Overview and Common Failures
Body and Interior:
The paintwork is of average quality, the body is galvanized and holds up well. However, corrosion can easily be found under the car's underbody, especially the fuel tank that rapidly rusts. The interior is abundant in inexpensive materials and is not resistant to wear.
Electrics:
The electrical system will not cause major problems as long as the wiring is intact.
Engine:
The 1.6-liter engine is equipped with a large manifold collector and does not suffer from significant issues. Its drawbacks include noisy operation and a not very high timing chain lifespan. The 2.0-liter engine is even more reliable, but it is important to monitor the condition of the timing belt.
Transmission:
The five-speed manual transmission is not known for its high reliability and longevity. On the other hand, automatic transmissions are good and easily last up to 300,000 km with regular lubricant replacement.
Suspension:
If the car is not overloaded, the suspension will last a long time and not cause any issues until 100,000 km. However, with regular full loading, you will have to frequently service the rear suspension. The stabilizer bar bushings also tend to fail quickly.
Braking System:
There are no particular complaints about the braking system, except for occasional ABS sensor failures.
Steering:
The steering rack is also reliable, although there are sporadic cases of power steering failure.
