Faults:

What hasn't gone wrong on this car, its 12 years old and we've replaced almost everything that can be replaced.

Brake Pads - every 20-25K

Brake Disc's - every 60K

Timing Belt (whenever convenient)

Water Pump + Fuel Pump - Once in 100K

Eats alternators and the auto used to be heavy on starter motors (another difficult part to change - easier on the manual)

Head Gasket - 130K.

Suspension:-

Springs - Original

Shocks - 160K

Bushes - all done over the past 7 years.

CV Joints - 120K.

Transmission:-

Gearbox... It started life as an automatic this died at 164,000 and it was cheaper to replace it with a manual.

Very smooth automatic, to get more grunt out of it tweak the accelerator cable. :o)

General Comments:

Changing the timing belt is the biggest servicing problem as everything is in the way.

As for the ride and the comfort, well its like climbing into your favorite armchair. As an automatic you might as well have being wearing slippers and a smoking jacket. A little bit more fun as a manual, though there is still work to do to complete the transition.

The best feature about this car is the boot. If you've ever owned one you'll know what I mean. If not get a map before entering. :o)

Faults:

Wheel fell off at 70mph, electrics were dead, brakes no good.

General Comments:

Fast, sure, but wheel falling off - killing the front passenger brake disc? Was a bit of a luxury thing inside and the perfermance was quite breathtaking - I'd been in it before I brought it and cruised to 135mph no problem. Handling is a problem for a car of this size. Even though it had been lowered considerably, it still handled like a barge. I currently have a 1.8i Peugeot 405 which is quicker (not faster) and handles a thousand times better - as it is totally standard.

It was quite a nice car though. If I ever have one again, it'll be a younger one.

Faults:

Speedometer failed.

Electric window motors failed. Front two electric windows failed after around 150,000 miles. Rear electric windows are on the way out.

Heater failed. Electronically controlled heater switches failed at around 150,000 miles.

General Comments:

Extremely reliable mechanics, though electrical features can be troublesome.

Very good performance. High mileage engine provides rapid acceleration, with surprising economy.

Rust problems at bottoms of the doors, and rear wheel arches.

Comfortable to drive, with reassuring brakes and handling.

Faults:

Since new, nothing and I do mean nothing, has gone wrong one my beloved 827. In fact she has always backed me up ie. against boy racers.

She is PERFECT in EVERY way, she may be getting on but there's no way in this world I'm ever letting Mr Scrapman getting anywhere near her, not my SARAH.

General Comments:

SARAH is 11 years young and a handful - 200bhp plus. I've only taken her to 140mph, but she had more, a lot more.