Faults:
When I first bought the car in winter of 1999, it had a big hole in the muffler. Sounded really scary inside, like a 18 wheeler. I bought and installed a new one.
After a few months of Alaskan winter driving, I had to replace the thermostat. It froze shut.
In summer/fall 2000 I cracked my clutch pushing 100mph to the Alaska State Fair. I drove back and forth from Anchorage to Palmer during that week.
In spring 2001 I had the head gasket and timing belt replaced. I think all the pot holes up here is what cracked it. Pot holes up here can get pretty big and deep.
Early 2002 I had the camshaft and timing belt (again) replaced. My only guess is wear and tear for the camshaft, the timing belt I don't know 'cause it was just fixed.
Next to fix is the suspension system. Since everyone else is upgrading their cars, I'll do the same with mine. And I'll start with the suspension sys. Maybe some kybs, konis, and eibachs.
General Comments:
This car is like a tank. Heavy and bulky.
The cornering was very good, but very stiff at first, but with suspension worn out, it tends to roll and bounce now.
It's kinda noisy when driving fast, but at least it does go fast. The pick up is great.
The headlight connectors are always burning and sometimes the speedometer don't work.
At first I was irritated with fixing my car so much. Now all I can think of is ways of upgrading it. I know more about cars now than before, all from repairing my car. I love it now.
2nd Oct 2003, 08:32
My father had a 1992 Shadow with the 2.5L, and it was still running strong at 144,000 miles when the transmission gave out. Also, the timing belt is non-interference, which is a big plus compared too many Japanese cars (His broke once at ~120,000 miles - you can just drive it until it breaks.)