1989 Geo Spectrum 4-door sedan review from North America

Many things have gone wrong with the car that we refer to as the "Bomb". This is a car that my sister gave to me after she had had it for 5 years, and was much more trouble than it was worth. I picked out a car for her when she moved back to the Midwest, and that used Chevy Lumina has been strong and reliable for 5 years now.

The first year I had the Bomb, there were four dead-line items that would have left her by the side of the road.

The clutch cable firewall support literally pulled out of the wall. it pulled right through the firewall. As a result, you could not disengage the clutch. Luckily I do most of my own work, and was able to beef up a support plate and it has been fine now for four years.

It did not do well with road salt, spending 5 years in Syracuse, NY. The brake line on the back axle rusted through, and the brakes went out. I was able to replace a portion of brake line, and it has been fine for 4 years now.

The body is rusting liberally now, especially the front of the hood and the back rocker panels.

The fuel tank has rust in it, and there is trouble with water in the tank. I have to maintain duel gas filters to keep the water and rust away from the carb and fuel pump.

The carburetor had a nasty habit of having the float valve stick in the up position. I had to keep a little hammer in the car so I could tap on the side of the carb and the valve would drop free.

I think the fuel pump is now going out, since I had to have the car towed home today.

After keeping the car in storage for two years, one of the front brake calipers stuck. it would go out, but would not retract. as a result, the front brake and hub heated up to probably several hundred degrees. The caliper was easy to replace, but the bolts that prevent the rotors from being taken off would not come off, so I am still running them instead of putting on new ones that I had already bought. Have since returned the rotors.

This car has only 98,900 miles, the least of any of my vehicles. It is still a lemon, aptly named "the Bomb". It is a utilitarian box that does not compare to even my old Plymouth Horizon. It is a novelty that we will drive for awhile to see if these quirks clear up. Congrats to anyone who has better luck than me with these cars. (probably everyone)

Why did this happen to me?