Faults:

Cam-belt housing got broken somehow.

Electric windows keep malfunctioning! But you can fix this yourself, so look for instructions on the Internet it if it happens to you, because it's really common. You can fix it with a screwdriver and... a hammer. Careful though.

General Comments:

Looks really good, and is really surprisingly nice inside, with air con, electric windows, electric mirrors. I also have an Openair roof, which is a large canvas folding section in the roof - electric as well, it's really nice.

The gear change is a bit jerky, and it's a bit bouncy, but it's been completely reliable and you can get loads of stuff in the back! Like a washing machine and a 6ft shelving unit.

I think it drives well, and it's narrow so you can squeeze into gaps that a bigger car can't. I really like it!

The last 2 MOTs, and I only had to replace one light-bulb - I think that's impressive on a 10-year old car.

Faults:

Blocked throttle body

Electric windows.

General Comments:

I have had three of these cars, between each I forgot how annoying they are to drive.

The engine has 100BHP yes, but with it being a 1.4 engine and a short ratio gear box you have to rev hard to get anywhere, even pulling off from a normal junction you sound like a boy racer. Motorway journeys are somewhat noisy in 5th gear but it's a very nippy car once you get used to the noise. Like I say, this car is certainly not fast, just nippy, but also fun.

The fuel economy wasn't that great due to the short gears, i'd say perhaps 35mpg, in the end I thought I might as well have a golf gti instead because it was much much faster and had the same economy.

The 16v's suffer from clogging of the throttle body, this might mean your car will cut out at any time, any place. Mine cut out as I was turning a tight corner in the middle of town which was scary. Thankfully the solution is cheap and easy! Just get an old toothbrush and some RedEx and brush inside the throttle body. (unscrew the air-box)

They are group 10/11 insurance so I wouldn't advise one as a first car.

Faults:

Wear and tear items:

Both electric window regulators, costing £90 each.

Exhaust from the CAT back.

General things I have tweaked:

Dash rattle, sourced the noise and fixed it. Same with the poorly fitted aftermarket CD player (I replaced with a better one). Door trims rattle a bit too, so I fixed that by being methodical and patient.

General Comments:

Ride and Handling:

Very comfortable ride quality, nice and spongy! Rolls a bit through corners due to a lack or anti-roll bar and squishy suspension. I like it, as I can have fun with it through the corners, and it rides so well down poor roads (most roads in england).

Engine:

Gutsy and strong, a bit coarse sounding with the patent exhaust I have fitted, so not the cars fault really! The gearbox is a delight so smooth and light. The same goes for the clutch.

Interior:

Comfy seats, yet the rattling trim annoys me. Reasonably well equipped, sunroof, electric windows and mirrors, airbags. Boot is impressive and rear leg room is too!

Safety:

No ABS is very bad, and 2 airbags is not too bad. Strong cars though. I was in a 7-series BMW, and it hit a Polo the same as mine head on at 30mph. The Polo wrote the BMW off!! Solid car in my books.

Performance and economy:

30-40 mpg is good, 0-60 is nippy enough. Top speed about 100mph. Good enough for me.

Running costs:

Service the car myself very cheaply, parts are easy to get and cheap. Road Tax is £115 a year. Insurance is £300 Fully comp with protected no claims bonus.