I purchased this car new from the dealership back in the summer of 1991 and can't seem to get myself to part with it.
The lights on alarm went faulty within a few months of ownership. (I have had to request assistance from friends for a jump-start more than once.)
One button from the windshield wipers popped off after about six months.
The drivers side door sagged a bit so now it can be rough to open and cannot be unlocked except from the inside. I usually don't lock it now and have to pull up while opening the door to get in.
The back plastic window went bad after about five years. (cracked) I just used tape to repair it. Finally someone decided to help it along and pulled down on the crack while I had it parked so I bought some heavy gauge plastic and did a decent repair job on it.
The muffler has rotted through on it twice. Most recently I have used some JB weld to seal it up.
Overall the car has been exceptionally good for its age.
I have had to go to work at twenty-thirty below in Alaska and had no issues with the car starting. (With no oil or battery heaters too.)
I have driven the car in very deep snow without any issues. In fact I drove it in a parking lot which hadn't been plowed with snow halfway up the side of the tires. I couldn't go forward once I had stopped so I threw it in reverse and the weight of the engine enabled me to free myself.
The car is a bit light in the back end. I had the back kick out on me a bit while going downhill and breaking. (I just let off the break and it corrected itself.)
Currently the car isn't running because it needs a new fuel filter. (I think.)
I also need to replace the drivers side mirror, front drivers and passengers turn indicators, tires, exhaust and possibly a new top if I can ever afford it.
Absolutely one of the most comfortable cars I have driven in. Truly surprising.
Excellent gas mileage. About 35 mpg throughout the cars history.
It is a little scary to drive next to semi's and SUV's though.
I would like to know if anyone has replaced the top manually. I believe you can, but I'm not sure if you need a special stretching device to get it in or not.
When I wrote this I totally wrote in the wrong size engine specifications. I meant it has a 1.0 (I believe) manual. (Not automatic.)
My bad.
I replaced the top in a day and needed no special tools. You'll need a small screw driver to align the holes back up. Take a screw from the trunk deck and get some new ones a size bigger, some will be rusted.. start at the rear. be sure to "Un-snap" the brace above the window. it's the part you fasten AFTER you latch the top down...That's why so many people have to have 2 people to latch the front, the "Tensioning Brace" is snapped. any questions? rabbit76009@yahoo.com $179.00+Fr.
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