Faults:

Crank pulley, cam pulley and shaft pulley, all came off. Rebuilt head twice. Easy fix now. Most owners don"t know about Titanium Weld All. My pulleys are welded now. This is 200 times better than JB Weld. The only way to take pulleys off is to apply heat. Live and learn.

General Comments:

The car is great on fuel, over 55 mpg Canadian.

Handles good, with great heat in winter.

Faults:

Timing belt snapped from sitting by previous owner. 120,000 miles (ironically the day we bought it).

Exhaust - 149,000.

General electric problems. Power locks randomly will lock the car. No more auto-unlock from the outside via key (have to use interior unlock).

Seat belt alarm continues after the seat belt is engaged (the seat belt headlight indicator tone is downright annoying).

General Comments:

We felt some buyer's remorse when the timing belt broke the day we bought it, although that's strictly because the car was still for 9 months, but we're very glad we have it now.

For a 2.0 four cylinder, the car has very good pickup. It responds quickly, especially for a 14 year old car, but it still manages 40 mpg. We have taken it to Florida twice, and it handled the trip very well with no problems.

The GT trim is a very nice trim, with the spoiler, fog lights (which are extremely helpful), and the sporty little touches in the car. The car has a classic German design that makes me want a 1997 more than a new one. Plus, there is an endless amount of customizations you can add to make the car your own.

Reliability has never been an issue for us. The car is comfy, affordable, and very reliable. It was well worth the purchase, and I would buy another one any day.

Faults:

Clutch at 80000.

Rear wheel bearings at 90000.

Air conditioning at 60000.

Heater core at 90000.

Serpentine belt at 90000.

Trim fell off throttle body at 90000.

Coil at 60000.

Air control sensor at 60000.

General Comments:

I have spent about 3800 dollars. However it does drive well for small car. It is quiet, not a lot of road noise, lots of power.

Faults:

The alternator belt went at 310,000km, and the coolant jelled at 300,000km.

The front seats do not wear evenly on the GL trim levels, you end up leaning to one side and it's rather uncomfortable. I ended up going to the wreckers and ripping out two seats from a TREK, and now the car is much nicer to drive.

General Comments:

There are only two cup holders, however higher trim levels have another for the rear seats, so I took one from a wreck and installed it.

The car is a bit on the slow side; only having 90hp, but I can still pass comfortably. The gas mileage is incredible though, and the car has been extremely reliable.

Faults:

Spark plugs, brakes, tires, windshield wipers, speakers all failed within 6 months of buying the car.

I'm being told that the transmission is failing, as well as the battery and engine air filters.

General wear and tear is understandable, but parts are falling off all over the place.

I have had the car for less than a year now.

General Comments:

I hate this car, it is a piece of crap.

Faults:

I have had to get 2 ignitions in two years.

I have had every possible leak (oil, power steering fluid, windshield washer fluid, transmission).

Replaced catalytic converter.

Seats worn badly.

Bad alternator, replaced.

Moon roof, won't open.

CAR WILL NOT START IN THE RAIN.

General Comments:

I have had to pay more than I paid for this vehicle on repairs.

The fact that the car does not work in the rain is a serious problem.

I was happy with the car when I bought it in the summer, but as soon as it rained, that went out the window.