Chevy/Geo Prizm?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Apr 7, 2011
Messages
1,563
Location
Ankeny, IA
Well, this is like my 3rd thread about this subject, I am still helping my cousin find a first car. He has now located a 2000 Chevy Prizm with 101K for (I think) $1500. How good are these cars? He has some doubts (He thinks its a girly car, lol, what do you think) but I think it is a cool little car. TIA for your opinions
 
I think you're headed in the right direction. If he doesn't like it, then don't buy it, but it's a good combination of reliability and fuel economy and the price is right.
 
If he thinks it's a girl-y car, then don't buy it just to hurt his ego.

Save it for someone else who "deserves" it more...

Afterall: it's only a 1500 bux transportation device....not like a gal-magnet like a convertable or so...

Q.
 
Originally Posted By: renegade_987
Well, this is like my 3rd thread about this subject, I am still helping my cousin find a first car. He has now located a 2000 Chevy Prizm with 101K for (I think) $1500. How good are these cars? He has some doubts (He thinks its a girly car, lol, what do you think) but I think it is a cool little car. TIA for your opinions


If he thinks it's a girly car tell him he can get a 2000 P71 Police Interceptor for less then 1500 bucks.
 
prizm is basically a corolla clone. good reliability and for 1500 buy it now before it was snapped up by someone else (assuming in reasonable good condition).

but if he wants a big macho car, well, then he should be looking elsewhere.
 
Last edited:
gas is expensive and going to go higher. buy that thang as long as the timing belt ain't about to fall off.
 
Originally Posted By: Cutehumor
gas is expensive and going to go higher. buy that thang as long as the timing belt ain't about to fall off.


If I remember right it is a non interference design and only cost like $240 labor to change it (bring your own parts, or $400-500 total).
 
Own two Geo Prizms...'96, '97.
'96 is the 1.6 litre... mpg avg = 37.4
'97 is the 1.8 litre... mpg avg = 39.7
Paid $1750 for the '96...$1500 for the '97.
When purchased, they had about 140k mi.

So far... Best two vehicle purchases I ever made.
 
Look for rust in the tire wells and where the rocker panel meets the rear tire well . Also look for any water in the trunk . The tail lights sometimes are not sealed proper . Is this the automatic or 5 speed manual ? If automatic , look for a push in button on the drivers side of the shifting lever . If no button , it's a 3 speed . Button , a 4 speed auto . This car has plenty of get up and go , especially with the manual . Girly car ?
33.gif
 
After 98 they started burning more oil due to low friction rings. Not a huge deal.

Most *for sale* seem to have the lame three speed automatic. The 4 speed autos and stick shifts are more cherished by their owners.

Old ladies with very little money seem to have been the initial buyers of the stripped down three speed automatic models.
 
We have a 96 with 190k. It was purchased as a totaled flood car. It's literally rusting to pieces but its seen Chicago winters. Nothing has ever failed and the A/C still works. I picked it up recently to change a flat at the lifting point behind drivers side wheel well. The jack and block of wood went through the car. LOL

3 speed auto shifts nicer then my 03 civic.
 
Last edited:
Great cars, usually decently priced except when gas is $5 a gallon.

Rust can be a problem in areas where they salt the roads. Otherwise, they'll run long after you're sick of looking at them. Cheap to insure too.
 
" Most *for sale* seem to have the lame three speed automatic. The 4 speed autos and stick shifts are more cherished by their owners. "

The 2000 we had with the 4 speed auto shifted smooth as silk . These cars do very well in the snow with studded snow tires . The gas mileage was around 36 m.p.g. overall .
 
Up here a LOT of these cars (Corolla/Prism) are/were driving school cars - one of the few cars that will take the abuse, and just keep going!
 
Originally Posted By: addyguy
Up here a LOT of these cars (Corolla/Prism) are/were driving school cars - one of the few cars that will take the abuse, and just keep going!


Here as well, they are very forgiving to drive and like you say, take the abuse, and cheap.
 
Originally Posted By: CROWNVIC4LIFE
Originally Posted By: renegade_987
Well, this is like my 3rd thread about this subject, I am still helping my cousin find a first car. He has now located a 2000 Chevy Prizm with 101K for (I think) $1500. How good are these cars? He has some doubts (He thinks its a girly car, lol, what do you think) but I think it is a cool little car. TIA for your opinions


If he thinks it's a girly car tell him he can get a 2000 P71 Police Interceptor for less then 1500 bucks.

+1 and tell him to put a nice dual 2.5" mid-muffler exhaust system on it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom