Faults:

A month after I got it, the knuckle on the axle broke causing the wheel to turn inward under the car ($250).

The radiator, thermostat gasket, and heating coils all blew on New Years Eve.

In the past 5 months the car has been towed 7 times because no one could figure out what was wrong with it. Some times the car would start and sometimes it wouldn't.

The whole fuel system had to be replaced due to rust caused by gallons of water in the gas tank. This would have been a fixable problem had the previous owner not duct taped a rust hole in the fuel line, that we did not know about. We found this out after repeatedly taking it to mechanics who couldn't figure out what caused the initial problem.

After this the car ran wonderfully again, but has since started to go into shock or something, being that after driving 20 minutes on the expressway, the car won't go more that 10mph.

General Comments:

I believe that had the previous owner not used duct-tape to fix something that duct-tape will actually not fix, the car would be fine.

The interior and exterior are perfect.

However, I really like the car, but I often hate it for the unexplainable and seemingly unfixable problems that arise.

Maybe it was made on a Monday or Friday.

Faults:

Rear wheel supports rusted and failed.

Alternator lazy, not charging the battery well enough. Battery flat in mid-winter.

Front CV joints.

Fuel filler cap area has terrible rust.

General Comments:

Cheap, with a reliable engine.

Interior is still perfect.

Recommended to those looking for a car to last 'till you can afford a better one.

Faults:

One fuel injector failed at 65,000 miles; stopped buying cheap gas and the other three injectors are still fine.

Needs a new clutch every 70,000 miles.

Replace the brake rotors every 80,000 miles.

Air conditioner quit in 1994 (90,000 miles); requires a new compressor and refit for new coolant (originally used freon gas which is no longer available). Expensive repair.

Factory stereo filed at 100,000 miles.

Hydraulic lifts that hold up the hatch back door failed at 110,000 miles.

Cruise control quit at 150,000 miles.

Dashboard clock stopped in 1994, but mysteriously started working again in 1999.

General Comments:

I bought this car in 1988 for $11,750 used. As of 2001 I still own it and drive it every day.

If basic maintenance is done it just won't die. It starts after sitting for three weeks or in any temperature.

Engine seems to run a little hotter than in years past.

After 14 years, very little rust but paint finish gone (needs a repaint).

The old thing costs me about $800 a year in maintenance (including oil changes) and that's a lot cheaper than car payments.

At 178,000 miles, still original transmission. No apparent problems, but instinct tells me I'm on borrowed time there.

Still good acceleration and top end though speeds over 90 MPH make me a little nervous.