In Defense Of: A Review Of The 2016 Chevrolet Spark LS

[MetroMPG]

Yeah, I read that one too. Most of the new Spark reviews are saying the same thing. The question is whether Spark sales will continue to increase. Typical car buyers don't care about driving a "fun" car. The Micra has been an outlier in that it's been both a favourite among car enthusiast reviewers AND the top seller in its class.

But here's another interesting take on the Spark's manual transmission from the same reviewer. He REALLY hates it:

Save The Manuals? Let’s Not Save Them All, Including The 2016 Chevrolet Spark’s

Shifting from second or fourth into third or fifth is an exercise in aimless conjecture. Not only is the shift’s destination in doubt, your hand must guide the shifter through a soupy mix of molasses, Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit, and toothpaste. It’s just as disconcerting as it sounds.

The Spark’s shift throws, meanwhile, feel as though you’re required to reach from one side of a heavily armed border station in a former Soviet state back into the western world for second and fourth.

Once you’ve located and engaged reverse, the Spark reacts with enough noise emanating from its unmentionables to alert passersby, who turn in wonder.

Aside from that, he seemed to like the car. But he's so negative about the transmission that it makes me want to try one to see if it can possibly be so bad.