Faults:

Immobiliser problems like so many others.

Trying to charge me £600 for new control panel for it???

Only bought it for £1000, being R reg.

Given me an emergency code, but ain't gonna last.

General Comments:

Don't get an immobiliser on this car, coz when it goes wrong, you are gonna be stuck. Fair play though, even the garage couldn't nick it without the right kit..

Bless all who shall ride in one, but pray this fault doesn't happen.

Faults:

All ignition coils failed one after another.

Central locking only works occasionally.

Ehxaust manifold disintegrated at 90.000km.

Rear shock absorber broke at 110.000 km.

Alternator pulley fell apart at 120.000km.

Rear wheel bearing failed at 150.000km.

At 170.000km the main pulley for the micro belt broke causing the micro belt to get tangled in the cam belt which resulted in valve to piston collision!

General Comments:

Seriously unreliable!

The car has been well looked after, but it still falls apart every week...

Very low fuel consumption!

6,5 l/100km on freeway

8 l/100km in town.

Faults:

A leakey ariel, this was fixed easily by taking it off and putting some sealer around the hole.

General Comments:

The car grips the road well. However in wet conditions the back end has a tendency to slide out if you are cornering hard.

The interior is nice and airy, it is also very comfortable with the sport seats that come with the 'sport' models.

MPG is good, my average is 35MPG, however I drive more aggressive than most, On a good day the MPG goes up to 45 - 50MPG.

Faults:

Driver's side electric window crunched when it was lowered and could not be raised. The cable had snapped and was replaced.

Driver's side control for passenger electric window failed, passenger side still works though.

New front and rear exhaust sections, original 'cat' still OK.

General Comments:

I bought this car from my brother in-law who purchased it as the demo model from new. I knew it had been looked after and it was trade price. It's a good looking car and fairly discreet (in black anyway), and it has proved to be very economical to run. Insurance is cheap (group 8), it will do around 35mpg around town and it has been very reliable with only minor problems.

It may not handle as well as a Saxo VTR or Fiesta Zetec-S, but it's just as quick and you get more car for your money. It's fully loaded with electrical equipment with a good stereo; safety equipment is good too with 4 airbags.

On the downside there's not much room inside, especially the 2 back seats and the front does not have a lot of headroom (mainly because of the sunroof). The boot is reasonably sized, but has a small opening so cannot take larger items.

Despite being a 16 valve, the engine does not thrive on revs and becomes harsh as you approach the low 6,000-rpm limit. It's also a bit loud when you're cruising at about 80-85mph showing around 4,000-rpm. The gearbox is very sweet, with a positive shift, however the steering could do with more feel and a slightly quicker rack.