1992 Acura Vigor GS review from North America

Oil leak: according to the dealer it is coming from around the distributor.

Sporadic electrical problems:

1) The alarm went off whenever it felt like it. The Acura term for it is a faulty door-lock actuator. The dealer told me it was about $300 to replace or $30 to disable, so I had it disabled. I've heard more than enough of that alarm.

2) Stereo back-lighting went out. Except it comes back on if you hit a bump right. I thought the seller was joking, but it's true.

3) When I first got the car, my odometer actually stopped registering miles for about a week. I'd already ordered a replacement instrument cluster when it started working again?!

4) And now for the reason I gave it a low dependability rating, I have random times when the car stubbornly refuses to start. Can't decide whether this is an ignition or fuel system problem, and it is the single reason I mention all the other trivial problems. Suggestions are welcome. I haven't been able to discern any pattern to this. Eventually it decides to start, sometimes a day later. This is okay while I'm at college, but it will soon be intolerable.

Interior is very well-designed. The controls are all well within reach of the driver. I'm 6'1", and sometimes the ceiling feels low. Very good visibility all around. Getting in and out, I sometimes kick the door or bump the parking brake with my knee, but that's a fair trade-off for such a low stance. I don't think I've ever sat in such a comfortable driver's seat. The steering wheel has a very nice feel to it.

Handling is phenomenal. Steering is very precise and the four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes have never let me down. Tight turns feel very natural. Of course, slow down heavily for any steep curbs or entrances and try not to scrape parking blocks.

Performance is incredible. It's hard to believe the engine is just 176 HP! I used to think the car had a governer at 110 MPH, but just be patient and let the car accelerate. I recently got the car to 125 MPH and I needed more straight road. I certainly believe the person who claimed top end is 135.

The car has a wonderful presence about it. The front end looks a bit like the head of an angry horse, with the fenders as two flaring nostrils. It just feels good to punch the gas in traffic and whiz around other cars. It's a major effort in self-control to keep this thing under the legal limit.