Faults:

Gearbox selectors went twice.

Quality of interior is appalling. Seats disintegrate.

General Comments:

Bought a good one to try the legendary handling and nippyness. I found the car a ponderous, underpowered lump.

The steering was dead, the brakes were wooden. The engine was weak. All in all, something like an old MK1 Astra is much more sporty. I can't understand how the 'sud got its reputation as being a drivers car.

Faults:

The biggest problems have been with the ignition and door locks. However, this is an oldish car.

Another problem has been with the door not closing properly, as the hinge pins move down.

The seats needed rebuilding after 190000km.

General Comments:

This is a very reliable and exciting car to drive. The acceleration is phenomenal as is the climbing ability and general road handling.

It is not possible to carry lots of passengers or luggage, but it is big enough to fit my golf clubs and gear in the boot sideways!

I am having the interior re-trimmed and exterior resprayed. That is how much I think this is a great car to drive and keep.

Faults:

The clutch gave up the ghost at60000 miles as a result of over-enthusiastic downchanges whilst listening to the engine play its 6000 r.p.m. symphonies.

Seats needed refurbishment at 110000 miles.

The warranty ran out 22 years ago.

General Comments:

One of the greatest landmarks in automotive history. Unfortunately Hruska's fabulous vision was betrayed by politics and State bean counters. If this car had been built at Wolfsburg (it was perceived as a people's small sports saloon), many more would be on the road today. Still - with much TLC mine is still here on the salted roads of the North West. Given a dry day (!) this car can keep up with most modern naturally aspirated 1.3s - mainly because I put a Green Cloverleaf engine in...

Faults:

Alternator has problems regulating the current and various connectors failed.

Fuel guage as accurate as a tennis ball in a bow.

Rust, had around the windscreen cleaned up and sprayed. Still has a drivers door skin and sills on the list for the next visit to the body shop.

Leaks by passenger door when using a car wash!

General Comments:

Used daily during the summer and stored over the winter to try to protect the bodywork from salt, the Sud provides more grins per mile than any other car I have driven.

Handling is precise and kart-like, and you find you put on a bit more lock than needed expecting under-steer that just never happens.

The 1.3 boxer engine sounds wonderful through the twin 'pea-shooter' exhaust, just egging you on to push down on the faster pedal. Could do with a bit more power, but this car cannot be beaten around the twisty stuff.

Faults:

Electrical connections fail often.

Gear shift needs regular maintenence (renewal of the link rod bush).

Needs yearly anti-rust treatment and no driving on salty winter roads, in order to keep it free of corrosion.

General Comments:

Excellent car with outstanding road handling.

The car is very reliable if the maintenence schedule is followed, and if you keep it away from the winter.

Faults:

The Sud suffers from the usual electrical peculiarities.

The petrol gauge more or less works like a rev counter.

There is a fair amount of rust around but this is to be expected of any Sud.

General Comments:

The Sud is my daily driver and I can't fault it for getting from A to B. It sounds great and goes very well. It is great to throw around on a country road but will not win you any credit with females. In fact my girlfriend shudders every time the word Sud is mention and refuses to drive it. However, if I had to choose between her and the car... the Sud would win hands down!