Very good car for not a lot of money
Changed the water pump.
Good car very cheap, takes off fast, but on the freeway if you wanna pass someone you better plan ahead of time. Its very roomy.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 4th June, 2006
Practical, fun, and reliable
Brake pads replaced at least 3 times within ownership, as well as rotors twice (rotors replaced due to neglect to replace brake pads)
2 different leaks sprung in coolant hose due to getting old and brittle, replaced and/or bandaged up.
All 4 tires replaced twice.
Power steering pump replaced.
Cv joints replaced.
Front left drive axle replaced.
Front boots replaced.
Spark plug wires, cap, and rotor replaced.
PGM-FI light comes on due to fast idle valve's new manually set idle at 1200 rpms due to old age, as opposed to original idle in ecu (not an issue, idle valve not worth replacing)
Alternator and battery replaced once.
Left back window latch replaced.
Hood holding stick rejoined to chassis.
New clutch (more due to neglect than poor original clutch)
ECU beep errantly goes off if any door opened while car is running, disabled beeping.
Fuel injectors cleaned twice.
Springs in all 4 wheels very stiff and make the car bottom out easily if not careful (can be overlooked and still driven this way)
Full muffler assembly replaced
Very nimble, responsive, rubber bandy first gear that slings you out of many disasters quickly, can easily out quicken performance cars off the line or pass them for a short period.
Gives the illusion that you're going faster than you really are, thus making you think you can pass people when a lot of times you can't.
Very decent to OK gas mileage, depending on how you torque the car around, 22-30 mpg city, 30-35 highway, rough estimates.
Rewarding handling with good tires.
Almost V8 like torque conversion in first gear for a V4.
A blast to drive when kept up, and makes you realize that you don't need torque and horsepower to have fun! The car only has around 119 hp, and trust me, that's all you need!
6"2" and never had a problem with legroom in the front seat. Still room to spare!
Very good quality materials on interior, actually worth touching up and using armor-all. No cracks.
Cruise control.
Lock feature which does not allow you to lock your keys in the car most of the time, because driver door does not lock from inside - brilliant idea, don't know why more American cars don't have it.
Mini vtec feel at 3700 rpms in first and second gear, engine not becomes slightly more aggressive
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 28th May, 2006
I sincerely apologize, I mean 4 cylinder, not v4. Sorry to mislead anyone into thinking I have a v4 engine. I apparently have no knowledge of cars because I said v4 instead of 4 cylinder. Thank you for your helpful knowledge of telling me that I have no knowledge of cars. Any other comments on my review would help me, especially vague ones critiquing my knowledge overall. These are the kinds of comments that help me.
I don't think you have Vtec in this car. Its most likely that you're hitting the torque curve or horsepower powerband and the car is taking off. Which is normal on all cars.
300000 plus miles and a good driver can embarrass expensive sports cars on twisty roads! Yes I have put some money into it, but all stock. Warped the head at about 200,000 miles and after driving newer ones (heavier too much body roll) I decided to fix it. Has 95% of original compression and I'm expecting at least 500,000 with good maintenance. One hint. After the first 100.000, Castrol syntech 20/50 every 6000 miles ;)
3rd Jun 2006, 17:08
V4? This person seems to have a limited knowledge on cars.