Wow... Seems like I wrote this critique about my own Spectrum! Apparently our experience with the maintenance of our respective cars has been nearly identical.

I agree completely with the noted repairs, and even the mileage timetable! I have a manual transmission.

The only addition I would make to the report, is that at approximately 185000 miles, the engine begins quitting when one's foot is removed from the accelerator. Not having the cash immediately on hand to diagnose and repair this quirk, I had to learn a peculiar jig, necessary as I approached each stop light/sign, or slow down in traffic, in order to prevent the engine from stopping.

I recently came into that cash, and had my 206000 mile beast looked at. The mechanic (trusted) diagnosed the rather mundane, but expensive none-the-less, problem of a "bad carburetor." He informed me that I needed to take it to a different shop who specializes in these, but to prepare myself for a $700.00 bill - even for a rebuilt throttle body! He felt that it may be clogged, but insisted that I would not be able to fix this by spraying or pouring carburetor cleaner into it myself. Not sure why not.

In any case, I have owned my Geo Spectrum since it was a newborn in 1989. I have found it quite reliable and extremely utilitarian. With the seats in the back tipped down, and the front passenger seat moved and tipped forward (and even with the headrest removed) I have been able to carry astonishing amounts and sizes of cargo! I would buy another in an instant.