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Fasterem@aol.com
HELP! I really like my car and want to keep it, but not sure about overhauling a transmission.
By the way, I looked at a Cobalt yesterday, they are much smaller than my 1998 Cavalier, pretty compact, almost reminded me of a smaller Focus. I was quite surprised on how small it was.
My car has been very reliable and has never left me stranded even when the on board computer dropped all it's programming. The car still drove great. I have over 71,000 miles on it and hope to keep it for a very long time.
Aby thoughts?
I would recommend this car for you, as long as you aren't too nit-picky.
~alpha
I have a 1997 Chevy Cavalier, am a mother turtle speed to normal driver(don't drive the car hard).
My car had a fire hazard recall for the ignition start up; it has a current ongoing gas smell (fire hazard) the smell comes in through the vents or A/C or heater when in use, the Chevy dealerships have not been able to diagnose the problem from 2000 to 12/2004 current date, a safety hazard recall for the front wheel assembly steering hazard; it used to have a dome light with an automatic shut off which had to be completely disconnected or remain on only to drain the battery and now has no dome light when the doors are opened. The reading lights both achieved a short circuit and remained on which I disconnected at this time instead of having to pay someone to fix it without solving the dome light problem first.
I am thoroughly disgusted with a car that is a worry because of the gas smell and fumes being emitted, no dealership of the car maker in town can fix it. No consumer resolve on the issue.
the sunfire won't be available as a 4 door though.
The car I chose does not have "power door locks", something I would like to have. Has anyone had this option added aftermarket to a Cavalier, and at what cost?
Since this is my lady's car and must sit outside in our currently frigid weather, I have not been able to comfortably search for the oil filter housing (which on the Ecotec 2.2L engine has, I believe, a removable end cap - the filter cartridge being inside the housing?). Would someone please tell me how to access this housing? From above or below? How difficult is it to change the filter cartridge?
If you are in the market for an inexpensive car that looks cute and drives well, this is for you. If you have caviar dreams and champagne wishes, you best look elswhere!
Peace!
And the 140 HP Ecotec engine is essentially what is in the new Cobalt.
I had keyless entry, including trunk pop, added last week for $275 (by an outfit called Sound Connection.
Unlike after-market car radios (I always favored Alpines and installed them myself), the Up-grade Cav radio (with 6 speakers, CD but not MP3) has a display of time and station large enough and bright enough that I can easily read same without resort to bi-focals.
I believe the last of the Cavs is the best buy in compact cars I've ever come across.
With Rhino Ramps, Fram SureDrain oil drain device and an Ecotec engine, why anyone would not change their own oil is beyond me (besides physical impairment). You save a lot of money and you know the job has actually been done.
-Driver's side seat cover(in the back) actually fell partially off
-Drivers front tire needed replacement
-Passenger window control button literally cracked and fell through in the middle (it still works just looks bad)
-Engine runs smooth
-No other problems
I commute to school and I put about 12k miles in 6 months, due to freeway driving. I also drive down the lodge, which is a horrible road, almost everyday. Hope this helps someone
Also, it gets great gas mileage compared with my Ford Expedition.
Replaced plugs, wires and one coil [ for #2 and 3] b/c my timing light test showed that missing
is on #2 and sometimes #3. Replaced coil last night and runs well but can detect miss on #2.
After each replacement, 1st plugs, then wires and now we'll see about coil, the car ran well for a few weeks or in the case of wires, days, and then developed a horrible miss which sometimes disappears by itself. Any suggestions?
thanks
Thanks
PS- In the manual it says something about the emmisions system..
I had just gotten out of college and was looking for a reliable car to get from point A to B. I did not care about anything else except that it was new because the warrant WAS important to me. I was looking at the Madza, Honda Civic and Toyota Echo but the Cavalier won my heart because of the $2000 rebate. I felt that I was getting a good deal.
Car required a new transmission around 17,000 miles in July 2003. The overdrive was completely torn. Car spent 17 days in the shop. Repair was covered under warranty. Took it in two times previously and they could not find out the problem until I insisted that there was a problem.
The radiator cracked at around 23,300 miles. Service advisor told me it happens to 1 in a million. The coolant leaked inside of the transmission causing it not able to build pressure. Almost required a second transmission replacement. Fought GM to reimbursement on the repair of $1162. They reimbursed me for $1062 even though it was out of warranty but because of the low mileage. Three months later, in late Feb 05, body valve and shift solenoid needed repair and it was $698. The car had less than 24,000 miles. It is a chain of events happening w/ the transmission. My car spent 30 days in the shop since I purchased it. I lost faith in it and filed a complaint w/ the BBB to request a buy back. Got a call from GMC and I was told that they went far and beyond to help me and that they cannot keep paying for the repairs. They are man made and things like this are going to happen. They indeed did me a BIG favor -constanting sending me back to the shop, not to mention the setbacks that I sustained! So basically the message I got was, 'tough sh&t, deal with it'. The issue here is not about the faulty car, but whether GMC stand behind their products or not and in this case, they did not. Spend the extra several grands and get something reliable and with good resale value. If you cannot afford a reliable car, lease one. I never thought it would happen to me but it did. I drive 120 miles a week and took good care of it w/ the intention of making good use of it.
I recently bought a 2005 Cav Coupe. Small but noticeable changes made since my last Cav (1996) have made the Cav a more comfortable, better car, one that I am enjoying immensely. And the 140 HP Ecotec engine is essentially the same engine as is in the new Cobalt.
Despite a lot of hooey about how ancient the Cav design now is, I've always averaged about 24 mpg and servicing the car is relatively easy. I sincerely believe the last of the Cavs is the best buy in compact cars I've ever come across.
I also own a 2002 Mazda Protege. A good car, but scarcely better than the Cav in my opinion, and it doesn't get as good gas mileage.
Yes, some people will get an occasional lemon from any make of car, and that may well sour them for life on that particular make or model car. But, considering the very large volume of Cavaliers sold, where is the hard evidence that, percentage-wise, the Cavalier has had more than its share of problems?
Surely there are other Cavalier owners that will side with me? Please let us hear from you guys. In any case, you've heard my personal opinion. Enough said from me, a very Happy Cavalier Owner!
The above mentioned Consumer Reports is the evidence that you are looking for. This year, they asked 250,000 consumers how satisfied they are with the vehicle they are driving. In the small car category, 44% of Chavalier owners were satisfied, compared to 94% of Prius owners, 87% of Scion owners, and 80% of Mazda3 owners.
I have seen the Cavalier improve steadily from year to year, and now the best Cavalier ever is being sold at bargain prices. Generally I sell my Cavaliers to personal friends who have always said that they have gotten continuing good performance from their purchases.
When I came back to the states, I test drove quite a few cars, including the Dodge Neon, and was very happy with picking the 1995 4 door Cavalier. I owned that till 2001 with no problems. I bought a 1998 Z24 and still have it. The only things I have had to replace in the Z is the battery and the water pump. The water pump went out with 60000 miles on the car. The Z still runs great and I still get 33mpg on the highway trips and about 30 town driving. I would say that I am a very satisfied Cavalier owner.