1988 Chevrolet Sprint Sport review from North America
"A perfect car for the DIY student"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Head gasket blew at 312,000km.
Rear speakers blew at 315,000km.
Front drivers wheel bearing went at 320,000km.
Fan cuts on and off randomly. Started around 327,000.
Catalytic converter is toast at 331,000km.
General comments?
Bought my Sprint from my mechanic 2 years ago for $700.
A lower kilometer engine was dropped into it a year before I purchased it, which was followed by my mechanic installing a new clutch, shocks, various filters, and given a general check over before I purchased it.
Doesn't have much gusto (48 horsepower will do that), but returns approximately 40mpg.
Costs just over 20 dollars to fill it up from empty (gas at 89.9 cents/liter) and lasts around 2 weeks driving around local cities.
Great car for students or anyone looking for cheap transportation. Also great for anyone who wants to learn how to repair their own car. I personally did my first head gasket, and wheel bearings on this car.
Everything is easily accessible on the car for repairs, especially the engine, and is as basic a car as you'll get.
Squeaks, rattles, clunks, and has poor sound insulation (worse now since my car leaks, so I removed the carpeting due to mildew) but refuses to die, even after rallying it for fun.
Seats are thinly padded and not too comfy for long distances.
Decent interior room for a car this size, especially after removing the rear seat (managed to take my friend and myself, with both our mopeds, spare moped engine, clothes, gas, and other stuff to Seattle last summer).
Parking is a piece of cake, makes all other cars seem like trucks.
Take care of it, and it will pay you back in no time.
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| 1988 - Sprint Metro 1.0L 3 cylinder The epitome of cheap transportation |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Don't Know |
| Model year | 1988 |
| Year of manufacture | 1988 |
| First year of ownership | 2007 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2009 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.0L 3 cylinder Manual |
| Performance marks | 4 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 9 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 5 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 10 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 308000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 333000 kilometres |
| Previous car | Hyundai Excel |
| Date of Entry | 14th May, 2009 |