SRi 1.9 CDTi 16v (150ps) 5dr Hatchback

Excellent all round family car

I have owned this car for more than eight years and it has never let me down. As an all round family car reliability has been excellent with only minor issues that are easily fixed. The most significant being the swirl flap connector rod required attention about two years ago when the car had 130K on the clock. A simple home fix using a spring and a rod to prevent the rod popping off the ball joints its sit on (they wear and become loose fitting).

The car now has more than 160K on the clock and runs fine returning more than 47 REAL MPG in mixed driving and I push on when I can; on longer journeys where speed is steady I seen up to 60 REAL MPG.
Plenty of space and interior wears well and cleans easily. Tyres are cheap and plenty brands available in the 17inch rim size.
List of items replaced: timing belt X2 (once for failed water pump at 60K), all coil springs over several years due to poor potholed roads in Cheshire, Starter motor under warranty in 2011 (had not failed but was prone to late disengaging after vehicle started), Several wipers due to age and use, front suspension drop links x4 (only buy cheap ones £12 a pair on ebay so don't expect to last too long), anti-roll bar bushes front and rear, engine thermostat at 100K (I've got a new one to fit now as car was slow to warm up recently hence radiator muff, see picture), brakes every few years as required by miles driven and style of driving, one rear brake caliper due to sticking at 150K, both front to rear brake lines due to corrosion at 10 years of age and 145K, various bulbs but nothing out of the ordinary.

As for servicing I change the oil every 20K not before and use proprietary fully synthetic oil and a quality oil and air filter. EGR valve required cleaning about four years ago after engine check light came on (job done at home no issues since) Emission have always been well in limits at MOT time.

If you look after the car and service when required and replace the usual wear and tear items then it should last well.

After nearly nine years I cannot complain and if this car died tomorrow I would immediately look for a similar one or Saab 93 or 95 as they are virtually identical mechanically underneath.

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