Faults:

In over 5 years and 50,000 miles of driving, these are the only things that ever went wrong on the car:

* Main electrical relay went out at 95,000 miles -- quick repair, $100 Acura part.

* Replaced radiator and ball joints at 120,000 miles -- cost about $500 for both.

* Sunroof stopped working at 130,000 miles, never did fix that.

* Instrument cluster stopped working, replaced them at 140,000 miles with a good used one, about $200 including labor.

General Comments:

The Sterling 825/827 Series is one of the most underrated and misunderstood cars ever made. I had this car for 5 years, and it was solid, classy and dependable.

On the outside it just kind of looks like a car -- nothing all that unusual. It's inside that this car is really special. The interior is absolutely beautiful, all Connolly leather, Wilton carpeting and real wood trim. These are all the same materials used by Rolls Royce. All the lines in the interior are crisp and tasteful, a beautiful blend of modern and classic. And the 8-speaker sound system is the best in any car I've ever owned (and I've owned many). You can tell that this car cost a lot to build. All in all, it's amazing that, these days, one can buy a nice example for under $2000.

Since the engine, transmission, body frame, and most of the drivetrain components are identical to the Acura Legend, many parts are easy to find, and you can take it to a knowledgeable Honda/Acura mechanic in many cases.

Also, the 24 valve dual overhead cam Acura V6 is fantastic... the 2.7L engine in particular makes the car take off like a slingshot when you step on the accelerator.

The only downside to this car is that you have to take a few moments to figure out where you're going to get parts, if you ever need them. Between eBay, Atlantic British, and car-part.com, you should be able to find just about anything you need.

All in all, my Sterling took great care of me. If you don't have a lot of money to spend on a car, and you want something sophisticated, reliable, and unique, this is a great choice. It's in many ways better car than some that cost far more.