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-   -   A Solemn Promise - Chevrolet Spark M200 - 41K kms Report (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/long-term-ownership-reviews/124525-solemn-promise-chevrolet-spark-m200-41k-kms-report-2.html)

Very nice, detailed and may I say, Off-Beat review of-Spark, lol.

I really appreciate your love for the car, and totally understand the additions/modifications funda. And the wishlist is quite massive, to say the least.

One question. Did you have any issues while replacing the gear knob? Did twisting it anti-clockwise enable the removal?

Thanks in advance.
Cheers.

Sam

Excellent report with great pics! You have a knack for writing reviews. The retro style photography suits a long-ownership report.

Regarding the point in bold above: It seems to be a norm that the suspensions of the Spark HAVE to be replaced at least once around 30-40k KMs. Your is the 3rd Spark on TBHP which needed a suspension change. It looks this is a manufacturing fault with all Sparks. Whats your take on this?

Would the latest Sparks(2012 manufactured) also have this issue?

Another request, could you please post some interior shots along with the boot?

Cheers!

Hey that's an excellent review! Even I have a Spark LS.
First of all how did you change the gearknob? I bought a sexy looking knob but my Spark's stock gearknob just wouldn't come off!

Also, even I get that irritating screeching sound. It starts coming whenever I'm driving in wet conditions and switch on the ac and sometimes it comes all of a sudden in the middle of the drive when I change the gear. I have the switch off the ac everytime for 10-15 secs for the sound to go. Really irritating it is.

Im also planning to get an aftermarket muffler, the one which is silent below 2k rpm and then starts roaring :P
Also, let us know if you're able to fit the Ritz tachometer in your car.

Cheers.

Polks are performing very good (as compared to my previous Sony 300Ws). They are rated at 100W RMS, but my HU provides ~17W, So this is not a genuine comment. I'll have to pump them with an Amp soon.

What's your HU? Any specific requirements?

Thanks, I've seen your Beat thread, what a good taste you have! We have a Beat in our family too.:)

About the gear knob, I took it to the A.S.S where they removed it with a adjustable spanner by rotating it back and forth. Once you remove your stock knob, it's unusable as it gets into a bad shape.

Thanks, :). I don't know if many owners face the suspension problem. In my case, the front shocks where leaking oil which my technician reported while changing engine oil. Sorry, I don't have any idea of the condition of 2012 sparks, But I'll confirm it from my technician.

Will add the pictures once I get time. Sorry!

Yes, I have read your review. Do get the "belts" checked.

Yes, I'll let you know once I do it.

Thanks for the quick response.

We are finalizing a car for my wife within a budget of ~4 lacs pretty soon. I found the Spark to be a sensible choice at this price point. So would you recommend the Spark? Or do you think we should look at newer cars in the market such as EON?

Also, if you happen to talk to your technician, could you please find out if Chevy is planning to pull the plug on the Spark in the near future?

Thank you for the swift response.

What the representatives in Delhi A.S.S. say is that "the stock lever+knob would need to be changed".:Frustrati
Was your old lever usable? Did it have threading inside on which the knob was screwed on? Only twisting around with the adjustable spanner completed the job?
If possible, please PM me the details of the guy in the A.S.S. who did the job for you. I'll talk to them to figure out how to do this.

Oh, and thank you for appreciating my T-Rex :)
As of now, the gear knob is one of the few stock items in the car, lol.

Cheers.
Sam

Good review!
I own a Spark LT purchased in August 2011 and it's running alright! Done around 15k on the odo.
Overall the car has been really good, but i do have a few complaints:
1. The NVH levels go awfully high above 80kph
2. Body roll, body roll & lot's of body roll!
3. The factory fitted ice is below average.

Also, since the last few months I've been experiencing a lot of issues with the brakes! At speeds of 15-20kph the car would screech to a sudden stop even at the slightest tap on the brake! Got it reported and checked twice, chevy guys clean up the brake drums & pads which seems resolve the issue for a few days but then the same thing happens again!

Has anyone else faced the same issue?

^Sent from my Galaxy Nexus^

I'd recommend it with my eyes closed to women, but I haven't been in an EON or K10. Do check the Eon, Alto K10. Please let me know if I can do anything from my side.

I believe they wouldn't pull the plug on the Spark. Since, they donot have any other low-end offering and Beat is a segment above. Anyways, I'll confirm it from my technician, but it might take time. Let me know if it's urgent, I'll rush. :)

Yes, all they did was remove the knob only. The gear leveler was NOT changed. No, it doesn't have any threads as it's not screw open/close type. It was pulled off from the gear rod(sorry if I miss conveyed in my previous reply). Twisting around while applying a small force upwards on the knob will work.

Unfortunately I lost his number. But I'll help you, I'll be adding some useful pictures tomorrow.


1. I'll RECHECK it in my car. Will hold to comment.
2. You must have descended from using bigger cars. I suppose it's acceptable for it's class. My friend who owns a Swift and driven a lots of cars, says it's OK, acceptable.
3. Did you get the A/C plumbing and gas checked? Except in Super hot summers, A/C is effective. I'll come up with some quantitative results.
Yes, early morning/after long standing I face the same problem too. The car STOPS on the slightest tap, yes. I suspect it's water getting into brake lines, rear drums(?). I somehow never escalated the issuestupid:. Next time, I'll verify it from my technician.

In that case, how was the new knob fixed? Was it glued on? Is it loose?
Thanks.
Sam

I got an adapter (provided with the knob itself) which does the job. Pics coming in the evening.

I'm thinking of getting some good number plates. The one's you got, how much do they cost? Thanks!

Mine cost about 500 to 600 for a pair, IIRC from Lajpat Nagar New Delhi.
If you want I can get these made and sent to you.
But, I wouldn't really recommend going in for these. go in for High security ones cause they're going to become mandatory anyways.

Cheers.
Sam

500-600 INR is quite cheap, considering I've paid 800 INR for the ones I have. What's the maximum price I can pay for a pair of those(ones you have)?

Here's how I fixed the gear knob:
After removing the stock gear knob, I put the adapter onto the rod. The adapter grips onto the leveler due to its snug fit and grip on the rod(shown in pictures). Then I put the rod onto the adopter, after which I tightened the screw with the screw-driver provided. That's it. Refer to the pictures below.

Let me know if you want to know anything else in much detail. :)




















Sorry for the late reply, Had some trouble re sizing the pictures.

My accessory guy told me he'll have to kinda break the existing knob to fit the new one. And after fitting the new one, the leather gaiter would be at a position a bit below than the stock position.
It means the gear rod would be visible below the knob. Checkout the Fiesta gear knob change thread to get an idea of what I'm saying.

The number plates which you have cost around 300 a pair here in mumbai. Acrylic ones cost 425 a pair and the high security ones cost 1000 a pair. I got those recently made along with the plastic holder which costs 500 bucks.

Yes, you'll have to sacrifice your stock knob. My stock knob deformed due to the twisting and turning we did to remove it. About the rod being visible, it depends on the size of the leather housing you buy. The housing which I have can be adjusted so as to prevent the rod from being visible with the help of a screw which I lost while fitting. stupid: Do you have the pictures of your number plates? Thanks!

Check out my thread I've added some pics with the new number plates.

Edit : even I face those brake problems. Its the water that gets into the rear drums. When you start the car, press and release the brake pedal few times and that should solve the problem