Faults:

Considering the car's age, not a lot went wrong while I had it. Front shocks, battery, HT leads and brake pads. I used to have to get small amounts of rust removed from time to time to keep it road--worthy. However, that was age related, and I couldn't hold it against the car.

Faults:

Got this car free from a mate, as a runabout, whilst my 1.3 Astra was in for MoT.

Refused to idle, may have been to do with a vacuum hose on the carburettor, although not sure. Terrible when cold, I mistakenly pulled the manual choke through the dashboard once so it was always running with the choke fully open, even when freezing cold! It didn't like that!

The steering was completely out of alignment, and at speeds over 60mph, it pulled and vibrated viciously, it was a struggle to keep it on road.

Exhaust was blowing everywhere possible!

Didn't spend a damn thing on it, and it continued to run (although badly). It would always start, although maybe after quite a few attempts.

General Comments:

Terrible looking car, painted in grey primer, possibly one of the worst looking cars on the road! I used to love the stares I'd get as people saw this grey heap of rust being thrashed noisily down the road!

Pulled reasonably well in 1st & 2nd gear, although, after about 45mph, performance was miserable, the 1.5 was better and more comparable to my 1.3 Astra.

Ultra predictable handling with struts all round meant I could hammer it round corners, and understeer wasn't really all that prominent, although bodyroll was. I once pushed it at over 60mph around a sharp slip-road and saw evidence of oversteer!

It had the most basic interior of any car, seats didn't even recline, and there were huge holes in the dash!

Faults:

Only the expected consumables.

General Comments:

This car may be 14 years old but it is a real star.