Faults:

Complete and sudden brake failure.

Fuel pump.

Clutch master cylinder.

Gear shift boot.

Electric aerial.

Clock.

Complete engine rebuild (lost compression). Cost $3,000, then sold!

General Comments:

Bought for $1,800 and sold for $7,500. Spent the difference in repair costs. In effect, a "free" car (no depreciation) over 7 years, which is pretty good.

Worst aspect of the 1500's is their weight (about 1000 kgs). The engine would be good in a car weighing 800 kgs, so it's very, very slow. A Mazda 1200/1300 is much, much faster. Feels as if the handbrake is on. Maximum torque in standard 1500 at only 2,500 RPM, and in an SS, 3,000 RPM, so very narrow torque band, and revving is useless. Noisy above 90km/h. A Mazda 1800 is smoother with better performance, but downmarket badging and interior. Why no 1800SS Mr Mazda?

Unreliable.

Very difficult to drive. Accelerator either on or off.

Good points is that it looks amazing. Designed by Nuncio Bertone, so people never thought it was a Mazda (Triumph???).

Very high standard equipment... black interior roof lining, wood rim steering wheel, lockable glovebox with light, centre rear arm rest, electric aerial, carpets.

Unbelievable all round visibility. Like a BMW 2002. Very narrow A, B and C pillars. A real fish tank or lounge room on wheels.

Heavy weight and 14 inch wheels means good dirt round comfort.

Although a headache, regret selling and sorely missed.

Faults:

The engine was excellent, but a lot under powered, the only thing I regret is loosing track of the engine as were we removed it the mechanics shut down & through it away.

General Comments:

This model car Should of come out with a V6 Buick engine as it fits so neat & out performs most cars in style & handling now. Love IT.

Faults:

Occasionally the engine doesn't run at full power, although the problem fixed itself.

General Comments:

Satisfactory power, looks nice for an '89 model. Quite reliable, the familia model has all the extras and satisfies my needs nicely. Comfortable little car.

Faults:

Rear coolant elbow rusted out at 127,000.

Replaced all heater/cooling hoses at 128,000.

Engine fan needed replacing because the plastic had become chipped and damaged with age.

Rear bearings needed replacing at 129,000.

Speedometer & Cable need adjustment to stop bounce occurring at cold engine temps.

General Comments:

Fantastic car, FA3TS update is a bit more stable at high speed due to wider chassis rail spacing when compared to earlier STB models.

Power improved through the fitment of a 32/36 DGAV weber, but top speed is hampered by a 4spd gearbox and 4.11 diff ratio.

Faults:

During 31 years virtually everything was replaced, including the engine (after around 300,000Km without rebuilding). The remarkably reliable though worn original engine was replaced by a 'VC' engine from a Mazda 929 in 1996, which boosted performance almost to new car level.

Valve spring snapped on the VC motor in 1999.

Head gasket leaked and was replaced in 1999.

General Comments:

Absolutely gorgeous Bertone designed classic, rewarding to drive yet practical, extremely reliable and sturdy.

My family owned the 1500 for 23 years before I sold the car in 2000, which never let us down. I still miss this car!

Even at 31 the 1500 was still quick, and the original automatic gearbox was still working well.

Handling was equivalent to or better than some cars from the 1990s that I've driven, with a pleasant hint of over-steer when driven aggressively.

Extremely well made. After 31 years the interior was almost as new.