செவ்ரோலெ ஸ்பார்க் யூசர் ரிவ்யுஸ்

Dear All;

Thought:
I was thinking to buy a new car for myself since long. After birth of my kid it became absolute necessary.

Choices:
With limited budget of 3 lac (stretched to max) choices were Maruti 800, Alto, Spark Base model, Spark power sterring and Santro (ok I need to stretch a bit more for Santro) After going through reams of pages for pros and cons of each model, doing test drive, inviting suggestion from friends and sufing auto websites I decided for Spark base model. Maruti 800 is outdated. Alto I was driving few yrs back and wish to upgrade from 800 CC, Santro I drove a bit at my inlaws house didn't like he VERY tall boy design. Power sterring was kind of luxuary I can do without so Spark PS was also out. I took my entire family for test drive of spark base and I liked the overall quality of machine. Far powerfull than existing Alto, Never heard anything bad about the car in reviews also tilted the scale in her favour. I got the much needed green signal from my wife too for spark.

Color:
Swinging from White to black to blazing red wife finally settled on Icy blue and as usual I cant collect enough courage to go against her highness wish!!

Dealership: Sadly not much of choice here. Since I stay at Noida there is only one dealer for Noida, Gaziabad and east delhi, Shiva Motors (branch:Centrestage mall Noida).

Deal (Promises):
1) Discount of 60 K
2) Mud flap
3) Matting
4) Gear lock
5) Soft toy
6) Registration no. of choice
7) Visit to warehouse to select the car
8) Delivery within 1 week
9) Number Plate

I tried all other dealers from delhi too, was getting a slightly better deal in terms of 1K here or there but I decide to stick with Noida dealer for obivious reasons.

Total the deal was for 2.87 (including incidentals)

Funding:
Decided to try nationalised bank so went to SBI. 2 lacs, 1 year, 11.50%, daily reducing, No foreclosure charges after 6 mothes, No prepayment penalty. (Sounds sweet. Isn't?) and yes Rs 500 as processing charges and stamp papers of Rs 200. Need to produce tons of document for sanctioning. Paid more than 100 bucks for xeroxing only. Loan got sanctioned in 10 days with lot of push from my end.

Visit to warehouse:
A dirty looking stockyard with 50 odd cars parked in haphazard way with tons of dust settled on each car. It was difficult to even recognize the color of car without cleaning it a bit. I somehow managed to locate two Icy blue, done some checking and noted down the VIN no and handed over to the executive.

Delivery:
After delay of 10 days or so and after quite a push from my side the guy finally called me for delivery. I insisted on inspection before delivery or regitration. At the time of inspection I noticed that the car although of same color but was not the one which I selected in ware house. Executive gave some lame excuses apparently that car got delivered to somebody else. I inspected this one very throughly with a previously prepared checklist and found even this one ok  so decided to go for it. I finally got the car delivered at my house.

Modifications:
1) Seat Covers: 1.5 K
2) Perfume: Rs 150
3) Autocop 7000: 3.5 K
4) Sterring Cover: Rs 50
5) After market sun film: Rs 300

Initial Feedback:
1) Good choice 
2) Compelete Value for money
3) Excellent ride quality

a) Still getting adjusted to centre speedometer
b) Positioning of Wiper and turn indicators is bit ackward
c) A pillar restricts side view while negotiating a turn

Pain Points:
1) Rate of interest was 11.75 and not 11.5 % as promised
2) Selected car was not delivered(As explained above)
3) No regards for time. Missed delivery date by weeks and even on delivery day missed muharat time by hours
4) My friend working in a smaller company got corporate discount of 4.5 K but in my case it was only 2K.
5) No temp. number. I was given a transit number which is not valid. I reliazed this after paying a challan for 500 bucks.
6) Didn't got the underseat tray as well as external antenna. Dealer said that it got discontinued from GM


Lessons:
1) Could have negotiated deal in a better way by
    a) Arranging loan by myself and approaching dealership armed with a sanctioned loan
    b) Opting for insurance from outside insted from dealership ( Atleast 1.5 K saving)
    c) Bargaining harder (Human behaviour)
    d) One dealer in town is monopoly. Could have avoided the same.

Value for MoneyCentrally placed console

Economy for this car is excellent, as well as look its good, Good interier & good technology,

overall prise comparier for other car its a very good,& compariable for our pocket because of Good fuel economy,

Chevrolet Spark, yet another mesmerizing sedan from General Motors, has hit the Indian roads. A renewed look of the classic beauty, the Daewoo Matiz, better sold under the brand name of Spark by the company, is surely expected to give other brands a tough run for their money. With its two petrol engine versions, 795cc and 995cc with 8 valve & 6 valve respectively which helps them to deliver extra power & torque. Equipped with unique pedal box designed with durable plastic molded pedals, the car even features a mileage of 17.85kpl with a top speed of 156Km/hr. The noise-insulating mat well placed between the engine compartment and the dashboard helps in producing awesome sound insulating effect. The sturdy steel body structure boasts of a monoform design which further helps in maximizing the wheelbase. The great precision wheel control is possible through the installed torsion beam rear axle, angled shock absorbers & semi trailing arms.

Good fuel economyLess spacious

bought spark LS model & till date it already clocked 1300 Km in 15 days(appr). My observation on this car are

1. Engine is very silent.

2. Comfort & ride handling is very good i am 5.10" & i didnt find any problem with leg room, it is true that ur left knee touches the centre console but it is ok for me cause it give me resting place to my left leg.

3. Handling, Braking n sharp turn are very gud due to its small size.

4. It appears small from outside but 5 adult person can easily accomodate inside it.

5. Gettin mileage of 14.5 in city 10% AC in my driving is not gud, also my GF is in learning phase so she also drive this car in 2nd gear.....I am satisfied wid the average checked in the morning.

6. Boot is gud no issue for a small family.

7. Pickup is also gud, AC is also gud but this is not the time to comment on AC....

8. I found reverse gear little bit annoying cause sometime it need extra effort to engage reverse gear i dont knw the reason but hope it will b ok by the 1st service.

9. M getting rattling sound whenever i go from any Kacha road when my window is rolled down(Left side) n when window is rolled up there is no sound at all.

10. Plaastic quality is gud i didnt find the product cheap it matters if someone started looking for the best he cant find it in even Buggati(kidding)...one thing i dont like is it boots door when u close it it give very loud sound like you are closing a bus door....also when u try to open the bonet of the car the switch seems that it will come into ur hand i alwys got this feeling when ever i open the engine hood.

11. Gear shift is hard whenever i have to change gear from 4th to 2nd on a round about i have to push it a little harder dnt knw the reason cause at that time my speed is near to 20Km..

Gud FE, Handling,Gear shift and hood switch

Good choice if u r staying in a metropolitan city; very urbane choice. Chevrolet Spark is a better car with more space inside with good quality interiors. Even being mono form Spark possess enough space inside. High quality steel of the car gives it light weight and the required necessary balance. Torsion beam, shock absorbers with trailing arms provides better stability to the vehicle even when it is moving on roughest roads. At present Chevrolet Spark petrol version is available in two different engine variant type. One delivering 795cc of displacement while the other delivering 995cc of displacement. In U-VA type car category it is one of the best car variant available in the market.

General Motors storms into the global auto market with Spark and sizzle. The Chevrolet Spark emerges as a strong contender in the small cars segment, facing heavyweights like Maruti Suzuki (in countries like India). The original Daewoo Matiz comes to the subcontinent as Chevrolet Spark, with an undisguised objective of capturing a lion’s share in the small cars segment. In the words of Mr. Rajeev Chaba (GM India President and MD), “The Chevrolet Spark is the world’s newest-generation compact city car. It sets a new standard for its segment through its modem design, clever space utilization, affordability and solid engineering.”

The compact style-on-wheels car has a welcoming exterior design with emphasized head lamps and tail lamps, a solid bumper, rear spoiler and sharp shoulder lines with a V-shaped design completing the effect. A tough stance and a smiling profile complement each other in harmony. Overall, the car has a stunning 3D look and friendly appeal. Interiors are equally impressive, with ergonomically designed control panel and cozy seating materials. Add to that some cool convenience features and storage room and you get a comfortable city car.

It is easy to think of the Spark as your comrade in commuting. The 1.0L 4 cylinder S-Tec engine (Mated to 5-speed manual transmission) is remarkably good on fuel economy owing to a low drag coefficient. Among others in this segment, peak power per engine displacement is highest in this car.

Easily maneuverable, light and speedy, the Spark is an agile performer on the roads, delivering 63 PS. Fuel is used well at low speeds, making the Spark ideal for tackling city traffic. Oh yes, the latest standard safety features and meaty options are put together neatly. Choose between 4 trim levels starting at Rs 289,000.

With a tag of “The Most Attractive Car of the Year” from Italy, the mini-passenger model Chevrolet Spark is already a heart throb in Europe. Compact, stylish and street savvy, the aerodynamically styled Chevrolet Spark weaves in and out of traffic like no muscle car can. GM seems to have struck the right chord with stressed urbanites looking for a car that understands

Very metro, affordable and ultra-cool. The Spark is low on maintenance, high on performance and comfort, and comes with the Chevrolet reputation. Hard to beat! With a focus on “Evolution not revolution”, the Spark has got everything right.

good styleDealer network

GM launched Chevrolet Spark in India as a come-back vehicle to the long forgotten Matiz. GM is trying to grab a 10 percent share of the rapidly growing automobile market in India by 2010. Chevrolet Spark will be produced at GM's Halol factory near Baroda.

The automaker will also consider exporting the Spark, which is a version of the Daewoo Matiz, to Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. India's small-car market makes up the lion's share of the country's market for passenger vehicles. The Spark has a more stylish and expensive look in comparison to its predecessor, so that it can compete in the small car segment in the country.

The Chevrolet Spark offers a host of features that combine with its handsome, sturdy, and solid good looks to give it an edge in the market. This Hatchback has a new and improved body design and all the space that you would want for your family.

The proposed compact car would compete in the same segment as that which is currently dominated by the Maruti Alto, Zen, Wagon R, Swift, Hyundai Santro, and Tata Indica.

Spark could very well be the next BIG story in the automobile industry as it tries to capture Indian hearts and Indian roads with its roguishly striking design and its easy-to-maneuver compact styling. Spark also brings with it the variety of color, so that your car remains different and one among the few.

The Chevrolet Spark comes in four variants: 1.0, 1.0 PS, 1.0 LS, and 1.0 LT all with 4 cylinders 1 litre (995 cc) petrol engines. All variants generate a power of 63 bhp at 5400 rpm and a torque of 90.3 Nm at 4200 rpm. This makes the Spark a definite improvement on the Matiz in with much more engine power and acceleration. All the engines have a 5-speed manual transmission.

The city-drivability of Spark is extremely comfortable due to its compact size, agility, and easy handling. It has a 4.6 wall-to-wall turning radius that may cause a problem during sharp turns, but its compact size will allow you to park in constrained spaces. The front McPherson struts suspension and the rear torsion beam axle suspension provide you with a smooth ride even on bumpy Indian roads. The Spark has a top speed of 155-157 kph and due to its heavy weight the car is steady even at high speeds. It can accelerate from 0-100 kph in 16 seconds.

It comes with a Siemens EMS to monitor emissions, which allows it to burn fuel more efficiently.

The Spark measures 3495 mm in length, 1495 mm in width, and 1518 mm in height. It has a kerb weight of 850 Kg that ensures it steadiness during turns. It has a 2345 mm wheelbase. The headroom and legroom are spacious enough for four people to sit comfortably in.

The interior of the car is designed with the word "different" in mind. The instrument pod is placed in the center of the dashboard, above the console. This gives the entire interior of the car a new look. Through the steering wheel is placed a digital pod that comprises of all the warning signs. This innovative design is a true novelty of sorts even though it might be a tad impractical. The interior is designed as an attempt at having all the small luxuries that people usually only find in luxury cars. There are hooks to hang shopping bags, bottle and card holders, a sunglass case, and drawers under the front seats.

Spark has been designed to possess a rear suspension that along with a comfortable ride also gives you the option of a large boot space of 170 liters, which you can increase to 845 liters if you fold the rear seats. The boot provides a low loading platform and is protected by the boot lining from the upper part of the rear bumper.

In the event of a side impact, the car's central pillar protects the occupants making it safe for all passengers.

Spark's exterior has a very soft yet bold look. It has very smooth and prominent etches that define its hood in a blunt shaped V that makes the car look like it is smiling. The poached-egg-shaped headlights are prominently placed on either side of this hood. The front bumper and grill present a look of solidarity. The symbol of Chevrolet is centralized in the front of the hood.

Highlighted wheel arches and structured sides of the car divide it prominently, giving it a futuristic and streamlined appearance. The round rear lamp is distinctive and completes this car's overall attractive and purposeful looks.

Spark's top variant comes with power steering and remote adjustable rear view mirrors for the driver, and also electronically adjustable rear view mirrors for the co-driver. Some other features that you have the option to choose from are height-adjustable seats for driver, ABS brakes, airbags, child seat tether anchorage provisions, and alloy wheels.

i'm driving this car frm last 6 months & experince that i had it's just graet!!!!!!

best in evry thingNone

I have purchased a spark during December 2007 from TVS, Chennai dealer after watching the advertisement given by the GM company which said "No maintainence cost and No service cost for 3 years". After one and half years, when I approached the dealer/company at chennai for service, the company demands service charge of Rs. 2500. The GM is not keeping its promise. I request the GM motors to kindly withdraw this advertisement immediately.  Do not make people foolish Good style, inner spaceweak and low suspension

Hey All,

i  booked Spark LS1.0 yesterday at GM Moti nagar, Delhi.

Gave me a deal of 3.33lakhs with Delphi Stereo(MP3 + USB enabled), Central Locking & Gear Lock.

comes up with 3yrs of warranty, which means dnt have to pay a single penny  on its service, engien oil, gear oil, and on several other things which comes under this criterion.

will be gettign it delivered in 7-8 days as the color is Intense Black so takes a bit of time.

EXCELLENT CAR over all...

better than Santro and No comparison with Alto, awesome Luxury interiors according to its price.

GO for it...

Good Fuel Economy, great interiors, value for money.

I liked the fiery red spark and purchased the Spark PS (fiery red) from KUN, Hydeabad on 25th sep 2008. To my surprise it came with black bumpers (in website and advts they show body colour bumpers). I did not like it. Paid Rs. 5000/- for painting the bumpers with body colour. 

I stay in tirupati town. No service station is available with in 100km distance. went twice to vellore (TN) for servicing. GM opened show room and service centers at Nellore and tirupati now. Problem is solved.

Drive is excellent. Initially no sound was heard but now some noise is felt while driving. So far I have travelled 10340 km (80% highway). so far filled with 700 Lt petrol. average mileage is about 14.9 kmpl (with full time AC on).

City drive is very comfortable.

Make sure that you tranfer your old vehicle to one of your family members before you buy the new vehicle. Since I owned a 9 year old byke I had to pay Rs. 10,000 extra towards the registration.

over all I am very happy with the performance of my car. I strongly recommend thid car for the people buying first car. 

 

excellent manuerability, excellent looks and style, compactnoisy AC, poor head light intensity

I purchased my spark in Oct 2009 and have driven 7000 + kms since then . Spark 1.0 LS ( blazing red) was my first car and till date I am more than happy with my decision to opt for this wonderful small car from GM. We cannot expect everything in a small car but I am happy coz it delivers more than the expectations of cars in its segment. I know quite a few people who purchased the Chevy Spark after my feedback. So i thougth of sharing it here to help others who might need help with information on this car.

It looks small but it packs a punch and when you sit inside it looks amazingly spacious.I am quite tall and have never had an issue fitting in comfortably in the drivers seat.

Sparky , as i love to call it , will give you good value for money , comes with great interiors and is a joy to  ride.

I have had 2 servicing till now and I am more than happy with the service provided by GM .This has been the worry of most potential buyers but from my experience I have been really satisfied.

Exterior

 A very sturdy looking car with great design.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)

 beautiful and compact interiors . However a little more space inside would have been a terrific add on , but small segment cars have always got to live with space constraint.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox

 Engine Performance is great. With AC the mileage and power drops a bit but again this i guess is true for all cars. Gear shift is smooth and amazingly effortless.

With AC , mileage : 12 - 12.5 km/l

Without AC , mileage : 14 - 15 km/l

Ride Quality & Handling

Because of its small perimeter and good responsive power steering it is easy to maneuver and ride through heavy traffic . However power steering was initially good but with time it has become a touch less responsive( GM would do good if they can work on the power steering a bit more).

Shock absorbers are awesome and that leads to an outstanding ride quality. You will feel the comfort no matter how rough the road is.

Final Words

 Go for chevy spark if it is on your list of probable cars from where you are deciding to choose. At this cost you will get all you want w.r.t features and looks.

I STRONGLY RECOMMEND the CHEVY SPARK to all readers who are planning to buy a small segment car

Areas of improvement  

1) Ground clearence is great but 5 ppl and some luggage actually leads to the car touching on bumpers where it would generally not do so.

2)Power steering should not become less responsive with time

3)can we get some more space inside please :)

Ride quality is superb , comfortable , ease of Drive in traffic, compact and beautiful interiorssome more space inside would have been really good , with 5 ppl & luggage ground clearence suffers