1995 Chevrolet Beretta 2 door sports car from North America - Comments

I own a 95 Beretta, the V6, bought new with 12 miles on it, and it is still going strong with 195,000+ miles on it.

Sure, I have put $ into it (new alternator, 2 batteries, new radiator, new EGR valve, 2 front brake changes, 1 rear, and had the A/C charged once), but all that (except 1 of the front brake changes, which occurred at 80K, and 1 battery, which was my own fault -- didn't realize until it was too late that I left the interior light on over a weekend) has been since I hit 100K miles, and all told has cost me well less than 3 monthly car payments on a new car would have.

The gas mileage is great on this car. I live close to my job now, but I used to travel 75 miles 1 way to commute, and I was getting nearly 30 MPG then. (I get about 22 now doing all local driving). Earlier this year I used the Beretta for a business trip (and there was plenty of room for luggage and the like) and still got 28 mpg. Not bad for a V6. Another good thing is that the tank holds a lot of gas -- if I let it get to about 1/8 of a tank, I can get gas about every 3 weeks/325 miles.

The size of the Beretta is also great. I love being able to fit it in tight spaces and parallel park it anywhere. The visibility is good, and I like the large mirrors to limit blind spots. Adults are cramped in the backseat, but the baby seat fits well in the middle, and my dog, a black lab, has room when she is taking a ride.

I admit, the car isn't perfect -- when the rear defroster is on, the power systems in the car lag (the turn signals blink very slowly, the auto lock system doesn't work, the lights are dimmer), which can be a drag, literally and figuratively. The interior has faded and the seats are worn more than I think they should be for this age, and the cup holders do not hold a typical travel mug or large soda. However, this car has been rear-ended and backed into while parked, and people are always amazed at the good shape it is in (a tiny paint chip in the hood and one little rust spot starting by the hinge inside the trunk, not visible from the outside).

This car has taken me from a new college graduate, just getting my first job and car, all the way through to homeownership, marriage, and parenthood. Although I can still use the Beretta for shorter family trips and errands, with a baby, her paraphernalia, two adults, a black lab, and luggage, the Beretta isn't going to cut it for a family vacation. We are discussing keeping the Beretta for commuting to work and buying a good family car for transporting all of us (and any future children) to relatives for the holidays, family vacations, etc. Anyone have any recommendations that will make us as happy as the Beretta has? I just can't see me driving a minivan!

I have a Z26 3.1. I've had it for about 9 years, I'm the third owner and I have $180K on it. It's really ran great for me. I haven't put too much money into replacing things.

I think car issues are relative to how people take care of the car with routine maintenance, and the way that they drive, and maybe the climate they live in.

Most things that have went wrong have been cosmetic, such as the cup holder breaking or the rear view mirror coming off, but overall the other repairs were not that serious.

Right now it needs the EGR valve and the power steering pressure hose replaced, and these are problems that people seem to have had at 100K or so, and I have almost double that on mine. I really want to keep it forever.