Faults:

Nothing, but only one month old.

General Comments:

This is the first car I have bought from new, and I couldn't be happier. My previous cars have only been 1.0 to 1.2 litre 8v engines so this is quite a step up.

I've got the new ZR facelifted model. It's the 105 with the 1.4 litre engine, which may not seem much, but boy does it shift when you want it too. The k-series engine in this car sounds sweet, and how they've managed to squeeze 105 bhp out of a 1.4 is incredible.

The car loves to be revved to get its best performance, and the ride is excellent despite the firm sports suspension. The best thing about driving it however is its maneuverability. It corners like no other car I've been in. You can actually accelerate hard on sharp roundabouts and you won't lose grip, and body roll is non-existent. All this adds to a driving experience which I've never had in other cars.

It looks great too. I ordered mine in X-power grey, and it just looks mean. Forget your girly saxos or chubby looking golfs, this is how a performance hatch should look. The only extras I ordered were the side sill finishers and the 17 inch straights alloys. The front end with the new lights and grille look great, as does the cleaner tailgate with the recessed number plate and ZR logo.

The inside is a massive improvement over the last ZR, with a cleaner finish, new switchgear, and comfy sports seats which hold you firmly in place. Electric windows, remote alarm and immobilizer, adjustable steering wheel, remote tailgate release, power steering all come as standard.

I didn't buy this car because I'm especially patriotic, but when you consider what you get for the money, this car cannot be beaten. I tested many other cars, but didn't have half the fun that I had in the ZR. If you also consider that the basic car came with dealer discounts taking it to only £8860, it becomes even better value.

In addition, although I haven't had it long, there were NO rattles or falling bits of trim, and nor do I expect any. It feels very solidly put together.

It always puts a smile on my face when I pull up to a junction and other drivers look at me with envy, not realizing that it costs thousands less than their ford focus did. If they had any sense, they would get one too. I wouldn't blindly defend an ailing British car company if it didn't deserve it, but MG-Rover seem to have got their act together.