LM: Chevy Spark

I kind of like them just because small and funky, but I know nothing about them. There is a 2013 w/manual 90k miles locally for cheap. I have family looking for a cheap car. Worth looking at?

As a GM mechanic, we don't really see any major issue with them ever. Occasionally the CVTs blow up, but even that is rare and this car is a manual, so you are avoiding that.

I too have always thought they looked entertaining.   98hp and 2250 lbs seems like it would be fun assuming the engine is willing to rev at all.  They are comparable on paper to the Mazda 2. 

I've never had the chance to drive one, and they don't seem to depreciate like a rebadged Korean assembled  Daewoo should.  If you could get one for a few Grand it seems like it would be a hoot slamed on 15x8's (They have 4x100 BP).

I think they are cool looking inside and out. The 1.4 doesn't blow up unless it has a turbo AND a GM turbo tune on it. A stock Spark has neither. 

Vigo (Forum Supporter) said:

I think they are cool looking inside and out. The 1.4 doesn't blow up unless it has a turbo AND a GM turbo tune on it. A stock Spark has neither. 

The Spark also doesn't have a 1.4L. It has a 1.2L.

cant disable traction control/abs at all from what ive found. might be able to unplug a wheel speed sensor but i could never find any evidence that it would work.

In reply to MrChaos :

In this instance it would be a non issue. 

Just so we are clear, this is a Spark, the smallest Chevy sold in the US, built in Korea.  Only offered as a 5 door and with a 1.2L or 1.4L, neither turbo. Also offered as an electric car (which is what's pictured.) 

This is a Sonic, a little bit larger with 1.8L standard or 1.4L turbo optional. Built in metro Detroit. Offered as 4 door or 5 door

NickD said:

Vigo (Forum Supporter) said:

I think they are cool looking inside and out. The 1.4 doesn't blow up unless it has a turbo AND a GM turbo tune on it. A stock Spark has neither. 

The Spark also doesn't have a 1.4L. It has a 1.2L.

2016+ it has the LV7 1.4

I looked at them before I bought my Echo, but my local dealer really didn't want to sell me one and I didn't really want to spend the money so I dropped it.

If you haven't, sit in one first before you think too much about it. They're small even by my standards.

I bought a 2019 for my wife to run around town in. I have been pleasantly surprised with it. I really did not expect much from the car but even with the cvt it never feels like you can't keep up with traffic. Pretty good ride quality and a decent amount of space in the interior. Not a car I would want to take a long trip in but as a in town runabout it makes alot of sense. Small easy to park and even just in town mid 30's per gallon.

I had the CVT for a rental.  The traction control tried to murder me in a snowstorm 4 or 5 times. Cut power when I needed it most.  berkeley. That. Car.

In reply to MrChaos :

My Sonic (1.8L 5-spd) is the same way. You can "tone it down" with the "off" button but it will still kick in when it thinks it needs to. For AutoX I pulled the fuse, which worked fine.

Also, not sure if they do it for the Spark, but my Sonic will not let me shift 1-2 with full power. It automatically kills timing or something for a second, probably to prevent you from grenading the trans.

In reply to Appleseed :

Yeah my Sonic is BETTER in the snow with the fuse pulled. Plenty of time I've actually stalled it trying to get moving because it cuts power so bad that when you finally get traction it just can't go. What kind of sucks is that it also kills the ABS, so I only pull the fuse when I really need to.

In reply to TheRX7Project :

yea i was looking at the cheapest new cars sold to possible be a beater and rallycross mule and the Mirage you can just pull the fuse and its off.

In reply to MrChaos :

I suddenly want a Mirage as a rallycross beater, my brother has one that he hypermiles (and autocrosses) and it has been pretty reliable. It is about as fast as my Sonic at AutoX.

TheRX7Project said:

In reply to MrChaos :

I suddenly want a Mirage as a rallycross beater, my brother has one that he hypermiles (and autocrosses) and it has been pretty reliable. It is about as fast as my Sonic at AutoX.

they also have a 100k/10y warranty 

In reply to TheRX7Project :

Are you aware there are two settings to shut it off? Mine shuts off completely, though it’s the 1.4T

Hey GRM, would this little E36 M3box make a decent cheap commuter?

Yeah sure but you gotta pull a fuse to disable the safety bs before you try to rally cross it. 
 

Y'all are my people. 

In reply to Peabody :

Really? I hit the button, it gives me the TCS off light, but if I really sling it she kicks back on and I'll get the same "TCS engaged" light on the dash as usual when it is just "on".
Mine is a '12, not sure if that matters, but how do you turn it OFF off?

ETA: It's fuse 14 BTW

ETA2: Holy carp, just HOLD the button (a little google-fu)? Well, I know what I'm trying on the way home.

The Spark also doesn't have a 1.4L. It has a 1.2L.

Whoops, you're right. I don't know how to say what i meant in a shorter amount of words that's not as vague as just saying 'that engine'. 3 or 4cyl version of same engine family, slightly different displacements, all have niggles like stupid electric thermostats and sort of early water pump failure and pcv issues but afaik all are devoid of serious issues except for the factory turbos with GM tune (i could say original tune but i heard a lot were still coming in with broken pistons AFTER software update). So yeah, i guess i should have written more words or said nothing. lol 

Whoops, he's wrong. 1.4 is in the second gen/16+

The broken piston thing on the 1.4T was a first or second year only thing, and the turbo's are fine, but small so, like anything else, tune accordingly. The PCV thing is a pain but there's a very easy and inexpensive workaround

I'm not sure where the Aveo hatch fits in; may be same with different market name? But I had a rental in 13 or so, and actually liked the little gutless wonder! Small ,yes. But not tearably cramped , considering. I'm not tall at 5 10, but not a small guy!