GasSavers_RoadWarrior |
06-28-2008 10:14 AM |
Quote:
Originally Posted by limerence
(Post 108533)
RoadWarrior,
I see that you have a 95 wagon. Do you know if 96+ are better in terms of FE and maintenance?
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96 is the final year for the 2nd Gen bodystyle, though in the wagons the body is substantially the same in the 3rd gen as the 2nd gen apart from the nose. That is also final year for the 1.9 SEFI before introduction of the 2.0 SPI. So if you particularly wanted a 2nd gen with 1.9 that you could put a scangauge in, then that's what you get in a '96. Passenger airbags became standard in 95, in previous years they were optional, but I think drivers airbags were standard from at least '93.
FE... later years seem to have gained a little weight, and the motor does appear to be a touch thirstier, but not by much and might have better mid range efficiency. Aero might be a tad better on the 97+.
Reliability, well looked after, they do the energiser bunny thing, neglected they can have issues with rusting out of the rear springs and hangers, and overheating, overheating can drop valve seats and overheating kills the auto trannies. If the tranny fluid smells chemical/rancid, it's toast. If the motor appears to have any cooling problems, verify it was either parked at the first sign of them, or whether it was driven with them, if driven with them, avoid!
Like many small cars they suffer from "disposable car syndrome" meaning people don't do maintenance and oil changes to them, get one with full history and it will probably last years.
Oh yeah, head gaskets seem to go at about 200,000 miles :rolleyes:
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