I bought the car for work and class. To be honest, I bought it as a junker for the winter, but after driving it 100+ miles 3 days in a row it surprises me. I am getting about 40 mpg and it's 18 gallon tank seems endless during the week. A lot of space for passengers and cargo to sit comfortably. Engine still running strong with almost perfect compression in each cylinder. Maybe I got lucky but this car for $800 was a steal. Runs great, drives better, and it's ready to tackle the NY Winter.
Best Features
Curb Side Auto-lock on the passenger side door w/ alarm. Bins in cargo space built into the sides under the cargo shield. The power window switches for the back are in the center column. Seats fold down true flat after you lift the bottom seat and push the back against it. Protects front seats.
Mine was a wagon with the 5-spd manual. Drove it a lot. The fan relays blew out every 18 months, the muffler cost $600 and had to be replaced even if you just needed the pipe done, and they wanted to swap the steering rack too, not just the entire front end. It was cheaper to just buy new tires every year. The drivetrain became misaligned, creating an interesting dogleg in the shift pattern. It decided it had had enough of Cleveland and just started to fall apart at age 8. Wax sealant dripped out of every orifice during summer months.
Best Features
Great interior space for the footprint. True flat load surface with back seat down, fits an 8-foot ladder. Got 35mpg highway. Comfortable seats all around.
Worst Features
Moot point. Should have undergone endurance testing on Cleveland roads prior to introduction, not just German Autobahn. Front-end styling only a mother could love.