Aug 31, 2003
I bought my first Horizon brand new for $8700 (CDN). Loved it so much I bought a second Horizon - a used 89 model in 92 for $3901. Friends thought it was cute - a his 'n' hers (I drove the 87, the wife drove the 89). Drove the 87 model into the ground. It had 200,000 mostly city km. A lot of those kms were from delivering pizza. People said I was crazy thinking I could sell it. I sold it in 97 for $500. I cried over parting with it. The guy who bought it was using it as his ticket to the Yukon. Told him to call collect when he got there. He never called.
I'm still to this day driving my 89. I have never had any major repairs, just the basic components replaced like alternator, battery, etc. The car is showing signs of age. All my friends make fun of it, but I don't care. I love this car to death.
Seeing the price of cars today, I think I will put a grand or so in to getting it fixed.
October 20, 2003
Just last week the car overheated (on the way to the rad mechanic) and killed the engine. It's running on 3 cylinders now. It blows black smoke. I replaced the plugs and wires. My mechanic thinks it's had the biscuit.
Problems: Everything
- It overheats
- Fires on 3 cylinders
- The transmission slips between 2nd and 3rd (automatic).
- It doesn't go into reverse unless warmed up.
- It leaks just about every type of fluid.
- The paint is faded bumper to bumper
- The front end needs work
Other than that, the car is tough as nails and is STILL running. The car has been indestructable (until now).
It may sound as if this is the worst piece of crap anyone could ever drive.
Consider this: I paid $3900 CDN. Over 11 years that's only $354 per year! The car is 14 years old and has suffered harsh conditions (150,000 km all city driving and every day in winter).
I would appreciate feed back from anyone who can recommend a good, cheap mechanic in the Toronto area for this car OR a $354 per year car.
Thank you