Faults:
Tires were replaced at 27,000 miles.
Ceiling interior has become unglued at 30,000 miles.
The driver's side door has had some problems, which includes the following:
- The door dropped.
- Two hinge spring bolts broke off.
- Top door hinge fell out.
- Broke a key in the key socket.
The temperature gauge just stopped working at 30,000 miles.
The ignition modulator (I think that's what it was) was replaced because the car would stop randomly and then wouldn't start (happened at around 27,000 miles).
Broke a key in the steering column at 36,000 miles.
General Comments:
I got this car from my Great Grandma when she passed, and was surprised when I found out that the car had 26,000 original miles on it! Thought I just scored myself a practically brand new car!
After I had the chance to drive it around after it had been sitting for 15 years, I started to run into the problems I listed above. Fortunately, parts are cheap for this car, and it's mechanically very simple.
The car handles very well with its power steering, great visibility, and good turning radius. It's not the peppiest car that I've driven, if you're looking for a performance car. Shocks are horrible!!! (Apparently though there was a recall for shocks back for this car back in the late 1980's)
The interior is really comfy. It can fit 6 people and there's a lot of trunk space to my surprise! The only complaint I have is that there isn't a lot of head room for anyone 6' tall. A/C works great. Speakers can be replaced. The front dash speakers vibrate like crazy for me, so I've adjusted the stereo to primarily play in the back of the car.
A full tank can get you 200-250 miles no problem, and I get around 22 miles to the gallon. (Not as good as my Chevy Metro getting 33 mpg, but since it has power steering and good A/C, unlike my last car, I've been able to deal with it).
It maybe a standard box car, but the overall body design for the car is alright (especially since I have a baby blue coupe... the car looks close to sexy... but not quite... it's a grandma car, no matter how you look at it.)
Good first car considering that it handles well, doesn't go too fast, parts are cheap, and it's simple mechanically speaking. (Grab yourself a Hayne's Auto Mechanic Book, and you're good to go!)
11th May 2014, 16:54
The 2.5 engine is fantastically durable for a non-pushrod engine. We used to run them in a small fleet of Plymouth Acclaims as taxi-cabs during the 1990s (bought them from rental car companies). They ran up into the 250k mile mark or so with no problems. Not quite as durable as the slant-six Dodge Diplomat fleet the Acclaims replaced, but good for a 'modern' front-wheel-drive car.