General Comments:
The LE is factory lowered, with factory mags and body kit - looks great.
I got this for a good price, due to the work required on it - had been in an accident and the chassis was bent, also a few things not working properly.
Had to give it a full service when I got it, as it hadn't been too well looked after (that's what happens when you buy a "boy's" car) - oil & grease, transmission service, new air filter, plugs etc. The engine was still sound, needed the cambelt replaced, but it was nice and smooth, didn't burn any oil etc. I replaced the thermostat and flushed out the heater lines trying to fix the heater, but that didn't work, never got around to sorting it out properly. Had to replace the top radiator hose, all brake pads/shoes, rear muffler.
It had 235 tyres on, but they were scrubbing and getting big gouges out of the shoulders, sold them and put a set of 205s on. This also fixed the speedo which was out of calibration from the larger tyres.
Had all the rear light assembly out and repaired cracks in the lenses to stop water getting in, also had to fix a bit of wiring and replace bulbs because of water damage.
I was a bit disappointed with the plasticy interior, seemed a bit cheap and nasty and things break easily.
However, I was very impressed by the performance. Quicker than I expected even with no engine mods, handling is good because it's lowered. I planned on fitting nolathane suspension bushes because it still wasn't as good as I wanted on cornering, and then maybe upgrading shocks etc. but didn't get around to this either (only had it 6 months).
Fuel economy was not bad for a 6cyl, never worked it out properly, but I think about 24mpg.
4th Jan 2009, 05:19
UPDATE:
I still have the car. Its been five years since I wrote the above review and she's still going strong with 401,000km on the odometer. A/C has been regassed, I replaced the water pump and timing belt, trans mounts and centre CV.
The only complaint I have is a shudder between 3rd gear and Overdrive, which occurs on upshifts at 70km/h. Any advice as to what causes it? Thanks.