Faults:

Not a lot really. It blows bulbs monthly, especially rear brake lights and normal tail lights.

Suspension problems and heavy tyre wear.

Once the radiator water reservoir was stone dry. Topped it up and its been fine ever since.

General Comments:

A good car generally.

I don't like the fact that the engine cannot control itself in traffic. You see the temperature gauge often go sky high and then the fan comes on (very loud) to cool it down. Instead, it would be good if the needle stayed half way and the fan was less raucous.

Steering has a good lock, but has to be the vaguest around.

Solid, solid body. Excellent rigidity, but poor for pedestrian safety.

Grim interior, but an impression of solidarity and quietness.

Engine refined, but only 74bhp. Feels more and will do 110mph if pushed.

Styling dated, but better than say a Ford Escort.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

This was actually my girlfriends car, but I drove it just as much so here goes!

After her knackered old Nova this car was a god send. We bought it with 6k miles on the clock when 3 years old as an ex-motability car, and it was in as new condition and a very good buy.

However, although it proved perfectly reliable, neither she or myself liked it much. These cars are so boring, and the engine should've been retired years ago, for Vauxhall to have made a 75hp eight valve engine on a '97 car just smacked of penny pinching.

It rode well, but handled worse than most of the competition, the interior was very staid, stereo basic and tinny and looked a bit like a Maestro from the back (park them side by side and you'll see what I mean).

It was built well, completely reliable (well, the engine has had 20 years to iron out any problems) and economical.

If you don't mind being bored to tears then not a bad car!

Faults:

I have only had the car a month so nothing up to now.

General Comments:

Compared to my old peugeot 106 1.1 this car is very comfortable and easy to drive I'm not sure if I have the 82bhp or 68bhp model, but it is very quick between 2000rpm and 4000rpm I managed 115mph and it was still very stable and a nice ride. overall I'm happy so far with the car.

Faults:

Nothing except at the last major service cam belts were changed and wheels balanced. Certainly a positive comment was made by the garage doing my service as the the condition of the car generally of being immaculate.

General Comments:

I suppose you'd class the car as rather uutilitarian in structure. Generally very reliable little workhorse for want of better terms.

Never failed to start first time, but I'd put that down to a well run in engine. I bought the car with a full service history. The fact that 70000 (!!) miles of it were done in a 6 month period back in 1999 accounts for the high mileage.

The only basic problem encountered is that of windows steaming up. The niggle is that air through the car is only activated by the fan rather than with natural motion of the car.

Faults:

Seal around the rear window washer pipe failed, causing a wet boot. Though it only cost £25 to fix.

General Comments:

Great engine, a bit sluggish below 3000rpm, but flies above 4000rpm.

The handling is OK, it will corner quickly, but it isn't particularly involving. The fun is in the straights!

It seems well screwed together. And is wearing well both inside and out.