mine has been pretty good so far. had it for just over a year now. it's over 113k miles, and runs sweet. no rebuild and no smoke or rattles. never been welded and doesn't need it. it's gone wrong twice so far. one was a split boost hose, the other my own fault as i broke the top bolt on the thermostat housing. only major thing at the mo is my neighbor reversed in to the passenger door and properly stoved it in, but thats hardly a reliability issue. when it's running properly it is the best car about imo for grin factor. it goes like a train, looks mint and sounds the pups swingers on or off boost!!! if you can get a shitter for every day use then get one but buy the best you can. if you can't and will need to run it every day then don't bother. get something newer because it'll probably bankrupt you. don't get me wrong, mine is the only car i own but i use it maybe a dozen times a month and then don't travel that far either. plus it's only a five minute walk to work and if me and the missus go anywhere at the weekend we take her car cos she hates doing any distance in mine