Rear wheel bearings have been a constant problem with this car. They are very difficult to adjust correctly. The torque values and readings are very unconventional. If these bearings are adjusted incorrectly they go bad very quickly.
The emergency brakes have also been difficult. Unfortunately emergency brake problems are easily confused with rear bearing problems. It is impossible to adjust the brakes without removing the drum, which makes it very difficult to adjust shoe dragging.
The brake disks cannot be removed from the front steering knuckles without a great deal of trouble. Make sure you get disks turned on the car during a brake job or you are going to be charged a great deal.
Other than the rear axle problems the car is great and very economical. It seems to usually get over 40 miles per gallon. In spite of the fact I am now over 126000 miles I am still on the same original clutch.
It is very reliable.
With its 5 speed manual transmission it is fast enough to stay out of trouble.
It is really too bad that this car never caught on with the public and Ford/KIA/Mazda did away with it.
The car had a replacement in 1994 called Aspire it used the same engine and transmission, it was heavier and very sluggish.
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