Faults:

Steering wheel grip comes loose (can rotate it with your hands like a motorbike throttle) and caused me to fail a roadworthy.

Stock floor mats don't stick to the floor, and always ended up tucking under the pedals (I think the grip on the bottom of them had worn off).

The gear lever doesn't lock into gears sometimes, like it won't engage the gear (quite often when shifting into reverse, very rarely in any of the forward gears).

Struggled climbing up hills.

The clutch acts quite late in the pedal action (pedal comes out quite a bit before the clutch actually engages with the transmission).

General Comments:

Good performance, even with heaps of weight in the car, on the flat or slight upward incline (but for some strange reason, lacked power when going up a moderate to steep incline, even if it was only me in the car).

Very good fuel economy. Never did any tests for economy or anything, but it got me to work for two weeks (20 minute drive each way) before I had to fill the relatively small tank.

Good reliable car. Cheap service bills, and being a common car make, parts are readily available and cheap (though I rarely needed parts as the car was generally in good order).

I learnt to drive in this car, first car I bought. I loved it so much, I kept it until earlier this year when I shifted countries.

Cabin is a bit dated, but the exterior of the car was quite nice.

Faults:

Rear caliper seized at 118,000. I have learnt that these cars have a design fault with the rear calipers.

ABS light came on at 135,000. Was not fixed even by replacing sensors and checking wiring. Could be fault with the ECU, but have not tested it.

Drivers seat mount broken at 142,000. Another design fault.

Drivers window switch broken at 142,000. Wear and tear.

Last week the engine started to miss. This was the first ever fault I experienced with the engine. I was very surprised.

Have put in new spark plugs, dizzy cap, fuel filter and done load test on leads, but it's still missing. Time for an auto electrician.

General Comments:

My car is the hatch back model in black.

This car has compressed springs, free flow exhaust and pod filter. Along with the Type R suspension and the V6 engine, it has been the most favourite car to drive I have ever owned.

Lots of people love the sound of it, as well as me, and the sound has been likened to a non turbo Skyline.

I am impressed with the acceleration, handling and speed. A very impressive undercover beast at the best of times considering its age.

Even though it only cost me $4500 NZ, many of my friends who have expensive cars get a little jealous when I start it up and take off.

I'm sold on this model (5 speed V6) despite its minor design faults. I will keep it forever as well as buy more to use for parts or another car.

I also love the aesthetics of the car, which I believe inspired the Mazda 6. I see many new model cars these days that have similar proportions to the Lantis hatchback.

Coming down the road (front on), the black and red models can almost be mistaken for a VR Commodore.

Even though the engine has just started playing up, it has been the most reliable car I have ever had. And I've had about 25 to date.

Faults:

Due to previous owner's driving style, spirited driving overwhelmed the transmission. Drive failed and so did the transmission sensor. Replacement parts are now difficult to find especially in Japan. Also the seat belt latching device on the driver side failed.

General Comments:

I believe this will be my most favorite car unless I purchase a Ferrari.

I would love to keep this car and take it to the USA; however, replacement parts are now difficult to find, especially in Japan. I could only imagine how hard it will be in the USA to find parts and I'm sure transporting the car to the USA will exceed my budget.

Even though this car would benefit more from a Manual Transmission than an automatic the engine is essentially new. A rebuilt engine was put in at about 80,000 Kilometers so I expect the transmission to fail.

She is one agile beast. I'm constantly surprised at the smooth and on point steering responsiveness and it's ability to navigate corners at high speed. Acceleration is a little sluggish above 100 KPH and above. The car will peg the speedometer's hand and ask for more. The 11 year old transmission tends to disagree a little with that behavior.

The transmission failure was really annoying and quite expensive to fix. If it wasn't for the re-built engine, the beautiful paint job, recent installation of GPS, and new brake pads I'm sure I would have junked the car. It still would have been a very difficult moment. The car is beautiful.

The Mazda Lantis considered the 5-door Porsche. Is holding it's own masterfully. When I have to let it go or when the transmission can't take no more I will be devastated. We have already bonded better than any girlfriend I have encountered.