Cars that collect an early bad reputation struggle to lose them, even when the main issues are resolved. And from what I've read on these hallowed pages, while 2014 cars are clearly better in many ways, they're hardly 'unburstable'!
Doesn't seem to me that engine drive belt issues are fully resolved, not are the rear sprockets, exhausts still seem to break, bevel boxes still get hot, creaks and rattles still exist, etc. Hardly perfect!
And servicing costs of - typically - £500- £1000 for newish small cars with so many disposable parts like engine belts and rear sprockets, and exhaust mountings, do simply add to the cost of ownership.
Thank goodness for the smiles and waves and moments of pure joy that the little b*ggers can still offer. And I still believe all the issues will be resolved in time which is why I persevere.
