Comments: 1-15, 16-18
There is a strange noise coming out from the air-conditioning system.
There are unwanted noises from the machine when the speed of the car is increasing.
The speedometer shown 40Km even I had the gear switched to 4.
The car is jerky when the car's speed started to decrease, it's like someone has hit me from behind.
The air-conditioning system is too cold and too hot for no reasons.
I bought this car because of its size and reliability to spin throughout town. Also because of the place that I lived has extremely narrow street and quite impossible to drive a big car passing through it.
But to my disappointment the car doesn't perform as it suppose to be and I have to waste my time driving it to the workshop (since it is STILL under warranty and only 3 weeks old).
The mechanic told me that I have to leave the car for half a day.
I hope that GM will CHECK the car before selling it to the public and for my last comment, I think next time I better get a second hand car if a new car has the same condition as the old one.
The only good point about spark is the interior is rather comfortable and very nice decoration and dashboard indeed.
Give it some time Steve, I think you got the proverbial lemon in a bunch. Check the other coments from other owners.
My name is Budi, I have Chevy spark and is not like what you wrote. I've reached 150 km/h and car is reliable. Think first before you write, or do you know anything about cars?
I bought this car from Canakkale, Turkey in the last few says of 2005.
I have experiencing the very same problem especially jerking of the car when it slows down.
Fuel economy is another disappoinment to add.
Mine is also 3 weeks old and I have to go to service when the weather becomes clear here.
Yep! I have the same problem like you too..
I have been told by the GM mechanic that it is because of 3 cylinder machine characteristic.. and no need to worry..
So there's nothing that GM can do... you have to deal with it.. except you want to change your car..
Beside that, Chevy Spark is very very comfortable car, especially in the city like Jakarta...
For speeding, it is surely above others small city car like Hyundai Atoz or Karimun...
My Chevy Spark is now a year and a half old and the problems are like a second hand car. The immobilizer went 3 times already the engine was replaced already and GM won't take the car back they only extend the warranty. This car breaks down in the middle of the night. The car has broken down 9 times in the middle of the night. The car rattles when you drive faster than 80kmh. Don't BUY THIS CAR; UNLESS YOU WANNA BE STUCK ON A HIGHWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT... to crown it all the manufactures of the car is not willing to help. The car has endless problems, much worse than a second hand car.
To the person who reached 150km/h in a Chevrolet Spark-
WHAT WERE YOU THINKING??
You should never do such high speeds in this car it is very
small and under-braked.
Your spark lost it's spark because you blew it out. You should learn to be a better driver and not lay it on the car. If you want to lead foot something get a Nascar. There's a reason cars come in a variety of cylinders and what not.
This is my first car so for me its the best car... i love the apperance the style the colors, mine is orange... i don't care how people react to spark the point is I have a car they don't...
I am from Croatia, Central Europe. Had brain stroke, and now looking for smaller car (have Skoda Fabia 1.4 MPI).Think that Spark is really a good car for towns. In my town the number of Sparks are increasing. We shall see.100.000 km or 3 years of warranty looks very interesting for me. On next monday I shall change my Skoda, take Spark, and give some money to dealer for the difference.
Kind regards to all
Boban.
I'm in Guatemala, Central America, Bought a Spark a month ago, I also had the opportunity to speed the car to 150 km/h and the car is just excellent, it shows a lot of stability, and its very reliable, of course you have to be aware you are in a small car, and it has limitations, I'm very happy with it, I usually drive it 50 km. everyday and it works just fine, the air condition is good, the heater works well in the mornings, no complaints, I just love it. Mario.
I'm from Mexico and I bought Spark 2 years form now, until Beginning 2008 it was a normal car. But in 3 months I had to change several parts of the car, both radiator (air cooling and the main one), and now I am having problem with the gear.
The conditions of the city is hard working stuff for the little 1.1 lts motor it has, but the costs of it repair are expensive for a car like this. I like the idea of a small car for the city but I'm questioning about it. With the money I've spent sure I could get a better car, even Atos or Chevy Monza would be better.
In my opinion you must check all the facts of a car before you buy it.
I have bought a Spark LS 995cc. Its performance is OK and quite alright.
When I first bought, used it and after I reversed it a few times, the reverse gears were extremely difficult to engage. Only after 4 weeks and after I had some bodywork (I had a set of front lips {diffusers} made of PU and a bottom line done {fibreglass} using the four original attachment points and two additional self tapping screws for the front and rear of the bottom line diffusers) done, I sent it to the Agent in Singapore. They found that the clutch was set a bit too low (not allowing for adequate release pressure for correct engagement) so they set it higher. I now have no problems with the car in the gear changing aspect. So much for their PDI (Pre Delivery Inspection).
The next problem I have encountered is the inability for the wipers to park at the same position each time. I had it sent to the agent and they adjusted the resting angle, and when I took it for a SPIN THE NEXT MORNING, it was cold so the windscreen misted up. So I had the opportunity to test the parking position, alas it failed, so when I called the agent soon after, they informed me that they will rectify the problem when I send it for the first 10,000 servicing. I agreed as it is not a critical problem.
I also had fitted a voltage indicator and the readings were less than acceptable. So I went on ahead and installed a 5 point grounding wire set (the original system for all cars is to use the chassis as a common point. Next I added a device across the battery terminals, which in addition to the grounding it helps to add at least 1 to 2 volts, which makes the battery perform in theory and experience up to 50% longer. I have found out that it does help to improve by reducing the overall resistance by adding additional grounding). It brightens headlamps, improves the audio quality, and most critical improves the voltage from sub 11.5 to 11.5 to 13.5 range.
I also have added a set of 4 AC Schnitzer Alloy rims at 6.2KGs each, but they unfortunately did not come with the centering hub spacers (the standard OD is 73mm for the alloy wheels, but the commonly available sizes of up to 67mm did not allow for me to put the oversized 69 OD Hubs) so I am temporarily not using any spacers to help in the centering of the wheels. The tyre shops do not advise me to speed in excess of 100 km due to the possibility of vibration at that speed.
I would appreciate any such comments and sources of purchase of these parts. I am from Singapore and my email is rabiuwanna@yahoo.com.sg
I brought my Chevy Spark last year Nov 2007.. it is almost 1 year now and clocked it around 9,990 Kilo Meter, wow.. I want to say it is a simply superb car. Handling, driving in the city, on national highways and on hilly terrain, it was so good.
Here is my story...
On Navarathri day I have booked the Spark car 2007. They are very good in terms of service offered by GM. I’m fed up seeing more old cars on road, so I decided to go for newly faced car.. I know these are old wine in a new bottle, or new wine in an old bottle, I don't know which one is correct, but I love a change.
Comparing this car to all small cars in India, it is better car… and they are giving us a warranty of up to 3 years, that means how GM are confident about quality in their product, which is offered to the public or consumer!!!..
A small car that is refined and road-worthy for city driving is the phrase that best describes it in heavy traffic jams!!! And pot holes!!.
Bought this vehicle in Nov 07 and still love the feel and drive of this car. I bought a LT model This is my second car and was chosen for the city (Bengaluru or Bangalore - synonymous for bad traffic and traffic jams!).
I had decided on this car after the test drive of the Wagon R and Santro. Both the WR and Santro have a bad dashboard design that looks outdated. The WR looks old and boxed. The Santro i-10 is good, but I prefer the Spark as the engine is very very exuberant and yet lively!!! Both the WR and Santro (old) have a bad dashboard design that look outdated. The WR looks old and boxed. The Santro is zippy, but the vibrations are felt in the steering wheel, it has a bad rear suspension, and also I care for the brand name and image...
The best thing I love about Spark is the good looks and decent yet distinct interiors. A very quiet and refined engine, A/C is good.
From this low-stress car – even after comparing with Santro’s engine (i-10). However, the engine pick-up speed is comparatively slower than the initial excitement it manages to infuse in drivers: zero to hundred comes at 15.93 seconds, as the force is delivered with less of a vengeance as required, when full passenger capacity is reached and the AC is on, though overtaking may require a switch into lower gear for smoother performance, but strictly I’ll warn you. On the highway it can meet any middle segment cars, but this is small car to be small you see it, I’m right?
At highway speeds, it's less prone to suffering adversely when faced with cross-winds, so enviable ride-quality for hatchbacks is guaranteed for all passengers in the Spark. Quiet and efficient suspension, Apollo tubeless tires grant noiseless driving pleasure, while a light power steering and compact size enable fuel-efficiency of 13-15Kmpl and 17-19Kmpl for city and highway driving, respectively.
I met accident and recovered through Reliance Insurance. The amount is around Rs. 40,000. At that time it was clocked around 200 Km only!
My one and only dislike about this vehicle is the low drumming noise that is produced on rough roads at high speed!! Ha ha ho ho He he he he ….but I love it he he he…
After repairing at a service center, the Spark covered about 5500KMs, in and out of the city and highways, and without any hiss!!! It is truly my man.
Even if you are driving in fifth gear and reduce the speed till 20 kmph, the car doesn't stop!!!
Overall it is very good vehicle if you are not the typecast Tom, Dick or Harry.
These have Electronic Sequential Fuel Injection, because of which you don't need the gears frequently, further if you remove your legs from the accelerator, it won’t knock & stop, but would continue rolling (which normally is not the case with other cars of the same category).
A car that not only won our hearts but accolades aplenty; however the Spark promises more when you drive it more!!! And it’s a powerful beast that needs to be tamed.
If you want best category in small cars, then go for SPARK!!!
Prashanth venkataswamy.
I bought my first car from GM last year. This is really a wonderful car. In the beginning I have some problems with the reverse gear, but later on it was rectified in the second service by GM.
I am from the Philippines. I bought my 1.0 Spark two months ago, but thus far I am satisfied with its performance. It's so fuel efficient (my average fuel consumption is about 16 km/liter combined city and highway drives) and has not given me any major problems as yet.
I did not experience any jerk when on my top speed, 100km/hr is my self-imposed limit on highway, and in fact the engine is so silent, smooth and vibration-free. It can even run at par with higher segment cars in the highway, though its torque is average.
Air-con is good, even for five people inside and even during high noon.
Am now almost 3,000 km. odometer reading, and all the gauges are still functioning well. I do believe that like any car, its performance, reliability and life depends to much extent on the driving habits and the care of the driver/owner, excepting lemon cars of course. However, I will reserve further comments on my car after one year from now.