Faults:

A few things -

Replaced starter motor, alternator, fuel rail, 1 radiator fan motor, rear wheel bearings, power steering fluid leak, has used several pairs of front tyres all in 8 years.

To elaborate, a fuel leak prompted the fuel rail change. Shame the car didn't burn to the waterline.

Rear wheel bearings replaced at 190000km, front bearings OK.

Leak occurred where hoses clamp to tubes emerging from body of power steering pump. Pump replaced by second hand unit - 205000km.

Despite the car having never been in an accident (it's metallic light green so a partial or total respray would have been noticed after 8 years), the front wheel geometry chews tyres. They've been aligned by 3 different workshops and they've each assured me that everything is per-factory. Tyres used were Dunlop (soft compound, short life) and Good Year. Front tyres are currently rock-hard Korean rubbish to maximise their life, but the handling has become somewhat 'nervous'. The car isn't thrashed, by the way.

Fuel economy is terrible; it drinks like a V8. Typical consumption is 13L/100km (22mpg) in outer suburban driving. A country trip, with me feather-footing the accelerator and coasting wherever possible returned about 10L/100km (28-29mpg) and this with overdrive selected full time. Plugs, coil, compression, etc, all checked OK - engine runs sweetly, but has a lusty thirst.

General Comments:

Handling is compromised by the need to use rubbish tyres on the front.

Fuel economy does not reflect the way the car is gently driven.

Yes, it's an old car and only ventures 10km to work and back these days, but I expected better from Toyota, especially as its stablemate is a 2003 Ford Falcon which has run without fault since new.

I'd still buy another Toyota as I feel this particular car was probably assembled on a Monday morning.

Faults:

The bonnet will no longer stay up by itself, but I knew this would occur before I bought it.

General Comments:

For a family car, the Vienta has a lot of power about it, at 138kw it was the most powerful car of its time, with the closest rivals being in at 122kw... the Hyundai Sonata for example only had 100kw for a 3L V6. My particular car has had new suspension put in which is more rigid and aids handling at higher speeds, it has also been lowered and has 16 inch mags on it. I'm not sure about if any mods have been done to it, but it feels very quick off the mark, and personally I believe its faster than reviews state to 100km/h in 9.4 seconds which in itself is quite nippy for a family car of its age. Inside the car is very roomy, abit bland, but never the less with the front seat fully back there is still plenty of room for back seat passengers. The boot is also massive. For the driver, controls are well positioned and the dash lay out is good, the drivers seat also comes with good adjustments. I was also suprised for such an old car to have some nice little features in it, when headlights are left on accidently for example they are automatically turned off when opening the drivers door, if any of the 4 doors are left open a light is shown on the dash, and when fuel is low a indicator comes up... minor things but for a car of its age I was suprised. Safety wise it is reasonable, my particular car has ABS brakes. The only negative to this car is the air conditioning, I'm not sure if it has problems, but it still does work for now, but the compressor is quite noisy.

Faults:

Purchased for a low price as engine had a blown head gasket (common problem I'm told)

Suspension bushes and shocks worn and need replacing.

Fuel injector seal worn caused petrol smell in cabin (cheap $15 problem)

B pillar interior moldings loose (molded plastic hasn't held shape)

General Comments:

Cheap, reliable transport.

Rather bland.

Relatively economic.

Not very quick.

Nice ride and handling, quite refined for an older car, still feels solid to drive.

No rust problem.

Overall good medium car that just keeps going and just keeps on going! (engines last can last way into the 350 km mark!)

Note: be wary of worn timing belts, don't take the chance! hasn't happened to me, but a broken timing belt while driving can do major damage to your engine.

Note: Leave overdrive "Off" in city driving, leaving it "On" can put strain on relatively weak auto box.

Faults:

Had to get the suspension replaced at 193 000 km, (gas struts, bump stops and bushes)

Fan doesn't work on "high" setting.

Alternator needed replacing at 185 000 km.

General Comments:

Sluggish handling when cornering.

If you are tall you may find driving uncomfortable in long trips.

Other than that it's fairly roomy on the inside and a huge boot.

Gets brilliant fuel economy (10 liters per 100k).

Decent power and acceleration.

Cheap buy ($5000A)