I bought it in '97 with 22K on it. The computer failed at around 80K shortly after it was rear-ended and repaired. I suspect it was actually caused by welding done on the rear body without disconnecting the battery rather than poor design/construction. At 90K, when it was time to do the timing belt, I spent the extra 2 hours to replace the head gasket. The early SOHC was known to leak oil externally on the back side from the head gasket. It had been seeping since I got it so I decided to just replace it as a preventative measure. One outer tie rod end was replaced at around 125K. I also replaced the gauge cluster around the same time for the reason I mentioned earlier and upgraded to one with a factory tach. When the second one started acting up I just reflowed the solder.
I change the oil religiously every 3000 miles. I replaced plug, wires, gear oil, PS fluid and flushed brake fluid at 60,120,180K. Timing belt was done at 90 and 160K (water pump started to leak). I just put it's 3rd battery in it.
It still has the original starter, alternator, clutch, rear brakes, AC charge, motor mounts, steering rack and pump, all hoses.
With the exception of the gauges and computer I would consider every other part to be a normal wear items. Every car needs brakes, tune-ups, fluid changes, tires, water pumps, timing belts, etc. It has 197K on it now and is just starting to develop some piston slap when it's cold. On a trip across the state last summer it averaged just under 40mpg. I was actually planning to get rid of it soon but my daughter will be driving in a couple years so I may just keep it. It's always been reliable and does pretty well in the snow. It has air bags and isn't really worth anything so it should probably be a decent first car for her.
If yours runs good it might be worth fixing up. The automatics are pretty cheap for those and aren't really computer controlled like the newer ones. With a hoist and standard tools you can swap one out in about 3 hours. New axles are cheap. Motor mounts aren't that bad. They aren't too bad to work on and parts are pretty cheap. Like I said earlier, one of the best things about these cars is their simplicity. There just isn't that much to go wrong.
I change the oil religiously every 3000 miles. I replaced plug, wires, gear oil, PS fluid and flushed brake fluid at 60,120,180K. Timing belt was done at 90 and 160K (water pump started to leak). I just put it's 3rd battery in it.
It still has the original starter, alternator, clutch, rear brakes, AC charge, motor mounts, steering rack and pump, all hoses.
With the exception of the gauges and computer I would consider every other part to be a normal wear items. Every car needs brakes, tune-ups, fluid changes, tires, water pumps, timing belts, etc. It has 197K on it now and is just starting to develop some piston slap when it's cold. On a trip across the state last summer it averaged just under 40mpg. I was actually planning to get rid of it soon but my daughter will be driving in a couple years so I may just keep it. It's always been reliable and does pretty well in the snow. It has air bags and isn't really worth anything so it should probably be a decent first car for her.
If yours runs good it might be worth fixing up. The automatics are pretty cheap for those and aren't really computer controlled like the newer ones. With a hoist and standard tools you can swap one out in about 3 hours. New axles are cheap. Motor mounts aren't that bad. They aren't too bad to work on and parts are pretty cheap. Like I said earlier, one of the best things about these cars is their simplicity. There just isn't that much to go wrong.
