1996 Toyota Paseo ST 1.5

Summary:

Wonderful little coupe from Toyota

Faults:

Replaced battery at 105,000.

Replaced radiator at 145,000.

Replaced rear exhaust at 148,000.

Replaced headlight bulb at 149,000.

General Comments:

Bought as a cheap runaround for £300 with six months MOT. I intended to keep it for a month or so. It has surprisingly proved to be the best car I have owned; it's covered 60,000 miles in a little over 2 years, and has never failed to start. The car has never let me down, and I haven't got round to changing the oil or plugs yet. The bodywork has a few dents due to the age of the car, but there is no rust.

The interior is good and front seats relatively comfortable, but the back seats are cramped, especially for adults. As a 1.5 litre sports coupe, it provides adequate power with good economy. I use the car daily, and it returns 45mpg on the motorway with 35/38mpg in mixed driving.

These cars are quite rare in this country, although the running gear is all Corolla / Starlet based, so parts are readily available, but you won't need them very often in my experience. I really can't fault the Paseo; it's been fantastically reliable; so much so that I kept it, and got rid of my Mercedes C Class Diesel that was a constant drain on the finances.

I would seriously recommend these little cars to anyone who is looking for sporty looks, good economy and fantastic reliability. You won't be disappointed.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th November, 2010

30th Nov 2010, 20:02

My brother-in-law owned an early nineties example of the Paseo during our college years. He drove it like a bat out of hell everywhere we went, and that little car kept on ticking no matter what. One of Toyota's best.

1996 Toyota Paseo ST 1.5

Summary:

Incredibly reliable, but very limited on space, especially in the back

Faults:

Exhaust wear and tear needed replacing.

Full brakes (discs, pads, shoes) replaced - wear and tear.

General Comments:

Fantastically reliable, never breaks down, starts first time every time. Bit slow in 4th gear, but still nippy enough.

Decent on fuel consumption and nothing ever goes wrong with it apart from natural wear and tear. Not too great on hills.

It's very small in the back, anyone over about 5'6" can't fit in without sitting awkwardly, and banging their head on the back window. Nice in the front though.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th March, 2009

1996 Toyota Paseo Si 16v coupe 1.5

Faults:

My drivers rear shocker went.

My radiator went.

General Comments:

This car is in my opinion very stylish for a small car; quite nippy and very generous on fuel.

It's cheap on insurance and just makes the cheap road tax bracket. It is quite pleasing when people ask me about the car, as no one I know drives, owns or knows anyone else that has one.

I must admit that the back seats are quite cramped though.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st March, 2008

1996 Toyota Paseo Si 1.5 petrol

Summary:

Underestimated, under priced - And Lots Of Fun!

Faults:

The third day of ownership, my back box split at the join to rest of exhaust system - should have checked more thoroughly before buying. Was dreading price and parts availability - but a local ETC centre came up trumps, £69 and one in stock (despite never seeing one before!)

2 new front tyres, but you can expect this on any car.

General Comments:

This car is a serious loophole insurance and performance wise for younger drivers. I am 18 with 0 NCB and it costs me less than my old clio 1.2 to insure!

They are economical aswell, I can regularly drive it hard, and I've never had less than about 32mpg, on a run it does upwards of 45mpg!

The manufacturers performance figures are a bit below what its capable of too - 0-60 comes up quicker than 11.2, more like ~10secs, also feels more powerful than 90bhp. Above 4k rpm these are lively little numbers and punch above their weight!

I've replaced the air filter with a TRD panel filter, and also some iridium leads and platinum spark plugs which improve drive ability and economy when driving hard.

Also, typical Toyota reliability, oil is always clean when changed, starts first time, no taps/rattles/knocks.

So if you want something cheap to insure as a first/second car this is for you! Especially with the music on, windows down and sunroof out with people asking what it is, this is for you!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th April, 2007

1996 Toyota Paseo ST 1.5

Summary:

Fantastic car. Would buy another one in a minute!

Faults:

Absolutely nothing so far.

Serviced car twice (every 6000 miles) and replaced brake pads on front.

General Comments:

This car is a sporty looking little coupe and has the power to match the looks.

Handling could be a little bit better, maybe stiffen the rear suspension and lower the front a little bit, as the vehicle has a slight tendency to over - steer in the wet.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd September, 2004

29th May 2005, 14:43

I couldn't agree more with this review!! Bigger and wider wheels stops the steering going on wet and greasy surfaces, but drags it back a bit on the dry!!

1998 Toyota Paseo 1.5 Si 1.5 petrol

Summary:

A fine handling coupe

Faults:

Nothing went wrong on this car in the whole time I owned it.

General Comments:

The Paseo is a nice, well-proportioned looking small coupe, but it doesn't have any styling details that make it stand out.

Inside it is pretty dull. The interior doesn't look like that of a sports coupe. It looks like it was lifted straight out of the Corolla.

Performance was only average and not really fitting of a sports coupe. A 1.5 litre engine is too small for a car like this.

In its favour, the Paseo handles very well indeed. It is genuinely entertaining to drive fast along rural B-roads. The gearchange and steering feel good too.

The engine, though underpowered, is very reliable, and Toyota's dealer service is still second to none. For a small coupe the Paseo feels safe and durable.

Good seats, but at 6 foot 3 inches tall I found the driving position a bit cramped.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th August, 2004

19th Jul 2006, 18:54

The interior was actually lifted directly from the Tercel.

19th Nov 2010, 20:51

Hello, I'm about 6'4", and I was wondering if the car is really that cramped?