1988 Chevrolet Nova Hatchback 1.6L Carb

Summary:

Perfect City Car

Faults:

Distributor Rotor and Cap

Spark Plugs and Plug wires

Exhaust

Replaced these because the car had been sitting for 5 years (my mom's old car)

Seats are worn, dash faded (just old age, the car is 16 years old)

General Comments:

The car gets awesome gas mileage. Even at $1.70 / gallon for gas, it took less than $15 to fill tank from 1/4 full, and that is after aproximately 300 miles. I was probably getting over 35 mpg. No rattles at all. Still on original clutch, but on second engine (previous owner's fault).

Turns on a dime. I have to remember in the parking lot to not pull up all the way to line.

The hatch is pretty big for the size of the car. With the folding rear seats it can store a lot of stuff.

Even though the suspension is bad, it still rides well.

Window cranks are getting a little hard to turn, but still work fine.

Very cheap to fix. You can find the parts at any auto store for a very good price.

This is my first car, and I am proud of it. It still runs strong. Clutch works well. Very fun to drive. Has some zip in mid to low speeds.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd April, 2004

1988 Chevrolet Nova 1.6L 4A-LC

Summary:

Zippy economy

Faults:

Corrosion on battery.

Exhaust rusted out.

Clutch was replaced before I bought it.

Other than that, it has it's quirks, but that's to be expected.

General Comments:

Seriously underpowered. Zippy around town, but horrid on the highway. A lot of road noise above 65mph. It isn't geared for the highway, even in 5th. It tops out at 90mph. However, it is about as good as a city car can get. Gets 25-33 miles/gallon. Handles relatively well because it's small. Easy to park. Super-cheap to buy and maintain. Just do what the manual says and it'll last at least 150,000 miles before something really serious happens to the engine.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th March, 2004

1988 Chevrolet Nova 4L Carb LC

Summary:

Great economy car, very reliable, easy to work on

Faults:

Radiator deteriorated and leaked on alternator, killing the alternator. Easy to replace both.

Timing belt broken, now needs replacement again.

Valve stem seals needed to be replace due to smoking exhaust, as expected given age. Fixed smoke problem.

Dashboard lights burned out, cheap to fix, but requires a little patience and a screwdriver.

All four struts (shocks and springs) needed to be replaced after I took it off-roading too much.

General Comments:

Great economy car. Very reliably. Parts are readily available from auto parts stores and junk yards. No computer to deal with. Cheap. Low power, but very zippy.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th March, 2004

1988 Chevrolet Nova

Summary:

This is the best car I've ever owned

Faults:

The windshield wiper motor malfunctioned within a year of buying the card (approx. 20,000 miles). After that, all maintenance was routine, and I'm including replacement (twice now) of the timing belt. Inside the car, the fabric on the ceiling began to droop and had to be torn out.

General Comments:

When I bought the car brand new in 1988, I had no idea I would log over 300,000 miles on it. People think I'm nuts when I tell them it still has the original clutch! This car is the epitome of reliability and, since it has all Toyota running gear, led me to buy other Toyota products.

I bought the car new for under $9,000. Minus oil changes, tires, and normal wear-and-tear items, I figure I've spent around $2,000 over the years for actual repairs.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 3rd March, 2004

1988 Chevrolet Nova 1.6L

Summary:

A surprise racer off the line

Faults:

My radiator blew at 142,000 miles.

My oil drips, but its not a problem.

Ceiling cloth has completely fallen off.

General Comments:

This car has beaten numerous supt up Civics off the line.

My Nova has received much response due to its box like appearance.

This car only needs a little bit of love to make it a great machine.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th December, 2002

31st Dec 2002, 06:38

These cars are actually made by Toyota despite the Chevy name. Their the same as the 80's Toyota Corolla. You can easily put 300,000 miles on them and they'll keep going; I'm on my second one and it's at 256,000.

29th Apr 2004, 00:12

Is this another Twin Cam? If it's fuel injected and has twin cam 16 valve on the valve cover it has 112 horsepower, not the usual 70 HP that most Nova's have.