1990 Chevrolet C1500 from North America - Comments

Throttle positioning sensor is out of synchronization with the throttle body. Will not idle.

Starter had to be replaced. Faulty relay switch from overheating. Conveniently located under the exhaust manifold.

Ignition system had to be replaced. All of it. From rust and worn out parts.

A/C system is leaking what looks like water inside the cabin onto the passenger side floor whenever activated. Will not hold a charge.

What can you expect from American cars? Not much. Sure, they are great for like the first week right of the showroom, but anytime after that it just goes all to pot!

It seriously has been the worst piece of crap I have ever owned. I miss my Celica. Would've still had it if it hadn't been totaled head-on by another driver.

Sure it's a truck, it isn't supposed to handle like a sports car, but I shouldn't have to worry about whether or not I am going to crash or lose control whenever I drive in the rain. Brakes are just as bad; locking up is mortifying. And no the brakes are fine. Disks are not warped and pads are fine. But for some reason they still lock up, and the right bank is not existent.

Idle on the 5.0 of a beast is terrible. Ranging from 600 RPM's to 2,100. And whenever it hits 2,100 RPM's, it will not come back down. Imagine all that extra gas I'm burning. the truck is still driveable ONLY because it's a manual transmission.

Who in the world places a starter motor right underneath the right exhaust manifold, with only a crappy heat shield separating both? Believe me, that heat coming from the exhaust will eventually kill the solenoid. Apparently it's a very common bug.

The ignition system is ancient. While extremely simple and easy to fix, it just isn't reliable.

Hell, I had a 1987 Z31 300ZX that was a high maintenance sports car. Even that car was cheaper to maintain and fix than this abomination of a truck.

Never again will I buy an American car. From now on, it's all Honda's/Acura's & Toyotas.

Please give us a break.

You say: "What can you expect from American cars? Not much. Sure, they are great for like the first week right of the showroom, but anytime after that it just goes all to pot!"

Is the fact that your truck is old enough to vote, as well as the fact that it had 230,000 miles on it, when you bought it, lost on you?

I am trying to figure out whether this review is a joke or not. If it is, it is an insulting one.

Your review indicates that you bought an 18 year old vehicle with 230,000 miles. Were you expecting a brand new vehicle?

I have owned and run Chevy trucks for/with many more miles than you have, with no trouble, and do not in any way consider them to be junk. You do not know the history of your truck - whether it was well cared for or not.

It is not unreasonable that a starter would need to be replaced after that kind of mileage, nor ignition system components either, most of which are maintenance items anyway. Do you have any idea of the physics behind these components (e.g., an ignition module) and the kind of abuse they are subjected to during operation? If you did, you would be impressed they have lasted as long as they have. The GM HEI system that you have is a good system!!

Do not try to tell me that any of these components last longer in foreign vehicles either, because I have seen and owned foreign vehicles (both Japanese and German) where they are not any better, or have failed well before. I also have design experience in electromagnetics and solid-state physics, and know that not to be the case from that standpoint as well.

You complain about water leakage when you turn on your AC. Wouldn't you think your evaporator drain assembly has become dirty after 18 years of use. Why don't you take five minutes and try cleaning it out. Or are things not allowed to get dirty in your truck after 18 years?

Again, I am still wondering if this review is a joke.

Sadly it isn't a joke. And If I insulted anyone I am sorry. But out of all the cars I have owned, this Chevy has by far been one of the worst.

Use your common sense, ANY electrical component exposed to heat will face electrical resistance, Even damage, depending on the amount of heat and time. I am not the only one who faced this problem. Then again, not everyone faces it. If you have the time, look at your starter's location and heat shield, and tell me it isn't pathetic.

Granted it is a 18 year old car, and things do break. Unless you take care of them. This was not the case. Most of the major components had been replaced. Starter, Clutch, Suspension, MOTOR!!! You name it.

DO NOT CONFUSE THIS WITH FULLY RESTORED!!!

I have had 3. All got over 230000 miles on them before they needed a rebuild; not too bad in my book. I just got another one with 180000 to use on my land up north. It runs great.

You state that all these parts were replaced. With what, cheapo Fleet Farm or made in China parts from Autozone? There is a saying you get what you pay for.

Curious to know, you replaced the motor, or did the previous owner? For all you know, the guy was pulling your leg.

I suggest you buy a Toyota truck around the same vintage with the same amount of miles. If you live up north that one will be impossible, since they all seem to be made of compressed rust. The only stuff that is still around up here after 18 years is "American Junk" because the high quality frames and bodies that the Japanese build can't hold a candle to real steel of Domestics.

I have owned many cars, imports and domestics, and once they get to be a certain age make doesn't matter. The only difference is how much rust. And yup, those Japanese never mastered the art of rust protection. Just look up Tacoma and rusty frame. Seems Toyota is buying back rusted trucks from 95-2000. While it is good they have enough gumption to buy back their mistakes, the other side of the coin is that the Big Three's trucks of the same vintage are holding up just fine. But of course Japanese die-hard fans will look over this as yet another case of the imports standing behind their products, instead of seeing it for what it really is, low quality junk.