Faults:

Almost nothing has gone wrong with this car in the eleven+ years I have had it. I had to replace the water pump at about 45,000 miles and I replaced the engine timing belt at 50,000, but that is about all. The cup-holder has lost its spring mechanism and is going to need some duct tape pretty soon to keep it from falling off.

General Comments:

I had an accident in this car about a month ago. I crumpled the hood, grille and front bumper, and did about $3,300 worth of damage to it, but the only mechanical damage was to the radiator (the front frame bar was pushed up against it), and the car was still driveable after the accident (although I had to add some coolant periodically until I could get it into the body shop. Wholesale bluebook was less than the repair cost, but it was worth it to me to keep this highly reliable, low-mileage car running. (My car was manufactured in Japan, and I understand you can't get those anymore.) I had the car repaired at a Toyota dealer-owned body shop, and the car looks fantastic. The upholstery is a taupe color that has absorbed dozens of cups of spilled coffee, etc., since 1993, and it still looks brand new. The acceleration was never exciting, but then no one ever said it was a sports car.

Faults:

Paint (red) faded after a few years. The car appears almost pink now.

Distributor failed at about 100,000 miles.

Exhaust replaced at about 80,000 miles.

Burns oil at about a quart a month.

All other problems have been related to normal wear. One could even argue that the above are related to normal wear.

General Comments:

This vehicle has been remarkably reliable to own, like other Toyotas I have had. My record for maintenance is spotty at best.

The clutch still seems to have plenty of life in it after 168,000 miles of mixed driving conditions.

The interior is flawless, even the driver's seat.

The car has been great to own and operate - I have never been left stranded. It is not a performance demon, but as a commuter car it is awesome. I still use it to drive 400+ miles a week back and forth to work.

Faults:

Starters were the most problem.

Toyota seemed to have this problem for a few years starting in 1993.

I replaced one at about 60,000 and again at about 110,000.

Replaced timing belt at recommended 80,000 intervals.

Usual items such as a tune up, brakes and battery were done as needed.

General Comments:

I have owned many kinds of cars.

Over the past 30 years.

Without a doubt this Toyota was the best one ever.

Gas mileage in the 30's.

Got me through every type of weather possible without a problem.

Faults:

I changed the struts, tires, brakes when I first bought it. (138K miles)

Compressor blew up three months after I bought the car.

Transmission died at 142000 miles, changed transmission and radiator.

Steering wheel tilted to the left.

General Comments:

I bought this car from a dealer as my college car for running around between home and school.

I had the car re-aligned, changed all the belts and the tires when I first got it. I do an oil change every 3000 miles and have my mechanic do a check on my car along with the oil change for any defects or maintenance issues.

The compressor failed only after 3 months of purchase. I would like to say that this car is dependable and reliable, but not after the transmission blew up on me after about one year since I bought it. The transmission actually blew up on me twice, 3 months apart. It has come to a point that I don't have much confidence in the car anymore.

The ride and drive is actually quite comfortable and enjoyable for a basic car, but it cost me way too much to maintain this car.