1996 Mercury Mystique review from North America

Normal annoyances such as rain catching rear lenses and trunk, erroneously flashing overdrive light, cup holders built like cheap model airplanes, faulty passenger windows switch, unretractable side mirrors that truck mirrors like to smash into, yellowing headlights that make the car look blind, but basically nothing else.

Of course I replaced the timing belt, a couple struts, maintained the steering parts, replaced control arms, and basically just change the oil.

The car handles great, gets great gas mileage, just fits into parking places that others can't get into, has got a zippy engine, and a fairly smooth transmission. That transmission is highly sensitive, and I treat it like a manual, giving power just before it wants to switch to the next gear then letting off a bit so that it can switch without lurching. But once in awhile, it down shifts with a bang.

It starts out immediately, it rides pretty quiet, and it really holds the road very well in all weather conditions with the right tires of course. Thus far I really don't think I spent anymore than you have on your Accords or Corollas.