Faults:

Spark plugs and wires fouled when purchased. Mechanic who replaced them wasn't careful and shorted out my horn and dash lights. Had those repaired later.

Alternator blew at 135000. Replaced that with my dad.

Interior in decent shape for its age, shift and hand brake boot are both torn.

The clips that hold the grille on the frame were snapped by a mechanic. So my car is now sans-grille.

Rear brakes went out around 137000 which caused a minor accident where I lost the rear bumper and right front fender plastic. My brother and I overhauled the rear brakes and they have worked perfectly ever since.

Short in the trunk light caused the battery to drain while parked. Spent about 5 months unplugging the negative battery terminal for long parks before getting this fixed.

Heater core just went out at 145000. I'm currently in the middle of replacing it myself.

General Comments:

Despite having not been taken care of by its previous owner, and the many hardships that I've suffered through, this car is absolutely amazing to drive. Its little 1.8L engine has plenty of get up and go. Front wheel drive system handles phenomenally. Turns on half a dime.

The cabin is roomy enough to seat 4 people rather comfortably and 5 for short distances. The field of view is incredible for a small car, nothing takes you by surprise. Tons of trunk space.

As a do-it-myselfer when it comes to repairs, the accessibility and incredible order of the engine compartment is first rate. No ridiculous plastic cowls to remove and get in the way, everything is easily within reach with room to maneuver tools.

Fuel efficiency! Even at higher speeds, (70+) it gets close to 35 mpg highway. My record for distance is 468 miles from Warsaw, IN to the Somerset Service Plaza on the PA Turnpike. All on 13+/- gallons!

Faults:

My heater core went at 260,000 kilometers.

Rear passenger door hasn't opened since I purchased the vehicle.

Power steering pressure hose blew two days after I purchased the vehicle.

Passenger side front fender is rusted right out; but no other rust on vehicle.

General Comments:

The vehicle is very comfortable to be in. For instance, I am six-foot-five-inches tall and I am very comfortable inside it. Getting in and out is easy, and all controls are within arms reach of the operator.

The car is very handy for a student, is great on gas and fairly low problems have occurred. Anyone who took auto shop in high school would be able to repair the problems I have encountered.

Faults:

The radiator blew at 100,000 miles.

After 140,000 miles the car's heater had to be replaced.

At 160,000 miles I had to replace the two front struts.

General Comments:

Although the car accelerates slowly, once you're cruising you're never looking back.

This little box on wheels corners well and maintains grip on the road.

Faults:

One of the key things to be replaced first was the head gasket. Very EXPENSIVE! Also the starter needed to be replaced, but that was because the wrong started was put in to begin with. Dash lights went also.

General Comments:

The car is a very good handler, its super reliable. People complain about the looks, but I think it looks great. The 5 speed shifts like a dream, smooth and always in gear. The little 52hp 1.6l Diesel will top out around 140km/h, but in the small, tight, driving the 5 speed and the Diesel's amazing bottom end power are plenty to satisfy. The seats provide ample confort, and one of my favourite thing's about this car is that when you sit in it you can actually see the front end! It is not like a Sun fire where you have to guess where your bumper is, this car was engineered great to give the driver a amazing view.