1988 Reliant Scimitar SS1 1.6 from UK and Ireland
Summary:
This car makes my sad life a happy one!
Faults:
New battery needed in first month of ownership.
Oil seals needed replacing, still burning oil.
Accelerator cable snapped.
Headlight lift mechanism snapped.
Exhaust replaced.
Fan belt replaced.
Engine/alternator mounting snapped.
Windscreen wiper box replaced (dashboard had to come out)
Electrical issues often a problem.
Brakes cylinders and pads replaced.
Shockingly bad hood design (not helped by me fitting it)
General Comments:
Despite the above this is still an amazing car. So much fun in the summer with great 80's styling. The wedge shaped body and pop-up lights are a dream come true.
The CVH still has enough power to make you feel you are driving a fast car. The light body is tight through corners, and the RWD makes for some fun moments round corners etc. But I am not a rev-head, and think cruising in the SS1 suits it best. It's far too precious to me to risk it, I love it!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 11th March, 2007
27th Feb 2013, 17:24
I am in my 2nd year of SS1 ownership, and I mollycoddle this car like a pet. I have done an awful lot of work on it, but it's money well spent, as I got the car for a song really.
Mine is a 1985 CVH 1600 XR3 powered car with a modified straight through exhaust, which gives off a lovely burble. When summer comes and the ragtop is down, it's brilliant fun.
I do get asked what it is though, and more often than not I get asked if it's a TR7 or a Fiat XI-9. Rarer than that I tell them.
It's nice to own such a unique car, and I love displaying it together with all the info on these cars at classic car shows... roll on the summer.