I had a Simca 1100 for a year.

Aptly named, it cost me just over £1100 in repairs and steadfastly refused to go more than forty miles at a time.

If you didn't stop every forty miles (less on hot summer days) and let it cool right down, it blew a core plug and a gallon of hot water across the road, and cooked the mains and big ends.

Back then £1100 was about six months wages. A very tough year!

Best car I've had is my current one.

Rover 75 Club CDT 116 Diesel automatic, first registered April 2002.

As reliable as next Wednesday, and comfortable as well.

55 per gallon at 60mph, 43 per gallon pulling my heavy steel chassis 1970s Sprite Alpine.

Holds the road like you had wheels on your elbows.

Don T.