Drew Dowdell

I grew up in the Dodge Colt Vista (an '86) and I can testify to it's surprising off-road prowess. The Aerostar was almost a luxury liner in its ride. I wouldn't want any of them, but I'd pick Silhouette first (gotta represent) followed closely by a 5-speed/4WD Dodge Colt Vista turbo.

Where these really that big a step up from a same year Ford?

Well it is cheap. That was a nearly loaded model (minus just the automatic) and it priced out at $15k.

I don't see the resemblance.. Swap out the inboard high-beams for inboard DRLs.. I see it too Ocn.

DOHC is older technology than OHV pushrod, so your theory fails. Furthermore, by being able to have larger displacement due to the packaging of the engine, pushrod engines can give you more torque at lower RPM, meaning they don't need to rev to 7,000rpm to move the car. The Buick Roadmaster V8 and Honda S2000 both have 240 horsepower, but in the same car, the LT-1 V8 would kick the Honda's ass because it also had 360 ft-lbs of torque while the Honda can barely manage 180 ft-lb. I agree that due to Marketing, people are all caught up in the DOHC V8, V6 or 4 bangers and yet other than horsepower, they suck always on the torque front and that is what is really needed in efficient small auto's. You need a car that can be moved around really well, not a rocket from red light to red light. I can see GM winning with a 140hp/250lbs of torque 4 banger push rod engine. I truly believe they can build a more efficient version than depending on the DOHC crud. lol, I drive with 140hp/255lbs now... but I use 8 bangs to get it.

This website is about cars of any year.

damn I'm tired.... just sent my travel schedule to my employees. Sept 19 - 24 (Houston) Oct 2 – 5 (Oakbrook) Oct 10 – 11 (Louisville), possibly 12 - 13 also (NYC if added) Oct 14 – 19 (Ennis) Leave early Oct 26 (Allentown) Possible Oct 29 (Oakbrook) Possible Oct 30 – 31 (Columbus)

Chevy’s first entry into the micro car market is the 2013 Spark. During the IMPA test days, I got to take a spin in a cheeky Spark 2LT with the standard 5-speed manual transmission; a 4-speed automatic is optional. Ingress and egress of the tiny car is easy due to the upright seating position and tall doors. Headroom for such a small car is excellent. Despite being a very low price entry model, every Chevrolet Spark comes with air conditioning, power windows and a full 10 airbags. Rear seat access is just as easy as in the front with a surprising amount of legroom. I doubt I would want to spend 5 hours riding back there, but most spins around town would be fine. The 1LT and 2LT trim levels come with Chevy’s new MyLink infotainment system that includes a 7” color touch-screen. I didn’t play with it during this test drive, but expect it to operate the same as the MyLink in the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco we reviewed previously. The interior is mostly hard plastic as would be expected, but feels very well put together. In fact, my only quibble with the interior would be the rather clunky looking and feeling manual shifter that Chevy borrowed from your Grandpap’s 1987 Chevy S-10. The Spark is powered by a 1.25 liter 4-cylinder with 84 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 83 ft-lbs of torque at 4200 rpm. Routed through the 5-speed manual, this is the little engine that could, and with some effort, does. What power you do have comes on quickly and the Spark actually feels peppy to drive. Gearing is such that you can be in 5th gear by 35 mph and as long as you’re not in any hurry, accelerate up to highway speeds. I recognize the Spark is a cost conscious micro car, but it does feel like it needs a 6th gear. This is borne out in two ways: First, at 55 mph, the engine is turning at about 2500 rpm, and while the engine is impressively smooth for such an entry level car, the buzz from the engine does make it into the cabin at these higher RPMs. I wasn’t in a position to take the car faster, but I would probably find the noise from the engine at 70 to be bothersome. The second reason the Spark needs a 6th gear is shown in the fuel economy numbers. The Spark is EPA rated at 32 mpg city and 38 mpg highway. Both the larger Chevy Sonic and Cruze with 6-speed manuals can beat that highway number soundly. Even if Chevy didn’t make a 6-speed manual standard, the ability to option into one at extra cost would be nice. The Spark won’t be winning road rallies any time soon, but in the ride and handling department, the car felt a class above and was actually fun to drive and throw around.The mini-car market is very small in the U.S., and dominated mostly by the SMART Four-Two and more recently the Scion iQ. Seeing what Chevy has done with the Spark makes me think they are about to make a huge splash in the tiny tiny-car market. The full gallery of pictures from the IMPA Test days is located here and will continue to be built as quick drive reviews are added: Year: 2013 Make: Chevrolet Model: Spark Trim: 2LT Engine: 1.25 Liter 4-cylinder Driveline: Front wheel drive, 5-speed manual Horsepower @ RPM: 84 @ 6400 Torque @ RPM: 83 lb-ft @ 4200 Fuel Economy: City/Highway: 32/38 Location of Manufacture: Bupyeong, South Korea Base Price: $12,245 Est. As Tested Price: $15,795 Drew Dowdell is Managing Editor of CheersandGears.com and can be reached at [email protected] or on twitter as @cheersngears View full article

Why not a set of DOHC heads that fit on a pushrod block? I know the idea gets a bad rap from the 3.4 Twincam, but the problem there was in the execution, not the theory. Had they not cheaped out on timing belt idler pulleys, the basic engine would have been sound. The other problems with that engine were the accessories that hang off the accessory belt.

DOHC is older technology than OHV pushrod, so your theory fails. Furthermore, by being able to have larger displacement due to the packaging of the engine, pushrod engines can give you more torque at lower RPM, meaning they don't need to rev to 7,000rpm to move the car. The Buick Roadmaster V8 and Honda S2000 both have 240 horsepower, but in the same car, the LT-1 V8 would kick the Honda's ass because it also had 360 ft-lbs of torque while the Honda can barely manage 180 ft-lb.

Nice shots!

Then what to the RAV-4 and CR-V drive like?

Albert likes it... we'll probably end up with one. I'm not concerned about the engine, we already have a 160hp 4-cylinder with 4-speed in the driveway. I like the way the Sonic drives, so I expect the Encore to be similar. GM does have a 1.6T coming (though I don't know what cars it will go in) that makes 200hp and 200 ft/lb of torque.