Chevrolet Spark M150-M250

A cute little car with a characteristic narrow body and round headlights at one time managed to attract attention only with its appearance. The Chevrolet Spark, reminiscent of an MPV, is surprisingly spacious despite its narrow base. The short hood, high body line and thin door panels allow two adults to comfortably accommodate, and even three can travel behind. But the trunk of 167 liters is more suitable for emergencies. Despite its apparent fragility, the Chevrolet Spark was not a danger to its time. It received three stars in Euro NCAP tests, as did the Volkswagen Passat B5 of the time.

History of the origin

This cute design didn’t come from Chevrolet’s pen, it wasn’t even designed for it.

In 1993, the concept of Fiat Lucciola was presented at the Turin Motor Show, for the development and production of which italdesign Giugiaro was responsible. Conceived as a modern replacement for the Fiat 500, the car received two electric motors and a diesel engine to recharge the batteries. However, the automaker did not like Giugiaro’s work, and he rejected it. However, the Koreans from Daewoo showed interest and took the round body as a basis, now with the second pair of doors, from Daewoo Tico. Chiko was only a licensed version of the third-generation Suzuki Alto, a tiny Japanese kei car. That's how Matiz came in.

Matiz was developed in England, and for Europe, in addition to South Korea, it was also produced in Poland (FSO) and Romania (at the former Oltcit plant).

But the mixing of nations did not end there. In Europe, the second generation of Matiz received the American Chevrolet badge and a new name – Spark (M150).

Restyling (M200)

The Chevrolet Spark (M200) was still based on the original Matiz (M100), but with a substantial facelift. In Western European markets, the car continued to be called the Chevrolet Matiz, which made it easy to distinguish imports.

In addition to the body, which lost round headlights (they became larger and sharper), the interior has changed. The instrument panel moved to a fashionable place at the time - in the center of the front panel.

Changes also affected the chassis, where the original rigid rear axle, stabilized by the Panar bar, was replaced by an elastic beam with trailer levers. The pressed lower arms of the front suspension gave way to cast ones. The engines remained without major changes, but received new intake and exhaust manifolds.

Production of the Chevrolet Spark (M200) ended in 2017, with India its last home.

Weaknesses

At the moment, the Spark remains one of the cheapest options for getting a serviceable car. Although the market is mostly cheap versions, younger and more expensive units also offer power steering, air conditioning and airbags.

The low price of a secondary means that owners are usually reluctant to invest in its maintenance, and even small malfunctions can become fatal.

But the car is surprisingly reliable, instances with manufacturing defects have long been cured. Spark is not too concerned about corrosion, and the quality of protection is decent. But it's not perfect.

Just a couple of years after the start of sales, corrosion was detected on the left rear wing, indicating a manufacturing defect. Corrosion is also currently observed at door edges and sills. However, cars that didn’t park directly on wet grass and get into accidents have survived surprisingly well.

Worse is the case with chassis elements such as lower levers, stabilizers and especially with steering rods. Therefore, when buying a used car, it is worth checking these relatively easily accessible parts, as well as seeing if there is backlash in the hub bearings or steering. Brakes are also not very reliable, often there are behavioral brake discs.

Service

Simplicity of design is the advantage of an unpretentious car. The fewer details, the fewer problems. What goes wrong can be easily and cheaply repaired in your garage. This applies to the consumable parts of the running gear, such as Silentblocks, anthers of the semi-axles and hinge joints. However, all these details can still be cheaply purchased and easily replaced. Moreover, the Chevrolet Spark belongs to the generation of cars for which there are detailed independent publications devoted to maintenance and repair, from which you can learn a lot of useful things.

Replacing the HRM drive on both versions of the S-TEC engine is quite simple: no unusual tools are required, and all the work is done in two hours.

The grip is worse. With the arrival of Spark, the situation has improved somewhat. However, its durability is average, which can be influenced by the previous owner’s driving style. The advantage in this regard is the fact that the Spark does not have towing equipment.

Rational choice

Used cars with simple technology are becoming an increasingly sought-after commodity these days, but Spark remains a marginal choice. Many people have probably forgotten about its existence. Despite some moral obsolescence, Spark is not worth avoiding - later models, at least if they have power steering, are quite a rational choice.

At first glance, the Spark looks flimsy, which is only highlighted by details such as the very ringing sound of doors closing. After launch, the three-cylinder engine surprises with its quiet and honed work. In the movement, it becomes clear that the soundproofing funds did not regret. And contrary to expectations, there are no unpleasant clucking sounds coming from a cheap-looking dashboard or other parts of the interior. The quality of the production here is really good.

The walker is also unexpectedly comfortable and extinguishes the blows well. In corners, the high body tilts more than you would like, but this car is not designed for fast driving.

Engines

0.8 S-TEC (M-TEC) (R3 / 50 hp): The tiny three-cylinder engine is based on Suzuki’s F5B engine, which had a volume of just 547 cm3. Daewoo, in collaboration with Suzuki, has upgraded the car to 796 cm3. An update in 2002 allowed the installation of an EGR valve that reduces emissions. Since 2004, aluminum cams have been installed on the engine.

Oil leaks in the oil filter area have become increasingly common, and high-voltage ignition wires often fail. The ignition distributor and thermostat have a short service life.

1.0 S-TEC (M-TEC) (R4 / 67 hp): The more powerful litre four-cylinder engine is still based on the same Suzuki engine. It has the same improvements and at the same time similar problems. Like a smaller engine, it is a reliable unit, provided that oil change intervals and valve timing are observed. However, it is less common among used cars, and most buyers prefer the cheaper 0.8 litre.

Characteristic problems and malfunctions

Poor work of the synchronizers of the second and third gears of the manual transmission is rather a feature. A better quality transmission oil may help in part.

Corrosion and separation of the hinge of the steering tip - it is necessary to regularly check its condition.

Failure of high-voltage ignition wires.

Service recommendations

Every 10,000 km or 12 months, it is recommended to change the engine oil and filter, check fuel lines, fuel hoses and connections.

Every 30,000 it is recommended to check and, if necessary, replace the drive belt of the hinged units.

After 60,000 km or 5 years, it is recommended to update the belt of the HRM drive.

Every 10,000 km, it is recommended to change the front and rear wheels.

Model history

1993: The Fiat Lucciola concept with a hybrid powertrain is presented at the Turin Motor Show.

1997: Daewoo d'Arts Concept Series Presentation at the Frankfurt Motor Show

1998: release of the first generation Daewoo Matiz M100 with a three-cylinder engine capacity of 0.8 liters.

2002: a new 1.0-litre four-cylinder engine was introduced.

2004: Daewoo brand changed its name to Chevrolet in Europe.

2005: The second generation Chevrolet Spark (M200) is launched in Central Europe.

2007: Facelift version, designated M250, with a slight design change.

2008: Production of the first generation (M100) for Europe ends.

2009: Production of the third generation Chevrolet Spark (M300) begins.

2017: Second generation (M200) production stopped at GM India

2018: Production of the first generation (M150) at the Uzbek GM plant was discontinued.

The Chevrolet Spark is more of a city shopping bag that rarely goes outside the city. One of the cheapest used cars is not expected to have owners visit expensive service stations. However, the Chevrolet Spark is a car that allows you to solve most problems on your own.

History of the origin

• Conceived as a modern replacement for the Fiat 500, the car received two electric motors and a diesel engine to recharge the batteries.

Weaknesses

• The low price of a secondary means that owners are usually reluctant to invest in its maintenance, and even small malfunctions can become fatal.
• Spark is not too concerned about corrosion, and the quality of protection is decent. But it's not perfect.
• Just a couple of years after the start of sales, corrosion was detected on the left rear wing, indicating a manufacturing defect.
• Corrosion is also currently observed at door edges and sills.
• Therefore, when buying a used car, it is worth checking these relatively easily accessible parts, as well as seeing if there is backlash in the hub bearings or steering.

Service

• Simplicity of design is the advantage of an unpretentious car. The fewer details, the fewer problems.
• What goes wrong can be easily and cheaply repaired in your garage.
• Moreover, the Chevrolet Spark belongs to the generation of cars for which there are detailed independent publications devoted to maintenance and repair, from which you can learn a lot of useful things.

Engines

• It has the same improvements and at the same time similar problems.

Characteristic problems and malfunctions

• Corrosion and separation of the hinge of the steering tip - it is necessary to regularly check its condition.

Service recommendations

• Every 10,000 km or 12 months, it is recommended to change the engine oil and filter, check fuel lines, fuel hoses and connections.
• Every 30,000 it is recommended to check and, if necessary, replace the drive belt of the hinged units.
• After 60,000 km or 5 years, it is recommended to update the belt of the HRM drive.
• Every 10,000 km, it is recommended to change the front and rear wheels.

Model history

• However, the Chevrolet Spark is a car that allows you to solve most problems on your own.

• Conceived as a modern replacement for the Fiat 500, the car received two electric motors and a diesel engine to recharge the batteries.
• Restyled (M200): The Chevrolet Spark (M200) was still based on the original Matiz (M100), but with substantial facelift.
• Weaknesses: The low cost of a secondary means owners are usually reluctant to invest in its maintenance, and even small malfunctions can become fatal.
• Maintenance: Simplicity of design is the advantage of an unpretentious car. The fewer details, the fewer problems.
• Rational choice: Used cars with simple technology are becoming an increasingly sought-after commodity these days, but Spark remains a marginal choice.
• Engines: It got the same refinements and at the same time similar problems.
• Characteristic problems and malfunctions: Corrosion and separation of the hinge of the steering tip - it is necessary to regularly check its condition.
• Service recommendations: Every 10,000 km or 12 months, it is recommended to change the engine oil and filter, check fuel lines, fuel hoses and connections.

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