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I changed the passenger side front head lamp with no problems, it took me less than 20mins.... I may try to do a radiator flush later this week...
As always any additional tips to keep her running will be greatly appreciated... I only have 5 more payments...!!!!!
Any engine will sludge if oil changes are not often enough.
The Prizm will be fine, if it has had proper maintenance, it will last so long you will just want to get rid of it because you are tired of it, not because of any mechanical problems.
We have a 96 Prizm. The ABS (yellow light) stays on sometimes after start. Sometimes it goes away and the ABS works fine. Went to "MIDAS", they told me that they do not have the "ABS scanner", so I need to go to the dealer (However, they told me on the phone that they will charge $70 to get the ABS codes only). Dealer's shop said they charge $175 to service ABS and parts are extra. "TUFFY" told me to come on workdays only as GM ABS brake parts (Denso??) parts are available only at the GM dealers. Found a bulletin (www.carquest.com/techbulletins/brakes/1998/CQB9817.pdf) at "Carquest." It tells to it look for two codes and change pinion gear ($20.00 part).
I need suggestions for owners who had the similar problems.
Thanks
PS: (I am going to disconnect the battery to see, if all data/elec. resets. Does the break oil needs to be changed)
Ihave come across an offer to buy a Geo 1994 Prizm. The seller tells me that it is a replica of the corrola.
I was wondering whether that is the truth.
My mileage is 178,984 for my 98 5-speed prizm.
~alpha
I'm just doing my best to keep her running. I need to get the seats cleaned as well as a good wax... Suggestions are always welcome on what I can do to keep her running smooth...
Squeak...
> I got my 95 LSI 1.8 auto this Feb. Started about one month ago, we found it's hard to start, especially this first time of the day. Battery is fine, 'cause we jump started other cars, and hooked with a corolla didn't solve the start prolem. Later on we found press the accelerator helped little bit, since putting some gas in the cylinder before starting sounds reasonalbe. But just few days later, that trick no longer worked. We still have to try pressing either the brake or accelerator or nothing to get it started. It sounds like a starter problem. If so, how much does it cost? We can still get it started, just very hard the first time of day..... Thanks for any information/advices... =:)
I have the same problem on my Prism, need help.
SRS Air bag started blinking when was only 16K, Dealer fixed it, it showed up again + High beam light blinks now it is 45k , now no warranty.
Pl. advise
The right cv shaft of friend's prizm went wrong with leakage problem, a broken boot. The garage told me that it will cost 180 for changing the right cv shaft and 80 for left boot. Do you guys think this is reasonable price.
Also I would like to know how important this cv shaft is to the car's normal performance and driving safety.
I also found large areas of dirty oil (engine oil, i think)covering almost the entire surface of the engine. Would it be a potential problem for repairing. Since the car is kind of new to her, she has no idea if she wants to buy the car for 1100 dollars.
Thank you very much for timely answer and suggestions
I'm such a conservative driver that I feel this is the only way I'll see the rewards of my coasting and light braking.
PC
(CONT)...
PRIZMCOASTER: I agree with your thinking on driving your car into the ground. The book value for most cars drop dramatically once you approach 100k. With proper maintenance, your engine will easily last 150k (mine is over 153k with no problems!); so.... I'm not so sure why you're already thinking about a rebuilt engine. Just keep your car properly maintained. Not sure why you're going through so many radios and cig lighters--probably some type of electrical problem. Good luck.
PC
Squeak...
The "Brake" warning on the dash is coming on and going off intermittently. The manual said that it is dangerous to drive if this light is on. I could be hydraulic or some other problem. The manual said I may notice the pedal going to the floor, and I am. The brakes were redone by Goodyear @ 75,000 miles and redone by dealer @ 99,000. Can some give me a little more help here? How much is this going to cost. I regret letting Goodyear touch my brakes.
Thanks,
PC
Thanks,
PC
I'm in the market for a used car. I'm a serviceman near a military base in Germany and there are only a limited number of US spec cars here to choose from in my price range ($10k-ish). I'm down to 2 cars which are the only realistic choice since they have really the ones with a warranty that is at all substantial. They both come with a 5/75,000 mile bumper to bumper.
The first one is a 01 Prizm, white and 3 SPEED AUTO, with power everything, cruise, 17,000 miles on it, and CD player for $9000.
The second one is an 02 Focus, also with power everything, CD player, cruise, and 10,000 miles on it, for a cost of $11,000.
I like the sportiness and unique looks of the Focus, it's OK on fuel economy, but the quality/reliability is infamous for this model, and this is what is holding me back from really being excited about it.
I like the reliability, and fuel economy of the Prizm, but the bland looks and the 3 SPEED auto trans are a turn off. Plus, I hear that the 3 speed has much lower mpg than the 4 speed. I would probably have no hesitation if it were a 4 speed with overdrive.
Can anyone give opinions as to which one they would choose were they in my shoes, and why? I will post this in the FOCUS forum also and see what they say. Thanks.
Dean
AFTER 3 YEARS I MUST SAY THE PRIZM WAS A GOOD CAR. TOTALLY RELIABLE AND A GOOD DRIVE. BUT MY SISTER GOT A FOCUS AND AFTER RIDING IN THAT CAR I MUST SAY I WAS UPSET A BIT ABOUT NEVER GETTING THE FOCUS, ITS ROOMIER AND MUCH MORE FUN.
To the military guy, I wouldn't buy the 3 speed Prizm if you plan on doing anything more than ocassional highway driving. That 3 speed is annoying on the highway. You feel like you are torturing the engine. I rented one. I ended up being very impressed with the Prizm so that I bought one for my next car but I didn't like the 3 speed so I bought the 4 speed.
The Focus is a decent car. It isn't as refined as a Prizm but you will like it fine.
If you had a choice between a 4 speed Prizm and a Focus I might say go with the Prizm.
I had an unfortunate incident with my Subaru today and find myself in the need of a new car. The Prizim looks like a good deal.
To the serviceman who posed the question Prizm-Focus, I strongly recommend that you choose the Prizm. My advice is based purely on dependability, and that to me means value over everything else.
Good luck with whatever you choose though!
The Pontiac Vibe (really a Toyota Matrix with a GM badge and a few other cosmetic GM touches) replaced it.
I was reading in the Smart Shopper section several issues of new and used vehicle purchases, and when I read about the Prizm I became excited. Lasted for a few minutes though. I tried researching it and thought that the car may no longer be produced.
I'm not sure I'd buy the Pontiac Vibe though. I read mixed reviews, and it seems that more work needs to go into it. The Prizm, being a Corolla, came with a solid reputation.
By the way, I couldn't find the Smart Shopper section where Terry wrote so many good insights
There are so many different ways to find things in the Town Hall that sometimes it's almost too hard.
:-)
It's however possible that I'm geographically impaired.
how does one find out if the automatic is a 3 or a 4? Can this info be ascertained visually? I am looking for an LSi model or a load base model and wnat to avoid a 3 speed auto at all cost. I also don't trust unscrupulous used cars salesmen.
Thanks in advance for your help.