2.2i-CTDi Sport 5dr Hatchback

Great car with a single, major flaw.

The Good -

This car has been a stalwart for me in almost every way. It has (had, it's about to be given to a relative) great poke, loved cruising at outside lane on the motorway speeds - clearly I mean 70mph - with top notch 30-45 overtaking acceleration.

MPG was great if kept serviced and with good oil, I am a bit of a trip computer type so I used to do Bolton - Crawley often for work and it would average 65mpg, often a bit more as the 50mph limit stretched on the m6. The seats are very comfortable and even 13 years after it was released, the cabin feels new. The capacity is ridiculous, I've moved house with it three times and it still staggers me how much it can hold.

* Drive is fun. It's not great by any stretch but it's sturdy, goes where you point it and you feel engaged.
* The engine really is great.
* Engine/gearbox/turbo has never had an issue in 79 000 miles of often grueling commutes in creeping traffic
* With a new stereo (purely for functionality , the audio is pretty good
* Alloys were good for a stock model
* The Steering Wheel feels good, I know that's a bit odd but it's always something I note in other cars
* Strong, feel the road wheels through steering wheels.

The Small Problems

* The rear window makes reversing (at first) a nightmare. My car has two dings on the back from the first 3 weeks of ownership, since the feeling out period it's now a doddle and surprisingly easy.
* Cabin noise. Right, it's just not great, that 2.2 engine needed far more soundproofing than it ever got.
* Suspension - rides very well, will shatter your lower back over a small bump
* The Speedometer console is a scratch magnet. Clean it with care
* Cabin rattle...

The Big Problem

The suspension, at the front, is the same stock as the entire range despite having an engine at least 100kg heavier than any other model in the range and causing more force at the front.

I've had 2 sets of front suspension struts replaced, taking with them (via the weight) an ABS sensor and a bumper stop. If you live in an area with speed bumps, it's just a matter of time before this rears its ugly head. This is a shame as the rear suspension has never given me a problem.

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