Faults:

314000km: I noticed soon it's "eating" oil quite much, about 1L/2000km. I think I don't begin to change valve rubbers, etc. Engine got to be quite in the end.

314000km: Break lines under the body, fuel line and leaking tank changed.

342000km: back left bearing failed and axle had to be changed too. Didn't care about "little" noise and bearing ring "welded" to the axle. Lucky didn't cut it or wheel didn't jump out.

361000km: Back window broke. Looking for a new window all around Finland, not yet in 3months, after 30 car dealers found. I'm going to change.

General Comments:

My MARKS up are quite high and I have based those for other older (-78...-85) cars which I have owned many, 25-30 different. So marks represent the older -84 "CLASS".

I first buy it for "dirty jobs" in house building with 600mk (100 USD) and think to drive it as long as it lasts.

Summer, ice or snow and this car have been all the time surprising, extremely nice to drive, it feels always safe and balanced, ewen better than my Ford Escort 1995 in slippery, snow, etc. conditions. Offcourse springs, monroes, chairs, etc. are rather old and not working perfect, but never tested or owned better car in this age.

There is no rust in the body! No welds! I was told R18 are often rusty and it's a normal problem in our salty conditions, but not in this case.

Cheap to use, parts are cheap.

Major problem is to get old (or new) body, etc. parts to my car. I have seen 1 pcs. 18GTL in Finland, maybe we are the only ones :=) Last autumn back window broke when handling a big steel barrel in the back and old gasket didn't keep the back door open, it crashed to the barrel. Now it's waiting for the new window (or snow covering it).

Faults:

Well as you can see, I've had it a while!!

Apart from routine maintenance and wear and tear stuff, very little has gone wrong with the car, although the alternator has given up (at the end of its useful life) twice.

The rear wiper has never worked properly.

The tail gate and driver's door are showing signs of rust.

The clutch operating mechanism collapsed last year.

The driver's door window seized recently, now fixed shut.

General Comments:

This is not car ownership - it is a long-term relationship! Although the old girl is showing her age I still love her to bits. I have used bits from higher spec 18's to try and brighten up the interior a bit, but the seats have always been truly comfortable.

It is always a very relaxing car to drive.

Faults:

Numerous items related to the age of the car and general wear and tear. Have replaced the clutch, CV joints (front), one wheel bearing and suspension ball joint.

Conversely the engine has been fine. Once the garage replaced the ignition lead with the correct type, I've had no problems with starting or available power.

General Comments:

This car still surprises after three years of ownership. I've driven numerous late model small Japanese rental cars and none handled as well or were as fun to drive.

So-so construction and finishing, and the cost of maintenance of the 18 make it uneconomic to justify. But in the fun versus sensible stakes, my heart wins every time.

Faults:

The drive shaft seized up about three years ago because the boot had split without me knowing about it. Also, I've had to replace the gearbox and some of the ignition system. Apart from these problems, the car has given me no bother.

Faults:

Fuel tank rusts, (using R16 tank now..)

Brake lines and body rust, suspension is too soft and central locking fails from time to time. Heater could be better, even in this model, which is almost the warmest R 18. Some electrics fail because of age, quite noisy interior at higher speeds even if best equipped model. 2nd gear syncronize in gearbox worn among kilometres. Wipers and windshield water pump are too weak to be good enough at speeds over 80 km/h.

General Comments:

Quite a powerful family wagon, I wish the engine could be 2.2 litres and equipped with fuel injection. Then it would be great! The car is quite big, quite roomy, and so can carry lots of stuff. It handles well, is comfortable (after changing stiffer front seats..) and runs 100 km with 7-8 litres of fuel (at 80-100 km/h). I kind of like it. Thats all.