Faults:

Body hardware is cheap, but somehow keeps going.

General Comments:

The best bang for the buck car I ever had!

If they still made these cars, there would be no need to own a hybrid with it getting 44 MPG.

I've had mine for 14 years with 230,000 miles on it and still running!!!

Faults:

Needed new non-bent wheels.

One axle and CV joint needed replacement after CV boot was torn.

Needed alignment.

One strut replaced.

Hit a deer and had to replace grille and bend hood and latch assembly back to position.

Rust starting to rear its head on the usual spots: door bottoms, hatch, and in front of rear fenders.

General Comments:

Bought the car for $1000 as a commuter for my girlfriend. It had been a city car most of its life and had scars to show (little dings, curbed rims).

As soon as we got it we did a basic tune up with plugs, wires, filters and an oil change. There was a noticeable difference after just doing this. It took a few oil changes and a lot of proper non-stop-and-go driving before the oil seemed to stay clean for more than 100kms. Now by the time a change is due, the oil is more gold than black. Like any car, regular maintenance is your best friend.

For its meager power it moves around pretty good, partially due to the Festivas very low weight. The only time it really struggles is on steep hill/mountains, and even then as long as you're patient you'll make it up at a decent speed. We've got the three speed auto, but I would strongly recommend the four or five speed standard just for better mileage and a lower highway RPM.

The car is great for the winter; with skinny little snow tires or all seasons, you'd be surprised at what you can plow through with ease. Your only limiting factor is clearance; you have to have enough speed to make it through the deeper sections, or the front end of the car will get lifted up and you won't have any traction at all. The car does have a block heater, but we have yet to use it.

The car has been very reliable and never left us stranded once. It has always started no matter what the temperature or how long it has sat.

For a small car it is very comfortable, has surprising amounts of room, and a unusually soft ride make for a decent drive.

It has been a very economical car to run; any parts we have ever needed have been reasonably priced, and it's great mileage is always nice.

Faults:

Rusty exhaust plagued this car since I've had it, but I don't mind a loud ride.

Radiator had to be replaced because the transmission fluid line rusted threw.

Right side ball joint had to be replaced.

Distributor cap had to be replaced.

At some point the car started to leak oil I believe around the oil pan, but not sure.

Driver side CV boot had to be replaced.

Water pump had to be replaced due to having just water in the cooling system in freezing weather. (my fault)

Factory Battery had to be replaced.

Front wheel barrings had to be replaced a few times near the end of the cars life.

Finally after a year of driving with no oil the camshaft locked up and ripped the upper timing belt sprocket off. (my fault) :` (

General Comments:

This car was one of the best purchases I've ever made. It treated my family and I very well and we are all sad to see it go the way it did.

I have to say this car is great for all ages. It's a good first car for a young person and a great gas saver for anyone else. It was my family's main car, but is also good as a back up car and I've known some others to use these cars as winter drivers.

Tho this car IS ugly, it does still turn heads with its odd look and stands out in its own way because of it.

I gave comfort marks a 7 because tho the seats are not that comfy and there is no leg room in the back to speak of... there is allot of front leg and head room for a tall person in this car. I am a 6'2" heavy set guy that had more problems getting into bigger cars then this one so that's why I gave comfort marks a 7. How ever if you're a shorter person then comfort would be at 3 or 4.

I bought this car in MI and took a road trip to CA. A year later I drove it back to MI and the car ran like a dream on both trips. Not 1 problem during the drive. So as long as you get the car checked up, it is good for cross country trips for 1 or 2 people.

Some people call these cars "disposable cars". Those people never owned one.

I just wish I got to own one of these cars when it was brand new because the care I would put into it would have made the car last for ever.