Faults:
The A/C has not worked since year one.
The power locks do not work. I think there is corrosion in the switches.
The stereo LCD lights don't light! I don't know what station I'm on until they tell me.
The cigarette lighter is broken.
There are many dash lights out, including half of the speedometer display.
There is rust all over, including some minor perforations at the bottom of the doors, front of the hood, and the lip of the trunk.
The ball joints need replacing.
It really needs tune up; it will stall unless you keep your foot on the gas.
There is a strong fuel smell inside the car at startup.
I had the handbrake cable cut (as it was always seizing up).
Terrible gas mileage.
Locks and hinges are starting to go. The little metal "covers" that you push aside with your key have disappeared!
The cooling system is flaky. The car tends to overheat and the temperature needle moves up and down and up and down. The cooling problem has defeated all of my mechanics.
The windshield is cracked, not from stones, but I think from some kind of twisting.
Some water comes in on passenger side and trunk during heavy rains.
Something is leaking out of the bottom.
I have replaced the battery, alternator twice, starter, radiator, and of course brakes. The front end suspension cost about $1000 to repair soon after getting it.
Water likes to gather behind the headlight lenses and splash onto the halogens, causing them to shatter. I drilled small holes in the lenses to help drain the water, but that accelerated the "yellowing process".
And now finally, the transmission and mounts are shot. $1100.00 to repair.
13th Feb 2007, 10:57
Ya I've noticed a few of those things have gone wrong on my topaz. I have an 89 and I noticed that yes after putting about 20,000 miles on it my vacuum seal went, and both of my CV Joints have blown. My drivers side just broke a couple months ago and I could never figure out why all of my transmission fluid was pouring out all over the ground. I just replaced my transmission pan and filter and then realized my CV Joint went. Since that happened, my transmission was running dry and ruined it. I've had a lot of trouble with this car too. But it is a comfterable car.