1998 Chevrolet Prizm Consumer Reviews

Wore out over the long haul

Written by: Sam S. on 02/19/2007

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Prizm 4 Dr LSi Sedan

Review

This car had pretty good reliability, but the real flaw was the interior. It really did not wear well, and started to fall apart after about 5-6 years. his included problems such as the stripping around the doors peeling off, and all of the interior door handles breaking. The air conditioning went out at about 6 years too, which is a pain. Engine wise this car never gave me any trouble, which I assume has to do with it being a Toyota engine. Just beware that though the Chevy Prizms are made by Toyota, much of the body is made and assembled by Chevy.

Favorite Features

Economy, surprisingly good ride for this type of compact car, good features.

Suggested Improvements

Improved interior quality.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Love my Prizm

Written by: deb on 10/28/2006

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Prizm 4 Dr LSi Sedan

Review

We bought this car new. Pushing 190K miles and still going strong. Only work we've had done is and alternator/battery and routine service. All other existing problems are just irritating small things that don't involve engine reliability. A/C no longer works ($2K to fix). This is the best and most reliable car I've ever had. Take care of it and it will take care of you. Looking to replace it only because of A/C but keeping it as a "winter car" to reduce miles on new one.

Favorite Features

Exterior style. 40 mpg on highway. Reliable

Suggested Improvements

Cheaper replacement for A/C

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Decent car, but lacking in some areas

Written by: Joe Broge on 05/03/2006

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Prizm 4 Dr LSi Sedan

Review

I bought this car used with 73k miles on it after my old Hyundai got totalled. Since the Prizm/Corolla has a reputation for reliability I thought it was a safe bet. Overall the car has always gotten me where I needed to go and it has never stranded me anywhere. Unfortunately a few aspects of the car bring the whole thing down. Shortly after I bought the car the A/C stopped working. The A/C compressor had gone bad and the whole system needed replacing to the tune of $1800.

Favorite Features

It always starts and runs pretty good at 135k miles.

Suggested Improvements

Better interior quality. The interior door handle broke and the Chevy dealer charged $55 just for the little plastic part! The power locks no longer operate correctly and neither does the remote unlock. I've spent over $2000 on the A/C system alone. Not good.

9 out 10 people found this review helpful

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I miss the older Prism

Written by: gudly on 12/19/2005

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Prizm 4 Dr LSi Sedan

Review

I had a 94 and loved it. No problems, absolute dream even when traded it in with 182,000 miles on it because I needed a truck. My wife needed a car so we picked up another Prizm. This time a 98. The engine very good.300 Ride quality is wonderful. But It is far more cramped than the previous model and a lot of the plastic brakes easily We've replaced the driver side door handle 3 times. We've also replaced the starter already. But it gets us where we want to go, and it is very cheap to operate. Love the gas mileage

Favorite Features

The body style. They did make it much more universal with the Corolla. On the older vehicle some of the parts had to buy from Chevy dealer.

Suggested Improvements

The older model was much roomier. What happened? The older parts were better quality. I had far fewer problems with the old Geo.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Super Reliable

Written by: Michael MacLeod on 11/24/2005

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Prizm 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

Purchased 2 months ago with 186K (one owner) on it, but you'd never know it. Body replaced head cover gasket, rear brakes & p.s. hoses. It runs great, gets 24-27 city. No trips yet but expect 35+. I'm 6'-3" and 270#, so it's a bit cramped to get in (wish it was higher off ground) but comfortable once inside. Plenty of head and leg room - I can actually stretch my left leg (bad knee) all the way out!! (No can do on 80% of other cars.) Radio speaker blocked by my leg. Plenty of pickup for my needs, GEO Prizms have 1.6L not 1.8L, you can really tell the difference, and with better MPG! (29-36 EPA) Auto trans. shifts very smoothly. Only thing not working is dome light - I must do manually

Favorite Features

Gas mileage and pickup. Looks good. Head and leg room. Huge trunk. Truck release & light nice. Very quiet engine (after 45 second warmup). Clear view of road and instruments. Auto lights daytime. Easy handling and easy to park. Good size gas tank. Nice hub cap design.

Suggested Improvements

Higher off ground. Speaker placement. Arm rest. I prefer GEO velour type seats.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Excellent Commuter Car

Written by: WNY Driver on 09/15/2004

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Prizm 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

Bought this car new; now have 105K miles. Had to reset air bag sensor 2x. Front brakes lasted until 100K miles & rear brakes not yet worked. This has been great no-frills reliable transportation. 5 Speed provides great gas mileage - consistent 38+ mph in the summer 32mph in the cold winter. 5 speed also allows for adequate acceleration when needed. Under load (> 2 people) need to delay shifting if you're merging onto a hwy. With rear passengers rear end tends to bottom out easily. Front room comfortable for someone up to 5'10; beyond that it gets cramped. Rear room gets tight for anyone over 4'. Body still holding up well after 7 lovely winters.

Favorite Features

Gas mileage, smooth 5 speed

Suggested Improvements

better suspension, more rear leg room, better quality fabric in the standard model.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Keeps Running

Written by: DJ-123 on 08/14/2004

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Prizm 4 Dr LSi Sedan

Review

So far so good. Reliability is the key.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

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Solid car

Written by: jtgumby on 05/05/2004

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Prizm 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

Because gasoline use is the single biggest environmental impact for most Americans, I was looking for a fuel- efficient vehicle. Leased it new, then bought it at end of lease. With 5 speed manual it accelerates adequately. I put on optional fatter tires when factory tires wore out, which improved handling. Only real problem has been Evap canister purge valve going bad at 50000 miles, but this is an emissions problem. Doesn't affect mileage or driveability at all.

Favorite Features

37 mpg highway w/ 5 speed manual. auto running lights. Pretty good factory cd/stereo.

Suggested Improvements

seatbelt retractor too weak, must make sure belt isn't hanging out door before closing. Driver's side floor mat creeps backwards.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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reliable drive

Written by: logansbounty on 03/20/2004

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Prizm 4 Dr LSi Sedan

Review

This 98 Prizm came with 95k miles of which 90% were highway miles. The car was serviced with replacement of auto trans fluid and coolant and serpentine belt. The car is a very useful comuter and very comfortable seating and large trunk for a compact. Mileage was found to be only 26 on highway. I found the dealer had installed the wrong spark plugs. The car is typical toyota quality but a bit cheap in construction when compared to a Dodge neon which seemed more solid. Yet for dependability it has proven itself. I doubt I would buy another because of the cheezie construction, but as it is Chevy quit offering the model. To reliable!

Favorite Features

Everything is in easy reach! roomy interior for a compact!

Suggested Improvements

Add a Tach to the LSi model! Even with automatic a tach would have been a nice feature.

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Get's Me Where I Want to Go, Every time

Written by: oldcrewjock on 02/16/2004

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Prizm 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

Prizm is a good, reliable, cheap ride. Bought it new as a stripper, commuter car. No options except a rear window defogger, an AM-FM radio, and a tachometer. Good highway gas mileage (30 mpg in winter and 37 in summer). Around town mileage could be better (24 mpg winter and 28 summer). Had very few repairs. Fairly easy to change oil and oil filter. Has 81K miles now. Intend to keep it till it dies, hopefully when it reaches 200K. Peppy acceleration for a 4 cylinder. Teenage daughter has been trying to claim the car for her own. She has begun driving it to school.

Favorite Features

Reliable. Good acceleration. Generally economical. Kinda fun to drive for a car designed to be an econobox. Excellent choice for reliable commuter car or for a teenagers car.

Suggested Improvements

Rear seat is quite cramped. Could use a scoche more leg room in the front. Gets a little uncomfortable to drive on trips longer than four hours.

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