30th Aug 2007, 05:57
Append-um to my comments. Finally major problems with 297,000 on the odometer. I was so hoping to get 300,000 out of the original engine. #4 cylinder lost all compression, I went to the junk yard and got a whole new engine with only 45.000 miles on it for $450.00 dollars, pulled it's head off and put it on the old block. The exhaust valve (on the old head) had a piece missing from it. Luckily it did no damage to the cylinder or piston, it just spit the missing piece out the exhaust. Put it all together and I'm back on the road again, but about $575.00 lighter. Beats buying a new car.
28th Nov 2008, 01:11
Append-um: My Aspire now has 340,000 miles on it, the used replacement head is holding up well but it still burns a little oil. Rings? It still gives, on average, 40 miles to the gallon and the engine sets no codes. Just a little rust in the upper rear wheel arches but nothing else major is wrong with it. Now I'm shooting for the magic 400000.
6th Nov 2009, 01:16
Appendum to my appendums... The engine finally lost compression in... of all places East St.Louis, it still ran but roughly and had a hard time on hills. 365,000 miles, the engine is out and I'm going to replace the short block with the one I got from the junk yard and used the head off of. I bought a new Kia Rio, but after my Aspire is rebuilt, I'll use it as a winter car.
2nd Jan 2011, 06:05
Well I installed the low mileage junkyard engine, but I found out the differential was totally worn out, so I replaced the transaxle with a low mileage used one while I had the engine out. Now it runs like new, and it's ready for another 300,000 miles or until the body rusts away... still though, there is not much rust in it. Cost less than $700.00 to rebuild (I provided the labor). I would highly recommend this car to a first time driver who doesn't mind tinkering a little. I don't care what people say about the Aspire, it is what it is, cheap reliable transportation.
22nd Dec 2006, 00:15
Append um to my append um : My Aspire now has over 273,000 miles on it and is starting to burn a little oil, not bad though. I suspect that the valve guides are worn out, I installed new valve stem seals and it stopped burning oil for about a month, then it started burning again. Oh well, not too bad for the mileage it's got on it. Painted the hood with pickup truck bed liner to keep the paint chips at bay.