IMO, I think I just drove the most miserable car

[glock19]

I think a lot of the cars mentioned are more competitive with the Sonic than the Spark.

In any case, I recently took a ride in the back of a friend's Nissan Versa Note and it had tons of leg room in the back seat. I'm constantly surprised how *some* of these small cars manage to be so roomy.

 

[99Saturn]

Is there really a comparison to be drawn between a Spark and say, a Fit, Yaris, Accent, Fiesta or Rio? My impression just casually seeing these is the Spark is not really in the same class/ballpark or whatever you'd want to call it and the Sonic would be more of a comparison to these vehicles...and the Spark is sort of priced accordingly to reflect that.

 

[Benzadmiral]

Chevrolet "Spark"? What's next, the Chevy "Zzzzt"?

Oh, for the days when cars had cool names like Chevelle, Grand Prix, Wildcat, Coupe de Ville, Starfire, Sting Ray, Cougar . . .

 

[E365]

Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
Is there ANY reason to choose that Happy Fun Ball over, say, a Hyundai Accent? Or a Kia Rio?


It's cheaper than both of those, gets better MPG than both of those and does better in a crash than both of those (and better than every other car in its class)
http://www.iihs.org/iihs/news/desktopnews/minicars-fall-short-for-small-overlap-frontal-protection

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: Benzadmiral
Chevrolet "Spark"? What's next, the Chevy "Zzzzt"?

Oh, for the days when cars had cool names like Chevelle, Grand Prix, Wildcat, Coupe de Ville, Starfire, Sting Ray, Cougar . . .


I'm not sure if I'd go there. The OEM's don't need any more encouragement to dig up old names with real heritage and then use it as a sticker and pinstripe option on something that is nothing like the original.

 

[rshaw125]

Originally Posted By: tony1679
Yet another 4T65E problem... GM is lucky they haven't been sued for this too.

Also, your dealer should have put you in a car similar to the one you own.


Yep GM had problems with the 4T65E every year it was in production. 1997-2011. Even in the last year they still had problems with the valve body.

I agree you should have been loaned a newer Impala.

 

[jrustles]

Remember the Chevette or the Acadian?

2014 version.

 

[Pesca]

Originally Posted By: tony1679
Also, your dealer should have put you in a car similar to the one you own.


+1 on this.

You can go back to the dealer and ask him to change your rental car.

That is what my ex-wife did when her car was in for an electrical problem with her Sonata: At first, they gave her a subcompact car (don't remember which one) She went back and got an Altima instead (nice car).

Especially if you don't know how long they will keep your car, you may need the space for the weekend or other stuff.

As for a comparison to the spark, you (in fact just us) the Nissan Micra and the Mitsubishi Mirage (do you have this one in the US?). Maybe the hatch Toyota Yaris could fall in the same category, even if it is more expensive. Probably more the iQ from Toyota/Scion (depending of the countries).

There are more suited for cities than urban driving.

 

[hattaresguy]

Its an economic penalty box on wheels.

Reminds me of my buddies dad, he brought his Lexus in for service and they gave him a Corolla. He went back in, slammed the keys on the counter and said do better. Ended up with one of those egg SUV's.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: redhat
Not too much room, but hey, these cars are marketed for 20-30 year old people who are 5'8" and about 125lbs. right? Not a 300lbs. 6' big dude.

This car is perfect for most Asian women, many of them are about 5'-5'2" and weight about 100-110 lbs.

 

[datech]

The only real advantage of those really small cars is for parking in the city. The Sonic and Cruze compete on gas mileage, but they cost more.

 

[yonyon]

Originally Posted By: Pesca
Maybe the hatch Toyota Yaris could fall in the same category, even if it is more expensive.


That's hardly a fair comparison. As small as it is, the Yaris at least drives like a car. It drives like a cheap car, but a car. The Spork does not drive like a car. It drives like a pile of stuff that could have been made into a car if it hadn't had the misfortune of being built as it is.

 

[datech]

Originally Posted By: yonyon
Originally Posted By: Pesca
Maybe the hatch Toyota Yaris could fall in the same category, even if it is more expensive.


That's hardly a fair comparison. As small as it is, the Yaris at least drives like a car. It drives like a cheap car, but a car. The Spork does not drive like a car. It drives like a pile of stuff that could have been made into a car if it hadn't had the misfortune of being built as it is.


The yaris is $2-3000 more than the Spark. Compare the Yaris to the Sonic.

 

[artificialist]

How does it compare to the most basic Nissan Versa?

Comparing a Spark to a Toyota Camry isn't fair because of the size and price difference. That would be like taking that same Toyota Camry, and then comparing it to a Lexus LS460.

 

[ls1mike]

Spark Review

 

[sciphi]

It's a global city car. I've sat in one, and it fit me just fine. Then again, I'm not a larger person.

Given the choice between one of those and my Cruze or our Fit, I'd take either one in a heartbeat. But, comparing a $14k Spark to a $20k Cruze or $18k Fit is hardly a fair comparison. That extra coin buys a lot of refinement.

For somebody who wants a small-outside, large-inside new car, it's not a bad choice if they live in a urban or suburban environment. Although if one is badge-conscious, the Fit does everything better for more money (and a higher resale value).

 

[E365]

I certainly wouldn't buy a Spark, but I would buy a Spark EV. 400 lb-ft, 0-60 in the mid 7s.

Winner of this C&D comparison. Cheapest, fastest and second best observed range. And this is with the old battery, the new one is almost 100 lbs lighter.
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/...comparison-test

 

[dishdude]

I travel quite a bit and as a result rent often. Since I always rent National and in the Emerald Club, I choose my car. I actually picked one of these as a rental once since I hadn't had one before (I always try to choose something different each time).

This car is NOT that bad. For the price, and what it is, it actually has a decent ride, drives pretty nice, and is fairly quiet inside. It has an all hard plastic but well designed interior with some nice features (decent gauge cluster, touchscreen radio) comfortable seats and some decent room upfront. Backseat room is tight and best for kids, cargo area is non existent but with the seats folded down you can fit some large cargo in the back rather easily. It's not going to win any races but can easily keep up with traffic with the A/C on.

This is a car that starts at $12k, and is designed to be parallel parked on the street in tight quarters. Scion IQ and Smart car are it's only competitors that I can think of in the US.

Does it drive as well, have as much power or as comfortable as my E350 or ATS? Of course not. Does that mean it's miserable? No. It's a car that serves a different purpose. If I lived in a tightly compacted urban area with street parking and mainly drove around the city, I would strongly consider one.

 

[Nick1994]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
How does it compare to the most basic Nissan Versa?

Comparing a Spark to a Toyota Camry isn't fair because of the size and price difference. That would be like taking that same Toyota Camry, and then comparing it to a Lexus LS460.


I think it's fair to compare the two. The only reason is because we weren't talking about room, it was that it would probably be much more comfortable and decent to drive.

Remember, I'm talking about my 17 year old Camry. It's got almost 200,000 miles. Suspension parts aren't new anymore and need work, the seat has been sat in for a long time, and if one were to choose between the two, it's kind of sad that an old beater could be the better choice. And I mean it's worth over $10,000 less than the brand new car we're comparing it to.

 

[Quest]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
It's a global city car. I've sat in one, and it fit me just fine. Then again, I'm not a larger person.

Given the choice between one of those and my Cruze or our Fit, I'd take either one in a heartbeat. But, comparing a $14k Spark to a $20k Cruze or $18k Fit is hardly a fair comparison. That extra coin buys a lot of refinement.

For somebody who wants a small-outside, large-inside new car, it's not a bad choice if they live in a urban or suburban environment. Although if one is badge-conscious, the Fit does everything better for more money (and a higher resale value).


I'm 5'10", weighs 170lbs and is well suited for most Asian made automobiles or even Fiat 500.

I never have any issues with my 8+yrs old fit which I once took it on a road trip all the way down to cali and back...over 1300miles total.

For a family of 4 traveling in roomy comfort, still can't beat our camry 4cyl....

Q.