1993 Chevrolet Corsica LT from Norway - Comments

LHD mirror adjusting mechanism, adjusting arm assembly loose

Main beam function on head-light, if engaged for an extended period of time it automatically shut itself off

LHD electric window stopped working

Cracked head-light (low beam)

Loose LHD blinker

Minor oil leak from seal between oil-filter assembly and engine block

Minor leak from transmission (affects more or less every vehicle with this trans. I'm told)

Weak front dampers, damper on LHD side leaks slightly

Air condition, weak operation (not fixed)

Minor cooling water leak (has not been able to locate this one, must add 0.5 ltr every second month)

Central locking does not work when freezing temperature.

A very good cruiser, but the quality could be a lot better.

When I bought this one last autumn, it had a 10 point repair and service list from an independent inspector. Most of the points was not that serious (the 4 repair points are listed above). But the last 5 months of regular use in harsh winter conditions have not done this car any good. So far the repair list is growing by the week.

The reason that I bought this car in the first place was that this was a one owner (old man) 50000 km (about 30000 miles), had almost complete service history and was totally rust free. I also liked the ride very much, I've driven cars costing twice as much that has a worse ride. It seemed such a bargain at first, so quiet, good straight line ride, a strong V6 and a lot of standard equipment.

This car is a 1993 model, but was first put on the road 1994.

There are also several things that irritates me as I have driven this car on a regular basis, namely rattles and squeaks when driving on poor surface, it simply does not seem to be as well built as most European and Japanese cars.

The reason that I don't give this car 1 point on "Reliability marks" is that the basic construction of this car seem to be very sound, it does not rust, it always starts (even at -20 deg. Celcius when half of my neighbours are standing with their head down in the engine bay) and the transmission shifts sweetly. Shame about the rest of this car...

Latest update:

I've now owned this 93 Corsica for more than 4 years and it is now time for it to be sent of to the junk yard or be sold if I can find any takers. It's a shame since it has rolled less than 60.000 miles. The interior looks very nice and it is not that much rust.

I had a lot of minor problems the first winter I owned it, but the last 3 years it has been quite trouble free. Only major problem was a burst cooling line then left me stranded 200 miles from home. In general there has been cooling issues from day one with this car. Sometimes the temperature has been very unstable, but I have not been able to find out why since this has been a periodic problem. I drive it one day, I've got this problem, next day I drive it to the repair shop, it's fine.

Also there are other potential problems, like the ABS light sometimes lights up. Further, there is a clicking sound from the injection when cold, but it still starts with no problem. The engine itself is probably dying as well, there is a harsh sound when cold than almost disappears when hot. I've been told that this is probably due to high clearance between the upper rod bearing and the pistons which is a weakness with many of these engines. It could go on for some years or it may explode any day.

It all seem to be a lot of expensive repairs coming up, although it runs fine right now...