Faults:

Had to replace the hose from the header tank cos it split.

A little seat wear, but to be expected on a 12 year old car.

Clutch had to be replaced when I bought it.

General Comments:

The car is unexpectedly quick for a 1400cc engine.

Beats almost any other 1.4 out there and surprises a lot of bigger engined cars.

The acceleration is absolutely awesome.

I have beaten my mates 1.4 Ford Fiesta, Various SR novas, kept up with a GSi one time, a Ford Orion 1.6i, a few Fiesta Si's (1.4 and 1.6), Fiesta Mk4 1.6 Zetec and this is with no modifications to the engine at all.

The car is now lowered 60mm on 15's and is looking pretty phat, I got a Peugeot 106 Gti (16v) engine ready to be put in, can't wait for a 0 - 60 time of less than 8 seconds, may surprise a few people with that one.

The XS is an incredibly quick car and my next will definately be a 1.6 GTi with 1.9 engine conversion (just don't tell my insurers :-) OK)

Planned mods for the XS after engine; De-catted exhaust System, Custom made twin 6 x 4 oval exhaust tailpipes made by powerflow, K & N air filter plus lots of others.

After a bit of saving, may get a supercharger conversion for even quicker 0 - 60, possibly NOS, but it will be a while before I do these sort of mods because of cash shortage.

In conclusion I would advise this car to anyone as it is group 7/8 insurance and relatively cheap for an 18 year old (as I am) and you will not get a better deal, Cheap car, mine cost £400, cheap insurance: £440 under my dads name, sports seats also found in the GTi, just a different material.

Faults:

Drive shafts replaced.

New gear-box.

General Comments:

For my first car I'd say it was an excellent choice price/performance/economy wise. Steering is very responsive & gears are relatively smooth, although the brakes feel a little spongy.

Drives well about town, but not so confident on motorways at high speeds, feeling too light & rattley for my tastes.

Hates cold starts & also blows some smoke on engine start-up.

Bodywork still in good condition although it's easily dented/tarnished.

Interior is spartan but nicely designed, with all the controls situated at comfortable positions.

Faults:

Not a thing (touch wood).

General Comments:

Fantastic performance, the best Rallye incarnation ever.

Better than both the 1.6 and 1.9 GTi (I still have a 1.6 and turned my 1.9 into a rally car).

Very uncompromising, a genuine stripped-out homologation special.

Not good on the motorway (70mph = 4100 rpm) so buy a decent road map and head cross-country where it is in its element.

This car is NOT the warmed over 1.4 excuse for a 205 Rallye that we Brits were forced to have, but the genuine French 1.3 LHD barn-stormer (103 bhp @ 7000 rpm, very short gearing, twin Weber 40 DCOE's and the lightest performance 205 available).

Faults:

Drive shaft needed replacing.

HT leads and coil.

Rear wheel brake pistons.

Universal joint on the steering rack.

General Comments:

This car is generally good and it does drive OK. BUT I have a feeling other things are going to go wrong and it's going to be expensive.