Faults:

Electronic ignition thingy stopped working, needed replacing.

Clutch plates needed replacing.

Radiator mountings failed.

General Comments:

This was an exceptional basic car. Unbelievably unfashionable, but reliable and cheap.

I commuted 500 miles from home to work several times a month with never a problem.

Driving on winding roads was a carnival of emotions. Handling and roadholding were inherited from bygone eras. Take care! On the plus side, I had the chassis straightened after an impact with a brick wall - it was as good as new.

The only problems, ignition, clutch and radiator mountings, happened after 100,000 miles.

It was impossible to sell. No takers, despite being in good nick. I gave it to my sister who used it as a school bus until 2001.

Faults:

Driver's side ball joint strangely popped in half.

Exhaust broke. Could not get another anywhere after searching for over 2 years. So I made my own.

General Comments:

Very nippy, very cool, great reliability, different. All round great.

Only problem is the total lack of parts available for the thing. You end up using Pug 205, 309 parts all the time!

This thing is very quick when adjusted slightly, and can quite easily keep up with many other makes 1600s.

Economy is great at almost 40 MPG.

They're a real head turner. Mine is perfect; no rust, nothing.

I am getting rid of it due to a lack of parts, and that exhaust I made out of a Citroen one is noisy.

This thing never breaks down.

These things usually rust bad, but mine has none.

If you get one, keep it; they're becoming very collectable.

Faults:

Hardly anything - I've got through two ignition coils in 15 years - the second time I told the AA man I thought that's what it was, but he still spent an hour checking everything else first.

Apart from that just the usual consumables although the gearbox is beginning to get a little delicate.

General Comments:

I love this car. I've had it fifteen years and still use on a daily basis.

It's deceptively quick and great for catching 3 Series BMW owners by surprise at the lights. Unlike modern cars it's easy to push to its limits when cornering giving plenty of drift and loads of tyre squeal.

Granted the engine is a little noisy, but you get used to it bubbling away.

It's also very comfortable and refreshingly minimalist. It complements my Lexus perfectly, but it has a hard life, kept outside and used in all weathers when the Lexus is snug in the garage.

Running cost are low - no depreciation low insurance and 40 mpg is possible.

The last three MOTs have needed no repairs! The road tax also low (now the same as when I first bought it in '88)

I'm tempted to 'Max'it up, but it might spoil the original character.

This car owes me nothing and I'll keep running it until it finally gives up. Talbot put a Lotus Esprit engine/gearbox in a Sunbeam. When the gears eventually collapse I'd like to get hold of the Lotus bits. Then I can really start to have some fun.