It's a little wonder
The car is inside a time capsule. That tiny Champ has only about 29,000 miles. The only problem was the carbulator choke that stuck open because of the lack of driving. That was fixed last year.
That little car was easy to drive and maintain.
It consumes just a little gas.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 26th August, 2006
At $6000 new, this car has cost me approx $25/month to drive - hard to beat
I've had to replace the CV boots (4) and joints (3) I don't know if that's normal or excessive for the mileage.
Rear wheel wells rusted out around 205000 miles.
I'm on my third set of brakes. I consider that to be pretty good.
Replaced the interior carpeting at 208000 miles. The driver seat vinyl was also replaced, using the original cloth insert. All other upholstery is still in good condition.
Drips oil. No one has ever been able to determine the cause to make it stop. Does not drip enough to require adding any between changes.
Replaced starter around 175000 miles.
I continue to drive this car because it fits me. I can reach all the controls easily and it's comfortable. I have not been able to find those two qualities in any other car I've driven.
Also, my gas mileage is still better than most of the newer cars on the road. I was getting 36-40 mpg until the State introduced MTBE into its gas supply. I now get 32-36.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 27th September, 2003
So glad to read about other champ owners. I am in the process of replacing the head gasket at 360,000m, replace the exhaust manifold and cat. upholstery has to be replace. It was used on a farm at one time. I'm actually restoring it to show this next summer in the mo-par shows. love the car, great mileage with gas prices now. yes it's a 1.6, Manuel, stock.
Still runs like a Champ
My head gasket blew at 165000.
Everything else you can think of went bad except the engine & transmission.
Still was a well built car for its time. Great gas mileage.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 6th August, 2002
2nd Aug 2004, 10:21
I wish I still had my '81 Champ. It was a great little car.