Used Toyota Paseo review: 1995-1999

THE Paseo tends to get left behind whenever there's a choice of cars to drive home, but it shouldn't be dismissed as unworthy of a second look.  Tucked below the Celica in the Toyota model range, it Cwas easy to miss, or dismiss, the Paseo.  Little was wrong with it. It was a well-engineered and built small coupe that simply lacked character.

It first arrived in 1991 as an affordable, stylish small coupe, but in time its price crept up until it became too expensive for what it was.  By 1995, before Toyota unveiled the new model, its price was too close to that of its bigger brother, the Celica, for comfort and sales had slumped.  The 1995 model was Toyota's attempt to redress the situation. The model range was simplified and the price lowered about $4000.

MODEL WATCH

At first sight the Toyota Paseo introduced late in 1995 seems a mild makeover of the previous model, but it was much more. The change was enough to get it considered a new model in its own right.

To be kind, the Paseo might have looked like a sports car, but it didn't have enough of the key things that make a sports car stand out. It couldn't be considered anything other than a stylish small coupe.

Only one specification was available in the simplified model range Toyota released, and that generally fell midway between the base and upmarket versions of the previous model in terms of equipment.

At a glance you could be forgiven for thinking Toyota had pulled a swift one with the new Paseo, it looked so like its predecessor.  But a longer look would reveal a new car with an aggressive new profile and all-new sheet metal.

There was no longer a grille. The front bumper was revised and included the air intake. The roofline was sleeker, forming more of a fastback than the previous model, which had a more defined coupe roofline.

Larger rear quarter-windows made the interior much lighter, but unfortunately couldn't do much to increase interior room. The Paseo was cramped. Average-size adults found it very uncomfortable in the rear.

But the rest of the interior was quite acceptable. The front seats were new and trimmed in a light grey material, which helped make the interior lighter.

Standard features were quite generous, including sports instruments, a four-speaker sound system, power mirrors and windows, central locking, cup holders and a tilt-adjustable steering column.

Outside were body-coloured bumpers, a neat rear spoiler, rear window wiper and full dress hubcaps over steel wheels.  Power was from a 1.5-litre, double overhead camshaft, fuel-injected, four-cylinder engine that put out 69kW at 5400 revs and 136Nm at 4400 revs.

The numbers tell the story. The Paseo is no fireball.  Power delivery was smooth and steady, making the car a nice driver rather than a zippy road-rager.

Transmission choices were a five-speed manual or a four-speed auto.  On the road the Paseo was competent rather than breathtaking, its handling well balanced and ride comfortable.

Brakes were a combination of disc at the front and drum at the rear, with ABS available as part of the optional Safety Pack, which also included a driver's airbag.

IN THE SHOP

THE Paseo is generally a reliable little car and little goes wrong with it on a regular basis.  Look for a well-cared for car, with low mileage if possible, and definitely with a service record.  Check for crash repairs, dropped doors, varying panel gaps, and paint mismatches.

CRUNCH TIME

A driver's airbag was part of an optional Safety Pack, which also included ABS brakes.  A passenger's airbag became available as an option from September 1996, and seatbelt pre-tensioners were standard from March 1998.

OWNER'S VIEW

SYBIL Coppock's small stature dictated that her car should give her confidence and, most importantly, good vision in all driving conditions.  After test-driving several vehicles, Sybil settled on a new 1996 Paseo, which has now done 86,000km. It has met all her expectations for reliability, economy and performance. 

Her only complaint is the design fault on the boot-lock emblem, which swivels to allow the key to be inserted. It has failed twice.  And she says the lack of room in the rear makes it cramped for a person of average size.

LOOK FOR

SLEEK fastback styling
CRAMPED interior, particularly in the rear
RENOWNED Toyota reliability and build quality
MODEST performance
SAFE handling

THE BOTTOM LINE

WELL-BUILT, attractive small coupe perfect for the beginner driver.