1988 Chevrolet Beretta Base review from North America

Dash was cracked and peeling back from the windshield at purchase (100K). Grew steadily worse with age.

Headliner has always sagged, now it hangs from corners.

Numerous issues with fascia: dome light lens broke, center console lid came off, lighters broke, vent grilles in dash cracked and snapped, chrome wore off the window roller handles, dash lighting flickered and died if setting was changed by dimmer, overheating issues in stopped traffic on the freeway, etc...

BIG-TIME problem: when the engine first starts in the morning, cold or warm, it takes a good 15-60 seconds to drop into gear. Once it is in gear, and has warmed up (read: 20 minutes of driving or more), there are no further issues. Get out of car, run errands, etc., it drops right into gear and away you go. But that first engagement takes a while, plan accordingly.

Other side of the coin:

A/C is so cold it'll give you a headache when driving though Palm Springs in August.

Engine runs very strong, the warmer the better... though only if traffic is moving! Made a number of long-distance trips, very happy with performance.

Great little car. I bought it for $1200 four years ago; even if I scrap it for $50 tomorrow (and quite likely I will, as I am shopping for a new car today), then I will feel as if I have had a very satisfactory experience with this car.

All in all, good feelings.