[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”24″ el_class=”used-value-text”]Prizm is–to put it directly–among the best small cars on the market. New or used, Prizm basically comes across as a lower-cost Corolla, which has been outselling Chevrolet’s subcompact by almost a 5-to-1 ratio. That’s how it was before, and it’s good news again, since the cars are so similar in structure. You can benefit from Toyota’s reputation for durability, without paying quite the price that might be asked for a Corolla. Add capable road manners, and this is one small car that looks ready to stand up well to the punishment of daily driving. Don’t finish up your subcompact shopping list without making sure Prizm–and Corolla–have prominent spots.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″ el_class=”used-overview-text” title=”Overview”]
Similar to Toyota’s Corolla, the Prizm is a front-drive subcompact sedan. Both makes were all new for 1998. Prizm had previously been a Geo product, but that name disappeared after 1997, so Prizms now wore the Chevrolet badge. Both Prizm and Corolla again were built on the same assembly line in California, at a joint GM/Toyota plant. Appearance was similar to the previous Prizm/Corolla generation, but all sheetmetal was new. Although the car’s wheelbase was virtually unchanged, the 1998 Prizm measured more than 2 inches longer, and was also slightly wider and taller. Interior space grew only fractionally, however. Base and LSi models returned, both with 5-passenger seating. Front side airbags now were available in the Prizm–a rarity in the subcompact league. Antilock braking also was optional. Standard safety items included dual airbags, daytime running lights, and front-seatbelt pretensioners. A single twin-cam 4-cylinder engine, producing 120 horsepower and 122 pound-feet of torque, now powered all Prizms. Prior models had a choice of two lower-powered engines. A manual transmission was standard, with either a 3- or 4-speed automatic optional. Rivals included the Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra, and Mazda Protege.
1999 Prizm
Except for some new color choices, little was new for Chevrolet’s subcompact sedan. The LSi handling package departed from the option list. However, its front stabilizer bar now was installed on all Prizms, and its 14-inch wheels and tires became optional.
2000 Prizm
Variable valve timing helped give the Prizm’s 4-cylinder engine 5 extra horsepower this year. The base sedan gained standard air conditioning like the LSi, along with a 4 speaker AM/FM stereo and full wheel covers. LSi standard fare expanded to include slightly wider 185/65R14 tires, power windows, a rear defroster, tilt steering wheel, and a tachometer with outside temperature gauge.
2001 Prizm
Lower anchors for rear child seats and an in-trunk emergency release handle were the only additions for 2001.
2002 Prizm
There were no significant changes in Prizm’s last year.
Anyone familiar with prior Prizms should feel right at home in this version. Though not exactly sparkling, acceleration is much better than most competitors. With 5-speed manual shift, a Prizm feels frisky and willing to move through traffic with authority. Performance with either automatic transmission, as expected, is less thrilling.
Prizm promises a controlled, but decidedly firm ride. You can expect to feel even small bumps, but the chassis generally does a good job of filtering out most of the harshness. With a standard suspension, the tires quickly run out of grip on twisty roads and allow moderate body lean. A Prizm LSi with the available Handling Package does a much better job of holding the road. Even better, it exacts little penalty in ride quality. Steering is direct and sharp. Brakes, while mushy in feel, do an adequate job in hauling the Prizm down from speed. Road noise is noticeable, but no louder than most of the competition. Visibility is excellent all around, helped by large outside mirrors that fight blind spots to the rear quarters.
Roomy and comfortable inside for average-size adults, the Prizm’s fresh interior is also familiar. Head and leg room are ample. Two adults can sit comfortably in back, but only if the front seats are less than halfway back. Any farther, and rear leg room becomes tight and foot space is nearly nonexistent. Gauges are easy to see, and the dashboard hides no controls behind the steering wheel. Entry and exit to the rear seats is a bit tight through narrow door openings–a flaw found in most subcompact sedans. Cargo space is about average for Prizm’s class, but you get a large trunk opening and handy bumper-height access.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][mk_content_box icon=”icon-road” heading=”Ratings” el_class=”ratings-box”][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”18″]Model Tested: 2002 Chevrolet Prizm base[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”18″ el_class=”review-slideshow-caption”]Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″ el_class=”used-performance-ratings” title=”Performance”][mk_skill_meter title=”Acceleration – 4″ percent=”40″ color=”#0bb697″][mk_skill_meter title=”Fuel Economy – 8″ percent=”80″ color=”#0bb697″][mk_skill_meter title=”Ride Quality – 4″ percent=”40″ color=”#0bb697″][mk_skill_meter title=”Steering/Handling – 3″ percent=”30″ color=”#0bb697″][mk_skill_meter title=”Quietness – 4″ percent=”40″ color=”#0bb697″][/vc_column_text][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″ title=”Accommodations” el_class=”used-accomodations-ratings”][mk_skill_meter title=”Controls/Materials – 7″ percent=”70″ color=”#0bb697″][mk_skill_meter title=”Room/Comfort Front – 4″ percent=”40″ color=”#0bb697″][mk_skill_meter title=”Room/Comfort Rear – 2″ percent=”20″ color=”#0bb697″][mk_skill_meter title=”Cargo Room – 2″ percent=”20″ color=”#0bb697″][/vc_column_text][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″ title=”Other” el_class=”used-other-ratings”][mk_skill_meter title=”Value – 4″ percent=”40″ color=”#0bb697″][/vc_column_text][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″ el_class=”used-ratings-total”]
Rough idle
Description: Fuel injectors on 1.8-liter engine may cause rough idle and the check-engine light to illuminate. Revised injectors are available. (1999)
[/mk_table][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][mk_page_section attachment=”scroll” bg_position=”left top” bg_repeat=”repeat” bg_stretch=”false” enable_3d=”false” speed_factor=”4″ bg_video=”no” video_mask=”false” video_opacity=”0.6″ top_shadow=”false” section_layout=”full” sidebar=”General” min_height=”100″ padding_top=”10″ padding_bottom=”10″ margin_bottom=”0″ first_page=”false” last_page=”true” section_id=”Equipment” visibility=”hidden-sm”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_accordions style=”fancy-style” action_style=”accordion-action” open_toggle=”0″ container_bg_color=”#fff”][vc_accordion_tab title=”Equipment Lists”][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Click on year to see equipment lists for all models offered for that model year.[/vc_column_text][/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab title=”1998″][mk_table style=”style1″ el_class=”used-equipment-table”]Equipment list not available for 1998[/mk_table][/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab title=”1999″][mk_table style=”style1″ el_class=”used-equipment-table”]Equipment list not available for 1999[/mk_table][/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab title=”2000″][mk_table style=”style1″ el_class=”used-equipment-table”]
2000 Chevrolet Prizm
Pricing Effective: 05/31/2000
Model Pricing
Retail Price
Dealer Price
Destination
Base 4-door sedan
$ 13,960
$ 13,290
$ 465
LSi 4-door sedan
16,010
14,761
465
Price Note:
Standard Equipment
Base : 1.8-liter dohc engine, 5-speed manual transmission, dual front airbags, daytime running lights, air conditioning, power steering, cloth reclining front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, AM/FM radio, digital clock, variable intermittent wipers, automatic headlights, visor mirrors, remote fuel door and decklid release, floormats, dual outside mirrors, wheel covers, 175/65R14 tires
LSi adds: cruise control, tilt steering wheel, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette, tachometer, outside temperature indicator, rear defogger, split folding rear seat w/trunk pass-through, 185/65R14 tires
Base : 1.8-liter dohc 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission, dual front airbags, daytime running lights, emergency inside trunk release, air conditioning, power steering, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, AM/FM radio, digital clock, variable-intermittent wipers, visor mirrors, remote fuel-door/decklid release, automatic headlights, floormats, 175/65R14 tires, wheel covers
LSi adds: cruise control, tilt steering wheel, split folding rear seat w/trunk pass-through, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette, tachometer, outside-temperature indicator, rear window defogger, map lights, 185/65R14 tires
Optional Equipment
Option Note:
Major Packages
Option
Avail.
Retail
Dealer
Preferred Equipment Group 2
Base
$570
$490
Cruise control, power door locks, AM/FM/cassette.
Powertrain
Option
Avail.
Retail
Dealer
3-speed automatic transmission
495
426
4-speed automatic transmission
800
688
Safety
Option
Avail.
Retail
Dealer
Antilock brakes
645
555
Front side airbags
295
254
Integrated child-safety seat
LSi
125
108
Comfort & Convenience Features
Option
Avail.
Retail
Dealer
Power sunroof
Base
675
581
Power sunroof
LSi
655
563
Tilt steering wheel
Base
80
69
Cruise control
Base
185
159
Power windows
Base
300
258
Power door locks
Base
220
189
Rear defogger
Base
180
158
AM/FM/cassette
Base
165
141
AM/FM/CD player
Base
215
185
AM/FM/CD player
Base w/Preferred Group 2, LSi
50
43
Tachometer
Base
70
60
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Option
Avail.
Retail
Dealer
Alloy wheels
283
243
[/mk_table][/vc_accordion_tab][/vc_accordions][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][mk_page_section attachment=”scroll” bg_position=”left top” bg_repeat=”repeat” bg_stretch=”false” enable_3d=”false” speed_factor=”4″ bg_video=”no” video_mask=”false” video_opacity=”0.6″ top_shadow=”false” section_layout=”full” sidebar=”General” min_height=”100″ padding_top=”10″ padding_bottom=”10″ margin_bottom=”0″ first_page=”false” last_page=”true” section_id=”Equipment” visibility=”visible-sm”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″ title=”Equipment Lists”]Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][mk_page_section attachment=”scroll” bg_position=”left top” bg_repeat=”repeat” bg_stretch=”false” enable_3d=”false” speed_factor=”4″ bg_video=”no” video_mask=”false” video_opacity=”0.6″ top_shadow=”false” section_layout=”full” sidebar=”General” min_height=”100″ padding_top=”10″ padding_bottom=”10″ margin_bottom=”0″ first_page=”false” last_page=”true” section_id=”Pricing”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″ el_class=”used-pricing-text” title=”Pricing”]Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/mk_page_section]
