Rust began to creep in on fenders and bottoms of door panels.
The fuel guage would read 50% when full, but would function normally once the fuel level fell below 50%.
Rear struts went, but that's expected after 100,000 country miles.
The radio flickered on and off after 100,000. Sometimes it would come back on after kicking it.
This little car is literally indestructible. It was my mother's old car that I drove for an interim period to save some money. I did nothing to care for this vehicle except maintain the oil levels, since I knew I would be moving on. I did everything to this poor car except defecate in the back seat, and it just kept going like a bionic cockroach.
My other friends with their nice new cars would moan about a $500 repair cost here and a $1000 replacement there. I never paid a cent for anything except new tires. Granted, there's not much for components actually IN this car, so not too much can go wrong. That's the beauty of it.
It started flawlessly every frigid New England morning. Negative 4 degrees? Didn't matter. Pumped the gas a few times and I was on my way.
Accelleration is non-existent, but once I was up to speed on the highway, I zipped along at 70mph just like everybody else.
Fuel economy was fantastic.
My only fear was that it felt like a deathtrap, should I happen to get in an accident. Maybe 20 years ago it wouldn't have seemed as dangerous, but I'm sure a head-on with an Escalade would be bad news. Then again, knowing the resiliency of the Nova, it wouldn't surprise me if it just sort of bounced off while the Caddy burst into flames.
Hahaha!! I love this review!! I replaced my 86 BMW 325es with an 86 Nova, but mine had the 5 speed tranny. I head exactly the same problems with mine (i.e. gas gauge not working over 1/2 a tank, broken rear struts, fantastic fuel economy).
I also had problems with rust, and oil burning. I once even added gear oil (75w90) to the enging in attempts to slow the ol consumption, and still the car started and ran with little troubles.
The best part about this car is how it always started, regardless of how cold it was, and wether or not the car was plugged in, in -35 celcius weather!!!
I ended up iving the car to charity once I was able to afford somethign a bit nicer.
After owning this car, it made me realize that life isn;t about always owning the fastest, nicest, coolest car around, it's about having basic transportation that's very reliable. I still ended up buying another BMW, but that tough little car will forever be in my memory.
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