Faults:
Windscreen slowly de-laminating in top corner of drivers side due to hidden corrosion. Properly restoring metal when the windscreen cracks will be expensive.
Leak in boot due to rear spoiler's fixing-adhesive denaturing. Now fixed.
Rear nearside passenger kicker-strip retainers broken.
Various minor repairs - CV boots, Silencer.
General Comments:
Note : This car is P10 model (older style - older interior, less rear legroom, no multi-link suspension, and looks like a horses @r$e)
Don't let the SRi badge and ridiculous spoilers fool you, it's only got average family-car performance, the 1.6 must be -very- underpowered, however...
It's a fantastic mile-eater, especially around twisting roads and hilly country. It handles well and gives you good feedback and confidence. Quite enjoyable to drive in fact.
The bucket seats are perfect and have good adjustment. The driving position is only bettered by the Passat. Anyone over 6' will find the headroom insufficient though.
V.Good build quality for '96, especially interior, plastic on dashboard is higher quality than later models!
Good gearing for motorway - It hums rather than screams.
Excellent value for money.
100% reliability.
Despite good build quality, I would prefer them to have used thicker grades of steel for the body panels. Don't go hitting any SAAB's.
The boot is enormous, even in my saloon version, luggage straps would have been nice though.
Turning circle is poor.
Stereo system is good, with excellent high-level (pillar mounted) tweeters, although bass is a bit weak.
I'm very fussy about my driving experiences and I'm quite happy to do another 100k in this one.
22nd May 2004, 16:23
I couldn't agree more. I have owned a 96 model SRi for almost 4 years and all it has needed is routine maintenance. The only problem was a wiper motor that burned out, repaired under warranty. Great car, great handling and good performance too. Mine has covered over 94000 miles and still sweet. recommended.