The alternator went at about 194k. Also had to change the front rocker seal as well as the alternator and power steering belts (the car sat for about 2 years in a garage before I bought it). Some accessories have since gone inside the car like the cassette player on the stereo and very miniscule details such as the plastic cover on the female end of the seatbelt on driver side, brake pedal cover and short metal line keeping the glove compartment door from swinging out too far.. all were relatively cheap to replace (I'm kind of picky with that stuff) except for radio.. I have to have my tape deck.. the tough ontario weather has taken a toll on the car throughout its lifetime.. few rust spots, hardened brake callipers etc. but it has stood the test of time admirably in my opinion. The engine sounds like a diesel, but its done that ever since I got it and apparently since long before (and I've put decent mileage on it without problems). The last thing I've done was changed the Fuel filter which ended up being rather pricy since the old one was rusted right together with the fuel line ($90cdn with fuel line recap). It doesn't burn oil in the least nor does it have leak issues other than a small rad crack which I soft patched myself.
I bought the car for $900cnd and since haven't put more than $500 into it all toghether. So far this car has been a dream for me maintenance wise and only really caused issues with expected things. I'm sure I've been lucky with the way this car has been behaving, but I have no complaints.
My 88calais has 200,000 miles. Most reliable car I've ever had. It will still blow off a chevy v8 paulbowen@pclnet.net.
The noisy engine is par for the course with those cars. The "Iron Duke" may sound bad in some cars but its still one of the most reliable 4cyl engines out there from a domestic car maker.
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