Faults:

Several visits to the dealer to sort out the front suspension - loud, "clunking" noises. Eventually rectified with new anti-roll bar and various other bits & pieces.

Coil packs have failed on two separate occasions - 4500 & 9000 miles. Due another one soon?!

Quality of paint-work (metallic grey) not too clever - chipping like mad.

General Comments:

Good performance, but not as impressive as I was expecting. Also has problems putting down the power in 1st & 2nd, especially in the damp. Traction control isn't exactly subtle either.

Respectable handling, but not a patch on the (2000) Astra SXi that went before it - jeez, can't believe I just wrote that.

Supremely comfortable - fantastically equipped at the price. Forget the hot hatch tag - but as a spacious, refined method of covering distances at a fair old lick, it cannot be beaten at the price.

Faults:

Water incursion onto sills of front doors.

A few annoying rattles - one from the interior light which does not sit firmly, one I think from the CD autochanger.

No other problems to date.

General Comments:

Generally, very pleased with the car so far (9 months, 13000 miles), except for the above mentioned problems.

Judging distance through the rear windscreen is difficult, as it is so high up, making it a little tricky to reverse.

Comfortable and very quiet engine.

Fuel economy is in accordance with official figures (46-50mpg)

Faults:

Breakdown in January 02 with an electrical fault, 4 days to repair.

Breakdown in February 02, same electrical fault, the Electronic Control Unit was replaced after a 7 week wait.

General Comments:

Superb performance for the price. The turbo provides effortless power without needing to change gears, although you'll need a lot of restraint not to make full use of the 180bhp.

For motorway cruising a higher ratio for 6th gear would be useful as the sporty exhaust note can become intrusive on long trips. Of course you can always turn the stereo up.

The suspension could be stiffer, although it does make for an excellent ride. The seats are comfortable, but don't provide enough support for enthusiastic cornering (perhaps the optional leather seats would help).

Dashboard layout is excellent, the only minor niggle being the headlight indicator being partially obscured by the steering wheel.

Overall it's great fun to drive, but given the poor reliability I would buy something else next time.

Faults:

Car Faults to date 03/03/02:

Wrong number plate fitted on collection of car.

NEW car not valeted on collection.

Marks on body work paint, removed after a full hand wash.

Grease, dust marks all over dashboard.

Black marks on rear passenger door.

Black fingerprints marks over roof fabric.

Driver Seat belt damaged needed replacement - Reported 3 times still not fixed to date.

Glove compartment faulty - would not close.

Driver side wing mirror surround scratched.

Drivers side plastic door protector strip dented.

Faulty radio fittings - metal lip on radio not fitted correctly.

Water leak in boot.

Broken and marked roof strip needed replacement - damaged when car in garage for leak to be fixed.

Disgusting damp musty smell in car, constantly getting worse.

Water over inside of car windows, not just condensation like advised by dealer, the windows are saturated with water.

Water leak in car under both driver and passenger's seats, carpet wet.

Car always feels damp when driving.