Anyone seen/driven a Chevrolet Spark yet? Geo Metro 2.0 ?

[Arragonis]

Diesel review here (may be a duplicate post)

Chevrolet Beat TCDI Diesel : Test Drive & Review - Team-BHP

Damn good forum too

[danwat1234]

I searched that entire Spark/Beat Diesel thread with their search function for "kmpl", still searching the results but so far I found one results that is 18 to 22 kilometers per liter (~42.33-51.7MPG, US gallons) (http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/offici...ml#post2923909).
Looks like the Chevy Beat isn't on Fuelly.
(http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/offici...ml#post3009640) looks like about 33MPG, US gallons in rush hour traffic?


With the 2012 Prius C starting to pop up used in the coming years it would be smarter to buy one of those for the same price that you'd buy a new Spark. Traction Battery pack is small so not that costly to replace every ~15 years, more HP than Spark, automatic with ~52MPG real world average, US gallons. No brainer if you are into these micro cars. Or get a 3rd gen (2010+) regular Prius with 134HP, automatic and ~48MPG which right now is about $18K on cargurus. Of course the 2nd gen Prius is an option too

But a lot of people just buy new cars so then never mind and (like what 'sendler' said) when you compare a used Spark with a used Prius the results change.

[redpoint5]

Having duplicate power trains in a single vehicle doesn't make much sense. You have all the cost and maintenance and weight of 2 systems crammed into a single vehicle. It seems more reasonable to drive a regular petrol vehicle if you need the range, and an all electric if you don't. For 2+ car families, having one of each would be ideal.

Now that the new Leaf prices have been cut drastically, I expect to purchase a used one in about 5 years. Electric for short commuting and errands, petrol for road trips.

[niky]

You'd think, but in my experience, the Prius C is more economical than the Spark 1.2, by far, and the 1.0 might come close on the highway, but not in traffic.

A diesel might be able to match the Prius C, but the Spark is a much smaller car still, and diesel would add about $2k to the price tag.

[Miller88]

So, I finally got to sit in one of these at a local auto show. I was truely AMAZED at the interior space in this thing!

Comparing it to a fiesta:
- I could fit in the front seat much more comfortable
- I didn't have to be a contortion artist to get my right let under the steering wheel
- With the driver seat adjusted for myself, I could fit in the back seat with (a) enough leg room and (b) my head not hitting the roof.

I wasn't able to open the hatch to see how big it was (or if there was an option for a donut spare). But I was really impressed with it!

They can get up and go ... I saw one this morning getting on I81 in downtown syracuse. Getting on 81 in downtown syracuse involves putting your foot to the floor and praying you don't get run over.

[Jyden]

The Prius C is much, much better FE wise than the spark. These numers are from the german site spritmonitor.de:

Its, a list of most fuel effecient daily drives and it's real commuteres dayli data. Prius C is the best (Yaris Hybrid in EU) and the spark is numer 30!
Numers in ( ) is number of cars/users and the FE is in liter pr. 100 km's

Rank Model users liter/100 km
1 Toyota Yaris Hybrid (219) 5,0
2 Nissan Pixo (33) 5,1
3 Toyota Prius (1670) 5,2
4 Toyota Auris Hybrid (273) 5,2
5 Citroen C1 (526) 5,2
6 Honda Jazz Hybrid (46) 5,3
7 Daihatsu Cuore (384) 5,3
8 Seat Mii (22) 5,3
9 Honda Insight (177) 5,4
10 Toyota Aygo (708) 5,4
11 Volkswagen Up! (171) 5,4
12 Peugeot 107 (299) 5,5
13 Lexus CT 200h (72) 5,5
14 Skoda Citigo (48) 5,5
15 Daihatsu Trevis (30) 5,6
16 Suzuki Alto (111) 5,6
17 Toyota iQ (145) 5,7
18 Smart Roadster (485) 5,7
19 Honda Civic Hybrid (165) 5,7
20 Fiat 126 (24) 5,8
21 Toyota Prius Plus (54) 5,9
22 Smart Fortwo (2423) 6,0
23 Honda CR-Z (70) 6,0
24 Suzuki Splash (60) 6,1
25 Daihatsu Sirion (158) 6,1
26 Toyota Yaris (665) 6,2
27 Honda Jazz (416) 6,2
28 Renault 4 (15) 6,3
29 Kia Picanto (260) 6,3
30 Chevrolet Spark (62) 6,3

[Arragonis]

Prius is also nearly twice the price, here anyway.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

Prius is also nearly twice the price, here anyway.

Maybe not the Prius C2, which is about the same price as a new Civic HF and about $7-8K more than the Spark here in the USA. Still, what will the battery replacement/restoration cost later on?

[sendler]

Originally Posted by Jyden

The Prius C is much, much better FE wise than the spark. These numers are from the german site spritmonitor.de:

How much farther down the list to find the Ford Fiesta? Is the 3 cylinder ecoboost engine out yet? My brother is getting about 38 mpgUS in his Spark manual and my coworker gets 39 in his base Fiesta manual.

[mechman600]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

Still, what will the battery replacement/restoration cost later on?

Nothing. They last the life of the car:
Toyota Prius taxi tops 340,000mi, dispels battery myth

Two of the older examples have managed a lifespan of 350,000km (218,000mi) and 550,000km (341,000mi) before needing replacement of their nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries.