Comments: 1-15, 16-27
My front brake rotors had to be replaced as they were warped. Brake pads also need to be replaced periodically. This seems to be one of my Sprints few weaknesses.
After 112,000 miles, this 1.0 engine is burning some oil. I suspect that it needs rings and a valve job. However, the engine still runs extremely well.
Interior overhead light has faulty wiring and license plate lights don't work. I've tried to trace the bad wiring with no success so far.
Upholstery on seats is cheap and poorly stitched. The seats are worn and need replacement. My local Auto Salvage Yard has been very helpful in this area.
Plastic on dash is very cheap and is cracking.
Check engine light won't go off even after diagnostic problems are solved.
I have had some underbody rust problems to deal with, but after some patching, the body looks good and is as sound as ever.
Rusty gas tank had to be replaced.
Air conditioning unit too much for this small of engine. My A/C unit is currently not working and I don't plan to fix it.
I speak in praise of the Chevy Sprint. This little car is one tough cookie. It is a pleasure to drive and is the second Sprint that I have owned. I can park on a dime and it handles extremely well at road speeds. With reasonable upkeep and respectful driving manners, this vehicle will last for many years. I definitely recommend a 5 speed manual transmission over the automatic. I had an automatic in my first Sprint and it was problematic. I have the four door hatch version and with the back seats folded down, I can haul many things. I use the Sprint as my work car and it is ideal for this purpose. These are the things that I like most about my Sprint:
1. Dependable - It starts every morning even in subzero weather conditions. The little engine doesn't need a lot of cranking to start and it warms up quickly. The heater works great and throws out tons of hot air.
2. Excellent Gas Mileage - I get in the upper 30's or lower 40's as far as gas mileage is concerned. I go all week on one tank of gas.
3. Easy to work on - I do all of my own mechanical work and find that this little bus is well constructed and practically designed. I have replaced engines and transmissions several times by myself with little special lifting equipment needed. Also most projects can be done by a do-it-yourself person.
4. Fun to drive - My wife claims that I have an instant smile on my face when I drive my little red Sprint. It is nimble, responsive, and roadworthy. I seem to fit onto this car and it seems to be an extension of me.
5. Cute - The 1987 and 1988 Sprint have a cute look to them with their redesigned front headlights and the trim exterior. The later Metro models do not have the same cute look as the later Sprint models.
6. Excellent winter car - This little car goes through snow like a Jeep. You'd almost think that it had 4 wheel drive. With front wheel drive and narrow tire, this car plows through snow drifts in an amazing manner.
I definitely would recommend the Chevy Sprint to others. It is one of Suzuki's
better ideas.
Listen my chevrolet SPrint had the check engine light thing going on, there is a switch in the drivers side front fuse box that resets the check engine light. Good luck my 86 Sprint went for 156,000 miles before I sold it.
I just wanted to let you now that my 1987 sprint that I bought used in Nov. 87 with 20,000 miles on it is still running. I have changed the front wheel bearings out 3 times and cannot keep a heater fan switch in it. At 180,000 miles I replaced the connecting rod bearings, honed the cylinder walls and installed new rings.
The car now has over 258,000 miles on it and the only thing that has ever been done to the car, except the above, is brake pads (no rotor work), tires, a muffler, clutches, 4 sets of spark plugs, 2 sets of spark plug wires, 1 rotor cap, 1 speedometer cable, 1 first gear synchronizer (my fault, goofing around), and 2 sets of tie rod ends. The car still has the factory alternator, water pump, and fuel pump. In fact the carburetor still has the factory settings.
I will say that the miles and years are starting to show on the interior, but there is no rust on this Florida / Tenn. car. I do now that in the next few months I will have to do a full rebuild on the engine, but this is one car well worth rebuilding and I have promised it to my son in a couple of years for his first car.
I own a 87 Chevy sprint, it runs like a top! the only problem I have had with it is the throttle cable snapping and a small oil leak. Right now as I write this it is broken down and I can't think of anything that will fix, I have put new spark plugs in it, I changed the fuel filter, I'm charging the battery, I tightened the fan belt, I replaced the air filter and it still won't fire!! I don't know why it won't go, other than that my sprint runs like a top, runs amazing!!
I recently just purchased one from my neighbor. He drove it down from Fresno California to Corpus Christi Texas. He said it was a running machine, but when he parked it, it never started again. Not knowing what was wrong I had a I decided to buy it and have my mechanic friend look at it. The problem was the distributor. Where it inserts into the block it has a butterfly type of male insert into the block. Well one of mine was bent. I replaced it and now it runs like a champ again. The car is for my 16yr old sister in law and she thinks it's a pretty cool car. The next thing I will need to do will be the AC. Not sure if the compressor is bad or if maybe it just has a leak. I have the charging system to check if it holds anything. If it does hold then a little soldering is all it needs. We are so close to Mexico that If it is the compressor I'll buy the parts needed and have them do the installation and charging of freon. It should run me about $40 to $80 dollars. Dirt cheap. In buying that distributor I've noticed that all these parts are all up in the northern states or in Canada. I was told that the Pontiac firefly is also compatible.
Great site. I have a 1987 Sprint. a frined gave me the car in '97, it was he's mothers car. It has had 3 new front clips from deer accidents. I've replaced the spark plugs, wires, distributer cap, rotor button, coil. I installed an electric fuel pump, hoses, fans, alternater, belts, wiper motor, etc. It has been sitting under my shed for the last 2 years. I brought it out of retirement when gas hit $2.00 a gal. and now my jets in my carb. is not working right. Any suggestions?
I purchased my '87 sprint from a Marine buddy of mine. It has 160k miles on it and it runs perfectly. I firmly believe that this car will be with me for the next six years until I retire. I will then pass it on to the next Marine needing a cheap yet reliable car.
Sprints rule. I bought my first in 1986. Got about 47mpg around town and over 50 on the highway. I replaced the wheels with 13" ones at one point, with low profile tires the same diameter as the 12" originals. This change alone reduced the gas miliage to 37 in town. I sold it to a friend in 1994 and have since owned 3 additional Geo Metros. The Metros never got as good mileage as the 86, only 37 to 40 around town. I attribute that to the Metro's 13" wheels (the fuel injection should have helped). I gave my last Metro to my son and he still has it with over 100K on the clock. Due the current ridiculous gas prices I looked for an older Sprint for months and just got on on eBay. Flying to Michigan on labor day weekend and driving back to AZ. You just can't beat these cars for reliability and economy.
I have a Chevrolet Sprint turbo 87', and the turbocharger is broken. I made (the mechanic) a totally overhaul (includes a Turbo Pistons), but when he started the turbo, it worked for two hours, and then it caused problems.
Does somebody know where can I find a good turbo? (new or rebuild), please with guarantee, because I'm from Costa Rica, America Central. Additionally, I have a family in Miami, and he has my car now. He is waiting for my call or for information about that.
Thanks for your information, ossayg@yahoo.com or osaenz@miravalles.fi.cr.
I have a Chevrolet Sprint turbo 87', and the turbocharger is broken. I made (the mechanic) a totally overhaul (includes a Turbo Pistons), but when he started the turbo, it worked for two hours, and then it had problems.
Does somebody know where can I find a good one of this (new or rebuild), please with a guarantee, because I'm from Costa Rica, Central America. Additionally, I have family in Miami, and they have my car now. They are waiting for my call or for information about that.
Thanks for your information, ossayg@yahoo.com or osaenz@miravalles.fi.cr
I just bought an '87 sprint turbo. Amazing car. I am 6'5" 385lbs. This car halls every acre of my hairy body with swift, purposeful intent. What a hoot. I am a tightwad so the mpg was my main motivation, but the throttle response is aircraft like. Probably the funnest car i've ever bought. 191000 miles and strong as heck. I was wondering if anyone has added an a/c system to one of these gems?
And I was wondering how you get in and out of that tiny thing?
Hey, there was a 6' 6", 350 lb BMW lover that drove cross country in a BMW Isetta.
Just because a car is small doesn't mean you can't fit in it. I'm 6' 2" and can fit in a Mini WITH a sunroof no problem. But I can't get into an Audi TT without a Houdini guide.
I purchased my 1988 Chevrolet Sprint Metro ER in September of 1988 new from the dealer. As of this writing it has 182,000 miles on it and is still running strong. When I first bought my Sprint I was driving 35 miles one way to work and had to fairly good sized passengers who each gave me $2.00 per day for gas. I made money on the deal. The MPG on my first tank full or gas was 56.5.
This car has hauled people, sacks of cement, lumber and many other things.
In all of these years and miles I have had the timing belt replaced twice as preventative maintenance, the clutch once as it was a learner car for a few new drivers and just the regular brake pads etc. due to normal wear.
My only wish is that Chevrolet would bring back another car from Suzuki that is as good a value and economical as the 1988 Chevrolet Sprint Metro ER.
They did, sort of.
The Chevy Aveo is a Daewoo, but most Suzukis sold in America are rebadged Daewoos.
Don't know if my Aveo will be as reliable as your Sprint in the long term, but so far it has been nearly bulletproof.
Hi to all.
I own a 1988 firefly carb.
It is in near new condition.
I've had numerous idle problems. it just does not idle.
A recent repair had the carb gasket replaced - a vacuum
leak.
I'm kind o' desperate...
Not many people have know how...
Srozon4@hotmail.com.