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Does anybody know where I can find performance suspension parts for the Prizm? I have a 2000 Prizm LSi 5-speed and it's a great car. I'd like to upgrade the handling though...I think the suspension is a little too soft and would like to add new springs and shocks...The trouble is I haven't been able to find anything...
I have seen some listings for Eibach and H&R Springs for the Toyota Corolla, however. And, as we know, the Prizm and Corolla are built in the same factory in Fremont, CA. and are for the most part, the same car.
I haven't been able to confirm or deny that a set of springs/shocks for the Corolla will work on the Prizm. I even called H&R and they couldn't help me.
Any ideas?
PS. For anybody wondering why I find the Prizm suspension a bit soft, the car I had before the Prizm was a Golf GTi which I had for 10 years...
Thanks in advance..
I looked at the Saturn S wagon, Ford Focus Wagon and Ford Escort, Dodge Neon, and Chevy Cavalier, before I looked at the Chevy Prizm. I wanted to look at the Toyota Cars, but my wife did not want anything from Japan. So to appease us both, I went with the Prizm.
You made a very good choice. FYI for your wife though...Prizms and Toyota Corollas roll off the same assembly line in California. I'm sure there have been other posts about the joint venture between GM and Toyota which spawned the Chevy Nova and Geo Prizm. Don't let misguided concerns about baseball and apple pie and the "good old US of A" stop you from considering a "Japanese" car in the future.
I've owned Geo Prizms (and Chevy Novas before that), knowing all the while they were basically Toyota Corollas with an American flag on 'em. And unlike 100% "American" cars in the same price range (especially the Cavalier -- a dogmobile if ever there was one), your Prizm/Corolla will actually love you back! :-)
I have a 98 Prizm ( 5-speed) with 97,000 miles.... I know, I do drive a lot... I have had no problems at all... I change the oil every 3,000... get my tune up's every 30,000 I wanted to know the following:
* how do I do the gas cap trick? I lost my gas cap and the check engine light came on... I purchase a new gas cap and the light is still on...
* I'm only getting 32 mpg... what can I do to increase my mpg...?
* do I need to do any special service soon...?
* does this car have a timing belt...?
* any other suggestions...?
as always thanks for your help...
I have a 1999 Chevy Prizm with about 47,000 miles on it. Unfortunately, because of the mileage my car that is less than 2 years old is outside the warranty period (3/36). About a week ago the transmission (3 speed automatic) went on me, and I had to eat a $2,500 repair bill to have it rebuilt (bad valve body if that means anything to you). The guy at AAMCO suggested I contact GM to see if they would cover some/all of the cost since the car is still fairly new despite being out of warranty. I just wanted to know if anyone has run into similar problems and/or if you have any advice on how to convince GM to pay for this repair. I would appriciate any advice. Thanks.
Tim
Please don't tell me to get a mini van, I have a maxi van.
I can always disable the front air bag and put one up front. Hard to give up the mileage and buy an Impala.
You will probably find it difficult to fit three infant seats in the back of any car the size of a Prizm - they just aren't wide enough.
I cheked both Edmunds and Kelly Blue Book on prices and have a problem -- Edmunds list it at $5795 and Kelly Blue Book list it at $7670. this dealership does not negotiate -- company policy -- they let you know the price and that is that. So what price do I go by?
I own a 90 Geo Prism Hatchback and loved it -- wish i hadn't sold it. If it is a 3-speed is there anything I need to be aware of beside noise at high speeds?
I replace both Vs, both disc brakes and out of ideas.
Mechanics can't find it
That being said, I highly recommend the car. As you probably know, it's basically the same as a Toyota Corolla (built on the same line, but they tend to sell for a lot less). It's pretty fun to drive with the stick, as well. A friend of mine had one with an auto and it SUCKED! I get around 26-27 mpg in city-only driving and I drive it pretty hard (my main car is a Miata, so I tend to flog my winter cars!).
Let me know if you have any other questions. I think he'd like the car--but make sure he's prepared for the fact that when people hear you have a Geo, they always think of the Metro. Even if you say it's a Prizm, they still think of the Metro. No wonder Chevy dumped the marque...
Check out the Auto Trader:
http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/index.jtmpl?ac_afflt=none&borschtid=68297049781591539225
There are a lot of dealers and private individuals listings
Check it out.
After all, it would only be polite to use the edmunds entry point as a thank you to Edmunds.com for providing these wonderful free message boards, don't you think?
:-)
Pat
Host
Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
I wonder if anyone a little more knowledgeable about cars than I am can help me. I currently drive a 1986 Mercury Topaz - a small (mid-size in its day) sedan that, for all its woes, is a car that I like very much. Its gas mileage is great (for a 1986 Ford), it's comfortable in both driveability and roominess, and it's a very sturdy car. However, because of its age, I can't really keep it any longer. Parts are getting harder to find and it eventually will suffer some sort of problem that will probably be more costly to fix than the down payment on a new Ferrari.
So I'm looking for a new(er) car. I'm not looking for anything auspicious. I don't want a sportscar, I don't want a luxury sedan, rather, something economical that has decent performance (i.e. won't get me killed on the highway), as well as roominess. I like the looks of the Prizm / Corolla. I figured I'd ask the usual questions:
1. Has anyone had any major problems or dislikes about their Prizm, any sticking points I should be worried about?
2. Does Chevrolet provide decent after-purchase service?
3. I attend a college that is fairly far from home, so I log a LOT of highway miles. Is it a good highway car, or should I pick up something with a V6, like a Malibu?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Josh Rutherford
Than in February, my wife and daughter were involved in an traffic accident that completely destroyed our Prizm. PLEASE BE WARNED, LIKE MOST SMALL CARS, THE PRIZM DOES NOT FARE WELL IN SERIOUS TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS INVOLVING LARGER VEHICLES!!!! My wife and daughter survived the accident with only minor injuries but will never set foot inside another small car. You can't really appreciate how "in expensively" made the Prizm is until you see one AFTER an accident.
Does your car make any kind of abnormal sounds when you press the clutch to shift when you are moving?
Will there be a 2002 Prism? If so, are updates expected to be meaningful ? Worth waiting for 2002 or buy 2001 now ?
By the way, getting 39mpg on my last several tank fulls, including running the air conditioning about 33% of the time. This is about 85% highway driving, putting on 152 miles a day. Guess you could say, I am ready for the summer gas prices, whatever they may be!
Even if they build it in 2001, I would not expect any major changes, because they just upgraded the peppy engine (now 125 hp) to variable cam technology several years ago, and have a good timing chain now (not a belt).
buy a prizm. Can I still get GM rebate?
(I haven't spend a penny with GM card)
The other option is a 98 Hyundai Elantra [Auto] with 66K on it. This offer is for USD 3500. This doesn't seem to be a clean car as it has some rental history and 3-4 owners. The existing owner is selling it to me within a month of purchase. Also, Hyundai's reputation ain't brilliant....
What is the resale value of a manual stick to the auto transmission?
Pl. Advise.
List price $17,678, bought it for $15,749 minus $1,500 rebate or $14,249 less my GM Card rebate of $5,238.($9,011 before tax and tags.)
Quirk in Braintree, MA always seems to give the best deal.
All seems pretty good so far. Nice little engine in this car.
I've read a bit about this car having lousy tires. What are the best tires for this vehicle? I definitely plan on upgrading them.
How is this car in the snow?
They used to allow $1,000 per year. They even counted balance transfers and had double awards for shopping merchants like CVS and Mobil.
I actually had the rebate up to $6,500 last year, but was not ready to use it.
My bottom line is simple, buy a Prizm, Corolla, Civic, Neon, etc. and enjoy the nimble handing and the above average gas mileage but always remember, crumple zones or not, in an accident with a larger vehicle at most posted speeds your chance of survival drops considerably. And that, my friend, ain't good news!!!!!!
I am enticed to use the rebate on a disguised Toyota, but the safety issues involved with driving a smaller car do concern me. I am not in a hurry for a new car, so perhaps I'll wait and see if the Vibe is any good. Although with its styling and the younger crowd that will be driving it, I may look a silly in it, but who cares if it is a good vehicle.