Faults:

I bought this AMC wagon as a fixer upper and knowing it had a tranny issue, but with the looks, safety and reliability of the little wagon, it makes an excellent first vehicle, and will outlast any of the newer vehicles.

The tranny issues came from the original owner towing on a regular basis rather than limited.

All my children who cannot drive fit nicely into the car, and my grand-daughter sits just fine in the middle where she scopes out everything.

This vehicle does wonderful on the rugged dirt roads in Arizona where I live, and I didn't pay much for the car, and am looking for at least two more so my two older daughters quit fighting over mine...

General Comments:

My wagon is over 20 years old, and runs and handles as good as my full size Buick estate wagon, which is the family car due to it seating 8.

My friend still owns his; he bought brand new and refuses to get a new car, and I tend to agree, my newer car has nothing but issues with the tranny, motor, electricals, and my Eagle may have issues as does my Buick, but honestly the fixes on the two 1985 vehicles are expected and never leave me stranded in no mans land, and they are sturdy solid vehicles made to handle the terrain I live in.

Parts are easy to locate and easy to install for the most part for a back yard mechanic, and the other parts don't cost much to have a mechanic toss on. I need two more Eagles though...

Faults:

Front wheel bearings and half-shafts needed to be replaced.

Door latches do not close when cold- driver's door rear passenger doors, needed to be greased once a year...

HORRIBLE acceleration, underpowered.

Carburetor/choke tricky, needed adjustment, overhaul.

Oil seepage from PLASTIC valve cover (to be expected)

Poorly adjusted carb resulting in poor fuel efficiency.

General Comments:

Only 16 mpg or worse.

All metal doors and latches freeze in cold icy conditions.

Overall- wonderful little car with lots of character and incredibly reliable! Recently started right up in -12 F weather and ran great as always. Four wheel drive Select Drive works excellent, vacuum engagement still works well after 20 years!!!. Goes through snow and slush like a tank! Very bad acceleration, but once up to speed this car cruises comfortably at 60-65mpg all day. Really funky AMC wagon- gets lots of attention, but still holds its own on the highway. I have used this car as a daily driver since December 2003, it's the best car I've ever owned. You have to get used to or crave the attention for the funky style, but the reliability and build quality is unbeatable- for the prices these go for, its worth far more for the money.