Faults:

Had to replace starter in 2005 - but I drive mostly errands with a lot of starts per short mileage.

Can see wear on Drivers seat door side bolster where my back rubs with each entry and exit.

Rear interior panels tend to creak, partly due to stiff suspension and jarring.

General Comments:

The point and shoot handling of the car is telepathic. The most accurate steering car I've ever driven. Its addictive and has made driving a highway cruiser with light steering and soft suspension difficult to adjust to.

The accurate steering requires more effort at the hands and arms until you find just the right amount of input, but almost always you must use both hands.

Lack of power assist in steering at parking speeds can be a bit tiring.

Biggest complaint is the lack of horsepower (about 115) - that, mated to very short gears 1 through 3 means you must shift a great deal. The very short gears allows you to carry heavy loads without strain.

Very large hatchback hauling space with rear seats down - a great utility vehicle.

The payoff with the small engine is that I get 30+ MPG in all types of driving and never really worry about gas prices.

At street speeds you can make turns without braking and never lose grip, it turns flat. At highway speeds, hard turns suffer from lack of torque.

At speeds above 90mph the car looses its feel due to air getting under the front of car and the steering becomes too light, and about 105mph it feels as if its lifting off the road and about to go airborne.

Cockpit, angle of instruments and other controls is excellent. I like the fact that pedals are not too close together and feet don't get tangled up.

Serious lack of after-market development.

Faults:

The brakes seem to need constant attention to avoid squeaks.

The air conditioner makes a great deal of noise (and chops up the otherwise smooth idle) when it is turned on.

Tire noise is high.

Otherwise, it's perfect.

General Comments:

This car is relatively quick (pick-up is much better on the freeway than off the line), although the automatic transmission is partially at fault. As I mentioned, the car suffers from a horrible case of tire-induced humming at speed. It's very aerodynamic otherwise, no wind noise. The car handles very well, despite the sometimes disconnected-feeling steering. Aside from the 5s-fe powerplants notorious lack of muscle, it's an extremely reliable and gorgeous car. Excellent fit and finish, a very well laid out and comfortable interior, and dashing good looks. I'd recommend it to anyone.

Faults:

Third and fourth gear synchomesh on gearbox suddenly became poor at 60,000 miles and involved an expensive gearbox rebuild.

Minor rear suspension components have needed replacement, possibly in part due the rough roads I have to use.

Never really been convinced that the steering and tracking were perfect despite repeated attempts at having this set up.

General Comments:

Much more comfortable than other cars of its class. Very roomy and a capacious boot on those versions which take the space-saver spare wheel.

When driven gently, fuel economy is excellent. When driven exuberantly, economy is still better than expected. For real performance, allow revs to go over 6000rpm. The limiter is around 7400rpm.

Handling is stunning, performance is ferocious at high engine revs, and yet it is a sensible useful hatchback with head-turning looks.

Used ones now quite affordable, but be wary of running and insurance costs of Japanese imports which have different body panels such as the square rear number plate.