Faults:

I only owned it a short period of time, but I had to replace the exhaust to get a sticker and I had a tire blowout (and I had got it with new tires).

General Comments:

Amazingly, it's a tiny car that I fit in (not well, but passable). I can count on one hand the number of sedans I fit in made since 2005. That's about the only good thing I can say about it.

I bought this car because I was working pizza delivery, and my '81 Buick Century got really poor gas mileage doing 100% city driving, although it got better highway mileage. However, they did not give me enough hours, so I sold it to my friend and resumed driving my Century.

When I bought the car, the head gasket was replaced not long ago. My friend had to replace the head gasket -- fortunately he had a friend who would do work on the side for rather cheap, so it cost him very little, but I felt bad that I sold him a car that had the head gasket on its way out. Had I been familiar with the engine, that wouldn't have been a surprise. It's possibly the worst engine ever made, and they ate head gaskets and frequently heads as well. My friend had a Cavalier, same color and year, and it went through three head gaskets.

The EPA rating was 22/32 MPG for this car, but it never got above 20 MPG. My friend said it did not improve after replacing the head gasket for a second time.

I forget the mileage that I got it, but it was either 70k or 80k.

Faults:

Only thing I've had to worry about was a starter... what a pain to replace.

I've done the usual stuff: brakes, tune up, oil changes every 7500km (synthetic oil), tires.

The clutch is worn, but not ready to give out... I'd say 30% clutch left.

The car gets about 950-1000km to a tank, and when gas prices were 1.24$ per litre, it cost me about 65$ to fill.

It runs a bit rich, but doesn't lack power... the 2.0L is rated for 90 HP, so you can't expect a race car.

The syncro is going out when shifting into third... but I'm gonna change the STF with Royal Purple.

The battery has been replaced, but that was my fault.

Rust issues, but it's Alberta, every car has rust at this age... cold in winter and hot in summer, but she runs and I know she won't let me down.

Just as preventative maintenance; I'm going to do timing belt and water pump at 285000km. My dad has the exact same car; his only issue is lack of heat in winter, the starter, and the water pump. He has 450000, but he beats on the car everyday and he finally parked it...

General Comments:

Awesome car, tough. Yeah, she has some issues, but let's see another car take the abuse of a very nasty gravel road for 10 years, and the owner who bags on it from 100,000 to 450,000 when he retired the car. Never had any issues with mine except the starter... and the dashboard lift haha...

Faults:

Clutch went at 250000kms.

Head gasket blew at 251000kms.

Bent pushrod at 252500kms.

Power locks work a quarter of the time.

Seemed like spark plugs oil fouled every time you turned the key.

General Comments:

The car was fairly comfy for my size and height (5'7" 180lbs).

The car was quick for its Kms and shape.

Would have been a good car if it would actually work. I would expect repairs from a vehicle this old with this high of mileage, but not this many in this short of time, I would not recommend buying one of these for a used car.