Alternator just went out of the car, but that's not so bad considering that the car is 10 years old. We bought it from a good friend who bought it brand new back in 99. She didn't have any issues with it and only had it taken to the garage for oil changes and tune-ups. We're fixing the alternator today.
One thing I've noticed people complaining about is the "airplane" noise coming from either the front or back from one side or the other. We also had this, and having some experience with cars, I was able to 'diagnose' the problem as being a ball bearing. Sure enough, we had the brakes replaced and specifically asked for the ball bearing to be checked, and it was what was causing the noise.
It's been a great and reliable car ever since, although beware of electrical 'anomalies' (e.g. idiot lights coming on at random moments then flicking off. Exiting the car and having it honk at you even though no security system is installed, etc.) This usually means the alternator is going out.
Overall, we love the car.
I hope you never have to change a water pump on that engine. You gotta take the damn timing chain off to get at it, and that's not an easy job at all.
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