Faults:

Leaky radiator, bad fusible link.

General Comments:

These cars ride unbelievably well for being a small car. My car had the 4cyl 1.3 16 valve. Economical,30-40mpg, air conditioning worked well. Would have never have sold it, but I didn't have a place to park it.

Faults:

One High-Tension spark lead broke.

General Comments:

At 221,000 kms this car was a little worse for wear when I got it. The previous owner had parked it under a tree for a year or so, but the shine came back up after a cut and polish. What is remarkable is that there is not a hint of rust anywhere on this vehicle.

The front seats were quite torn up when I got the car, so I replaced them. The rear seats and other trim (carpet, roof skin, etc) are still quite good.

This was the basic model, so is lacking in basic comforts such as a clock, tachometer, remote bootlid and petrol tank flap release, rear windscreen wiper, only has 2-speed front windscreen wipers (slow and fast), but does come with air conditioning.

The engine has not been well looked after through its life, but regardless, does not smoke. It is quite rough though, even for a 3-cylinder engine, and is due for a rebuild. It still starts first time, every time.

The drive is quite ordinary, and while it takes time to get up to any speed, once there it's quite easy to maintain that speed if you feel like being tossed around a little through the corners. The engine is a slow revver, so even on the up-shifts, you find yourself waiting for the engine to drop its revs before you slot it into the next gear. Down-shifts are a little more fun, as the engine revs up a lot faster than it revs down. However there is no "kick in the back" from the acceleration as the output is probably at best 35kW at the wheels.

Lateral support in the seats is negligible, and going around corners fast can be uncomfortable as a result. Driver information in the base model is limited to fuel, temperature, and speedo, as well as all the usual warning lights. So its up to you to tell when its time to change gears, which is not terribly difficult as you can hear every noise the engine makes.

Faults:

Had to replace CV boots at 75,000 miles otherwise, nothing went wrong. It never left me stranded.

General Comments:

I have driven much nicer Honda's and Toyota's since I had my Charade, but I do miss the car at times.

The mileage was fantastic. I usually got 50-60 mpg on the highway and 40+ in the city.

I finally gave it to charity, because I wanted something larger, but it was definitely one of the most reliable and inexpensive to maintain cars I have ever seen. The engine was a simple design that was easy to get around for maintenance. I am sure had I kept the car it would have gone well above the 200,000 mile mark with no problems.

I wish they sold them in the USA still. I would buy one for my kid.

Faults:

Hardley any problems this this little car.

Had to get the wheels alligned shortley after purchased the car.

General Comments:

The Brakes are quite squeaky.

Great first car for short people.

Great reliability.

Very good performance for a 1.0 litre car.

No engine replacements, which is very good for a small car that's done 221000 kilometres.

Faults:

Unfortunately when I first got the car the main shaft in the turbo snapped which left me to believe this is a start of a beautiful relationship, apart from that I can't fault it.

General Comments:

In my eyes you won't find a faster car for such cheap money.

The power's there and after previously owning a nova I am no longer scared to take corner's over 20mph.

It handles like a dream and once you lower the little puppy the handling's 10 times better.