Faults:
Okays - nothing has really gone wrong with the car as such in the last two months. But many reviews on this site are ringing a bell.
The horn is intermittent at best. It seems to work when no one is around, and then in a really urgent situation, I am banging on all four horn pads and there isn't a peep from the ballsy thing.
No for the smells. There is a recurrent petrol smell inside the car that is disturbing. I haven't had it checked out yet. But will ASAP.
I had the car running on no oil whatsoever for about 1 month from when I bought it from this French guy... oops. My fault. But goes to show how sturdy this machine is. I may have been a little exuberant with filling her up with oil - and now there is sometimes a burnt oil smell coming in too. I put that down to the fact I may have spilled some on the engine.
That aside, I am having some massive issues with losing power up hills and on general small inclines. There is something loose, and I need this checked out straight away. Some days she's good, and off a green light will stay up with any car - but then on a bad day, I am hiding in shame as I try to climb a small incline in 3rd. Worse in 2nd sometimes.
The general outside of the car is not looking great anymore. The paint is looking tired - but she is from 1985.
All the flashing lights on the inside, you'd think it's Christmas. I have the inspection light flashing at me. The check light flashing orange. I now just put it down to the fact she is talking to me... (yeah right). I have read these can be ignored. OK. But would be great to have them switched off.
General Comments:
On the whole, I could not have had a better first car / second car. My first car was so long ago. This feels like a first car all over again.
I love the fact she has a personality and is so reliable.
On a good day with the engine - she is so fast. Great 2.0 engine - and you would not think it's 30 year old technology.
On a bad day - she's bad and noisy. That I think can be fixed, so she can do the one thing I bought her for...
I will drive her around Australia. Anti-clockwise. Taking maybe 2 months. She will make it - even if she passes out on the way - she'll do it. You know when you have something solid under the foot. And she's a good'un.
18th Sep 2011, 02:04
Just got one myself. Absolutely fantastic. Wish I had got one years ago.