches needed welding.

Some more welding under the car.

Replaced all the brake pads.

Replaced the fan thermostat as the fan would not switch on when the engine was hot.

General Comments:

This is my first car that I've purchased, but is the best that I have driven by far. It looks like it'll do around the 38 - 40 miles per gallon. Not bad for a car that I picked up for £40 down at a local car auction. Only needed some welding and new brakes to pass the M.O.T.

First gear is hard to find and most people who have driven my car have put it in reverse when pulling off at traffic lights (even those who have driven or own a Ford Escort).

Faults:

Valve stem oil-seals.

General Comments:

I have owned a standard XR3i before, but the build quality of the Cabriolet is far superior due mainly to the fact they were built by Karman in Germany, not Dagenham.

The close ratio gear box helps make the relatively small engine a bit more fun, but it's still pretty sluggish compared to most other cars.

The handling is superb and the feedback from the car is perfect, but it this is let down by the stopping abilities which are nowhere near as good as a modern car with electronic ABS.

At the end of the day it's a fun summer toy which is cheap to run and pretty cheap to buy, but being a group 16 they aren't cheap to insure!

Faults:

Starter motor sticks now and again even though a new one was fitted when bought.

O/S front brake binding at about 12,000 miles which required removal of the caliper to overhaul.

Clutch at 115,000 miles (from new?).

Exhaust system and back box at 122,000.

Most major fault was a badly worn hydraulic cam follower causing a misfire, but simple and cheap to sort.

General Comments:

For £700 this car has worked well for me, reasonable perfomance although a little thirsty for a 1600 (due to high mileage).

Central locking a bit tempramental ever since an attempted break-in, although all the original equipment is in full working order.

Chassis and running gear are getting a bit loose and rattly so I'm trading it in this week, but for the money it was a good buy.

Faults:

New engine.

LSD.

Gearbox.

Turbo.

Steering.

General Comments:

Good car as long as it has been well maintained, no good if it has been abused.