Faults:

Failed Smog Check.

Headlight doors broke and stayed open.

Check engine light periodically came on for no reason.

Rear power window mechanism broke twice on passenger side and once on driver's side.

Oil pressure switch went out.

Valve cover gasket had to be redone... three times!

Began leaking oil from everywhere and eventually was using a quart of oil every 100 miles.

Heater button broke off.

AC stopped working.

Factory paint was waxed every three months, car was garage kept and paint still oxidized.

Rack and pinion began going out.

Gas mileage dropped from over 30mpg to about 22 mpg over several years I owned it.

Factory speakers blew.

Driver's door hinge began to sag.

Convertible top fell apart.

Rear view mirror broke off several times.

General Comments:

This is one of those cars that has very nice styling, but is built really cheaply.

This car was garaged, taken care of well, driven by adults and still fell apart.

By 100,000 miles, this car was getting pretty tired and was at the point where I was throwing good money after bad.

The Mitsubishi 4cyl motor had no power at all and was sluggish merging into traffic. I had heard of these motors running like a top at 200k, but this one was blowing oil out the tail pipe at 100,000.

The interior was very cheap, with large amounts of wind noise through the weather stripping and numerous rattles.

Car had LOTS of design flaws that made day-to-day use a nightmare.

I sold the car to a friend for $900 that needed to get off the bus. He still has it, but the entire car is being held together by spit and duct tape!

Before this, I had an Oldsmobile Cutlass that was a great car. I now drive a Toyota Camry and I'm very happy. Avoid "Mitsu-Chrysler" K-Car products like the plague! There's a reason why the wrecking yard is full of them.

Faults:

The only thing that went wrong with it since we got it is the steering wheel went out. Cost about $100 to replace.

Other than that it has been a very reliable car. Nothing like my 1995 Chevy beretta which was constantly breaking down and falling apart.

It was still running great at 150,000 miles (please note the speedometer might have rolled over so this could actually be 250,000 miles). When a drunk driver rear ended it. The rear end was totaled so it doesn't hold up very good in a crash.

General Comments:

This thing got great gas mileage, probably 20-25 mpg.

Faults:

Tires are worn badly and out of alignment.

Shocks have gone.

Steering is stiff.

Gears shift improperly.

Windshield wipers need to be replaced.

The motor on the power locks and windows is very weak.

The red engine overheat light flashes on and off frequently.

The car leaks both antifreeze and engine fluid.

The rear hatch door suspension has gone and it freezes in cold temperatures.

The radio sometimes won't turn off.

Needed a brand new starter which was very expensive.

Serious rust all over especially by the tires.

General Comments:

This car was a very inexpensive purchase - $400; from a family member who is also a mechanic.

I had to purchase a block heater for it in -40 degree weather. It has actually started perfectly being plugged in and standing outside in the Canadian elements.

It has been great for a "beater car", although has such a shimmy now on the roads here that I can only maintain a speed of 50km/h.

I have had to fix and upgrade many things on it however, and because of my higher insurance rates it does not seem worth all the trouble; and has been more than I bargained for. I am currently in the process of getting better tires, and if that does not fix the severe shimmy and jerking on the car and it ends up being the tire rods; I will be having it hauled away.

On the plus side however, it has never left me stranded anywhere. The look of it is really cool. The gas mileage is awesome only costing about $80/month to fill. Keeping up all of the oil change changes has kept that part running smoother.

All in all, if you purchase one of these models in better shape than I did, it would be not a bad car for someone that cannot afford much. It is most definitely not good for out of city driving. Also, if driving in the city steer clear of uneven pavement or roads that require driving more than 50 km/h. Just be warned that there may be quite a cost involved in the long run.