1986 Chevrolet Nova 1.8 from North America

Summary:

Awesomely reliable, low cost vehicle

Faults:

Replaced water pump @ 220K miles.

Replaced timing belt @ 220K miles.

General Comments:

Wow, I don't know what to say. Bought the car for $200 from a friend just for my 70 mile a day commute, and ended up loving the car. Of course it had its faults, like every other car out there, but compared to previous vehicles I have owned, the pros outweigh the cons every time.

I put over 50K miles on the car in just over a year, and this car performed flawlessly. Always started, though sometimes it took a little bit if it was below zero, but it never let me down. Like someone else said, this is the little car that could. I had to replace the water pump because it started leaking out of the weep-hole, and while I was in there, I replaced the timing belt. Other than that, the only thing I did to the car was routine maintenance.

When I sold the car, it was still going strong on the original clutch, which seemed to me impossible, but I had all of the maintenance records since new (bought it from the original owners), and nowhere in there did they mention a new clutch.

This car was just amazing; sure, the seats weren't that comfortable, but they weren't uncomfortable, the windshield leaked when it rained hard, but I fixed that with some silicone. The car was rusty, and dented, but it has been one of the best vehicles I have ever owned. It took everything I threw at her with a rusty, trusty grace, and always kept chugging along. Heck, the AC still worked!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th February, 2009

1986 Chevrolet Nova 1.4L from North America

Summary:

The little car that could

Faults:

Wiring Harness caught on fire (faulty spring on Clutch pedal determined to be problem)

Rear shocks gave out.

Interior dissolved in sun (21 years old what do you expect)

Clutch Master and Slave cylinder gave out periodically (probably parts dealer problem)

Air flow knob was poorly designed and broke.

Undercarriage rusting out now.

Broken Gas gauge. Trip odometer no longer works.

Plenty of Rust. Windows difficult to crank with Age.

General Comments:

The car is amazing. I bought it to compensate for a lack of anything else for $500. This car has always performed. Biking trips, helping people move, going off road (probably more than most SUV's), handling in the snow, teaching my nieces/nephews/brother/friends how to drive and a few road trips (California, Goblin Valley, Moab, etc) this car has always performed. The engine was built by Toyota and even after all the miles doesn't burn any oil, nor does it leak, and the transmission works like a charm.

All upholstery in the car is falling apart. At the time I bought it the ceiling had fallen in and the sun visors would lend you their dust out the holes that had rotted in the back. The back seats weren't much better. All vinyl in the car had become extremely brittle and would shatter if hit too hard. The stock radio did not connect to the rear speakers.

Since I bought the car the only time it hasn't gotten me home was when the wiring harness caught fire. There is a spring connected from a frame portion under the dashboard to a stub-out on the clutch pedal arm. This had popped off and lodged itself in the wiring harness from the steering wheel pinching the wires and eventually arcing. 20 bucks and a lot of wire crimps later I fixed the problem.

Finally didn't pass emissions. I'm good with mechanics, but not engines. Probably needs coolant flushed and a carburetor. Handles pretty good, and can be quick off the line if need be.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 31st May, 2007