 This car was purchased new on 12/30/00 and was my first "new" car.  It is great on gas, performs like a champ.  When they came out they would put a hurting on most of the Hondas and such that you could buy at the time.  They handle very well, are fun to drive, but they do have known problems.  I have had 4 transmissions in 65k miles, the 4EAT-F automatics are known for overheating and failing.  The starter has gone bad once, the VCT died.  It's been a rough road with the car but all in all for the price it was hard to beat, and I knew I didn't want anything GM.