tishpit
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Unloaded my Spark about 9 mos. ago due to the dreaded hesitation issue that GM dealers acknowledged and shrugged their shoulders. After nearly being in an accident due to this problem, both my BF and I traded our Sparks for 2014 Ford C-Max. Never looked back! C-Max getting 45.3 MPG, roomy, smooth, quiet, comfortable and nice flat folding rear seats. NO problems at all! Love it. Also have a 2000 Jeep Cherokee with 4.0 straight 6. They just don't build them like that anymore! First car was a 1974 Vega hatchback... lousy car... hated it... but being my first car, it was a love/hate relati
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UPDATE: I traded in my Spark in late April.... it is now July and I have over 6,000 miles on my Ford C-Max. Averaging 44 MPG in mixed driving. LOVE IT!!! I will say that the Spark had a much better turning radius and was fun to drive (not counting the driveability problems), but the C-Max runs rings around it in mileage, ride, comfort, workmanship, and I've had ZERO problems with it. Make the trade... you'll be happy you did even though you will probably take a nice hit on the trade.
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Love affair is OVER.... too many problems with driveability and lousy Chevy service depts. After about 9 trips to 3 different dealerships regarding hesitation, lurching at slow speeds, poor performance... traded in TWO Sparks for one Ford C-Max. Getting 43.3 MPG so far and rising... very happy with this car....quality is way superior to the Spark. Enjoy little cars, but they are only as good as the dealerships that sell and service them. Would not get another Chevy or GM based on dealerships in this area. P.S.: now I read they have a TSB for the same problems I've complained about for ab
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I guess it all comes down to the Chevy dealer.... I had mine to THREE and both insisted there was no problem... made me feel like I was crazy! Since it did not do this consistently... what could I do? I am happy with my Ford though... at an avg. of 42.8 MPG with only 2,000 miles on it, I think the C-Max was a right choice for me. But I would not recommend ANY Chevrolet dealer in the Lee County or Charlotte County areas of Florida. This was the second (and last!) time I had problems with these dealerships and resulted in getting rid of the car. Buyer beware!
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Retired old Gearhead reacted to a post in a topic:
2014 Spark CVT
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Skids reacted to a post in a topic:
2014 Spark CVT
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Well the outcome of all this was... yesterday we traded both Sparks for a new Ford C-Max. The Scion XB was a nice car, but dealership would not give hardly anything for the Sparks (and this dealership also sells Chevy's!!!). Ford dealer sold us a leftover 2014 loaded with nav., panoramic roof, lots of toys, took about $5,000 off car and gave us full Black Book value for trades, making our payoffs. The monthly payment is higher, but insurance on the C-Max is LESS than the Spark, and so far, getting 41.3 MPG on a car that is not even broken in yet. So, we are happy now. I will say, however,
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Retired old Gearhead reacted to a post in a topic:
2014 Spark CVT
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Retired old Gearhead reacted to a post in a topic:
2014 Spark CVT
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Hi Skids.... I've tried three Chevy dealerships in my area. I refuse to drive over an hour to try more. I did NOT buy the tires.... I know I could get them elsewhere for much less, but if it was just needing tires, that's one thing. But with all the other issues, and now this bizarre shuddering episode... I'm done messing with it. I've been researching cars and want something not too big (we also have a 2000 Grand Caravan with 124,000 miles and it runs BETTER than both our Sparks!), but something compact with room to carry people in comfort (seniors) so I need higher seats and room behin
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Well.... now the long awaited update of the Spark saga. Dealership insisted it is cupped tire and put the front tire on the back. Mechanic said he put it up on the lift and checked hub bearings and are not the problem (upon check-in, the service writer said that wheel hub bearings ARE covered under the 3/36 warranty...???). So drove the car and the noise is much less now, so perhaps it was the tire all along... just odd how it was noisier when making right turns. Now here comes the fun stuff: to remedy the problem, dealer recommends replacing both tires. I told them that GM warranty cove
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I am in Florida as well.... SWFL... so need a car that can function well in hot, humid weather. Also need cold a/c to keep everyone comfortable. Last summer, I just aimed all vents at me and cranked up the fan to 3 or 4 to keep comfortable. It seems to me that the Spark really needs a stronger fan to circulate what cool (cold?) air comes out, especially in this climate. If I lived in Minnesota, I might not be having any problems with the Spark. Location, location! Although Retired Old Gearhead, you live in FL and have no issues. I will have dealership check battery, though to be honest,
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Retired old Gearhead reacted to a post in a topic:
2014 Spark CVT
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I find this very interesting... so in reality, there may not be anything "needing repaired" in this tranny, but rather, the hesitation in warmer weather may be part of the characteristics of this particular transmission? If that is the case, Chevy is off the hook as far as repairs goes since you cannot repair a mechanism that is "working as it was designed." So then it boils down to whether you either can adapt to the driving habits of the car, or get rid of it. I will have the battery checked as well. I bought the car in December 2013, so of course it was not hot outside and it ran great.
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Retired old Gearhead reacted to a post in a topic:
how many people actually like their spark ?
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how many people actually like their spark ?
tishpit replied to kquail2's topic in Lounge: Chevy Spark Discussion
I meant "willing to BET..." -
how many people actually like their spark ?
tishpit replied to kquail2's topic in Lounge: Chevy Spark Discussion
Just got a follow up call from the second Chevy dealer that looked at the car and agreed with the 1st dealership that the problem was a cupped tire. I told him what Goodyear said and that I'm taking it back to the 1st dealership since it is closer. He didn't know what to say other than to wish me luck and hope I get this "resolved to (my) satisfaction." Hmmm... more to come. In the meantime, as I'm recovering from a stay in the hospital, I've had time to think and watch Youtube videos. Really like what I'm seeing on the 2015 VW Golfs! The XB is a nice car, but MPG is just too low for m -
Retired old Gearhead reacted to a post in a topic:
how many people actually like their spark ?
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how many people actually like their spark ?
tishpit replied to kquail2's topic in Lounge: Chevy Spark Discussion
Actually, we are looking at trading, but will take one whale of a $$$ hit. My BF also has a 2014 Spark, but with only 10,000 miles and now some similar "quirks" are appearing, like some lurching at low speeds (coasting through parking lot, etc.), and fluctuation in a/c temp. He said he doesn't have a lot of hesitation, but drives very conservatively and usually doesn't have the need to accelerate quickly, such as pulling out into traffic. It is his second vehicle and just used around town. We are looking to possibly trade both Sparks for one "good" car. But finances are tight and a $30, -
Thank you Retired Old Gearhead for the heads up and recommendations. I have an appt. to take car in next Monday as they have no openings sooner and I had to cancel previous appointment due to being sick. It is just so disappointing and disheartening to purchase a brand new car and end up with equivalent headaches as buying used. Between trips to the dealerships, returning rental cars, being ping-ponged back and forth and having to spend more time on seeking objective diagnostics, etc., I am not at all happy with all this. To me, it seems as though the Chevy mechanics just are not properly
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Skids reacted to a post in a topic:
Tires cupping and trashed at 22,000 miles?!
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DriverGuy reacted to a post in a topic:
how many people actually like their spark ?
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Retired old Gearhead reacted to a post in a topic:
2014 Spark CVT
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Just looked up the GM 3 yr/36,000 mile warranty and it DOES cover bearings... so should not be an issue unless they deny that this is the problem.
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I've kept all the records, including how I returned the car immediately after the tire rotation as it never made that noise prior. And no... I am NOT paying for new hub bearings... then they will have a fight on their hands.