Faults:

Very high idle speed (unresolved).

Crank timing sensor.

V-belt tensioner.

Water pump.

Hazard light switch.

General Comments:

The car keeps its looks and the paint quality remains good.

Interior is also hard-wearing and there have been no rattles.

Acceleration is slow below 3000rpm and then it seems to get going.

All round the performance is quite good for a 1600, but the engine is blighted by its useless control systems. The only engine faults that occur are with the sensors themselves. When a timing sensor went wrong, the car once stalled at 60mph and I lost the servo assisted braking and power steering.

The car has suffered on and off for about a year with an engine idle speed which can reach up to 3000rpm, making gear changes and even braking difficult. The first 'repair' was a fuel line flush which seemed to work for a week or two. Next I was told the idle motor was faulty and the car was again in the garage. However, the intermittent fault manifested itself after the work was done, and the next diagnosis was air leaks around the inlet manifold gaskets. This was not cheap to resolve, but did manage to keep the car error-free for about 2 months. My annoyance is now complete as the fault has returned again. I am at a loss to know what to do next.

However, I reserve the worst of my criticism for my local main dealer and Master-Fit center. Details of what you want do not get further than reception, simple faults have been missed despite being pointed out, other items which required no attention have been worked on, courtesy cars are always out of the question, and regular custom counts for nothing. The service manager is unfriendly and routinely tries to blind people with inaccurate technical 'science'. After many bad experiences I'm obviously becoming easy money and have resolved not to visit the place again.

Faults:

The only real fault I have experienced is poor idling... which the dealer where I live says is normal for the Sport model... Other than that I have had performance camshafts put in as well as a Superflow head and K&N air filter.

Now the car is super responsive.

I also have had a Magnex exhaust put on.

General Comments:

I urge anybody who owns one to have the modifications done that I have because you would seriously not believe the difference in power and torque, not to mention sound.

It used to do 120mph before, but will nearly do that in 4th gear.

It is like comparing the pull from an Escort 1.3 and a turbo... it really makes that much difference.