Faults:

Wheel nut sheared off upon removing wheel

Rear wiper no longer works

Oil pressure gauge no longer works

Passenger electric window is very slow.

General Comments:

This particular car is lowered, with an after-market exhaust, so it isn't a very comfortable ride, but that said it is well worth the sacrifice. The handling is superb, whilst the performance embarrasses much more expensive machinery.

The seats are comfortable, and need to be given the harsh ride

All in all, the electrics are pretty dodgy on these French cars, but the drive more than makes up for it all.

Faults:

Gearbox broke at 110,000 miles.

Alarm fault traced to poor factory wiring for UK spec alarm.

Electrical fault rendered car unusable - traced to corroded electrical connector in relay box.

Rear tyres seem to wear unevenly without explanation.

Engine now rebuilt as pistons were worn out & valve seats - not bad for 245000 miles though!

General Comments:

I am lucky that I can do all the work myself otherwise this already expensive to maintain car would have cost a phenomenal amount.

Don't get me wrong though, it's a great car and has proved pretty reliable considering its high mileage.

Clutch is very heavy & would be tiring for some female drivers.

Faults:

The sources of problems generally encountered with the 16v can be encapsulated by two facets:

1. It has a big engine in a small place. many jobs require the engine to be taken out.

2. It puts down a LOT of power for a 1.8 and the ancillary components take a beating - especially engine mounts.

Other than this, it is a well built car that will naturally vary in condition according to care of ownership.

General Comments:

Forget the CTR et al as pioneers of high revs...

This car was the hottest of the hot in the 1990s - and will still not be left wanting by a 172 or V6 Clio. Moreover, it is mechanically almost identical to the Williams - which gained 13bhp by boring the engine to 2.0 litres.

To drive, the dominating characteristic is its tendency to pick up after 4500 rpm. If you get one, DO NOT be afraid to rev the living daylights out of it. If you can keep it between 4500 and 7000 rpm, very little will keep up. But if you get caught below 4500 rpm you might lose to one or two cars!!

Very smooth as standard and quiet - though the engine howl at 4500-5500rpm is the best noise made by any car this side of a TVR. Lowering works really well too. Induction kits make more of the sound and whistle at 2500 rpm on this engine, but offer minimal performance benefits in hot weather/town.

Faults:

What has gone right...?

Well, lets see, I've replaced the bearings on the front wheels 3 times, The brakes are fine when new, but 5K miles later, I've had to say a quick prayer, before trying to slow down because they seem to loose effectiveness. The exhaust needed replacing after 50,000 miles.

Problems with the steering rack.

The car handles like a bar of soap.

Windscreen washer switch failed.

Starter failed. Heating failed. Too much body roll.

General Comments:

On the positive side, the 1.9 diesel engine has put many a car to shame. It is got a lot of power which when added to the fact that the car is so small and light, provides a nice amount of speed.

Fuel economy was also very pleasing. I once put £20 worth of fuel and managed to cover 230 miles before having to refill.

The cabin is quite simple and plain (Boring) then again, if its only a cheap run around to get you around town, it'll definitely do. Try and get one with power steering though. Mine was the basic model which didn't have that luxury.