Faults:

Clutch and battery replaced.

Brake discs, and front shocks.

Slight coolant leak.

Armrest broke. Original radio is dead.

Passenger electric window slow moving.

Cam-belt changed. The car has also had regular oil changes.

General Comments:

Bought this Starlet as a cheap runabout from a friend a few years ago. Knew it was rare nowadays, but being Toyota it would be reliable (not a patch of rust, car was garaged from new!), but didn't know much about these cars. Totally original condition - rare from a Japanese tuner culture car. When I think of 1990's hatchbacks I always think of a Honda Civic or something, as they were a more popular sight on the road.

SR model is sporty, but not the fastest model, I believe that is the "Glanza V" model (which I only know about from playing Gran Turismo as a teen), but the SR is nippy enough and economical. Mine is silver, with the SR badging colorful on the side of the car, really stands out. Looks more 1990's than casually watching an episode of Friends on a big TV, sitting with a PC running Windows 95. I still think it is a smart looking modern enough little car though. Inside is pretty dull and you have a weird pattern on the seats; not much to brighten up the grey interior, but it is all functional and laid out well.

To drive the ride is a little bouncy, but the car handles OK. Good enough for shorter journeys, but a bit cramped for a long haul; but I would have confidence in taking a long drive in it, it has been reliable for a car over 20 years old, with nothing more than the expected parts replaced. Seats are comfortable enough. 1.3 petrol engine does around 40 mpg taking it easy. Feels fast enough, but only has around 80 horse power I think, enough for this size of car.

All in all, I like it, surprised to learn they stopped making them in 1999, so I have one of the last cars. Don't think it will ever be a serious collectors item or worth a significant amount of money, but I plan to hang on to this reliable little car as long as possible, kept as second car to play around with, and will try to keep it in good condition and original.

Faults:

The distributor cap points were corroded and stopped the car from starting one day, but I just cleaned them and it started first turn of the key.

The aftermarket exhaust backbox fell apart, so needed to be changed.

The radiator sprung a leak, so I replaced it with a 2nd hand unit.

And that's it!!!

General Comments:

In standard trim, they're pretty poor in all areas, but mine had Recaro seats with modified rails to suit my driving position, TRD suspension, Cusco strut braces, Whiteline anti roll bars, Mintex brake pads and HEL braided brake lines.

Engine mods were an Apexi catback RX7 topmount and Apexi front mounted air filter, and boost raised to 0.8 bar.

This thing handled like it was on rails, and went like stink

I could easily put a lot of bigger cars to shame on the straights or in the bends.

These cars have so much potential, it's unbelievable.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

What a fabulous car, It is reliable, cheap to run and since I have had it I have only had to replace tires, brake pads etc.

My only regret is they don't make this car anymore, as I would be buying another one.

My wife also had a Starlet and we traded it in for a Zafira, as we needed a larger car. What a mistake, as we have had no end of problems and spent hundreds of pounds on it, and it's been in an out of the garage more times than I can remember.

I will definitely be sticking to Toyotas in the future.

Faults:

My battery drained a few months ago to nothing and needed replacing.

General Comments:

Having driven, though not owned (parent's cars,etc), several different car makes/models, this is by far the easiest to drive. Other cars I have driven include a Renault Megane, a Toyota Rav 4, a Vauxhall Astra and a Ford Fiesta.

I often take the two hour drive to visit my parents in it and my partner and I are always comfortable, though there is not much leg room in the rear seats should I carry more than one passenger.

This being the first car I have owned, I am obviously very attached to it, and would recommend it to other first owners on account of it's ease of driving and low fuel consumption, though it's turning circle could be improved.

Why, oh why did they replace it with the yaris?!

Faults:

The only thing thay have gone wrong with my car is a clicking brake, new brake pads sorted out the noise.

My front seat sqweaks sounds like a mad hamster running round on a wheel.

General Comments:

However for these minor faults, the car runs like a dream.

She is nippy, looks sporty and leaves other cars standing at traffic lights.

The kick down on my auto model is responsive and eager.

Very economical to run, as low as 40 quid a month.

Only real gripe could do with more leg room in back.