Faults:
I have had VERY few problems with this car... Here are the only problems I have had aside from standard maintenance, (oil changes, tire changes, brake changes, spark plug changes, etc, etc) :
* The catalytic converter blew like once every 100K miles. (and believe me it was not a pretty sight!)
* The brakes seem to wear abnormally fast... I have to change them every 20000 miles, and I use semi-metallic ones.
* The motor seems to be a tad weak when I drop it in 4th gear from 3rd when the engine is spinning below 3000 rpm, but then again it is one of the smaller 22REs.
* After you switch into any gear from any gear, it slips into neutral after about 9 seconds unless you hold the stick in position.
* On ice and snow it has a bit of an oversteer problem. (On turns this car's rear tends to slide into the next lane, this can be counter by locking all 4 wheels {don't forget to depress the clutch} just before entering the turn and turning a little away from the corner. Then let off the brake as the car enters the corner and turn the steering wheel all the way toward the corner. Down shift a gear or 2, let off the clutch and give it some gas. It takes a little practice to get the timing down on for a turn, but once you get the hang of it you can estimate the timings for almost any corner, heres a hint, the most important thing is when you let off the brakes, too soon or late will result in you either going into the next lane or going up on the sidewalk! Make sure you start off at a sane speed {like 5 to 15 mph} and work your way up to the speed limit or to where you feel comfortable and safe)
General Comments:
I begged my dad to help me get this car when I was a senior in high school. He decided to help me get it, but he told me to take very good care of it, or he would take it back. And believe me, I did! I have been doing a full inspection of everything on/in it, every month for the past 21 years!
I have used this car for almost everything. I off-road with it, rally with it, take it on 2000+ mile long road trips, and use it for everyday use. It lacks a that instant pick up you get from a mustang or viper, but it handles extremely well on dirt and pavement, even on snow and ice it handles really well for a FR (front-engine, Rear wheel-drive) car.
I have pushed this car quite a bit, but I have also put in more maintenance than normal to compensate. It's only had minor problems, considering how much I push it, and how many miles are on its first engine and transmission. The reliability on this car is stunning, it still runs like it is new even though I have been all over the US and Canada with it.
I Plan to keep this car until it is no longer possible to repair it.
Even after 21 years I don't think any newer car out there can compare with the reliability, durability, and lasting performance of this car. My son who is now 15 even likes how it drives.
If you ever get the chance to get one of these cars, GET IT! you will not regret it!
27th Apr 2005, 19:10
I am not astounded by the reliability of these cars. I had a 1985 GT for 7 years and it got me back and forth to college just fine. I beat the piss out of it and it still kept going. I overheated it once, blew the engine. I told my husband I was taking the engine out of his 84 truck and putting it into my car. He said it can't be done. 2 weeks later I had the job done with the only changes being the oil pan and oil pickup. I loved that car. I had to get rid of it due to high rust damage from the heavily salted roads here in the Midwest. The trailing arms for the front suspension were barely hanging on and there was no where else to weld to fix the problem. I wish I still had the car anyway.