1996 Toyota Paseo consumer reviews

I am driving a 1993 Toyota Paseo that I purchased in 1997 and it has over 200,000 miles on it. It gets 25-30MPG in the dead of winter, and up to 40MPG in the summertime. I am on the original gears and transmission - routine upkeep and repairs, but the most expensive engine work was replacing the starter about ten years ago. It hugs the road, and I never feel like I am going to be blown out of my lane by stiff winds. It is an awesome road trip car and around town car. The back seat is little, but fits my dog just fine. The truck holds an amazing amount of stuff. I cannot review this car highly enough!

I have had my Paseo for almost TEN years now - I still get 25-28 miles per gallon, the A/C is cold and the heat is hot. It scoots up steep hills just fine (not bad for a car with 93 horsepower) and it's a pleasure to drive. It drives very smoothly, and I have had no mechanical problems thus far. I keep the maintenance up on it, and I just replaced the timing belt. I've replaced the motor mounts and a CV boot - no other problems. I realize with a little over 164k miles that it should have far more for a 1996, but I expect my little car to go another 100k, easily. Yeah, it's old. I get looks sometimes when I explain I drive a '96 Toyota, but I'm a big believer in not buying into the new when the old still works just fine. I absolutely adore my car! Cons: It was apparently built for petite people! If you're over 6' or 250lbs, you'll be incredibly uncomfortable because the roof is low and the seats are small. The backseat is just a suggestion of a backseat... it has two seats but no leg room. It can get hot back there as well, because the window curves over the seat. Wonderful on a nice day, but when summer comes it can feel like you're in a kiln back there. Ergonomically, it could be a bit more comfortable. Long road trips can mean back pain for me in this car, but a lumbar cushion solved that problem. All in all, I will hold on to this car until it is held together by duct tape and a bungee cord, if I have to. Plus, the insurance on it is cheap, and the registration is next to nothing because it's not worth a lot of money anymore. I save so, so much money with this car and I enjoy driving it.