Faults:

When I bought the car, the radiator was cracked (so I bought it cheap).

Rear brake calipers were leaky.

Air con compressor was leaky too.

I got them all fixed (under $500 total).

Alternator broke at 2600000km. Indicator broke at 280000km. Fixed 'em both for $500.

General Comments:

Quick car and not too bad on fuel economy.

Very comfortable to drive, handles well.

Considering it is an old car, I would say it is reliable.

Faults:

Water pipes corroded and developed leaks (en mass).

Oil leaks.

Temperature gauges needed replacing.

Belts stripped off while driving at 20k.

Overheating while going up hills on the freeway.

Coolant required every morning!

Minor transmission oil leak.

General Comments:

Well in the hall of fame of crap cars, this one is right up there. My previous crap car (a Peugeot 306 of a similar vintage) had the air conditioning unit fall out while driving, but thankfully it was held up by something under the car until it could be reinstalled, so I really shouldn't be complaining.

But this car has had one thing or another go wrong just about constantly since I bought it. Based on other reviews, I decided to buy the car, which on the face of it was ok-ish. I was hoping to get another 50,000 or 60,000 driving kilometres for a cheap price (I figure any decent car should get around 240,000k before it claps out), but within 8,000 kilometers, it has come to the point where sadly we have nothing in common, it has become far too demanding, and we have to part company.

I don't really blame the car - I think it is just a bit long in the tooth and it hasn't held its heath too well, and I am not sure simply that 1994 was just not a year for cars born with longevity.

The good news for the car is that apart from my high end (although I couldn't tell you the specs) 1994 Toyota Corolla, which was just superb to drive, nothing went wrong, and smelt great (I am not sure why, but that car always smelt fantastic - tragically murdered by a prang scammer who rolled back at me at an intersection for the whiplash claim), this car is the second most comfortable drive I have ever had. It is very smooth, holds the road well, and the external rear vision, while a little deceptive in terms of depth, gives a far better view than the Corolla, which had those wingy things that destroy the rear vision... I wouldn't buy another one though. I expect a bit more mileage from my cars.

I am off to consider romance with a 1994 Saab now... Although given my history, maybe I should just walk.

Faults:

Cooling system failed when some corroded piping burst. Easily repaired.

Crack in throttle body caused computer to misinterpret the air/fuel mixture, and resulted in poor idling and fuel economy. Again, fixed reasonably cheaply.

General Comments:

For it's age, this car has given very little trouble. It is well maintained and has benefited as a result. Never loses water or burns oil.

The engine gives a good compromise between power and economy.

My only grizzles are:

This model requires the higher octane fuel to run at its best.

Changing the cam belt is a major job - big bucks!