Faults:

When I bought the car it need a new windshield $200 installed, drive shaft $30 used, new headlight $10, back brakes $30, O2 sensor $80, third brake light $4. Well after having the car on the road for a few months I had to replace one motor mount $25 used, new tire free, new wipers twice!!! My heater core return line runs right beside the transmission a little to closely it wore a hole in the side of it and it cost $60 for a new pipe.

General Comments:

Well considering I paid $800 Canadian for it and its 12 years old I can't really complain to much. I took the back wiper blade off of the hatch and took a spoiler off of a 1993 Ford Escort. I painted a one single blue line down the car more on the drivers side. Took the spoiler off of a Blazer and used it for an air dam, then I cut two holes in it for fog lights. I painted the dash inserts silver along with the door handles. On the outside I panted the door handles and the door locks blue. Tinted all the windows limo black, and have a nice sticker on the front window. This car is so reliable it won't die at all, even with the exhaust I put on it there is no back pressure. It now has dual pipes out of the back.

Faults:

The motor mount on the passenger side had to replaced. Outer tie rod end had to be replaced. The alignment keeps going out of whack.

General Comments:

This car is the best out of all the cars I have owned. Although its small it goes.

When I bought it I took the muffler off and built a new exhaust for it with dual pipes out the back. I also painted the factory Grey bumpers whit to match the rest of the car as well as tinted the windows on it.

I paid $800 Canadian for it and it needed nothing to get on the road for a little white 4 door hatch back this car is nice and I will never sell it. When I am done with it I will put it in a demo derby!!!

Faults:

Bad tie rod end was replaced at 65000 miles.

Struts needed to be replaced at 65000 miles. (dealer said "they were approaching the end of their useful life" and I noticed them creaking and squealing as the car bounced with a thud over small bumps)

Spark plugs (tune-up) at 63500 miles (routine)

Breaks needed to be tightened (original owner added new brake pads) 63,500 miles.

Original owner replaced timing belt at approximately 45000 miles (routine)

Headlights and taillights go out occasionally, and I put a new flasher into the turn signals.

Muffler rusted out. (62,000)

Warning LED comes on when braking although no one finds a problem with the brake lights or flashers anymore.

Had to replace worn wiper blades.

(Body work with two accidents, too -- neither my fault -- a deer the first and a guy pulled out in front the second... I digress)

Air Conditioner needs a clutch (will be replaced with updated non-CFC emitting A/C system)

Tires replaced several times.

- Michelin Roadhandler Sport (wore out due to misalignment and bad tie-rod end)

- Michelin MX4 Rainforce just mounted after alignment and tie rod ends and struts were replaced.

General Comments:

This has been my first car, and I am very pleased with it considering its age.

It is very responsive - especially after it was tuned up.

With Michelin MX4 Rainforce tires, it holds the road amazingly well. With new front struts and tie rod ends as well as an alignment, the car is amazingly well-footed and is easy to maneuver at almost any speed.

The seats are soft and comfortable, yet the design of the car is narrow leaving limited elbow room for passengers.

ONLY 3 passengers in addition to the driver!

Great hatchback is good for hauling anything. The rear seats fold down flat for additional space.

1.9L HO 4-cylinder is surprizingly quick. When passengers are also in the car, however, the car becomes somewhat lagging in performance, which is understandable. Manual 5-speed provides more than adequate acceleration.

Rack and pinion power-assisted steering is precise.

Faults:

The clutch was replaced when I first got the car, but no problems since.

General Comments:

Ford's beat any American car.