Faults:
The car seemed to be an accident magnet. I had the car for less than 2 years and was in 6 accidents -- none of them my fault. In fact, that's what killed her... the thing got totaled from a freak head-on collision when another driver apparently didn't notice the car and attempted to make a turn -- right into the front of my car. I had the same accident in the same spot only 6 months prior (so that intersection was accidents number 4 and 6).
It also had issues with the catalytic converter more than once.
The car squeaked from the back. I had at least 5 garages look at it and spent -- if you can believe it -- over $1000 to correct the issue. Of course, it never got corrected. One garage suggested completely removing the back half of the car and replacing it.
General Comments:
A fun to drive economical budget mobile. Mine was a white 2-door hatchback. I haven't seen many of those, for some reason. I usually see white 4-doors.
Cheap to buy, doesn't cost as much as an import to get fixed -- especially now when used parts will be running rampant as these cars are not known for their longevity. But, still, the unsolved squeaking really bothered me.
The interior looked a little chintzy, like the fabric had been picked up by Dodge at a second-hand store.
Overall, I did not care much for this car. While it was good on gas and such, it drove sluggishly and the AC was no longer working at the 3 year, 43000 mile mark (when I bought it). It is a budget mobile at it's cheesiest.
It also looked as if it had been in several accidents BEFORE I purchased it. The white paint didn't match from one part to the next... leading me to believe that the car was, in fact, cursed. May it rest in peace.
9th Feb 2005, 13:01
I am the writer for this review and I wanted to add that I now have to replace all the brake pads. the ones that I am replacing are the factory brake pad after 124000 miles on it.