2000 Chevrolet Prizm LSI 1.8 from North America

Summary:

I expected more from it

Faults:

A/C leak (fixed my dealer under warranty)

A/C circuit control module.

MASS air flow sensor.

O2 sensors went out BOTH of them.

Tires, originals were junk.

Dashboard lights burning out, radio too.

Where is the oil going?? Not burning and not leaking!

General Comments:

This is actually my mother's car. She bought it after my dad totaled her S-10. (Rolled it) Anyway, bought it because she had previously bought my sister a 93 Rrizm LSI and it was pretty much trouble free. Well, this 2000 doesn't have half the power the '93 model had. No pick-up to it, the O2 sensors shorted out to the tune of 300.00 each (not dealer, this was @ autozone) EXPENSIVE!!

The interior of the doors is peeling away, CHEAP!! The lights on the stereo and the dashboard are burning out. Power steering starting to make noise. The A/C module that switches on the compressor is shorted out. Oil seems to disappear between changes, I changes it last time and it was only 2800 miles on that oil change and couldn't even get a gallon out of it. My mother is in her mid 50's and does not dog her car.

Disappointing from a "Toyota" product. My dad's little Suzuki Esteem puts it to shame, sad too the Prizm is an OK looking car, hers is black with spoiler and alloy wheels "LSI" fully loaded.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th October, 2007

16th Oct 2007, 10:30

I wrote the above review, actually the car is an '01, sorry my fault thinking it was a 2000.

10th Dec 2007, 13:49

Oil should be checked more than every 2800 miles. Owner's manual states at every fill-up. Also, there is NO way you should get a gallon of oil when changing oil, the Prizm crankcase only holds 3.7 to 4 quarts... which is a gallon or LESS! If you dumped in 5qts after an oil change, you may have damaged the engine!

31st Dec 2007, 14:35

Nope, I got under 1/2 a gallon out of it everytime I change it. I am suspect of engine sludge. Motor has a little lifter tap under acceleration. I always put 4QTS of oil in it at an oil change. (always change filter too)

7th Mar 2008, 10:39

I also own a 2001 Prizm LSi. This car is AWESOME it is now at 130,000 miles and no problems. I change my oil regularly myself, so I know no one tampers with it. I also have changed the spark plugs myself and the brakes and rotated the rotors and flushed the transmission. However these are just regular for any car with this type use. I use this car everyday and it still gets 35 mph freeway or not. You may have just got a lemon, because we have 3 of this type of car in my family and everyone is above 120,000 miles with no problems!! I am good to this car and clean the engine regularly also! If you do not know a lot about the regular procedures of taking care of a car, I would strongly suggest getting to know a mechanic really well!!

12th Mar 2008, 16:03

As mentioned in the review (I wrote it) The car is taken care of. But I feel it is cheaply built. The motor has sludge, LSI wheels (aluminum) are corroded (and I detail her car every 6 months) Poor build from Toyota/Chevy. Anyone have the rubber trim cracking and peeling?? Very cheap quality there. Had to replace 2 O2 sensors before 50K THOSE ARE WAY EXPENSIVE!!

2000 Chevrolet Prizm Base 1.8 from North America

Summary:

Commuter car

Faults:

Starter has failed.

Weather stripping around door on inside is peeling.

Paint on rear bumper is cracked.

Seems to wear tires quickly.

Front shocks are about shot.

Brakes squeal even after brakes have been changed.

Wheel covers have cracked and Chevy logo has worn off.

Trunk leaks.

Hesitation on start off.

General Comments:

This car is reliable and pretty good on gas. That's about it though, this thing is boring and very generic. It blends in with everything on the road I don't think this model has any personality at all. The previous models seems to have a little, but this one lost everything. It doesn't have a quick take off and thanks to the 3-speed transmission the gas mileage isn't that great on the interstate. I'm not really complaining the car does what its suppose to do with no problems it just boring compared to a lot of the new cars that are coming out now.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 15th March, 2006

18th Mar 2006, 20:23

Actually it is a 3-speed have a look online. The Prizm had three options 5-speed, 3-speed auto and 4-speed auto do your research before making comments please-

14th May 2006, 15:20

How did you solve the hesitation on start off?

25th Aug 2006, 19:19

I have not solved this problem it slowly continues to get worse I've noticed that gas treatment tends to help sometimes.

15th Jan 2007, 17:08

Hello: Most Prizm hesitation problems can be traced to a dirty or defective mass airflow sensor. My Prizm ran badly when cold. I cleaned the sensor, and it runs great.

2000 Chevrolet Prizm from North America

Summary:

Used Prizms are the best used compact car deal you can get

Faults:

No problems in two years of use.

General Comments:

Bought the 2000 Prizm used in 2002, paying only $6500. The dealer was entering inventory tax time the next week, and the salesman really needed a sale-- I time my purchases carefully.

Have done nothing, but change the oil every 2500-3000 miles and have wheel alignment done-- which turned out to be unnecessary, but the wife...

Anyway, has never given me trouble of any kind, not even taking more than one try to start in the dead of a northern Indiana winter.

With 50,000 miles coming up, I will probably do some maintenance: transmission fluid/filter, flush coolant system, and get a tune up. However, that's normal maintenance, which I do without fail on all my cars, and not due to any signs of trouble.

My only remotely negative comment is that this car lacks 'passing power' on the interstate, and the engine gets a bit loud (as well as cabin noise) when getting up to 70 mph or so. But I generally drive the speed limit, so it's only an issue when I want to get out from behind a big truck or something.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd December, 2004

15th Jan 2005, 21:49

I have to agree with this comment my 5-speed Prizm is very powerful and I can easily down shift for more power, I have heard the 3-speed automatic was a slug though.

1st Feb 2005, 14:31

His review clearly states he has the automatic version. Better learn to read.

15th Jul 2005, 17:52

I think the 3-speed is rather quick it doesn't search and hunt for gears like the 4-speed automatic does.

2000 Chevrolet Prizm LSi 1.8 liter VVT-i from North America

Summary:

Very great car

Faults:

Just bought this car a few weeks ago.

General Comments:

This car gets great gas mileage.

Would not recommend running the air conditioning all day, as it wears on average performance.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 23rd January, 2004