Faults:
Fuel system was rusted from injectors back to tank, everything had to be replaced.
O2, MAP and temp sensors replaced by dealership based on computer errors - old sensors were not faulty, an expensive repair for nothing.
Thermostat replaced.
Radiator replaced.
New tires.
Windows are starting to be hard to crank.
The usual rattles and clanks that come with age on any car.
Rear window brake light hasn't ever worked since I got the car, no big deal.
Had to have the hydraulic lifts in the trunk replaced, unfortunately my friend put in the wrong ones so it gives me a good workout to close the trunk!
Front seatbelts were improperly installed so I have to twist them to be in the right position to click into place. One of these days I might fix them.
General Comments:
This is the most reliable little car I've ever had. She starts up right away every time, doesn't need much warmup, has lots of power even on steep grades, although she doesn't go over 55 on the really steep ones. Passing power could be better, but I'm not ever in that much of a hurry.
The seats are very comfortable, but the headrest is kind of awkwardly placed. I have to put a towel behind my neck for support. I am petite so I use a seatbelt adjuster to keep the belt from rubbing against my neck. As a few other people have said, this car was built with a tall person in mind.
Good cold A/C, however, it backs off during hard acceleration. As soon as normal cruising speed is resumed, it blows fine. Hot heater in the winter, but then again, here in SoCal we don't have much really cold weather.
Like most cars built since the late 80s, the angle of the windshield makes the dash unusable as a place to set anything down. Kind of bums me out, I really wanted a Homer Simpson hula dashboard ornament, but oh well. The glove box isn't even a glove box, much to small to be useful for any reason.
The trunk is a good size and the fold down rear seat and hatch are a nice feature that I haven't had occasion to use yet.
One thing I don't like is the fact that the rear windows won't roll down more than one-third of the way. Apparently this is a child safety feature, but my rear seat passengers are not children and it would be nice if they could roll down the windows on warm days.
Fuel economy is so-so, at around 22mpg. Most of my driving is short trips in city, which probably contributes to the fuel economy being lower.
Overall, I love this little car. With only 87,000 miles now, I expect to have her for many more happy years, and with regular maintenance and loving care I'm sure she will continue to purr right along.
27th Jun 2004, 10:47
The A/C cutting out on heavy throttle is a function of the ECM, it does this when it senses low vacuum when the A/C is on and it switches it off to prevent overheating.