Overview and Common Failures
Body and Interior The paintwork here is delicate and chips appear immediately, but the body itself does not rust quickly. Corrosion can be easily found on the edges of the doors, especially at the rear near the stop signal. The car's interior is decent in terms of ergonomics and design, and it is also fairly well assembled. However, the durability of the interior materials is quite weak, as is the noise insulation. There are often issues with the electrical system, mainly due to oxidation of the wiring contacts. Engine Both gasoline engines, 1.4 G4FA and 1.6 G4FC, are reliable and low-maintenance units. However, they can also experience scoring problems, although much less frequently than newer engines. There are also complaints on the forum about the limited lifespan of the timing chain and starting problems in cold weather. Transmission The 5-speed manual M5CF1 operates smoothly, but it doesn't have a particularly long lifespan. On the other hand, the 4-speed automatic A4CF1 shifts slowly, but it lasts for a long time. Suspension The suspension here is somewhat stiff for the sake of handling, and its reliability is average. The stabilizer bushings need to be replaced before reaching 50,000 km, as well as some of the silent blocks. Ball joints and rear shocks may require replacement by 100,000 km. There have been reports of decreased effectiveness of the braking system due to pipe delamination. The hatchback's steering rack does not have a particularly long lifespan, nor does its power steering.
