Faults:

Clutch slave cylinder decided to give up the ghost recently, but apart from general service items its sound.

General Comments:

What a car! I've had mine for 6 months and I'm really starting to enjoy it.

Pretty nippy for a 1.3 and can out perform some fast cars that cost 3 times as much.

Handling in stock form is the only downside, but once changed to after market parts its like a little go kart.

I use it every day and its performing well so far, petrol consumption is good if you do not boost too much, but on full boost it likes a good drink!

Vast amount of tuning goodies from Japan!

Faults:

Front drivers side drive boot went at 90,000 miles.

General Comments:

Virtually bulletproof mechanicals.

With uprated tyres handling is good enough to take faster cars scalps on a familiar road.

With 110000 miles on the clock and coupled with the higher revving 4-speed box oil consumption is a bit high.

Faults:

Generally wear and tear items never broken down.

Had to replace the ignition leads as the seals at the top had deteriorated allowing water into the plug housings causing it to misfire.

General Comments:

I've owned my Starlet turbo for three years now with little problems at all generally wear and tear.

I can honestly say it is the best and quickest car I've ever owned to date and it's a rare car to own in the u. k with very few on the roads.

Its performance is staggering for such a small car with 0-60 times of 6.8 seconds it weighs only 860kgs, produces 136bhp and can achieve a standing quarter in 15 seconds as standard. Its power to weight ratio is staggering and can give most cars a run for their money, i just love the surprised look on many faces as I leave them standing.

It was originally imported from Japan and I have been the sole owner since first entering the country in early 1999.Since then I've done a few modifications to the car like larger diameter 15 inch wheels and tyres, induction filter,8.5mm silicon leads, turbo timer, brakes and an exhaust system.

I plan to keep this car for many years to come and until the mileage gets a little on the high side, but only then will I consider to buy a newer model like the Glanza V.

Faults:

I bought it just a couple of weeks ago for $2,700, searched for a Mercedes, but I found this one - and it had automatic transmission as I wanted - I though I'd go for it as I read before about its reliability (3- and 5-year Starlets are least likely to show faults among all cars in the world - beating Porsche and Mercedes!). Things that have gone wrong:

Insulation seems to be letting some water in through the back door in heavy rain (but no rust after 9 years of service).

It makes sounds on bumps - I don't know whether this is plastic or something else, but it's pretty loud.

General Comments:

My former cars were Volvo 244 and Mercedes 123 and - most recently - 116 280SE, so you can appreciate the transition, but I am very happy with the Starlet. I am a bit of a fatalist and reliability is important for me, and this little Toyota promises to be very faithful.

It drives very well, especially in urban cycle, perhaps a little too noisy on the highway at speeds above 120 km/h, but nothing seriously annoying.

I wish it had power steering.

Fuel economy could be better - it burns some 7-8 litres per 100 km at 130 km/h.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

This is my "runabout" as the Skyline sucks too much gas. I wanted something small, reliable, cheap to run, and quick. Just what the doctor ordered.

The boost is up to 1 bar, with exhaust and intake filter.

Superb car for the money. Sips petrol. Reliable.

I drive it like I stole it, never has broken down on me. Truly phenomenal, and great potential. ekisela@hotmail.com