tamir@ucbvax.ARPA (Yuval Tamir) (07/08/85)
I am considering buying a 1983 or 1984 Chevrolet Citation
or Pontiac Pheonix 4-door hatchback with a V6 engine.
Consumer Reports and similar publications recommend
avoiding these cars due to poor reliability.
However, I really like their size, the hatchback style,
and the availability of the V6 engine.
Due to their poor "ratings", the prices of these cars are
rather low.
I would be interested in hearing from people who own X-cars.
How bad are they ?
Ignoring the reliability issue, are you generally satisfied
with the comfort and performance ?
Any special problems ?
I will summarize the results in net.auto.
Yuval Tamir
ARPANET/CSNET: tamir@Berkeley
UUCP: ucbvax!tamirheneghan@ihu1m.UUCP (Joe Heneghan) (07/12/85)
I have an 81' Skylark and although I've heard of others having problems, here's a summary of my experiences: 1. tires that came with the car were glass belted and unbalanced 2. delay wipers were repaired 6 times and the function eventually stopped after 1 year (this was the works in the turn signal job) 3. the rack went out after 2 months 4. fender had to be repainted as there were sanding marks (suggesting body work had been done before I bought it) 5. white stress marks on the inside door panel (after 2 times of unsuccessful paint I gave up- incompetant labor) 1. - 5. happened in the first year 6. new transmission gasket @ 50k mi. 7. general maintenance: tires brakes needed to be changed once so far in 80k mi. belts battery various bulbs panel behind rear window is zinc and the paint is flaking oil changes and lubes 2 alignments air shocks for trailering carx muffler thermostat antifreeze changes computor sensor @ 40k costed $100 In summary, a lot went wrong in the first year which was covered by warranty. After that, general maintenance was all that was necessary. I woudn't call it a great car but I would call it a good car. It has a lot of head room, can pull my sailboat, good economy with a 2.5 4 cylinder. Joe Heneghan