Summary:
One of the best, and certainly the least expensive vehicles I ever owned
Faults:
Headliner dropped.
Seal around distributor started to leak oil.
Sway bar broke in the later years.
Replaced tie rod ends and struts.
Other than that, just the typical maintenance. Only had to bring it to a mechanic once, all other repairs I could do.
General Comments:
Purchased the car in 1992 for $3500 with only 50,000 miles on it. Kept it for 13 years, and only had to bring it to a mechanic once. Do the math, it was the cheapest car I ever owned.
And it was a tank in the snow. Even with worn tires, it was unstoppable. With new tires, I could barely get them to spin in deep snow. But it was in the ditch once when it had really worn tires on it. The snow was so deep that I could not open the doors to get out. Rocked it back and forth a few times, and drove right out.
One year, while driving through the SD Badlands, my son, in his car seat, suddenly stretched and kick the shifter into reverse while going down a dirt road at about 55 miles per hour. Killed the engine and all the dash lights were on and bells dinging. I nearly crapped my pants. Brought it to a stop, put it in park and restarted it. Went on our merry way, and the transmission or engine never gave us any trouble for the next 9 years I owned it.
Bottom line, this was one of GM’s best.
