Does anyone wish they had bought Chevy Spark instead?

[Mark]

Hey! My 1st 4 cyl. was a '73 Vega GT in 77. I paid $600. It ran 150,000 MILES on 3-4 oil changes, did not burn or use oil and it was the head gasket that killed it. I would say, all things considered, it was the best car I ever owned. Go figure. It looks as if my Saturn will be with me after all. The sale died and I'm glad it did. I have to get a garden tractor this w/e. It is the 2.2l 5MT 143 hp, gets 40-41mpg (damn good) and it really is a nice car to drive. My kid takes over my '17 in 3 years so I'll still have a miser and a good utility. I know the Mirage can easily haul the tractor home, my trailer is only 135lbs, tractor is 500 so ~650lbs=no prob for a Mirage.

I might have 20 years left to drive, I hope my '14 Mirage makes it. Today I saw a '97 Sunfire in excellent shape. Driver told me it was original, Ontario car, Krowned many times & 450,000km. So a 25 yr. old GM made it, my '14 will be 28 in 20 yrs.

I would have never seen that one coming. 1973 Chevy Vega - best car someone ever owned!

I will rephrase my previous post - "pieces of junk to some, but not ALL!!!

[klroger]

Hey! My 1st 4 cyl. was a '73 Vega it was the best car I ever owned

That doesn't say much for our little Mirages, does it???

[Wallythacker]

I added an addendum in another thread retracting the Vega as the "best" and placing it really high for cars I owned. But seriously, something was off with my Vega. They rusted like crazy on the A pillar=end of car. Crazy corrosion of the rockers and lower door. either ALL burned gobs of oil as GM hadn't figured out hard to "harden" the aluminum cylinder OR the head gasket failed, same problem, incompatible materials. This usually happened shortly out of warranty.

When my Vega hit 75,000 miles I started to take real notice. I paid more attention to things, check oil, wash the car 5-6 times a year.
It just would not quit. I did air filters, replaced tires, wipers, waxed it once. It started with wisps of white smoke @125,000. I drove it easier, checked the coolant and added as needed until at 150,000 it would not start. The head gasket totally failed. I sold it to a neighbor for $500!!! (remember I paid $600) and buddy loved my car because it was still showroom quality for the body and paint.

Buddy dropped in a 350hp small block Camaro Z28 engine. For a while it was the fastest street car in all of southern Ontario.

[7milesout]

Buddy dropped in a 350hp small block Camaro Z28 engine. For a while it was the fastest street car in all of southern Ontario.

That was a heck of a good story.

[ProDigit]

The spark is more comfortable for 6+ ft people. The mirages dash is hitting my legs, and the steering wheel even at the highest setting is too. It's very uncomfortable and dangerous to drive for tall people. At least the spark has sufficient legroom for a taller driver.

Second, the spark is coated while the mirage is not. Meaning, the mirages rust like a 90s rust bucket on salted roads.

The spark also got sound deadening and decent engine mounts. Meaning you won't hear or feel the engine idling or during most of the ride, unlike the mirage which is again like a 90s rust bucket. Engine sound fills the cabin which can get annoying.

I don't like the spark seats and wished it would get better mpg.

[CROSSBOLT]

The spark is more comfortable for 6+ ft people. The mirages dash is hitting my legs, and the steering wheel even at the highest setting is too. It's very uncomfortable and dangerous to drive for tall people. At least the spark has sufficient legroom for a taller driver.

Second, the spark is coated while the mirage is not. Meaning, the mirages rust like a 90s rust bucket on salted roads.

The spark also got sound deadening and decent engine mounts. Meaning you won't hear or feel the engine idling or during most of the ride, unlike the mirage which is again like a 90s rust bucket. Engine sound fills the cabin which can get annoying.

I don't like the spark seats and wished it would get better mpg.

Just wait until the head gasket starts leaking and the warranty guy does not want to play.....what you say about legroom and all is undoubtedly accurate but I am only 5'7" so I would not know. But I DO KNOW the Spark we had started a definite head gasket leak the dealer techs wanted no part so I gave the car back to the dealer. Will NOT buy ANYTHING GM, EVER. Will not buy anymore cars from that dealer. Daewoo is so far gone that even GM can screw it up more.

[defensivetackle99]

Just wait until the head gasket starts leaking and the warranty guy does not want to play.....what you say about legroom and all is undoubtedly accurate but I am only 5'7" so I would not know. But I DO KNOW the Spark we had started a definite head gasket leak the dealer techs wanted no part so I gave the car back to the dealer. Will NOT buy ANYTHING GM, EVER. Will not buy anymore cars from that dealer. Daewoo is so far gone that even GM can screw it up more.

True. Spark seems decent on paper but a bit too pretentious. I do remember it
being taller driver friendly for me and it ends right there. Everything else just screams GM…yeah no thanks.