Faults:

Barely anything for 50,000 ks of ownership, less tyres etc...

Driver seat is starting to come apart at the seams. A bit of gaffer should do the trick.

General Comments:

Very slow, bad on hills and no overtaking power, but if you can see past this, you're looking at 45 imperial MPG, and almost non existent running costs.

The cabin is also very noisy at 80+ kph, no extras (power windows etc), but I see that as a good thing, as there's nothing to go wrong. Despite low hill power, torque + 4wd sees it up ski roads with ease.

Don't hesitate to purchase one of these.

Faults:

The door locks sometimes froze in the winter and one of my wipers fell off. Total cost of repairs: around $40, at 195,000 km.

The spring holding the hood closed broke at 198,000 km (yesterday); had it repaired for $70.

The suspension is totally soft, feels like I'm riding a boat, but it feels good (unless I hit a pothole).

A little bit of rust, but it's nothing considering the car is 20 years old.

General Comments:

Rita is an amazing car. I've had her for almost a year now, and I've spent almost nothing on her. Insurance, oil changes, new battery. Doesn't take any coolant, almost no engine oil unless I drive her too hard (which I very seldom do), and people say she's an exceptional car.

The previous owner was an 86 year old man who bought her new, but he died and it was sold to me.

Faults:

Exhaust pipe fell off and was never seen again.

Replaced rear drum brakes.

Parking brake cable snapped.

Some gaskets and bearings needed replacing.

And finally the hood latch had to be replaced (with rope).

General Comments:

It's relatively quick and handles easily.

Spare parts are easy to come by, since apparently half the people in my town bought a red Toyota in the early 90's.

Faults:

At 360000 the radiator and water pump broke; replaced it with new, and no problem since.

General Comments:

Great, I cried when I sold it. Now it's in Africa,

never stuck on the road, even when the radiator broke, simple to maintain on your own.

Bought it for $4000. Sold it for $700 after 10 years.

Great car, with a great air conditioner.

Faults:

Repairs required for minor brake problems.

A.C. compressor out.

Struts replaced.

General Comments:

It is the most reliable and cheap car I have ever owned - purchased in 2003 for $2900; I haven't spent over $600 in non-maintenance repairs since I got it. Consistently surprised.

Handling is unimpressive compared to newer cars, as well as road noise. So it is not particularly comfortable, but it's hard to dwell on that if you take how much I paid for it and divide it over the years I've had it, I have not paid more than $362.50 per year for it. Makes everything better.

AC is out as of Summer 2010, but windows still roll down :)

Performance-wise, it's not fast, but then again, I don't expect it to be.

Easy to repair.

Small enough to park just about anywhere, and the wagon holds a surprising amount of cargo. Combined with the roof-rack, I've been able to move in this car.

Faults:

Apart from the usual wear & tear (brake discs, pads & breaks), the only thing to have been replaced is the hydraulic things that hold the boot door up.

The car is starting to rust now. It is nearly 20 years old.

General Comments:

Although the car is only 1.3 engine, the injection makes it a fine ride. OK, so we don't overtake many cars on the motorway, but we often have 4 of us and a boot full (it is an estate).

It is cheap to run and insure.

It is SO reliable.

I am finding it hard to find another 2nd hand car that matches the good ride and comfort of this one.