Faults:

My parents got this car in late 1990 when I was fairly young, however now that I am of driving age, and my parents have gotten a newer car, this Stanza is mine. I starting taking car of it around 128000 miles. Until that time, it had had relatively few problems.

The gas tank was recalled in 1995 or so, but that was covered by the dealer.

Parents replaced clutch around 75000 miles. I replaced it again at 13600.

Distributor cap and wiring has become corroded twice in about 4 years. At about 129000 miles I had to replace it, my parents commented they did it about 3 or 4 years before that. This is probably due to our severe winters here.

Fuel Injection system replaced (getting about 15 mpg, as opposed to the 20-22 it should get, the system reportedly leaked) at 135700 or so, it is said this is a flaw with Stanzas.

Starter seized right before it went into the shop for the fuel injection problem, assumed to be due to extreme temperatures (-30 to -40 degrees F).

Other than these problems that recently cropped up, it has been a very maintainence free car. My mechanic reports that after I got the clutch replaced (the 136000 mile job), there was no forseeable work that would have to be done for several years.

General Comments:

The Stanza is the best car I've driven other than an 86 BMW 320 (which had much more horsepower).

The interior is comfortable, and 5 people can be transported with ease (though 5 person road trips are somewhat cramped).

The controls are laid out in a simple to use manner.

Faults:

Not too much has gone wrong with this car.

General Comments:

I have owned this car for a year now. It's been my daily beater. I knew the previous owner as well.

This car has only given me a few problems. And has only given the previous owner few minor problems as well.

It seems all the reviews I read on this car, people seem to say the transmission goes bad. I have had no problems with my 5 speed transmission. Again with 161,000 miles.

The clutch was replaced at about 130,000 miles. The previous owner learned how to drive a stick shift with this car. That explains why the clutch kicked the bucket so early.

The one thing I have noticed about all Stanza's is that the front of the hood rusts out. (every stanza I have ever seen) I have seen a lot of Stanza's, and the body's do not rust very much. I live in PA. WE have some bad winters. These cars seem to hold up to the weather.

Last winter (2002) I had the "hard to start on cold mornings" problem. Until I replaced the timing chain. This winter the car fires up first time no problem, no matter how cold.

Some say that the interior is has a hard feel to it. Personally I love the interior. I think it's great. It has the best head support, and the seats sit low to the floor like a sports car. Roomy back seats as well.

I can't say much about the radio, someone robbed me of my antenna.

One the performance end of things, I would say for a car with this size motor, (2.4) it will really get up and move. No problem laying a patch of rubber with this car. All though this car is very good on tires. I have a set of cheap $18.00 re-treaded tires that are only guaranteed up to 15,000 miles. I have now put almost 26,000 miles on those tires.

All around good car. Gets good gas mileage as well. Go buy one!