My son gave me my car 2014 Chevy spark 2 years ago he bought it brand new. One day when I went to get out of car the doors locked and unlocked by their self. It took me about 10 to 15 times to try and get out of the car. Then the touch screen on the radio stopped working had it checked out and said they needed to replace the radio for price of 600.00 dollars no way. Then a couple months ago was driving on interstate and all of a sudden my car cut off and check engine light came on. Had to have it towed in and now with 87.000 miles on it transmission needs to be replaced.

I've never felt so conflicted about a car. I bought mine used, second owner, around 75k miles, and it needed a new transmission the literal moment I drove it off the lot. But on the other hand, I found the design/color cute (VERY easy to spot in a crowded parking lot), a breeze to park, and I was doing metaphorical donuts around the giant trucks when gas prices were skyrocketing last year. For being the (former) cheapest new car you could buy in the US, the *look* of the Spark never felt cheap to me. As mentioned earlier, the transmission crying for help the moment I drove it home was an omen. It usually did fine for short errands, but any time I wanted to take it on the freeway, it was white knuckle. This engine is WEAK. Good luck trying to get up to speed to merge onto freeways. And I had to consider weight distribution if I dared to have passengers with me. This car forced me to make compromises on most trips, and reconsider journeys that required freeway travel. If plopping a more powerful engine in this thing was a realistic/reasonable option, I think I would've considered that instead of trading it in for a more reliable car. That said, I was sad to say goodbye to it. I mourn the slow death of compact cars in the US, as the options have become slim in recent years. Not everyone needs or wants a giant truck or SUV! I think a Spark (maybe a newer model?) would be great for a teenager's first car car, or for an older person, or even as a secondary errand/commuter car. But I don't recommend buying it as your only mode of transportation, *especially* if you know you'll have to use freeways to travel.

it is just what i need for the traveling i do. I only need it for short trips to work. The gas mileage is great and I have had no problem. with it.