Toyota Paseo (1996 - 1999) 1.5 Si 2d (1996/N) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

That I drive a coupe... So I guess I chose style over absolute practicality? Many people form the assumption that I own some form of sports car, which is nice considering the costs are quite a bit lower.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

They think it is very sensible - Being a positive thing from parents and the missus. and a negative from my friends who see it as a girl's car.

Would you buy this car again and why?

Yes... I wish I could say that it's slow, girly and that I hate it, but I can't. I love the way it consumes fuel with such frugality that it annoys me. I love the way it is so frugal, and yet looks like it is faster than it really is. I cannot understand the reasoning behind the way the boot is so silly and small, yet has a divide between the boot and the passenger seats - thus preventing anything long from being carried... And despite this, I have been genuinely surprised at how well it coped when faced with my recent camping trip. I should say that this car is ridiculous and silly, but it isn't. I could list the annoyances I have with this car, but it wouldn't matter; I'd still buy this car again, despite those problems. This car has grown on me, and I'd have another one witho

What are you likely to buy next?

A Honda Prelude perhaps? it won't be quite the same, but I will probably keep the Paseo anyway.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Independent

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£1,400

When did you buy the car?

November 2007

Did you get a good deal and why?

I bought a mid-mileage car with perfect paintwork, for less than than I expected. I could have ended up with something that would have broken down often, as my family was keen to inform me, but thankfully this hasn't been the case.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Seemed nice enough and was in great condition.

What was the dealer like?

Very friendly! The dealer was very knowledgeable and went to great effort to out my mind at rest.

What's it like to drive?

If I'm honest, I do wish it had a bit more power. That said, however, I do find it a pleasure to drive once you get going; despite a small power output, it has enough torque to make general road-usage a joy.

What's it like to park?

Easy enough. The car isn't a small hatch-back, but is easy enough to park.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Nothing! I wish I could say that something small has failed, but it hasn't. There is something very reassuring in knowing that when you walk out the door in rain, you'll be able to get moving without problems. Whilst this isn't the most exiting car I have owned, it has been the one I have owned the longest due to its sheer reliability.

What's most practical about your car?

Fuel efficiency is brilliant! After completing a trip to the New Forest and lugging all the camping gear required, I managed the whole four-day trip by using £35 of fuel and still had one quarter left when I returned home.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Electric mirrors make maneuvers stress-free.