1979 AMC Spirit review from North America
"Good car, caught up in bad times"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Heater core blew up two weeks after purchase, and it soaked the interior with glycol. Dealer warranty.
I had a heck of a time with the clutch. It turns out that the clutch pedal bracket was made from stamped steel, and it would bend allowing slack in the cable. The slack could not be taken up, and the throw out bearing would burn up. This was the reason I got rid of the car.
My brother in law purchased the car and had a solid steel clutch bracket fabricated, and never had a problem with the clutch again.
General comments?
I bought the car new in Oklahoma City. It was Candy Red with tan vinyl interior. The bucket seats were comfortable and it drove solid.
The engine was responsive, but had a hard time moving the heavy car. I was impressed with the fuel economy at the time, close to 30 mpg, and with a 21 gal. tank, that was a 600+ range on a tank.
No A/C, but only my wife complained.
I took good care of the car, and competed all the maintenance on time, and it never let me down.
I think if it had been a V8 auto car, I might still have it. My brother in law drove it for a year, and sold it to buy a Fiero, which he blew up after a month.
Should have kept the Spirit!
Recommended reviews
| The Spirit was a good dependable car |
|
| A really fun unique car, as long as you change everything |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Don't Know |
| Model year | 1979 |
| Year of manufacture | 1978 |
| First year of ownership | 1978 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 1983 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.0L 4 Manual |
| Performance marks | 4 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 8 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 10 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 10 miles |
| Most recent distance | 60000 miles |
| Previous car | AMC Gremlin |
| Date of Entry | 30th January, 2009 |