Faults:

Alarm kept going off when driving.

Engine earth wire broke so car wouldn't start.

Tyres wear out really quickly. I have had them replaced twice in the 18 months I have had it.

The main problem is now where the idle speed is playing up. Car won't tick over for about first 3 minutes when started. Once engine is warmed up the rev counter bounces between 500 and 1300 RPM.

Has anyone got any ideas how to fix this? (I have tried altering accelerator cable and idle speed, but to no avail)

General Comments:

The car doesn't look too bad and is fairly quick.

The seats are pretty comfortable and the interior is clean throughout.

However the build quality is a bit poor in places and is pretty flimsy.

Faults:

Radiator corrosion/leak.

All the ball joints/links on front suspension had to be replaced.

Front disks replaced three times before I discovered that the calipers tend to stick on one slider only, causing uneven pressure on the disk, then warping.

Ventilation system broken- cannot select all variations.

Clutch worn out at 80,000 miles.

Electric window mechanism broken, several attempts to repair this unsuccessful- only replacing the entire mechanism cured this.

Induction diaphragm nipples snap off, causing the variable length induction manifold to cease operating with huge decrease in power output at low revs.

All shock absorbers worn out and replaced.

Bad corrosion around sunroof opening, not visible externally until roof opened.

Terribly prone to rust on leading edge of bonnet at stone chips- much worse than any previous car.

Speedometer failed at 95,000.

General Comments:

Plus points are the almost superhuman composure on high speed bends and the peak torque band at 3-4000 revs.

Minus points are the inherent frailty that is almost designed in to all the components and the high cost of the resulting maintenance.

Handling/grip is transformed by fitting new, slightly uprated shocks and lowering the car by around 20mm only- any more than this wrecks the comfortable ride and ruins the otherwise excellent bump-steer resistance.

Brakes are a little disappointing, but fitting cross-drilled disks with only small diameter (about 3mm) holes made an enormous difference at very low cost (£100 for the pair)

Faults:

Head Gasket at 49000 miles, Rocker cover Gasket 49000 miles, and a few other minors. The clutch feels a bit worn, will need replacing soon. seems to get through break pads quickly. The passenger side window is seizing.

General Comments:

Its quite a fun little car, good handling and reasonably nippy for a standard 1.4.

It is also very economical with quite a large fuel tank for size, don't often go to the petrol station.

On the downside it has had a few things go wrong with it, perhaps not the best made car although bodywork is exceptional for year.

Faults:

Heater matrix and head gasket have blown three times at 50k, 80k and 110k. Repaired by franchise garages/local oil rag merchants. Problem diagnosed by a mechanic in France as a blocked radiator!!

Various cooling pipes have fractured.

Fan heater motor packed in at 110k. Fan only works on two settings.

Alarm system makes strange sounds when stood from time to time.

Front brake disc's warp/fail before the brake pads.

Various bits of internal trim have fallen off.

General Comments:

The best handling car I've driven so far. Nearly as fun as an old mini but more civilised.

Seats are comfortable cabin is spacious but it is difficult to clean between the front seats.

Boot space fine for two, struggles for four adults on a weekend away.

Engine is flexible but not lusty. Will pull from low revs but happiest in 2000 to 4000 rev range.

Fuel consumption is 40 - 65 miles per gallon (mpg). 76 mpg during the UK fuel crisis.

Don't buy without good service history, ask about coolant changes, if they don't know or waffle on, run away!!

Great all round car spoilt by a cooling system that needs constant care.