Faults:

Transmission blown up $1000.

Alternator replaced $200.

Blown heater hose $600 most of it labour.

General Comments:

This car is very fast and comfortable too. with the 5 speed manual and exhaust mods/inter cooler, i have G-tech timed it as 0-100km/hr in 5.5 seconds.

Even in stock form you get to 100 in about 6 seconds. you could compare it to a WRX as they are both mid size turbo AWD sedans.

However unlike the WRX the bluebird Has a good sleeper appearance and won't attract the police, you would not pick it at the traffic lights as a fast car. my last car was a HSV VS GTS and the SSS eats it for breakfast, plus it returns not bad fuel economy, even if you have to use 98+ octane fuel.

Faults:

Very little. Normal maintenance. Had to replace the r/h side steering arm rod? at 240000. Little things like speedo, indicator and electric antenna. For the rest very little. It just keeps going.

Change oil/filter every 8500 to make sure chain stays in good order. Engine still does not use any oil and no smoke at all. I am a happy chappy.

General Comments:

Like the smooth drive of the car - you are just gliding on the road. Very comfortable, especially on the longer distance.

I am 196cm, but plenty of room for this tall fellow. Lots of space for the family and their luggage.

Engine a bit noisy when idling, Could do with a bit more power, especially when loaded.

Handling very easy, suspension a bit soft, but I like it. (wife hates it, but hey she drives an MR2 sports car). Not too happy with the brakes, especially when you go a bit faster it takes quite a while to slow down -- the only negative point I think.

Fuel economy not too bad. I get 13/14ks out of a litre on the longer distance, 11.5 in town.

Car doesn't look too flash, probably a bit boring, but hey, who is complaining. It's the cheapest car I have ever owned and I love it. Know I need to upgrade (245000K!) but keep postponing it.

Faults:

Had an exhaust leak... nothing else.

General Comments:

Excellent car. have added aftermarket exhaust , pod air intake, lowered and aftermarket rims. mo mo steering wheel and a small audio setup. SR20DE loves to red-line all the time. love my bluebird!

Faults:

Cracked windshield cost $NZ2000 to replace!

Nothing else!

General Comments:

The U12 Bluebird runs an SR20DE which makes about 125kW. The FWD puts down a lot of this available power and pulls remarkably quick for a car of its engine size.

The styling is relatively modern and sporty for a car of its year.

The creature comforts include Air Conditioning, Climate control, Power Mirrors, Power windows, ABS, Tape/Radio Stereo and a cool little screen on the windscreen that displaying your speed digitally and a few other things.

Unfortunately when I had to replace the windscreen it cost $NZ2000 because of the special glass insert. A normal windscreen would have cost me $NZ500.

The Bluebird has a speed governer at 185km/h although I suspect with this function disabled would make it to 220km/h.

Its 0-100km/h sprint takes about 8 seconds and it keeps pulling reasonably quick from there.

The boot is reasonably large and fits 3 sets of golf clubs and trundler's easily.

All in all I would definitely recommend this car to a family looking for a mid-sized car in the price range of $4000-$7000.