2013 Chevy Spark test drive report

I'll say it. I love small cars. When Chevrolet announced it was bringing the Spark to the US, I knew I would have to try one.

Well, I got to a dealer yesterday to try one. I drove a 1LT model, with the automatic (ugh).

I wasn't expecting much from the slushbox, but it really isn't bad. I'm sure it would be even better with a stick, but I think manual transmissions will only be found on the lots in base models.

Overall, I would say it's a modern interpretation of the Sprint/Metro. At 84hp over 2250 lbs, it's far from fast, but it's light and tossable in a sort of fun way.

My overall impression is that it's a decently fun car at a decent price. But here's the problem...

The base model is just barely acceptable in terms of content. Next up is the 1LT, which is the sweet spot. But the 1LT is fairly comparably equipped to a FIAT 500 Pop.

Unless you absolutely, positively need 4 doors (and the back seat is unexpectedly roomy in the Spark), The FIAT strikes me as an all-around better car - primarily because you get the same mpg but 20 more horses. Okay, sure, that's on premium fuel, vs. regular for the Spark, but they both sip gas, so in the big picture, the premium you pay for Premium (see what I did there?) really amounts to small coin.

Sorry, Chevrolet. I really wanted to like your mini-car, but the FIAT is simply a better car for around the same dough.

I'd have to see one, but the back seat must be roomy. The 500's I've seen just won't cut it.

EvanR wrote: Unless you absolutely, positively need 4 doors

The FIAT is too small to live with on a daily basis as your only car. AND THIS is coming from a guy who has driven Geo Metros all of his life (owned over 20 now).

Of course, the better comparison is a Spark VS a Mazda 2. Which one of those is better??

HiTempguy wrote: Of course, the better comparison is a Spark VS a Mazda 2. Which one of those is better??

Well, when the skyactive Mazda 2 comes out, or we get the Fiesta with the new turbo 3, the spark will look like trash in comparison.

HiTempguy wrote:

EvanR wrote: Unless you absolutely, positively need 4 doors

The FIAT is too small to live with on a daily basis as your only car. AND THIS is coming from a guy who has driven Geo Metros all of his life (owned over 20 now). Of course, the better comparison is a Spark VS a Mazda 2. Which one of those is better??

The Mazda2 is off my radar. Why? I want cruise control. In order to get cruise in a 2, you have to move up to the Touring model. the Mazda2 Touring is $2500 more than the Spark 1LT. If I want to spend what a 2 Touring costs, I can move up to a whole other class of car.

The lack of cruise also puts the Hyundai and Kia off my list. For some inexplicable reason, those two manufacturers simply don't sell a stickshift car with cruise (Accent or Rio).

EvanR wrote: The Mazda2 is off my radar. Why? I want cruise control. In order to get cruise in a 2, you have to move up to the Touring model. the Mazda2 Touring is $2500 more than the Spark 1LT. If I want to spend what a 2 Touring costs, I can move up to a whole other class of car. The lack of cruise also puts the Hyundai and Kia off my list. For some inexplicable reason, those two manufacturers simply don't sell a stickshift car with cruise (Accent or Rio).

I think you can find aftermarket Cruise Control kits. These used to be popular on the original box Scion xB's because they too did not offer cruise control.
An ultra quick search brings up this...
http://www.thecruisecontrolstore.com/
If not the dealership, I would check with the high end car stereo shops in your area, I be they do cruise control installs.

I like the look of the Spark, but I have to agree that the 500 Pop seemed like a better deal than all of its competitors.

So I bought one.

41MPG lifetime avg (and improving as I put more miles on the car) and a lot of fun to drive. Check it out if you haven't already.

Kenny_McCormic wrote: Well, when the skyactive Mazda 2 comes out, or we get the Fiesta with the new turbo 3, the spark will look like trash in comparison.

So what you're saying is, when something better than the Spark comes out, it will be better than the Spark?

Edited because I'm a retard.

In reply to Zomby Woof:

I think you are thinking of the Sonic not the Spark.

I wanted to like the Spark. I really did but it just kinda left me cold after the 500.

Totally.

I apologize.

I remember hearing at one point there was talk of putting the turbo motor from the Sonic in the Spark. That would be awesome.

93EXCivic wrote: I remember hearing at one point there was talk of putting the turbo motor from the Sonic in the Spark. That would be awesome.

Yeah, the 1.4L. I heard that, also.