1988 Chevrolet Nova review from North America

Needed to replace all three carb. gaskets.

Both drive axles fried.

Brakes failed.

Headliner is falling.

Front fender panels have come loose (botched fix from previous owner's accident).

Required new muffler.

Fuel gauge is a bit weird above a half-full tank.

This Nova was purchased last year (2007, as written) with 216,000 miles (if you didn't feel like reading the specs), for a tidy sum of only $150. It was spared from a crusher in a scrapyard.

As purchased, it would run for only six seconds after one would turn the key. Fortunately, I'm a student at the local Vocational Technical School, where I work on automobiles as part of my education. The problem, as it was diagnosed, was that all three carb gaskets were absolutely done. When the carb was lifted, one gasket cracked into about 6 pieces and fluttered off with the breeze. The three gaskets were purchased for only $6.37. After installation, and all 14 hoses to the carb were on, I hit the key and prayed. Life!

The car as a general rule needed a lot of TLC to get it running efficiently again. The car as it sits now runs beautifully well, attaining average mpg in the neighbourhood of 35 (counting stretching the gears out when giving her a good flog, which is rather often).

Not that we haven't had our problems. Horror stories include having a drive axle go out 20 miles from home, and having to limp the rest of the way on the remaining axle to the local mechanic (my neighbour) where upon pulling into the bay, that shaft decided to give up the ghost as well.

Had the brakes fail on me on a 13% downhill grade. Thank God for engine braking. I hate to be in any way, shape, or form sexist... but the college chick that had this car before me had no idea of routine maintenance.

The exhaust actually fell off--in front of a cop. Nothing happened, but the car had a nice mean growl until a new muffler was purchased.

At rather high speeds, the fenders begin flapping like the wings of a hopeful penguin.

The performance is rather snappy for a car of this age and lack of motivational power. The five-speed manual still shifts well, with a pleasing *snick-snick* between gates. The clutch fits my driving style perfectly. Often the car feels more like an extension of the body with how absolutely raw it is. Which is a great thing, if you're into Spartan un-assisted driving. I've topped out somewhere north of 120 mph in the car, with no modifications other than tinkering with the carb a bit. It's kept up well with freeway traffic, (using third as the passing gear from 45-75 mph) often feeding crow to the local idiots and their riced out crapboxes. It exhibits a sharp no-nonsense form of handling on the backroads, but when provoked can exhibit a drift-friendly attitude. A true driving machine if there ever was one. Parts are cheap and the car is immensely reliable. Oil consumption... any fluid consumption, is small in this car.

If I were to change anything about it, I'd say that the factory wheels should have been an inch larger in diameter to give it a bit more serious stance. The factory speakers are kinda hopeless, as well. And the Toyota rust problem... Other than that, I honestly can't complain. The car has more than served it's purpose and paid for itself times over. Mission accomplished GM/Toyota.