There’s a few things I’ve remained steadfast on over the years, and one of them is that the Chevrolet Beretta is chronically underappreciated. I know, build quality was abysmal and this entry-level model won’t light your hair on fire driving it every day, but it was an attractive model that offered a fair amount of sportiness in an affordable package. The Beretta shown here on craigslist appears to be one of the final year models, and offered an updated interior before it vanished from the lineup.
There are many numerous disappointing GM products, especially at the lower end of their model range. The Beretta and its sedan sibling, the Corsica, replaced the X-body Citation, which was downright forgettable. With the Beretta, Chevy also introduced a wave of respectable models performance-wise, including the GTZ, the GTU, the standard GT, and many of those models offered powerful V6s and the legendary Quad 4 powerplant. In a way, this Beretta seems even more remarkable because it isn’t one of those models and has still managed to survive in decent condition.
The interior improvements in this ’96 will barely register by today’s cabin standards, but for the middle 90s, GM was at least trying to keep the Beretta relevant. I can’t recall if it was 1991 or 1992 when Chevy updated the ergonomics of this entry-level model, but it at least appears to be holding up well. The dash plastics were nothing to write home about, but the interiors did feature logical rotary controls, a decent stereo, slide-out cup holders, and an airbag steering wheel. Additional controls were conveniently located on either side of the steering wheel, not unlike the “floating” controls I had in my Subaru XT6.
My favorite features were the blacked-out taillight panel and the subtle twin-outlet exhaust. With the 3.1L V6, this Beretta kicked out a respectable 155 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque, which will still get you down the road nicely today. The seller has added four new tires and a fresh battery in preparing it for sale. While it will never be collectible, I could absolutely see using this as an interesting daily, and perhaps justify lowering it a touch with some OEM wheels. I love the Beretta – is anyone else a fan? Thanks to Barn Finds reader Curvette for the find.
For $2,700, its nearly disposable, but a decent used car. Neat find, and alone at any C&C near you.
I had one almost like this that was in bright red. It was the first car I ever bought on my own. It was used. It had a V6 (don’t remember which one specifically), but it had a nice understated throaty exhaust; the main thing is it would keep up red light to red light with the Probe GTs and early Fox bodies around town. The engine block cracked while I was on vacation and I coasted into a Ford dealership. Drove home with a 5-spd Ranger XT off the showroom floor 😂
My first brand new car was a Beretta. I miss that thing.
My first brand new car was a Beretta as well. A red GTZ with the Quad 4 and a 5-Speed manual. Boy do I miss that car!!!!
Nice looking car, decent motor, good mileage. Those radio controls sent me back to the 80’s.
Looking for a cheap car for my daughter, if this was close and had a current inspection it would be perfect.
I had a Beretta. I liked the car, except for the safety belts mounted to the front doors. You were supposed to keep the belts latched at all times, so that the action of opening the door would pull the belts out of your way, allowing you to enter and exit the car without having to latch and unlatch the belt.
The first model year or two, Berettas had the belts mounted to the B pillar, then switched to the door mount, then back to the B pillar mount for 1991 – 1993, then back to the door mount for the rest of the model years. I thought the door mounted belts were a way to comply with passive restraint regulations without the expense of an airbag, but 1991 and later Berettas had at least a driver’s side airbag. Not sure why they would go back to the door mounted belts for the last few years, it was such a clumsy solution.
To my eyes, it looks like it has a lift kit on it. Maybe the diameter of the tires is smaller than stock?
not seeing what’s so rare about according to the seller. i see a clean, cheap low mile hooptie.
Maybe he means rare car because it is still running and driving.
The Quad 4 was legendary alright,a legendary POS..
Bought a new GT in 89. Other than peeling paint, a broken driver seat, intermittent stalling on the highway and blown head gaskets – I loved it.
Oh almost forgot – the driver’s door fell off in my driveway.
Good times.
The driver’s door fell off of my 1988 Beretta GT ( 5 speed , 2.8L V6).
I had the Quad 4 in a little Olds. Owned it for 8 years until totaled due to an ice storm. It was a great engine.
Red was a smart choice for this example. I seem to remember red, maroon and beige, along with darker metallic grays and black paint not peeling off the primer as badly as silver, white or blues did.
Although I think by ’96 they pretty much had that solved, teal and dark green also didn’t seem to be a problem; you’d expect them to have been formulated more like the other “cool” colors than “warm” reds but the difference is they weren’t offered until late in the run.
Also – this one is oddly optioned – A/C, auto, cassette, V6 – but no power windows?
And – why are there seat covers… hmmmmm
Finally – looks like a cassette is stuck in the player.
I had a 1990 with the 3.1L v6. I mostly liked the car, However, it was one of the model years with the lap and shoulder belts attached to the door instead of the B-pillar – that I did not like. At 13 years, the car still looked good from the rocker panels up, but severe undercarriage rust sent it to the recycling yard.