Faults:
Light gears required replacing. 50 dollars and two hours of my time.
There is a "flutter" in the fuel system when below 50 degrees outside. Replaced filter, did not fix. Fuel pump or pressure regulator is more than likely the cause. 91 and 50 dollars respectively, and I can do it myself. Will probably change at some point this summer, but am not concerned about being stranded.
Other than that, nothing. A couple of oil leaks starting, but for 24 years old, expected.
General Comments:
First of all, I find it frustrating to read reviews with only 7000 miles of ownership, but I thought I would chime in anyway.
The car... as others have stated, may not be the best every day driver given your situation. For me, it is. I commute 50 miles one way and have two routes to take. It makes the drive much more enjoyable. The seats are very comfortable, the car is effortless to drive, and winding down two lane roads in the lakes country of Minnesota is enjoyable. The A/C works, the car gets 23-24 miles per gallon, and depreciation is very minimal at this point in the car's life.
Driving around town on bumpy roads, yes it can get irritating. The ride can be very rough. It is worth it to me, however as my driving style lends itself to this car.
Parts are, for the most part reasonably priced. If you like to tinker here and there with your car, and appreciate driving something different, one of these would be a wise and economical choice. It is 24 years old, and I expect some of the quirks that come with that. The rattles seem to be increasing. Time to spend an hour and tighten some screws.
Overall, a great car (so far), and if you have ever thought of buying one, I would not hesitate. I will update this if anything major arises.
9th Jul 2010, 18:35
"I've wanted one for 20 years, and finally got one for my mid-life crisis."
I've never even once seen a Corvette being driven by anyone other than a man who is clearly having his mid-life crisis. It's the exact reason I'd never buy a Corvette.