Faults:

This car slides easily in wet conditions.

It has a small back seat. One person will fit in the back, but fitting four people in the car is nearly impossible.

General Comments:

Although this is the only car with a manual car that I've driven, others who have driven it say that it is the easiest manual car that they have ever driven.

This car has great acceleration off the line. I have gotten it from 0-30 in about 2 seconds.

The car is very light, and so has excellent handling when roads are dry.

Because the car is so light, it gets excellent gas mileage. It usually pulls off around 30 miles per gallon.

The hatchback provides more storage space, which has come in handy for me lugging around musical equipment, than any other car I have seen. Almost as much as a small pick-up truck.

Faults:

Normal wear and tear, but it does seem as though I have replaced the exhaust too many times.

Although it does have a driver's side airbag - I hope I'm never in an accident in this car. There isn't much protection and I don't always feel safe.

The sticker on the inside of the door reads - fits four adults comfortably. This might be stretching it just a bit. The back seat is for folks under 4 feet tall - with most Americans the average height is about 5'7".

General Comments:

What can I say... 246,000+ miles and still going. I spend about $1000 a year on upkeep due to wear and tear, a little more if I replace the timing belt.

I have replaced the timing belt every 60,000 as requested which is probably my saving grace.

Around 1998 I replaced the transmission with a used one - so far so good.

The first battery lasted six years and I've only replaced the struts once. Just this past year I had to replace the alternator and the idling motor. Not bad for 10 years of driving.

The dealership that I work with is fantastic - they recently told me I may want to replace the belts and hoses as most are original.

The car still gets about 30 MPG, but most of my driving is highway miles (at least 660+ miles a week). I must admit I am really bad at getting the oil changed every 3,000 as they say I should. I don't have the time and I usually go about every 12,000 (The guys at the shop usually have something so say about this).

I intend to run this car until I have to push it. I was recently thinking about having it repainted. With God's help, and the dealership, I plan on getting at least another 100,000 miles more out of it :)

Faults:

Funky electrical system, sometimes the engine turns off when driving.

Another thing that bothers me about the car is the engine is kind of noisy.

General Comments:

Well, at this very moment I am without a ride on a Friday night because my Storm is sitting at the Chevy Dealership waiting for a part that should, "hopefully be in by Monday or Tuesday" according to Auto dude Alan.

See I have this little problem where my Storm will turn off when I am driving. It is a problem that happens every-so-often right when you are not expecting it. Alan thinks that it is a problem with a 'sensor'? I don't know, whatever it is, it has been through two other garages with no success. So everyone... cross your fingers!!!

On to the review... I purchased my car in July 1997. It had 69,000 miles on it, now it has 125,000. This my first car, and I do have a strong bond with it. I got my car in in highschool and now I am away at college. I would like to eventually go onto another car that has 4 doors and has more room to carry my friends.

The back seat is very uncomfortable, little or no leg room, and your head hits the glass window... a little advise - don't put guys in the back that have gel in their hair because they will leave a large mark on window!

Driving is alright, I have a manual stick, and on long trips (2+ hours) you're still doing alright, but there is no cruise control so your right leg does start to ache. The seats are not completely comfortable but they are do-able.

I would have to say that overall, the Storm has been a good car. Despite the whole funky electrical system this car has been very good maintenance wise.