1988 Chevrolet Beretta Base from North America - Comments

I replaced a head gasket about a week after I bought it at 150,000 miles ($300). I also replaced a coil pack twice, the entire exhaust system cat back, 2 or 3 sets of brakes, the front struts, and alternator and a computer (which was due to the original replacement alternator overcharging the electrical system) A/C has never worked since I bought it. Cruise control just recently stopped working at 225,000 miles.

This is one bad ass car. It's 15 years old now and I've had it for 5 of those years. It has never ever left me stranded. The car is starting to look pretty worn, the paint is peeling bad and faded, and the dash is really busted up. However it has also spent 13 harsh years in Minnesota and North Dakota winters and has very little rust on it, unlike most 88' Honda's and Toyota's I've seen. I love this little car to death though and I'm obsessed with driving it until it dies even though I have a new 97' Grand prix GTP. I can't stress how reliable this car is, it's been all over the state of Minnesota, Colorado, made trips to Texas and back, trips to California and back to Colorado, etc. The acceleration is still pretty brisk once it warms up, but I'm not going to win any races. With 230,000 miles and 15 years old on the original motor and tranny though you have to accept some power loss. The only thing I've fixed on the engine or transmission is the head gasket 5 years ago which didn't cost all that much. Chevy really needs to bring this car back or at least a car as reliable as it to build a loyal customer base among young consumers. This car has left a great impression on me of what great economy cars America can build. My Ford Tempo died with 160,000 miles on it and only lasted 6 months, after I had put an average of $250 a month into it.

Excellent review.

I purchased my 88 Beretta in 1987. It was my first new car. I drove the car in the first 4 years on a 160 mile round trip 3 times a week, so the car had 100k before I had it paid for.

The problems that I had with the car were just a few.

1. Starter went out around 80k.

2. A/C went out at 95K, however it was fixed for about $100, not a serious problem.

3. Brakes at 120k.

4. Heater core at 130k.

5. Paint was bad in the first year, had it repainted by dealership for free and I paid again at 85K.

The car's dashboard fell apart early on.

I have to tell you that this car took some heavy driving and never let me down. I let my nephew have the car when he was in high school, and I know a teenager drove the crap out of it and put it through some abuse. He drove the car until he went off to college and the car was returned to me. When I got the car back it had 220K; it was dirty but no worse for the wear. I decided to keep my old Beretta as a second car and for the memories as they were pretty good.

I paid almost 14k for the car, and she lasted me 14 years and so many miles. I was in a car accident in 02, did not seem too bad, but the cost to repair was more than the worth of the auto. I drive an Acura and love it, but still have great memories of my Beretta. They had their problems, however they are great cars. Think 14 almost 15 years of hard driving and so many miles I got my monies worth from this car. Checking out the site as I missed my old ride...