Faults:

The hand brake cable has seized on three separate occasions causing the rear brakes to jam solid, you have drive forwards dragging the wheels to release the brakes, a common fault.

Persistant fuel injection faults, misfires frequently, we have spent hundreds of pounds on repairs at injection specialists to no avail, currently running very poor at present.

General Comments:

Handles well good grip in wet, reasonable suspension, not as composed in town.

Comfortable motorway cruiser, if a little underpowered, rather cramped in the rear.

Faults:

One week after I bought the car the alternator broke. This was replaced with a exchange unit from Vauxhall (£150).

Handling was slightly wayward, this was caused by anti roll bar end link being broken (£20). Then a month later, the other side broke, and was rubbing against the drive-shaft (£20).

General Comments:

This is a very smooth and comfortable car. It is quick enough and overtaking is easy.

This car had only 40,000 miles after 6.5 years and a Full Dealer History.

I changed the oil to Mobil 1 immediately after purchase.

Faults:

Very occasionally stalls.

Alternator gave up at 70k.

General Comments:

Great fun, I love the unpretetious looks.

I service the car myself apart from the cam belt (dealer well under £100).

Reasonable economy if driven carefully (never!)

16" turbo wheels and tires improved handling.

Can be picked up cheaply now, but not many low mileage examples left.

Faults:

Exhaust fell apart in no time, replaced with a stainless steel Scorpion (£350)which is still going strong & gives a great noise.

Rear dampers began to leak at 35,000 miles, replaced with sports dampers & springs (£300) all round which make the car stick to the road like glue & make the car look far more aggressive with 16" wheels.

Head gasket & hydraulic cam lifters gone at 46,000??, both replaced along with the engine being balanced, ported & flowed + schrik cam (£1000). Power gain was astonishing.

Fronts discs began to warp at 50,000, replaced with EBC discs & pads which have significantly improved braking (£200).

General Comments:

Realiabilty has been second to none.

Running costs are good even after engine mods (keeps up with 16 valves).

After nearly 7 years the paint is still gleaming & there are no signs of rust anywhere.

Availability of standard & performance parts for this car is excellent.

Acoustics of the car are great (ideal for large stereo installations).

Easy to work on & service at home provided you have access to good tools.

Faults:

Severe power loss, from a blocked exhaust made garages think it was the turbo, not boosting.

Front discs warped, common I'm told.

Shockers replaced at 90,000 (but I did drive it hard).

General Comments:

Lovely, quick and smooth, shame about turbo lag, but loves the motorway.

The ABS was a bit too eager on snow/ice.

If you need the tracking done put release oil on the joints or they'll probably refuse to do it in some garages.