Chevrolet Spark

[JTK]

Congrats on the purchase. I say good for you with getting something fuel efficient and economical that doesn't break the bank. Plus you've got the massive Chevy dealership network to back it up should you need to. You can't say that for Mitsubishi, etc.

Does the Spark use a timing chain as opposed to a belt? T-belts didn't used to bother me, but when I see some of the dealership/private shop quotes on repairs nowadays, I'd avoid a belt unless I was certain I could do the job myself.

 

[cptbarkey]

Originally Posted By: Al

Originally Posted By: cptbarkey


My condolences for your loss.

I am guessing (guaranteeing) you have never driven one or ridden in one...lol


bad joke i know, did you at least get it in lime green or pee yellow?

edit, nevermind silver.

 

[Al]

Originally Posted By: JTK
Congrats on the purchase. I say good for you with getting something fuel efficient and economical that doesn't break the bank. Plus you've got the massive Chevy dealership network to back it up should you need to. You can't say that for Mitsubishi, etc.

Does the Spark use a timing chain as opposed to a belt? T-belts didn't used to bother me, but when I see some of the dealership/private shop quotes on repairs nowadays, I'd avoid a belt unless I was certain I could do the job myself.

Thanks. When you asked the question, I thought..scheesch I don't know. Thankfully it has a timing chain. Owning a subaru and having spent a grand replacing it, 3 idlers, the water pump and tensioner. I am well aware of the disadvantages of the TB.
http://www.torquenews.com/1083/chevy-spark-upsets-auto-maintenance-apple-cart

 

[Vuflanovsky]

If I'm retired with either limited or limitless means, I'd seriously look at a stripper "city car" like the Spark or similar. Not sure if they're the ideal cross-country vehicle ( it might be an adventure though ), but if you ever have to drive in dense urban areas these cars are gold for their functionality and ability to get street parking while the SUVs and lift kit trucks circle the block for 20 minutes. In that sense, you'll be thinking of it as a quality of life issue if you have to do it often enough.

I see the 5 speed is rated at 41 mpg highway and they've upgraded the engine this year...so I say congrats. I drive a car that's 162 inches long and I've gotten hooked by the "small is the new big" dimensions even if those small dimensions aren't always needed.

 

[2010Civic]

How does the tiny Spark not get better fuel economy than the new Civic?

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: 2010Civic
How does the tiny Spark not get better fuel economy than the new Civic?


Too small for good aerodynamics I would guess. Also I suspect final drive gearing is so as to limit downshifting--need to keep the small motor in its powerband.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: 2010Civic
How does the tiny Spark not get better fuel economy than the new Civic?


Much lower cost vehicle would be my guess.

 

[KrisZ]

Congrats on the new ride. The 5 speed manual in this little car should be fun to wind out. I just rented a 2015 Renault Clio with 1.2L engine and you could go WOT all the way to redline in the first three gears without breaking the highway speed limit lol.

 

[glock19]

Originally Posted By: 2010Civic
How does the tiny Spark not get better fuel economy than the new Civic?


He already bought the car, give it a rest with the Civic.

 

[Ausfahrt]

Originally Posted By: supton
Originally Posted By: 2010Civic
How does the tiny Spark not get better fuel economy than the new Civic?


Too small for good aerodynamics I would guess. Also I suspect final drive gearing is so as to limit downshifting--need to keep the small motor in its powerband.


I think that may be part of the answer. I think that manufacturers across the board are gearing manual trans cars so that they are reving higher in top gear than their automatic counterparts.

Why? I'm not sure, it could be just to keep the car in the powerband so that you don't need to downshift as often. More likely in my opinion, is that they are trying get away from manual transmissions in the US market altogether.


But I digress.

To the OP: Congrats on your new car, The Koreans are now making cars that will stand the test of time and I hope that you get many economical miles out of it.

 

[dishdude]

Did I read correctly, the smallest Chevy with NO options still has:

7" touchscreen radio with Bluetooth
Height adjustable seat
AC w/cabin air filter
Tilt
10 airbags
4 Floor mats
Back up camera

and a 9 gallon fuel tank!

That level of standard equipment in a car of that class is pretty impressive.

 

[Win]

Originally Posted By: 2010Civic
To each there own but for $13k you could buy a couple year old Civic. A lot more car and will still outlast the new Chevy.


Indeed. I would rather ride around in an old Radio Flyer wagon with three square wheels, being pulled by a slop fed team of flatulent Hogs under a blistering Southern sun, than be in a Honda. Any Honda.

But that's just me. To each there (sic) own.

Congrats on the new car, Al.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Originally Posted By: Win
Originally Posted By: 2010Civic
To each there own but for $13k you could buy a couple year old Civic. A lot more car and will still outlast the new Chevy.


Indeed. I would rather ride around in an old Radio Flyer wagon with three square wheels, being pulled by a slop fed team of flatulent Hogs under a blistering Southern sun, than be in a Honda. Any Honda.

But that's just me. To each there (sic) own.

Congrats on the new car, Al.


A $13K honda civic used is going to be at or above 100K miles. Which is a lot closer to EOL than a brand new Chevy spark.

And, up here in the rust belt, it's already started to rust!

 

[2010Civic]

^ That just isn't true.

http://www.buerklehonda.com/used/Honda/2...2d8d778bfe6.htm

A 3 year old Civic with only 22k miles on it for $13,798.

Single owner, all maintenance records from the dealer.

 

[Al]

Originally Posted By: glock19
Originally Posted By: 2010Civic
How does the tiny Spark not get better fuel economy than the new Civic?


He already bought the car, give it a rest with the Civic.

lol. Some folks become instant fanboyz of the vehicle they own

So far I like the vehicle, but I need to put a number of miles on before I can give good or poor features.

But I will say it has adequate power, handles, very well, is pretty quiet, shifter is truly amazingly soft (I would prefer a stiffer clutch though) and the cabin is very spacious. You would never guess it is such a tiny car. It puts out WYFI 60 feet away from the vehicle. The touch screen that pairs with a smartphone and is the backup screen is very nice, 10 airbags (Civic has 6) Also it has a separate display that allows different functions such as tire pressure on all wheels. It has traction control. I know, I know it can't compete with a Civic though.

 

[glock19]

Originally Posted By: Al
I know, I know it can't compete with a Civic though.


At least you don't have to deal with this interior:

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: glock19
At least you don't have to deal with this interior

How do you like 2016 Toyota Prius interior ? Instruments are on center dashboard ! Nothing on front of driver !

The previous Civic interior with stack instruments may look weird but at the very least it is on front of driver so he/she can look at it with a quick glance.

Do you know of any high performance car with instruments on center of the dashboard ?

2016 Toyota Corolla interior:

2016 Honda Civic interior:

 

[KrisZ]

Originally Posted By: 2010Civic
How does the tiny Spark not get better fuel economy than the new Civic?


It's for exactly the same reasons Honda Fit doesn't get better fuel economy than the Civic.

 

[glock19]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR


How do you like 2016 Toyota Prius interior ? Instruments are on center dashboard ! Nothing on front of driver !


It would drive me nuts as well. I tend to prefer simpler interiors without a bunch of weird tiers built in.

The 9th gen Civic has 4 different areas to present information and a multi-tiered dash, it's terrible. Now the 10th gen Civic has a pretty pleasing interior and, IMO, is slightly better than the Corolla due to the weird shift knob.

 

[pandus13]

Originally Posted By: Vuflanovsky
If I'm retired with either limited or limitless means, I'd seriously look at a stripper "city car" like the Spark or similar. Not sure if they're the ideal cross-country vehicle ( it might be an adventure though ), but if you ever have to drive in dense urban areas these cars are gold for their functionality and ability to get street parking while the SUVs and lift kit trucks circle the block for 20 minutes. In that sense, you'll be thinking of it as a quality of life issue if you have to do it often enough.

I see the 5 speed is rated at 41 mpg highway and they've upgraded the engine this year...so I say congrats. I drive a car that's 162 inches long and I've gotten hooked by the "small is the new big" dimensions even if those small dimensions aren't always needed.

DITTO!

OP/AL, i thought the spark is made in US now?

also when i lived at the house, i had some neighbors thinking the same:
chrysler town and country loaded for long trips, smart fortwo for chugging along town. for an older couple (i think they where your junior, i give them 68-67) with not a lot of shopping needs, it's good

congrats on the purchase.