The friend wants to know whether this car can be revived at all and if so what all things will need to be inspected / changed and what would be the likely cost.

BHPian lifeinpune recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Posting this on behalf of a friend who has a Chevrolet Spark that has been lying unused for 6+ years. From what I have been told, it has not even been started once in this time. All the tyres are flat and unfortunately car has been still the entire period. Location is Bangalore, car is parked in the basement and hasn't seen rain or sun during this entire time.

The friend wants to know whether this car can be revived at all and if so what all things will need to be inspected / changed and what would be the likely cost. Given that this is a Chevrolet Spark, I am very skeptical. Will try to upload some pictures of the car exteriors and interiors.

Here's what BHPian hgps had to say on the matter:

Check the electrical system for rat damage before doing anything. See if timing belt is okay. Check air filter for rat damage. From my limited knowledge of owning a Spark (and keeping it idle for 3 months in one go), you'll have to procure the following parts.

Immediately:

• New engine oil and oil filter (1200-1600)
• Brake fluid (for complete flush) (150 inc labor if done at workshop)
• New battery (3500-4000)
• Refill tires, see if they retain pressure

See if the car starts. If it does, take it to nearest garage and get the following done:

• Coolant flush and refill (250 including coolant, 5L of distilled water and labor)
• Change timing belt (Should be under 1000, although not sure)
• Wiper blades (500-600)
• Inspect/replace spark plug (should be under 1000)
• Fuel filter might need to be replaced
• AC gas recharge (1200-1300)
• New air filter (300-400)
• New tires (~14k)
• Check all bulbs
• Check brake pads/shoes and clean rear brake drums. Handbrake functionality.

Here's what BHPian arjab had to say on the matter:

From your short description, it seems that the vehicle has been weather protected well.

In that case: I suggest you take up the work in two stages:

A) First: get the car cranked up

B) Second: Once its cranked and idling, next stage would be to set it right dynamically.

So, keeping this in mind, for A:

• Change all fluids and lubes (engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering oil) etc. During the change process keep a keen eye out for potential leaks from hoses that may have turned brittle.
• Change all filters.
• Disconnect the radiator from the thermostat side and flush out remnants of old coolant from the engine block, bleed the block and re-fit thermo.
• Flush and bleed radiator and refit.
• Change the spark plugs. Check the plug wires
• Borrow a new battery or a battery with some life
• Check the water pump and alternator drive belts
• Check the starter motor solenoid connections. Open the terminals, clean and refit.
• Open up the throttle body, clean it thoroughly and refit. Clean air intake as well.
• Open the manifold air pressure sensor and throttle position sensors. Clean & refit.
• Clean the petrol tank and the filter inside the tank thoroughly. Check all fuel lines for any leakages etc
• Check for any rodent damages to any wires etc
• Before new battery fitment, disconnect the ECU, clean and refit the couplers.

Now try starting the car. If it starts and idles smoothly , then 70% of the battle is won.

Now for B) (assuming A has worked out):

• Change all tyres (rubber cracks after 6 years in any case)
• Change brake pads and shoes
• Suspension bushes may need to be changed
• Front struts and rear dampers may not be "articulating" its full compression/rebound stroke due to gumminess / damper valves seized up. You have to replace the strut units. No need to change the coils as they are not a perishable commodity.
• Clutch actuation. If there is judder while engaging gears, clutch plate may need replacing.
• While turning right or left, under full steering lock, keep an ear out for "clicking" noises. If yes , then you need to change the constant velocity joints at either ends of the driveshafts.

I think if you come this far, the car would be a decent runner. Spark parts are available till now in the market.

Good luck!

Here's what BHPian condor had to say on the matter:

I will also suggest: greasing the hubs, cleaning up the AC system (ducts), a proper interior job - esp the seats. Replace seat covers too. May help to give the seats some sun time.

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

Good, used, running Sparks are available for anywhere between 60,000 - 125,000. I would honestly scrap this car that's been parked for so long and pick a used example that's been running daily / weekly.

After all, time is money. These restorations take a lot of effort and even then, end reliability is an unknown. Sure, if it was a special vintage car or offroader, rejuvenating it would've been worth the effort. But a budget hatchback that is available for cheap in the pre-owned market? Simply buy that (or another Maruti / Hyundai model for 1 - 1.5 lakhs).

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

General Motors has displayed the next-generation Spark hatchback at the ongoing 2015 Dubai Motor Show. The Spark will be called the Beat in India.

The new Spark features sleeker styling than the outgoing model. At the front, it has new headlamps, a redesigned dual port grille, a new front bumper with redesigned fog lamp enclosures and a new bonnet. The sides of the car see redesigned ORVMs, new character lines and restyled alloy wheels. The rear of the car features redesigned tail lamps, a new bumper and a roof-mounted rear spoiler. The car is lower than the outgoing model by 40 mm. However, its wheelbase is longer by 100 mm.

The interiors of the Spark have been redesigned as well. There is a new black dashboard, a redesigned instrument cluster and a new multifunction steering wheel. The car also gets the next-generation Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system with a 7-inch-diagonal colour touch screen. Safety equipment includes dual front airbags.

The Spark is powered by a 1.4-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine from General Motors' Ecotec engine family. This engine is estimated to produce 98 BHP and is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox or a CVT. In India, 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol and diesel engines are likely to be used to power the car.

General Motors builds the Spark at its facility in Changwon, South Korea.

Source: Indian Autos Blog

Chevrolet recalls 1.55 lakh vehicles in India, due to a wiring issue linked to the remote keyless entry system. This is said to be the largest recall exercise in the country till date.

Chevrolet Spark, Beat and Enjoy, manufactured between 2007 and 2014, fitted with remote-key entry accessory, are a part of this recall. The company has taken these steps after some incidents came to light relating to this faulty accessory.

The potential wiring fault could make the accessory malfunction. Some modifications to the battery wiring harness need to be conducted, which could otherwise lead to a short-circuit. There is also a possibility that the customers might be locked outside their vehicles.

Customers who have fitted the remote key access by AutoCop, in their Chevrolet vehicles are requested by the company, to visit their Chevrolet dealers for corrective measures. The company would repair the faulty components at no charge and the entire process would take approximately 2 hours.

Source: ETAuto and HT

It’s a big world for small cars and Chevrolet isn’t one to stick to big SUVs and pick-up trucks. After multiple spy shots revealing key details, the North American car maker has just revealed the all new Chevrolet Spark a.k.a the Beat. The hatchback features a familiar body shell, but opts for sleeker design. The new car has its height lowered by around 40 mm, while the wheelbase gets a slight increase as well.

Up front, the car features a tweaked version of the Chevy dual port grille with the lower end extending all the way to the bottom of the front bumper. The car also gets redesigned fog lamp enclosures, a new bonnet and new headlamps. To the side, the car gets new character lines on the door panels, new alloy wheels, tweaked ORVMs, chrome door handles for the driver and front passenger, while the rear door handles still sit near the C-pillar. To the rear, we see all new tail lights, a new bumper with sleek reflectors and a roof integrated spoiler, while the radio antenna is placed at the back.

Chevrolet says the car features a stronger body structure and the new Spark/Beat will be offered with safety features such as side blind spot alert, lane departure warning and forward collision alert. The car also gets a rollover sensing and protection system and 10 standard airbags. On the inside, the car will get the next-generation Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system with a 7-inch-diagonal colour touch screen. The interiors are also said to feature higher-quality fabrics, higher density seat foam and trapezoidal AC vents.

Complete specifications have not been revealed, but the car will feature an Ecotec, 1.4L, four-cylinder engine that produces around 98 BHP. Transmission options will include a 5-speed manual or a CVT automatic.

The new Chevrolet Spark/Beat will be produced from globally sourced parts at GM’s Changwon, South Korea assembly facility. It goes on sale in the United States in the fourth quarter of 2015. Chevrolet will offer the car in over 40 markets worldwide.

Hyundai Motor India is rumoured to be planning to phase out its popular Santro in November. The company launched the popular hatchback in 1998 and has sold 1.36 million units in India and another 5,35,000 units in export markets such as South Korea, Europe and the US. It is the car that helped Hyundai gain a foothold in the Indian market which was dominated by Maruti Suzuki. It was responsible for the company breaking in profits in a span of just seven months. The Hyundai management had initially aimed at selling 1,00,000 units in five years, but the Santro managed to cross the 1 million sales mark in just seven years.

While Hyundai is still managing to sell, on average, a respectable 2,900 units of the car a month, it is believed that it has plans to free up the manufacturing lines for the production of newer products.

The Chevrolet Spark is another car that could be axed by the end of the year. The car was first launched in India as a Daewoo Matiz. It disappeared from the scene for a while after the Korean company was bought out by General Motors. It was re-launched as the Chevrolet Spark and while the company has sold 1.65 lakh units of the car, it has been a marginal player in the market in recent times, barely managing to sell more than 100 units a month.

Both Hyundai and General Motors are yet to confirm the developments.

Source: Economic Times

General Motors India has introduced a Limited Edition version of the Spark hatchback in India. The car is identical to the standard Spark except for some cosmetic changes to its exterior and interior.

On the exterior, there are side body graphics in a choice of two colours, limited edition badging, ORVMs with integrated turn-indicators and a chrome kit. Like the standard car, the Limited Edition is available in seven body colours - summit white, sandrift grey, misty lake metallic, switchblade silver, velvet red, linen beige and caviar black.

Coming to the interiors, the Limited Edition features a steering wheel cover, neck rests, beige seat covers with red stripes, ambient foot-well lighting and carpet floor mats.

There are no mechanical changes incorporated in the Limited Edition. Like the standard car, it uses a 1.0-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine that delivers peak power of 62 bhp@ 5400 rpm and peak torque of 90.3 Nm @ 4200 rpm. Power is sent to the front wheels through a 5-speed manual transmission.

The Spark Limited Edition comes with a three-year, 24x7, free roadside assistance programme. Existing Chevrolet customers can also avail of this programme at a nominal cost if their vehicles are under warranty.

The Chevrolet Spark Limited Edition is priced from Rs. 3.44 lakh to Rs.3.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), which is the same as the standard car.