Should I buy a Chevy Spark?

I bought my 97 Lincoln Mk8 because it was a grandpa car with only 78k on it.  My main purpose was to have something slightly less gas-guzzly than my van for days when I wasn't needing the van for transporting stuff.  I knew it wouldn't be really any better on MPG, but it was green and shiny, and my capacity for denial and justification is stronger than my logic.

I've been thinking about selling it and getting an actual economy car.  A friend is selling a 2016 Spark with 50k on it because she doesn't really need it.  Base/LS, 5-speed manual.  She's asking $5k which is decidedly below KBB PPV.  Only accident was when she hit a deer and they replaced the front bumper, the hood, and a headlight bucket.  No airbag deployment.

I was hoping for something sensible but a bit of flash.... something I wouldn't feel embarrassed to pick up a lady for a first date, but this sure does seem like a steal.  I'm just not finding a Miata, GLI, or anything that would invoke "oh, nice car," reactions that are in my price range.

Thoughts on a Spark?

That depends... How much do you hate yourself?

Don't mention Chevy spark and first date in the same sentence. That aside, it's about as basic a car as you're going to find. Myself, I've always enjoyed flinging under powered little crapboxes around on rural roads, or as an around town errand runner. I've never driven a Spark, but their basic nature appeals to me as a second or third car. I'll be watching to see how this turns out.

I just ran an autotrader search for vehicles near me under $5k.  Looking at the options, a Spark would not make my top-20 list.

 The Chevy Spark has fairly decent storage and also, if so-equipped, has an extremely beginner-friendly manual transmission.

It is definitely a car. 

Wow... glowing reviews so far. [/sarcasm]

If the Spark loses its flash you could check SkinnyG's his and hers Hyundai Accents.

In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :

If I were looking for a city car right now, I'd look at a Fiat before the Spark. My son has one with 185K on it and it's been a good car, which I'll admit surprised me.

The Spark is fine for what it is, and a very reliable car.  It will do everything you need it to do, and get great gas mileage while doing it.

If she cares that you drive a Spark, she's fine for the weekend, but not long term, and isn't that what you're looking for anyway?

Yes.

Steve_Jones said:

The Spark is fine for what it is, and a very reliable car.  It will do everything you need it to do, and get great gas mileage while doing it.

If she cares that you drive a Spark, she's fine for the weekend, but not long term, and isn't that what you're looking for anyway?

My first date with PW I picked her up in a built 55 Chev. She thought it was a Checker cab. I guess I could give her credit for recognizing the general shape.

Steve is right.

I bought mine almost 3 years ago and it's been perfectly reliable. Except for mods, I have done NOTHING to it except oil changes. It has 200k on it now, 2/3 of which have been me beating the E36 M3 out of it. It's been so good that I bought one for the previously mentioned PW.

The hatch area is small, but I removed the rear seats and it does triple duty as commuter, track utility vehicle, and entertainment. With what I've done, it is every bit as quick, and as much fun as the Swift GT's I've owned while being better in every single way. And I still haven't tuned it.

I am actively looking for a base LS in good shape to build up as a project.

In reply to Peabody :

Are they both on lowering springs, or just the white one? Both look good on those wheels.

They both are. Mine is on 16's, the other, 17's. The black one isn't mine, but it does give me some ideas for my black one. I really don't like the factory wheels and bought a set of Acura 15's for it. I think I'll have them blasted and paint black at work. The black on black works, IMO

It's really too bad they're 4 dr cars. If it was a 2dr I'd be a lot more excited about it.

My Son had a 500, which wasn't very good to him. When driving my car recently he said how much he really missed his 500, the Spark really reminded him how much fun it was.

I drove a 2018 Spark a bunch as a rental and it made me remember that I really do prefer shorter wheelbase cars. I ended up buying a FiST shortly after. The suspension and steering are good. It's a fairly fun car. I didn't like the CVT. For a number of weeks I could have any Chevrolet car I wanted as a rental. I sampled others and enjoyed the Spark the most. Slow car fast (with decent handling) is a thing, especially with a short wheelbase. I like the green color too.

It got pretty good reviews back when.

I like Sparks.

I also like Aveos.  They're mechanically like an alternate universe Mk2 Golf, which given that they are Korean built Opels kind of makes sense.

DeadSkunk (Warren) said:

Don't mention Chevy spark and first date in the same sentence.

I suspect you're right. It's unfortunate, but there might be a reasonable chance a spark hurts chances with women. If it doesn't, there's a better chance she's worth a second date. :)

I wish a younger me was interested in such things. I like them a lot now that I'm not in the market for a fuel efficient commuter.

They look fun sitting still, I would rock one.

I have a 2017 LT with the CVT, the CVT is the only thing about the car I dislike. Mine has almost 170K on it, purchased new. I've replaced the shocks and sway bar bits @ 120K and the control arms @ 100K. I finally replaced the rear drums @ 150K. My daughters first car that she put 50K in two years on without hurting it. If you could find a manual version, I say go for it. It has the same non-performance as my Mazda2 with about the same room. 100HP @ ~2400 lbs. Apple carplay too. All winters in New England with zero rust! I've had better cars, but acceptable as an appliance.

Pete. (l33t FS) said:

 

I also like Aveos.  They're mechanically like an alternate universe Mk2 Golf, which given that they are Korean built Opels kind of makes sense.

I recall you made some comment about Aveos in the past that sent me down the rabbit hole. I never liked them because they were the  replacement for the car I was driving at the time, a Swift GT, and replacing the Swift with that ugly 4dr abomination just made me angry. But it's kind of too bad, because, except for the ugliness, which you could probably fix, ... and the door thing, it's exactly the kind of car that would be perfect for me, cheap and unloved with lot's of cheap available parts. And that 1.6 was not a bd motor and is closely related to th 1.8 in the Cruze and Sonic. Oh, what could have been.

In the early 2000's the Sprongl brothers built and raced a few of them. When I spoke with them about the cars they told me they were essentially stock cars with some safety and minor handling upgrades and had been perfectly reliable. I still wasn't happy about it.

Build in pics here

DeadSkunk (Warren) said:

Don't mention Chevy spark and first date in the same sentence.

Aren't women always talking about how they are looking for that "spark"?

theruleslawyer said:

DeadSkunk (Warren) said:

Don't mention Chevy spark and first date in the same sentence.

Aren't women always talking about how they are looking for that "spark"?

Good point.

I was really joking about the "first date with a lady" part, but only partly.  I've been able to get dates with a van, so if they're that worried about my car, they can take the bus.

Curtis - I'm in western suburbs of Philly and not too far from you. If you pass on the Spark, would you please send the seller my way?

I'll send my phone number in a PM.

Skobie 

Most women, even women who appreciate cars, dont really care much about cars.  

But still nope x 1000.  If its a good deal buy it and flip it.

In reply to Skobie :

sure thing!  She's out near Pittsburgh somewhere.  Butler maybe?

Edit:  Slippery Rock

DeadSkunk (Warren) said:

In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :

If I were looking for a city car right now, I'd look at a Fiat before the Spark. My son has one with 185K on it and it's been a good car, which I'll admit surprised me.

You know, I did spend a good bit of time in a 500.  A lady I was dating had one and she lent it to me when the van was in need of something so I kept it for a week or so.  I won't say it was awful, but darn close.  Maybe it was a lemon, but I couldn't get over the corners that were cut.  I kept getting a warning for a bad brake light, and when I checked it out... it was an 1157 bulb.  Not even a 3157.  It was an old twist/turn socket that was crusty as heck.  It had a battery drain that would suck the battery flat in about 12 hours.  I didn't have time to dig into it, so I just kept it on a charger overnight.  One spirited morning getting on the highway making the tires howl, both outside factory hubcaps went flying.  The radio kept selecting its own station.  It was... umm.... full of foibles, let's say.