[adya33]

Chevrolet Spark 3000 Km Review

NOTE: Being a previous Matiz owner and lover I may occasionally compare Spark with Matiz. So kindly keep that in mind that this is a review of a person who is in love with Spark but has not yet gotten over loss of Matiz

Background

Before starting this review let us rewind to year 2000-01.
A South Korean company named Daewoo had launched a cute looking small car named Matiz. That was the time when Maruti Zen was the smartest looking car on Indian Market. And Daewoo Matiz was breeze of fresh air.
With its small yet powerful (relatively) engine with excellent air conditioning it was the perfect car for city drive. It was big enough not to cause cramps yet small enough to put it through gaps.

So when there was time to change my father Maruti Zen, he himself was very much in favour of Matiz. So there it was that was the year my love affair with Matiz had started.

Of course back then I didn’t have my driver’s licence so my access to car was limited to passenger’s seats only. But during my first day of learning car after getting my licence there was no question which was the first car I would be driving.

Let’s flash forward to third half of year 2006

Daewoo Company was long gone. All Matiz owners were worried about its spares and their cars future. The previous Daewoo Showroom which is now Ford showroom had finally stopped servicing and providing spares for Matiz. (Amazingly they were supporting on servicing front with spares for a long time)
And by this time both my sisters and my mother were finally able to convince my father to buy new car and ditch Matiz.
My dad didn’t wanted to let go of Matiz and neither did I. So my dad came up with a brilliant idea. He was well aware about new Matiz being launched as Spark. So he put a condition to my sisters he said “The only way I will change my Matiz is with another Matiz.”

Now flash forward to year 2007. Finally after years of wait GM launched Spark. So there was no question “IF” we will buy it but rather “When” we will buy it.
So I called up Pashankar Auto and asked them for Test Drive mainly because I wanted to drive it first and put its review. But GTO beat me to it.
And on 3rd July a light gold coloured (don’t know company colour name) Chevrolet Spark 1.0 LT with option pack was delivered.

Exteriors
After the initial novelty if worn off I am still in love with its front end. Though I still prefer rear end of Matiz. Overall this car is little taller than Matiz and that can be seen from exterior. Overall design wise it is nice looking car. But since now-a-days we have lots of good looking cars. I think this car hasn’t made big impact as much as Matiz did. Never the less it’s a good looking vehicle.
Interiors & Comforts
This is where there was big debate on forum and offline was regarding “The centrally mounted speedometer.” Does it cause distraction? Answer is big NO. It doesn’t. Otherwise interior wise there are lots of pockets and ample room inside cabin. Mind you we are not talking about space like Safari here but you can sit comfortably. Rear seats are sufficient too. But aren’t really good to accommodate three adults.
Steering is mounted bit higher than Matiz and honestly its design is rather like kiddie car. The odometer is digital and allows you to have two trip meters to be set up.
A/c has been good so far and cools cab instantly. I say so far because its real test will be in summer season.
Boot is comparatively smaller than Matiz but that’s because of more leg space at the back. One medium sized bag and that’s about capacity of its boot.

Driving Experience
I am glad to inform that all the joy of Driving Matiz has lived on. Thanks to slightly bigger engine even with A/C ON the car doesn’t feel underpowered as was case with Matiz.
Thanks to its tubeless tyres ride quality is good.
Although the fact remains that at the end of the day its still a city car, so it won’t ignite highways on fire and it is best kept away from highway.

Fuel Economy
From my first and only and very rough calculation I found FE to be somewhere near 13kmpl with A/C ON in city. But truth to be told I haven’t tested FE yet and don’t intend on doing it any time in near future.

Car trouble
So far car has been trouble free. It had its first scheduled check-up done in a month as per schedule and the first servicing is scheduled for 5000km.
One very weird thing I noticed is seat belt reminder. There is indicator for it, but it is non-functional. I have had arguments about it with dealer, service centre and with company. All three times reply was this facility is not available. When asked WHY? No one had any answer.

Conclusion
All in all it’s a great car. And it takes it where Matiz has left it.
I would totally recommend this car to anyone and everyone who is looking for small city car and with recent discount from GM it has became even sweeter deal.

[Dippy]

Very nice review Adya. I had forgotten that you had gone ahead and bought the Spark. Looks like it wont let you miss your Matiz much.

Hope to see more updates in this thread and yes pictures please. How much did the LT come to you for and whats in the option pack?

[deep_bang]

nice review!!! Always liked Matiz... so smooth and ultra fuel efficient. With the discounts, it make a lot of sense!! I just hope GM maintains this aggressive pricing...

[DCEite]

Good review there, Adya33.

After my test drive of the Spark, i was highly impressed by the engine refinement and ride quality which is way above any small car i have driven. The pickup is also decent for city driving, though i found Santro and WR to be slightly better.

But, the only area i was highly disappointed was the front seats. They almost slope downwards! Did you find this an issue? Because me being 5,11 almost had no under thigh support, which is crucial for long distance traveling.

[zakaaaaasss]

excellent reivew adya. i can attest all the things abt Matiz that u mentioned here since i own one for 7 years now...

Originally Posted by Dippy

whats in the option pack?

All the features of LT version + ABS + Alloys

[Su-47]

Congratulations Adya, I am glad that you are liking the spark!

BTW, as mentioned by DCEite did you also feel the acceleration to be lesser than Santro/WR?

[mkuruvil]

How long did it take for you to get the car delivered?

[mkuruvil]

Does the Spark have the month and year of manufacture on the chassis? How do you read the month and year of manufacture from the tyres?

[GTO]

Excellent review, Adya....you are obviously happy with your car. Am sure this writeup will benefit many potential owners.

Boot is comparatively smaller than Matiz but that’s because of more leg space at the back. One medium sized bag and that’s about capacity of its boot.

Are the seats pushed further back to improve room? I was under the impression that the layout is identical to the Matiz.

[BomBatt]

Great review Adya. Glad that Sparky is trouble free as I have booked one and expecting delivery by Sunday, 21st.

[Jaggu]

nice review and yes matiz was a good mile muncher so spark should also be, i personally had experienced this, and the key word always was FLAT OUT!!

[adya33]

Hope to see more updates in this thread and yes pictures please.

Pictures will be up soon.

The Option Pack includes Alloy Wheels and ABS.

But, the only area i was highly disappointed was the front seats. They almost slope downwards! Did you find this an issue? Because me being 5,11 almost had no under thigh support, which is crucial for long distance traveling.

I haven't faced any issues with front seat or under thigh support but that may be because I am not as tall as you are (about 4 inches shorter than you)
And like I said in review its a city car meant for city driving. It surely won't be able to provide comfort on highway as one would expect.

As for Santro/WagonR pickup being better, to be honest I haven't driver either of those cars in long time and more importantly I haven't driven them after driving Spark so to comment on it won't be fair.

How long did it take for you to get the car delivered?

About 15 days

Are the seats pushed further back to improve room? I was under the impression that the layout is identical to the Matiz.

Yup. The seats are pushed backwards. I had in actual sense parked Spark and Matiz next to each other to verify on this.

[Proxima]

Originally Posted by adya33

Pictures will be up soon.

adya33, were waiting.

[greenhorn]

a friend's spark next to a matiz,

[Proxima]

Thanks greenhorn, the white Spark sure looks nice.