I can feel the hate coming

"Frenchlicker" (frenchlicker)
04/02/2014 at 21:54 • Filed to: Oppo rebellion!

I just read the story on the fp about people buying Sparks and Mirages. I personally love he spark and may end up buying one. So naturally I defended it against all of the haters, giving a voice to the voiceless. I expect the replies to be less than nice.

Ps. I also love Aztecs and scooters

DISCUSSION (55)

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Frenchlicker
04/02/2014 at 21:58

trust me. I drive a Honda Civic with an auto. You cannot get worse comments than what I got.

I have no problem with the Spark. For what it is, its a good car. I just felt it was a little too underpowered.

Big Bubba Ray > Frenchlicker
04/02/2014 at 21:58

Not hating, genuinely curious. What do you like about the Spark? I, personally, think they're beyond hideous and far too small.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Frenchlicker
04/02/2014 at 21:59

As someone who dos not like the FR-S, I know what you are walking into. It won't hurt too much. But still, be prepared.

Hooker > Frenchlicker
04/02/2014 at 22:04

Kinja'd!!!

Though I tend to agree with you, others may feel differently. I present this as a gift for you. Use it wisely.

chilango > Frenchlicker
04/02/2014 at 22:04

Kinja'd!!!

I cant get past the freakishly big headlights the current Spark has. Id like one of these though... looks neat and tidy

D > Frenchlicker
04/02/2014 at 22:05

I just looked at the sun and read your title and swear it said 'I hate the feel of coming'

Jayhawk Jake > Frenchlicker
04/02/2014 at 22:10

Why not Sonic?

Kinja'd!!!

I love mine

For Sweden > Frenchlicker
04/02/2014 at 22:19

Baja Bug is about the same size.

therevengeofthesaab (really likes pre-2005 hondas right now) > Frenchlicker
04/02/2014 at 22:24

Kinja'd!!!

Bravery......

TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma > Frenchlicker
04/02/2014 at 22:25

Confession: I really dig the Spark. I think its a funky, little car, geared well towards younger buyers with its loud colors and vivid interior. Though I think it's a bit overshadowed by the Fiesta.

BKRM3 > Frenchlicker
04/02/2014 at 22:26

I am DYING to make a track car out of a techno pink 5 speed manual Spark. You're on your own with the Aztec though...

fhrblig > Frenchlicker
04/02/2014 at 22:30

I won't give you crap for it. For some reason, I'm fascinated by the Mirage.

I will say this, I drove the Spark and hated how light the clutch was. Everything else was ok, but it bugged me. I ended up buying a Fiat 500 Sport.

KirkyV > Frenchlicker
04/02/2014 at 22:33

I like cars like the Spark. A lot. Indeed, you could say that I have an unhealthy degree of affection for small hatchbacks. I just don't like the Spark.

(Since this is the Internet, I feel the need to clarify that my disagreeing with you vis a vis the Spark does not mean that I wish eternal torment upon you and your family.)

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Frenchlicker
04/02/2014 at 22:40

Maybe it's just me, but I'm not a huge fan. (But that's ok - you can be a fan and I'm fine with that!). I think they look a bit oddly proportioned, like a toddler with an incredibly large head. That, and they get marginally better fuel economy than my 13 year old Honda Civic.

Then again, most newer non-hybrid cars struggle to beat it.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Frenchlicker
04/03/2014 at 00:56

I prefer the Sonic, but otherwise I have no problem with the spark. Not crazy about the Mirage, but it's "cheap, honest transportation" to quote Jim Douglas.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Jayhawk Jake
04/03/2014 at 01:08

Exposed headlights FTW! What are the only other cars that have those headlights? Here's an Alfa for your time.

Kinja'd!!!

duurtlang > chilango
04/03/2014 at 02:40

No you don't. Have you ever seen one in the flesh?

duurtlang > KirkyV
04/03/2014 at 02:42

I very strongly second this. The segment the Spark operates in in Europe is much larger than it is in the US, and at least in my personal opinion the Spark is easily the most hideous of the bunch. It isn't exactly winning comparison tests either, nor is it as cheap as it looks.

spanfucker retire bitch > Frenchlicker
04/03/2014 at 07:35

I think the Spark EV is pretty neat. Pretty hard to beat 400lb/ft of instantaneous torque in such a small package.

Not a fan of the Spark though - even disregarding the fact I could never own (much less fit) into a car that small.

chilango > duurtlang
04/03/2014 at 08:10

Looks better than the Hyundai Atos.

duurtlang > chilango
04/03/2014 at 08:22

True, I'll give you that much. If I recall correctly it was initially a design by Giugiaro for the Fiat Panda, but was rejected by Fiat.

Jayhawk Jake > duurtlang
04/03/2014 at 08:27

The Spark looks okay and in our market in the US, it's about the best you can do. I love small hatchbacks, but the american idea of small is the Sonic/Fiesta/Fiat 500. The Spark/Mirage/Up! etc. are tiny by our standards.

I would LOVE for the Up! to come over. If it was here last year there's a good chance I'd be driving one now. I also really hope the new Twingo turns out to be as awesome as it could be and the Smart ForFour takes all the best stuff and brings it over.

Jayhawk Jake > BaconSandwich is tasty.
04/03/2014 at 08:29

That's the beauty of Oppo versus the rest of the internet. We all have our opinions, but we don't insult people whose opinions differ from ours.

Even someone with a Prius could come on oppo and not be chastised by the community

Jayhawk Jake > fhrblig
04/03/2014 at 08:31

I might try to get a test drive in a Mirage. I don't think I could settle for something so cheap, but a lightweight simple hatchback with 3 pedals intrigues me.

The 500 is nice, but I hate the seating position. You sit too awkwardly high and I couldn't find a way to get comfortable either time I drove one. It's a shame really, the Abarth is a hoot but I could never own one.

Jayhawk Jake > For Sweden
04/03/2014 at 08:33

What's the best way to find a Baja Bug, and if I want a decent one how much should I expect to pay?

Jayhawk Jake > spanfucker retire bitch
04/03/2014 at 08:33

I want to see some tests of the Spark EV with proper driving. Maybe they are out there, but all I had seen when it first arrived was a few lame videos with GM people showing the car and no one driving it like they should.

Frenchlicker > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
04/03/2014 at 09:23

Okay I'll agree with you in that, but it's a gm product so there is bound to be a relatively easy way to get more power.

Frenchlicker > Big Bubba Ray
04/03/2014 at 09:26

I like the looks and think they are the perfect size to have fun in and nobody be suspicious. Plus the insides aren't as disgusting as some of the other cars I've looked at. Also in it's class it is one of the cheapest that is worth having.

Frenchlicker > Hooker
04/03/2014 at 09:28

I'm gonna need that in XL, larges don't tend to fit us fall guys.

Frenchlicker > chilango
04/03/2014 at 09:29

Actually the headlights are the turn off on me for that one. But I also love the styling of the body on the new one.

Frenchlicker > D
04/03/2014 at 09:30

No comment.

Frenchlicker > Jayhawk Jake
04/03/2014 at 09:32

Simply put, I want something even cheaper. But I have thought of the Sonic as well as the Focus.

Frenchlicker > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
04/03/2014 at 09:35

I love the Sonic but the Spark is closer to what I want to pay for something and it's no more than I need. I agree with you on the Mirage though.

Frenchlicker > BaconSandwich is tasty.
04/03/2014 at 09:37

The beauty of older cars is that you can do whatever you want in them and not care too much because either the replacement parts are cheap or the car isn't worth anything or in some cases you are a rich idiot that bought a useless heap that cost a million dollars to replace a headlight.

Frenchlicker > Jayhawk Jake
04/03/2014 at 09:38

I strongly despise the Prii family, but I would like to drive one one day. Preferably one of he more attractive smaller ones.

Frenchlicker > duurtlang
04/03/2014 at 09:42

I wish this segment was as large here in the US as it is in Europe. Price wise it isn't too bad, but maybe that's because one of the small cars available near me is the iQ and it makes almost every small car look cheap.

Frenchlicker > fhrblig
04/03/2014 at 09:43

I love the 500, but for me it will be coming down to price tag and mpg. One day I'll be to the point where I can buy something I seriously want.

Frenchlicker > BKRM3
04/03/2014 at 09:44

I want you to do this, it would be amazing.

Frenchlicker > TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma
04/03/2014 at 09:45

You have put it perfectly in so few words. And that's exactly why it appeals to me.

Frenchlicker > therevengeofthesaab (really likes pre-2005 hondas right now)
04/03/2014 at 09:45

I'm going to save that gif.

Frenchlicker > For Sweden
04/03/2014 at 09:47

If it ws a matter of getting a dream car a Spark would not even be on my mind.

Frenchlicker > spanfucker retire bitch
04/03/2014 at 09:50

Damn you for bringing up the EV. I've been wanting n electric car so bad lately and it's easily the most affordable. I was miffed when I found out they are not avalable in my state.

chilango > duurtlang
04/03/2014 at 10:20

Hmm maybe a good move for them. The 500 is truly their savior.

chilango > Frenchlicker
04/03/2014 at 10:22

Agree with you there. it uses the space it has wisely.

Jayhawk Jake > Frenchlicker
04/03/2014 at 10:29

The Sonic isn't that much more. It starts $2k more than the Spark.

BKRM3 > Frenchlicker
04/03/2014 at 10:57

Believe it or not there aren't many salvage Sparks around that are manual. RideSafely currently has ONE, but it's not techno pink: TN Salvage 2013 Spark 1LT

I mean, I guess I could paint it techno pink...

Frenchlicker > Jayhawk Jake
04/03/2014 at 11:27

$2k for a 2013 $3k for a 2014, and that is before getting them specked to make each one liveable.

Frenchlicker > BKRM3
04/03/2014 at 11:28

I think most are ordered in automatic for a first car.

For Sweden > Jayhawk Jake
04/03/2014 at 11:30

Craigslist or TheSamba.com, and $4,000 should get you a decent one without a cage or radically altered suspension.

Here is a good, but ugly one for $2700

This one looks worth all of the $5000 asking price.

mitsui88 > BKRM3
04/03/2014 at 11:47

http://chevysparkforum.com/topic/119-spar…

Jayhawk Jake > For Sweden
04/03/2014 at 12:15

Well I guess I have another option to consider when I'm ready to buy a second car....

I do love the way Baja Bugs look, and I suppose a Bug would be a great car to learn how to wrench on.

BKRM3 > mitsui88
04/03/2014 at 12:25

THAT's what I'm talking about! Well, kinda...mine would ideally have a lot more done to it than that. I'd worry about that thing flipping over with that ride height lol.

fhrblig > Jayhawk Jake
04/03/2014 at 21:03

I'm getting used to it. I agree, the seat is too high. If I move my head a couple inches to the left, it will touch the headliner around the sunroof. So far, I haven't hit my head on it. Other than that, I don't have any other issues getting comfortable.

I have this weird thing for the Mirage in that awful pink/purple color. I have no idea why.

Jayhawk Jake > fhrblig
04/03/2014 at 21:07

my biggest issue was the clutch coupled with the seating position. It felt like playing a piano, stepping down on the clutch.

As to the mirage, some cars just look right in weird colors. It's one of them

fhrblig > Jayhawk Jake
04/03/2014 at 21:40

I got used to the clutch pretty quick. The one in the Spark was not good, though. I usually wear work boots, and I couldn't feel the clutch pedal at all with them on because it was so light. If I wore sneakers it probably wouldn't be an issue but the work boots are kind of a necessity for me, in winter at least.