Faults:

Clutch judder on drive take-up at 40,000 miles. It just needed lubrication on the splines of the clutch plate.

New input shaft bearing in the gearbox at 75,000 miles. It only cost £28 (it pays greatly if you have the knowledge and don't have to use the dealers!)

General Comments:

This car can keep a wide range of performance sports cars in your rear view mirror.

It handles very well when the original suspension is up-rated with after market items, although it wasn't as bad as some press reviews suggested when standard.

This car will impress most people on looks and performance (if they are not narrow minded about the stereotypical Rover).

It has effortless performance on the motorway, remaining very relaxed and quiet at high speeds.

This car will reach 60 mph in around six seconds and will go to the other side of 150 mph. For the performance of this car, fuel consumption is very good, returning at best, 500 miles per tank (55 litres). That equates to 42 mpg.

This car is very reliable and cheap to maintain as long as the dealers are not used too often. Buy a good condition one and you won't be disappointed.

Faults:

The rear brake callipers don't engage the handbrake locking mechanism properly.

Front brake discs have warped.

Leather trim on driver's seat has begun to crack.

General Comments:

Engine is very noisy for about 30 second to 1 minute when started from cold, especially in colder weather. The noise given off can be likened to a diesel engine.

The car drives well and handles corners amazingly well.

The seat are made in a very stylish, sporty half-leather trim.

The engine is very lively and has a great power range, especially when driven in third gear.

Faults:

Slight recurring oil leak from the cam cover at the top of the engine.

Remote central locking key fob failed.

Speedometer needle wavers below 40 miles per hour.

Catalytic converter heat shield rattles slightly.

All of these faults are minor and easily dealt with.

General Comments:

Performance for size of engine superb (103 horsepower and 112mph top speed), so good under all driving conditions.

Very quiet cabin.

Comfortable, pleasant interior, with a good heater and electric sunroof.

Good sized boot.

Easy to manouevre at low speeds thanks to power assisted steering.

Easy do it yourself maintenance.

Looks good in a dark metallic colour.

Front brakes and tyres wear fast under normal driving conditions.

Under-steers in the wet if pushed too far.

Poor rear visibility when reversing due to not being able to see where the rear of car ends from the driver's seat.

Possible 'old man' image, but who cares?

Faults:

The only things I have had to replace are the battery, alternator and starter motor, all at 111000 miles.

General Comments:

This is the most reliable car I have ever owned.

I have covered nearly 90,000 miles in 18 months, what more can I say?

Faults:

Head gasket went twice.

Same with the radiator.

New washer motor.

New starter motor.

The car loves eating front brakes and tyres too.

General Comments:

A real stealth performance car. All the practicality of a hatchback with monsterous acceleration and grip.

Once the handling had been sorted out with Koni yellow shocks and new springs, it became just about unbeatable.

Faults:

New brake discs required.

Steering wheel wobble caused by worn ball joints.

Driver's side engine mount was torn.

Central locking on the driver's door doesn't work.

Uneven tick-over and hesitant at low revs, even with new spark plugs and cap.

Original stereo is poor.

General Comments:

The car seems to be very reliable even though it does tend to suffer from niggling faults.

Parts, thankfully, are cheap and abundant.