Faults:

Right after we got the car the immobilizer coil went bad and the car had to be towed to the dealer for repair.

55,000 miles check engine light came on, bad O2 sensor.

65,000 miles replaced brake pads and tires

At 80,000 miles changed timing belt and water pump.

85,000 miles could smell burning rubber smell after driving on highway and it would hesitate and lurch, it needed a tune-up and transmission service. Also had to replace the sunroof switch @ $5...did it myself and it took 5 minutes.

Just replaced a CV boot and back passenger brake caliper along with brake pads all around.

Check engine light was also illuminating intermittently, code came back to EGR valve, cleaned it and will see what happens.

Only unresolved problem is a lighting issue... when I press the brakes the parking lights illimiate, when the headlights/parking lights are on the 3rd brake light is on, and when the headlights/parking lights are on the cruise control does not work... I think it is due to a faulty brake light switch, but not sure... Any suggestions.

General Comments:

I love this car. The stock Bose stereo is awesome. It zips around town in zoom zoom fasion. The car's coolest feature is the center ocsillating vents, keeps the ice cold air flowing throughout the car on hot summer days. Have not had too many problems with the car, mainly routine problems and wear and tear that is relatively cheap to fix. I don't think I would want a 4 cyl. though, other folk have had too many problems, and it is too slow for my zoom zoom spirit.

Faults:

60,000 miles; a starter.

89,000 miles; timing belt.

General Comments:

I bought the 98 626 LX with a 5 speed manual in 2001 with 45,000 miles on it. It had a salvage title because of a front end collision. It was $8000 so I bought it... Seemed like a good deal. It looked like it had all been fixed properly.

At about 60,000 miles I had to have the starter changed for like $300... Since then it has been flooded twice in the Houston weather... the first time was $3000 worth of damage, and the second time was $1300, but that was paid for by the insurance.

I always have the oil changed with Mobil 1.

At 89,000 miles the timing belt broke, but that was my own fault for not getting it done before it broke at 60,000. It have to have a new cam cover because of that, so a $300 preventative cost me $900... my bad.

Other than it sounding like the spare bouncing around in the trunk (which it isn't) from the rear suspension, my only other thing has been replacing the plug wires an unusual amount of times. Paid a little extra for Bosch this time, and it seems to be fine. The car still runs great.

All in all, for as many years as I have had it (7), and the fact with the floods and it being totaled before I bought it, I think it's held up pretty good... but I'm also in a warm weather state... these might be more suited to the south than the north.