Hi guys I am thinking to buy a small cheap car. Which one would be more reliable Nissan Versa or Chevy spark? Btw I will chose the manual transmission on both of them.
Really? A Spark or a Versa are your options??? You are 10X better off with a Honda Fit. Its discontinued so you could probably negotiate a great deal on a new one, or just buy used.
If I absolutely positively had to choose between only those two, I'd get the Versa+manual. The engine should be reliable enough for 100k miles + and the transmission being a manual should be bulletproof. The base models (at least the 2019) have roll up windows and an actual key... not many electronics to go wrong. Still a pretty cheap car. The Spark is just a pile of junk nothing to say about it.
Plus, function comes first. The Spark is a 4 seater and the Versa is a 5 seater. The Versa back seats are spacious and the engine is OK for the once cheapest car in America, while the Spark is described as "ludicrous" by many car reviewers. If you are somehow still interested in the Spark, @mod_man would be happy to tell you about the (lack of) quality of the Chevrolet Spark ©. My personal opinion, fwiw, is that the Spark is a penalty box.
If going used (for US market), you might also consider the 2012-2018 Toyota Yaris hatchback. Won't be as spacious as the Versa or nearly as fun to drive as the Fit, but still would be dead reliable with the Toyota powertrain.
@kerem Really the Toyota Yaris has their own Toyota powertrain? Not the Mazda powertrain? Also thank you for helping people. You deserved being an illustrious member as with everyone else.
@alvin
Thanks man at this point I am the one and only illustrious member whatever that means. Definitely appreciate it.
The Mazda powertrain (across multiple Toyota and Scion nameplates) was put into the Yaris sedan variants from 2016, and only reached the Yaris hatchback in 2020, so 2018 and prior Yaris hatchbacks are fully Toyota.
2016 Scion IA , 2017-2018 Yaris IA, 2019+ Yaris Sedan (the nameplate is sedan, but its also a sedan lol), and 2020+ Toyota Yaris have Mazda powertrains. This is for the North American market.
Its complicated I know but basically the last Toyota made Yaris was this one:
and anything like this is a Mazda:
@kerem Thanks for letting me know.
Why not get a Yaris or an older Honda Fit?
I don’t really like buying used cars because my friends have got scammed before. I will be buying the base model for both of them.
@Manoo Your friend probably should get a mechanic to evaluate the car. And your friend didn't check the titles.
They aren't reliable as the Toyota or Honda. If I have to choose, it would be the Nissan Versa since they usually have problems with Jatco CVTs. Another option I would choose would be a Honda Fit if you have a decent budget.
But I will chose manual for both of them. Which one should I chose. My budget is pretty low and I will be buying the base model.
@usmanaftab55 I have to agree with others. Both of them kinda suck at reliability in the long run. I will choose neither of them and save a little more money for the other cars. Also, are you buying them new or used? For the short run, I will choose the Chevy Spark with a manual. The Nissan Versa is too cheap in quality even with a manual.
They are not gonna last around 100,000 miles or so.
Check with the mechanic and check the titles so you don't get scammed again. Or look in the FAQs.
Actually I will choose the Nissan Versa over the Chevy Spark with a manual.
Just warning you: Both of those vehicles kinda suck.
I would look at a standard transmission Mitsu Mirage G4 or hatch. They have somewhat perfected the design over the years and you'll get more out of a Mitsu than a versa or spark.
I would get the Spark before the Versa if you don't like the Mitsu.
The mitsus also come with a 10 year 100K mile warranty from the factory.
I know you said your friends got scammed buying used, but I would strongly recommend going that route (i.e. buying used) and getting a much better, more reliable car like a Toyota Yaris, Toyota Corolla, or Honda Civic. We have a used Car Buying sticky under FAQ to help you, and you want an honest, independent mechanic to check the used car out before you buy.
They are both pretty awful. Better to spend a little more if you can and get a Corolla or Civic.
I'm with Chuck. You'll pay less in the short run but far more in the long run. Trust us. Having said that, you should look at which model years are the worst. For the Spark, it was 2013, with engine and transmission problems: https://www.carcomplaints.com/Chevrolet/Spark/
For the Versa, it was 2012: https://www.carcomplaints.com/Nissan/Versa/