Brother there are very few local and imported cars which can compare Steermatic in speed (not handling).
Only the 1.5 NEO and new shape City 1.3L M/T and Aspire can beat it in straight line in comparable engine displacement. (forget any Toyota this side of Celica, Auris and Vitz RS)
I tried that on a 2005 VTi M/T and lost 3 out of 5 times however after 150 km/hr VTi never lost and I thought that after driving a VTEC since 1996 I know how to shift right.
Altis 1.8L Cruisetronic will clearly loose to the Steermatic, 1.8L manual will win with a driver who has control in his left feet.
1.6L Altis 1ZR-FE 6 speeder can easily beat it and Cruisetronic has a 50/50 chance due to its lazy 4 speeder ECT with torque converter and slow programming.
However its not as comfortable as the new shape XLi and raod grip and ride quality is also not good due to high centre of gravity and low profile tires and stiff factory suspension. The gearbox does NOT like CNG or any alternative fuel and its little fragile.
The new shape City has better road grip and high speed stability than older Steermatic, the old Prosmatec has better grip than new shape city and new shape XLi has much lower center of gravity than old PROSMATEC so you can judge it yourself.
Yet to seen a Vario or Steermatic done 300,000 plus km like Toyota auto or PROSMATEC.
BTW the rear seats do not have full seat belts just a center belt and no flat floor and cramped rear seats.
But you should not consider it as its market value is even less than half of 2013 GLi so no reasons to complain its one gem of a car at this price.
As long as the previous owner has not messed up the CVT.