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

[5speed5]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Saw my first privately owned (plated) Spark on the road yesterday.

Yes, still inexplicably interested by GM's latest runt.

Same here. My wife thinks I'm the biggest weirdo because of my obsession
with small cars, particularly because I'm a big guy (6' 5", 230 lbs). I have to admit, it probably looked "clownish" to see me get out of my Chevy Metros when I owned them (sold them a few years ago...now I own a 5-spd Chevy HHR which is an economy car with a kinda-sorta "macho" look).

Nevertheless, I can't help but be interested in the Spark. The blue color is my favorite.

[Smurf]

I browsed around on Chevy's website, those Sparks aren't terribly expensive even with some bells and whistles.

[niky]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Spunky colours, for sure (mostly). But I have seen a black one, and I liked it.

Funny thing: I've been keeping an eye on YouTube for an independent test drive/review. So far the only ones I'm seeing have been posted by dealers.

Thetruthaboutcars.com has a review for the US spec one. They're annoyingly independent.

[Hubert Farnsworth]

Originally Posted by Smurf

I browsed around on Chevy's website, those Sparks aren't terribly expensive even with some bells and whistles.

A loaded spark is over $17k, I'd rather spend the 2-3k more and get a decently equipped 2012 Focus SEL hatchback with the dual clutch automated manual transmission. In reality it didn't even cost that much more as they were going for about 18k on a/z plan after rebates + tax tags and title fees.

The spark also only uses a 5mt or a 4-AT and is effectively a junky Daewoo Matiz, the very car that was cloned by Cherry and made into the QQ in the first generation.

[niky]

I'd say no. I've driven the Matiz. I've driven the Matiz-based Spark. And I've driven the current Spark.

The old Matiz is still visible in the architecture, as carry over mounting points and height for the front seats and in the strange low beltline high dash theme, but everything else is miles better. The Matiz was a horrible penalty box compared to the competition, with tereible seats, no space and an utter lack of highway manners.

The Spark may not be as impressive as the Kia Picanto, but it's got lots of elbow room, lots of legroom, and it rides and tracks on the highway like a bigger car. And the back seat is more comfortable than the much bigger and heavier Fiesta.

To say it's "just a Matix" is like saying the Cruze is basically a junky Suzuki Forenza. Neither of which is true. Not that it's the best microcar out there, but there aren't many choices in that size class in America.

[Smurf]

True, there are better priced options out there. But this community seems more keen on building something on a budget, rather than have engineers build it for a fortune.

For my buck, if I was to buy a new car just for mileage, I'd strongly look at the 2013 Fusion Hybrid. Decent price, good size car, 40+ MPG IIRC, and the new design is very sexy.

[Allch Chcar]

Haven't seen it but probably will see one before too long. I've seen a bunch of new Cruzes and even a few Sonics.

It's amazing how generic the Chevy sedans look. I almost have to check badges to verify if it's a Cruze, Sonic or a Malibu but only if I can't get a size comparison first. The hatchback Sonic is pretty distinctive though.

The new Focus automatic isn't as impressive as it seems. Even though the EPA scores are higher I'm seeing people are still getting the same or better MPG with the old 5spd. Which is an improvement over the old automatic to be sure, but not enough to make it worth it unless you want the convenience.

Also the Spark is a city car so it's hardly in the same class. Now if you want more space and more refinement obviously check the bigger cars but don't buy a $30k Fusion hybrid expecting to save money over a $17k Spark.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Allch Chcar

don't buy a $30k Fusion hybrid expecting to save money over a $17k Spark.

That's a good point - I recall seeing a total cost of ownership comparison a few years ago that had an inexpensive, but not super-frugal gasoline powered subcompact beating out more than a few fuel-sipping hybrids & diesels. (Can't recall the make/model.)

A $13k Spark approaching 40 mpg must be in the same ball park.

[Nevyn]

For sure, but don't try to put 3 kids in the backseat of a Spark!

[sendler]

My brother's red, base, stick, Chevy Spark has arrived. $13,700 plus tax and tags is really cheap. The build quality is much nicer inside and out than a Prius C. His second tank of 40 mile highway commutes returned 39 mpgUS. 3,200 rpm at 70 mph could be lower. Maybe I can take it for a drive today.