1982 Chevrolet Citation 2.8L V6 from North America
Summary:
Brown and rolls around town JUST FINE
Faults:
From the beginning? I bought the car for $550 (Can) and little did I know how much trouble it would cause.
It started with having the choke reset on it.
Then I replaced all my motor mounts.
Then on a trip to the ski resort I ended up blowing my radiator.
I had to replace the water pump.
Put in a stereo because a push button AM radio blows when you're 16.
Then the major event occurred. The connecting rod bearing blew because I was racing a friend and I tore down the whole engine, replaced rings, seals, reground valves and seats, put in all new bearings, re-honed cylinders... the works.
Now he runs fine.
General Comments:
The car is good. The handling is a little bit unstable when you turn hairpin corners at high speeds. I'm sure that it would never tip, but it's not precise.
It's ugly and the color of poo. I've been told that it looks like a Chevette on stereriods.
The power is unbelievably good. I mean, I race friends with horrible V8's and kick their cars butt. I've gotten it up to 155kms. The performance is not too bad and the comfort can't be beat. I think that I enjoy the fact that I can go on road trips (now) reliable and be sure that my car can make it.
It burns a bit of oil on startup, but that's just because I re honed the cylinders and didn't get specialized rings to fit the new wall. I just have to wait till the piston expands.
It was my first car and my friends love its four doors and superior comfort.
I want to sell it though, and buy a Trans Am or something muscular.
I guess it's all alright when you tear the whole thing down and put it all back together.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 9th July, 2001
16th Apr 2006, 18:26
This is my first time to these sites about Citations. I had a 1980 and a 1985. Both were very dependable and I loved them. I now have a 1981 Hatchback in dark blue, that has only 23,559 miles on it actual. It is a 4 cylinder, auto, with air. It is absolutely perfect. An older coupe owned it and drove it only in the summer. I asked them to sell it to me and waited 3 years before I got to buy it. It had the original tires on it, and still has original brakes. Interior is original and looks like it was never sat in. I don't know if they will ever be a collector car worth anything, but I think I've probably got the best conditioned one out there. There is a little sun fade on the rear interior fiber sides. Does anyone know where I can get new ones or get these redyed to original color?
29th May 2002, 12:29
I have a Citation just like it, brown and everything. It's had a couple of problems like the power steering and also had to replace the spark plugs, a normal thing, but other than that I too have had friends that love my car. I love my car. I got it when I was 16 also.