proven reliability, engine performance, ample room, comfortable seats, exterior styling

pricy options, lack of tachometer for 5 speed

Initially I refused to buy a chevrolet or any American car until I researched the car and found it to basically be a corolla with chevy decals. I got a very good deal because I got a recent college graduate discount. The car is perfect for me, reliable, with surprisingly good performance and a sporty feel. The seats are incredibly comfortable, great for long road trips, as comfortable as a recliner. What sold me was the corolla....errr... prizm's proven reliability as indicated in Consumer Reports over the last 5 years. I was shocked at what I would have to pay for some options so I decided to have a CD player put in elsewhere. (you get a better CD player if you buy it aftermarket anyways) Overall, great first car for high school or college grad, but be wary of options.

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grand am, camry, neon

VERY reliable. Handles well even in bad weather. Surprisingly roomy inside. Insurance rates and gas mileage are both very good. The shiny black exterior still looks good after all these years. The paint at the very front of the hood started suffering some chinks from highway pebbles, but I bought a $100 black LeBra to cover them up. It actually jazzed up the car's appearance significantly.

Well,it's just not a very exciting car. And even though it's actually pretty zippy with the 1.8 l engine, and I've never had a problem passing cars or punching the accelerator to get on the highway, this car suffers a little bit of stigma for being a Geo product.

I ordered this car new in the fall of 1993. With the LSi, I got the optional larger engine (1.8 liter), ABS brakes, and larger tires. I've got over 143,000 miles on this car now and I've had no problems (other than for a couple of things caused by human error). Even its maintenance needs have been minimal - I replaced the brakes and battery once. This car has spoiled me, it has been so easy to own. I highly recommend this car.

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Prior to this car, I owned a Ford Tempo.

This was my first real new car that I purchased coming out of school. All I can say is it has gotten my through 10 years of driving everywhere. I currently have 202,000 miles on it and it still runs fine.
Good gas milage. 28mpg mixture of Highway city driving. Straight highway still gets 35 mpg. AC still gets ice cold, and has never been charged.
Dependable. If models after 1991 are built anything like this model, they should last for quite some time

It is a 4 cylinder so the noise at 75 is more than a larger car. Can't really thing of one right now. The only major maintenance that has been done to this car is wear and tear items. 5 sets of tires, 3 windshields(rocks on interstate), 3 sets of brakes, thermostat replaced. Tuned up at 120000 miles, 3 batteries, Ceiling material is starting to fall. Heater switch needed replaced at 180000, Did it myself. Still have original belts on, At this point in the game, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

It's still going strong. I change the oil every 4000-6000 miles and add gas. I've always liked this car and find it hard to part with. Everything on this car has stood the test of time except a few minor problems. The heater switch went out last winter. I replaced the switch and all was well. The interior has withstood the test of time. I guess a little Armorall really does make the plastic parts last longer. I probably put last than 1000 dollars worth of parts and labor on this car. For 10 years and what I read in reviews that is just short of amazing. The only flaw wi the car that cost me was the muffler. The place where the muffler joined to the middle piece was designed poorly and broke at the joint. Once you MIDISIZE this piece your good to go forever. It's fun to walk into the muffler shop and have them replace pieces for free!!! They often prey on people getting rid of the car before they have to replace these parts! For once I get to laugh! This has been a great College, Work car for me. It drives well and has gotten me home through many snow storms with no problem. You can't beat the front wheel drive in the snow.

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Caviler, Honda civic. They all have stregths and weaknesses

Handling, Gas Mileage, Quiet engine, and reliability reputation.

Cheap wheel coverings, and additional features cost major $$$.

After driving a Corolla on a business trip, I researched the vehicle, and realized that Chevrolet makes the Prizm that uses a lot of the Corolla technology. I have now owned a 2000 Prizm for over 6 months, that has Chevrolet and Toyota's best small car features. If you are looking for a economical commuting car, this is it. The only negative reading I have come across on the Prizm is engine power. The 2000 and 2001 models have a 1.8L engine that seems, to me, to be adequate. I have never driven a four cylinder that gives me enough power, but passing on the highway in my Prizm does not require slamming the accelerator to the floor. It rates well in crash tests and is a safe, reliable car that I would recommend to anyone. If you do buy one, don't over do on the extras, because it will drive the price through the roof.

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Toyota Corolla

Sporty Performance, Great Acceleration (manual 5-speed),
GREAT reliability, good ride/noise, especially for the class, high quality fit and finish, nice stereo, overall an excellent small car for the price

Handling is only so-so. Can't think of any other problems,
the paint faded a little in 6 years, but with the color
red in the AZ sun, can you blame it?

This was a great car. I owned it from the start in 1994. It had no problems or repairs in 6 years / 102,000 mostly city miles except for a $35 starter that went at about 60K. Car was totalled in an accident last week, but it was a great car and I would highly recommend the Prizm to anyone.

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Volkswagen Jetta (82), Nissan Altima (99)

price, quiet engine

weak engine, cramped back seat, cheap feel

I drove this car around for quite a few months, and here's my take on it:

The car is a pretty good value for the money, but you get what you pay for. The car has a very quiet engine, but it is not powerful at all. I was forced to mash the accelerator to the floor in order to merge into highway traffic. The car does, however, get very good mileage. The corners of the car are very easy to see, making it uite simple to park. Rear visibility is very good. The door handles are flimsy to the touch, and make the car feel cheap. The seat materials are mediocre, but are more supportive than I imagined they would be.

This car is just average. I wasn't very happy during the time I drove it, but it got me around pretty well, and I didn't have a single problem with it.

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None

Great build quality, very fast, great on gas, classy looks, totally reliable.

None

The beauty about these in general is that they are Corolla clones, and many people don't realize this. Hence, the price paid for 2nd hand Prizms is almost a steal. I got mine for $2,600. Now I have 155,000 miles on it and it burns no oil, goes like a rocket (with the 5spd) and it's loaded. The GSi is the one to go for. Bigger alloy wheels, more powerful engine (I believe it may be the one put in the Celica, not sure) and lots of nice power features including a sunroof. I don't see how you could do better in a car for the same money. These cars are some of the very best on the road -- tight, economical, sturdy, reliable, fun. You can do better in terms of luxury trim and high end performance, sure, but I doubt ANY car is as consistenly reliable as the Prizm for the long haul. These cars commonly go 200,000 miles without major overhauling. For what it is, it's the best.

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Toyota corolla, subaru sedans/sports coupe, honda civic...

The car is rock solid and reliable. Like it's clone, the Toyota.

Smallish back seat. Unlike in the early stages of their alliance, the Prizm is now MORE than the Corolla. In the LSi/LE trims and the Corolla has more features like color keyed mirrors and molding(they smooth out the looks), standard tacometer, outside temp. gauge, integrated child seats, better ergonomics.

I would recommend the Corolla for the most part. The buyer should do their homework because the two cars often criss-kross in price. The Corolla usually comes out slightly on top.

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90 Carolla

The Toyota engine has over 140,000 miles and still feels smooth, stabilizing bar; decent in the New England snow;

3-speed auto transmission: a 4-speed would give better mileage; getting aftermarket parts has been a nightmare—I had to wait 2 weeks for a gas tank; trunk too small; sound system wimpy; cheap plastic hardware always breaking; locks freezing in winter

$7900 in '94 with 24,000 miles on it. I guess it's been a good deal considering how much other cars cost. I would recommend a Corolla though. The initial savings of getting a Prizm (or any clone for that matter) get wiped out the longer you keep the car.

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last car was a Hyundai excel. nuff said.

Handles well, good gas milage, satisfied with the overall performance and reliability. Great value for the money.

The automatic transmission is slow especially when needed to merge on to feeways.

I would recommend this car to anyone. It would make a great second car. Driven mine for three years had no problem. Great car.

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Sister to the Toyota Corolla. Why buy a Corolla when you can get the same car for less, with that Toyota quality.