Faults:

Turbocharger impeller shaft bent around 75K miles.

General Comments:

I just bought a brand new 2014 Mazda CX-5 Touring and I am now reminiscing about my first new car purchase some 26 years ago.

I was 24 years old, in my first job out of college, and "living large". Man, was this car fun to drive! Very quick from a standstill, but learned early about the torque of front wheel drive with that much turbo-boosted horsepower. You'd better hold on tight to the steering wheel if you were going to stomp on the pedal. Nice tight 5-speed transmission and very responsive turbo. Good handling & braking power, and nicely equipped (CD player, moonroof, oscillating vents).

Drove that car all over the eastern US - lived in Maryland and always volunteered to drive on road trips from NY to FL. In 1993, I traded it in on a new Mazda 626. It was time to grow up...

Faults:

The door handle rivet broke... easy fix.

At 72915 it started smoking... It was coolant; the intake gasket started leaking. I love the car so much I've decided to do a full rebuild, and am nearing the reinstalling of its fire breathing heart.

General Comments:

These 5 speed turbos jump, fly, and just plain scream. They are very spacey, handle great, and have very tight steering. If you like fast and reliable cars, you need one of these.

Faults:

Valve seals were gone.

Needs new struts.

Burns some oil.

Sunroof doesn't work.

Windows are really slow.

General Comments:

This car is absolutely amazing for the mileage on it. At 507000 K's, it still starts and runs well, and it only smokes when it's cold.

I would love to find a low mileage version of this car, but I might end up putting a new motor in it, as everything else seems to work well.

Faults:

The thing was bought at a sheriff's auction. It was very beat up, looks mean.

You couldn't keep tires on it. We had to have gone through at least 12 sets.

I loved that car. It was bought for the motor, nothing more. The truck got wrecked and we started driving it. Almost ten years of torture and second gear broke, but the motor still purrs at 198k.

General Comments:

I own three 88 turbo 5 speeds. 2 are runners, the other is parts, bad trans.

I will swear by this car till I die. My wife has had bad luck with some cars, GM newer models, the old ones were great, now no quality, sorry.

Sure it has quirks, what car doesn't. It starts in -35 to -50, fires right up. It is faster than many others. It's just an all around great car.

If you can find one in fair shape, get it or be left in the dust.

Faults:

Left sitting in the field for about 7 years, completely repainted and reconditioned.

General Comments:

Amazing car with a lot of get-up-and-go.

The turbocharger is an absolutely first rate option.

Seats a little uncomfortable, but for a sports car will work just fine.

Probably all the power you need in one sleek little package. Definitely a keeper for as long as you can!

Faults:

Broken exhaust manifold stud, had to be re-bored and then mounted.

Power window switch died at about 140000km.

General Comments:

I've never had a problem that wasn't expected through general wear and age.

Very reliable, fast, good handling, good lines, and also practical.

Stills smokes most new cars, even without using the turbo. With turbo, the other cars lack big time.

Car was WAY ahead of its time. 4 wheel disc brakes, power everything, headlight washers, fog lights, adjustable susp., still looks modern and has options that a lot of new cars still don't have.