Faults:

Alternator went.

Battery went.

Seat frayed on the driver's side.

Mileometer broke.

Clutch cable went.

New exhaust system fitted... cheap!

New tyres due to my enthusiastic driving.

General Comments:

I fitted a K&N air filter.

This car saw off most older 1200cc hatches, was ultra reliable/I tried to blow the engine up many times!

Finally traded in for a Sierra Cosworth.

Faults:

No faults to date.

Rust is getting prominent along the sills and door skins. Rear aches escaping so far.

Water pump just started leaking.

General Comments:

The car is a second car to get to work in. I paid £200 for it with 11 months M.O.T in February. I have covered 3000 miles since then and it has not once let me down. It starts on half a turn of the key!

The down point has been how quickly the rust has taken hold, I have Hammerited below the rubbing strips, but I think it's only a matter of time.

Faults:

New fuel pump.

New ignition switch.

ERM sparkplugs.

A bit of rust which is easily fixed. New face lift wings £15, new back arches £5, secondhand doors from a scrapyard - good as new for £10.

Sills went bye bye, but it was an old girl...

General Comments:

Excellent! A car well ahead of its time, I thought at the time it was miles better than the Fiesta and now I own a Fiesta I know it's miles better!

Ford parts are expensive and crap, Vauxhall's are often cheapish and cheerful to keep going.

This car never broke down, the 1.0 engine ran as sweet as new cars do, started first time every time. Despite some bad reports on the 1.0, I think it's fairly quick when you compare it with my soon to be ex 1.3 Fiesta.

These cars are excellent, everything is easy - wings, bolts, doors held by pins. Everything can be replaced if you have a bit of cash.

I wish I still had this car, even with new sills it would be cheaper than my god damn piece of crap P reg Ford Fiesta, which is like a mobile swimming pool because of the amount of leaks it has!

Faults:

Water pump, battery, usual wheel arch rust.

General Comments:

The most reliable car ever, it has never failed to start. The performance is a bit sluggish but the handling is good.

Faults:

Body rust especially around bottom of doors, had to replace starter motor (scrap yard £15) & sills needed welding every year for MOT.

General Comments:

Had the car for two years as second car to travel to work and loved it.

Sold it with one months MOT for £75 as it was no longer needed.

Faults:

I have had this car for the past 2 years. When I bought it, it had 79,000 miles on the clock, it now has 104,000. The only thing that has gone wrong in those 25,000 miles has been the front brake calipers sticking, and a broken clutch cable, and it's got through both MOT's with no problems.

General Comments:

For: Amazing cars for reliabilty, great fun to drive; they have a very low to the ground sporty type feel about them.

Against: Driving position can be a bit strange as the steering wheel is slightly offset to the left. Takes a long time to heat up in the mornings. Bad rust under rear wheel arches.

Faults:

Seized front brake caliper.

Faulty fuel gauge.

Rusty rear arches.

General Comments:

If you fit bigger alloys you need to have loads of work done.

Quick for a 1.3 due to close ratio box.

Faults:

Carb leak.

Clutch cable snapped.

Failed MOT due to rust and fraying seat belt.

There was also the usual rust on the back arches when I brought it but got them sorted.

General Comments:

Great small economical car with tons of cred - I am soon to buy a newer one.

Faults:

Fuel sender switch in tank.

Cam and followers.

Rocker Gasket.

Big Ends.

Rusty arches.

Faulty earth strap from chassis to gearbox.

General Comments:

The quickest 1.3 I've been in yet.

Faults:

Nothing mechanically, new outer sills and handbrake cable for MOT just general wear and tear.

Lots of TLC, and regular routine checks, oil, water etc, have given 18 months trouble free motoring.

General Comments:

This is my first car, it has a genuine 93k on the clock, and the body is solid for an 84 model. Very reliable, first time starter, even in the cold.

GL Novas I believe are fairly rare, it has chrome window trims, and tinted windows as well as extra heater vents. It also has a sunroof. So far I've added a Dimma fuel cap, SR spoiler, Corsa A fog lamp conversion (2 fogs, no reverse),and Alpine stereo. Plus Alarm and Immobiliser.

The Nova is a great first time buy, do it, find a good one, and you won't regret it.

Faults:

Sills (Both sides) at 123,000 miles.

Valve Stem Seals at 104,000 miles.

Cam at 110,000 miles.

Front Hub Bearings at 109,000 miles.

First Replacement Clutch at 130,000 miles.

General Comments:

Excellent car for the price, Very Very Quick & Reliable, Highly Recommended. Insurance is also cheap so for a little Extra this is a good Ideal first Sports Hatch!