Faults:

New alternator twice.

New rear shocks and struts (they were rattling loudly.. and it was pretty bumpy).

Black paint fading and rusting pretty bad.

Vinyl siding of seats tearing.

Fabric on ceiling falling off.

Driver door handle cracked, but still works.

Windows whistle on highway.

Trunk can be hard to open with key (have to push down on top of the trunk to turn the key).

Now needs a new muffler and total brake job, which is just way too expensive for the value of the car, so I am looking for a new car now... but hey... I can't complain... this car is 16 years old!

General Comments:

I have had my Geo Prizm for 5 years now, and overall it has been a very reliable car.

Alternator replaced twice, but I knew this was a common problem with Prizms.

Engine still runs top notch (basically this is a Toyota Corolla).

Pretty comfortable, and gets great gas mileage.

Recommended to someone who wants a dependable car that gets you from A to B.

Faults:

Hard to answer, seeing that the car is 16 years old.

I have had to replace:

Alternator at 185k.

Radiator at 200k.

I have replaced CV joints on both sides twice.

I have had 3 sets of pads and rotors.

I am on my second set of rear brakes (October 2009).

For the mileage and age, I am not complaining. I have not had a car note in over 10 years.

General Comments:

This car has been VERY reliable.

Change the fluids and she just goes.

Change the timing belt on schedule and she just goes.

I still get decent gas mileage; 30 plus combined.

Change the plugs and wires and she just goes.

This may seem unbelievable, but I had a set of Goodyear WingFoots for 7 years with at least 12,000 miles a year, and probably more before I replaced the FRONT tires. The backs still had decent amount of tread.

I just replaced the headlights in November of 2009. Not because they blew out, but because I wanted the newest SilverStar Ultra bright ones.

I will keep this car till it or I die.

Faults:

Radio has a short in it that causes it to turn off whenever I drive over a pothole or bump in the road.

The cover around the stick-shift had come out of place, this was fixed with a small screw to hold things in place.

Seats are too rugged and durable to be comfortable for prolonged car rides.

General Comments:

The quality of this car is excellent, both inside and out. Toyota manufactured this generation of the Prizm ('93-'97) and most parts are the same as in the Corolla. Toyota's reliability shows here.

The manual transmission is a joy to drive and the engine is quick and responsive for being as small as it is.

The materials used on the interior of the car are stellar in terms of durability.

I purchased the car sight unseen in Chicago for $1500. Flew into Chicago and drove the Geo back to Birmingham, Alabama with 0 problems whatsoever.

Gas mileage is excellent for a 16 year old car! 35MPG hwy/28 city.

I bought the car because I needed something to commute to the University and back every day, and this is the most reliable and cost-efficient solution to that.

You won't be turning any heads, but you'll turn it over every time you turn the key, and that's a great thing if you're a broke college bloke.