Faults:

Had to replace Heater Core at 151k.

AC currently does not work. To avoid fogging up in the rain, I actually have to roll my window DOWN abit.

New clutch at 149k.

New pads and rotors at 150k.

Service engine light comes on often for unknown reason.

Door handle broke at 150k.

General Comments:

Performance: Alright considering how many miles are on this car, it does good. Yes I have had my share of problems, but overall this is an incredible car for the 1000 I paid. The car has plenty of get up for a 2.8 V6. I've beat a 2002 Cavalier. It helps that I know how to shift properly apparently.

Appearance: For a car from the 80's I think this car looks great. I like how it looks like it has a slightly raised back. I've always for some reason thought the back of the Beretta looks neat. Mine is white with black trim and I will say that some of the paint has worn off of it. That's fine, it's a pretty old car.

Other: I will admit that it does have faults though. I mean, while reliable, my car is extremely loud. I blame the 2.8 liter engine. These cars have a reputation for being loud. I can always tell if a car has one in them because of the unique and loud sound they give off. Its embarassing to start, I laugh it off though. Then the rattling. My car rattles like crazy when I hit bumps. Again slightly embarassing. Overall though I really like this car it has been a very loyal first car. Glad I got it instead of the Sunbird or whatever. I recommend a Beretta to anybody who wants a cheap, reliable car. Doesn't matter what year really, 87 to 96 will do you just fine.

Faults:

The fuel pump was blown when I first purchased this car. It was a quick fix.

General Comments:

This car is amazing. I have owned three beretta's and have been pleased with each and everyone of them. They are reliable and powerful. I could not say enough about these vehicles.

Faults:

Transmission failed right after I bought the car at about 83,000km.

Second Transmission (previously used) failed about 10,000km later.

Heater Core needed to be replaced at 120,000km.

CV Axles replaced on both sides 3 times.

Fuel pump failed at 170,000km.

Signal switch failed at 180,000km.

Dash light bulb failed.

Occasionally stalls while in reverse.

Replaced Spark plugs at 130,000km.

Blown fuel line on highway.

Currently the oil-sending unit is leaking oil severely.

General Comments:

The bucket seats are incredibly comfortable.

Great gas mileage on the highway.

Takes turns smoothly and there is no fear of slipping or sliding while taking sharp turns.

The digital dash looks great and performs accurately.

Although the parts on the car routinely break down, nothing had "just suddenly happened" (with exception to the blown fuel line). All of the problems had started off small, before the problem gradually got worse.

Replacement parts are easy to find and relatively cheap.

Great handling car in the winter due to front wheel drive.

What else can I say??? I drive my cars hard and I am going on almost 220,000km with this car.

The body is mint; the paint that is still original, is in perfect condition.

I love the way that the car is designed.

Faults:

Engine control computers, five or six before 60,000 miles. Once or twice after that. Eventually we got a good one.

Fuel pump, 80,000 and 170,000.

Timing chain, 160,000.

Ignition coils periodically failed, making car impossible to start.

Massive oil leak, 90,000 due to faulty distributor block-off plate (engine has distributorless ignition, but block is cast to have a distributor hole).

Transmission, slipped from 195,000 until failure @ 201K.

Paint, Defective clearcoat, first noticeable after car was 1 year old. GM were absolutely evasive about this, even after it became widely known they had repainted others' cars for free.

Water pumps went out roughly every 40K miles.

Front seat frames were very flimsy. Driver's seat back started to bend and then eventually collapsed into back seat. Main driver was a 140 pound woman.

Inner door panels were a constant headache. Cheap materials, cheap fasteners, long and somewhat heavy doors were a lethal combination.

CV joints failed. One became noisy at 80,000 miles. The other blew apart at 140,000.

Struts, 70,000 and again, 150,000.

Front brake calipers need to be replaced with pads as they tend to seize and cause pads to fail prematurely.

General Comments:

V6 engine had ample power and was relatively good with gas (high 20s on highway). Nobody I know who had a 4-cyl was happy with performance, and their gas mileage wasn't much better.

Unless you can get it for next to nothing, so you can easily dispose of it when something goes wrong, I would avoid this model. They have a way of nickel and diming you to death.