Only once in eleven years has my Felicia failed to get me home, and that was due to a duff battery - replaced with heavy duty one on the spot by roadside assistance.

CV gaiters were replaced four years ago, apart from that, only the rear exhaust incident ( friends thought this very funny), has incurred repair/replacements costs.

Last month in a dark car park I noticed what seemed to be a piece of twine hanging out of the exhaust of my '97 Felicia. Thinking that kids had been playing around, I pulled it out ... and out! A warning light went off in my head. Using the scissors on Swiss knife trimmed "twine" back to exhaust tailpipe and drove home listening for untoward noises of distress.

Turned out the rear exhaust box packing was disintergrating : replacement cost, including labour and VAT, £53.-

With maintainance costs like this, I will not need a free bus pass!

My ´98 felly diesel has been in the family for 9 years, now on 105k miles and living it up in Spain!

Last 12 months = an expensive year!

Diesel warm start bypass switch - 3 quid

Cut out broken Cat convertor - replaced with s-steel custom pipe - 70 quid

also new center and rear box (fitted myself - stupidly cheap from ebay via Germany)

new wheel bearings - 10 quid per side

new sus. joints for MOT - 8 quid per side , wish I´d gone for full wishbones though - loads of agg and pattern parts so rubber boots split already!

plus wear and tear items

new battery (duff one from Halfords, replaced under Guarantee)

new brakes all round

new tyres

The best thing is that cars get such a hiding in Spain that my felly looks pretty respectable now!

Great car, will be keeping it as long as I can.

Cut out broken Cat convertor - replaced with s-steel custom pipe - 70 quid

Are catalytic converters not a legal requirement in Spain then? Or have I misunderstood you?

ill let you guys decide whats common failures here:

lower arms both sides

new front bearings

new front hub x 1

new front shocks + full upper mounts

new alternator

new battery x 3 (now FIXED)

new alternator belt x 2

new throttle body

new MAP sensor

new ECU

new HALL EFFECT sensor

rebuilt ecu --> injectors--->throttle body wiring loom from scratch.

new front cv boots x 4

new rear brake cylinders (i cant believe a garage replaced just one)

new rear bearings x 2

full exhaust from cat onwards

im not including consumables like fluids, service parts, brakes or tyres here either.

but i have NEVER NEVER had a problem with the thermostat or coolant temp sensor. go figure

nice things about felicity:

no rust in any important or load bearing structure whatsoever. bit of rust right under boot lock and thats it.

she doesnt drink oil or coolant

homely engine rattle due to never ending but worn timing chain (it just "suits" her)

nice stereo

soon to be wearing some new shiny shoes

In the last 6 months:

- thermostat failed

- ignition lock fell to bits

- ABS wheel sensor failed

- bottom balljoint failed

- central locking on o/s/r door

- o/s/f wheel bearing now rumbling like a good 'un

- car does hot start when it's cold and vice versa - ecu/sensor problem?

- seized brake caliper

- instrument panel lights intermittent, great fun at night

- bonnet cable snapped (this morning's little treat)

My old Favorit was better than this.

Oh - diesels dont need Cat converters in the UK , as long as they pass the emission test they are fine - as for in Spain , lets hope not!