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My question is this, when the car comes to a stop, it feels as if the wheels are not round, so I bring it in to the dealer, and after 27000 highway miles, they say I need front and rear brakes, rotors reground, that the engine needs to be chemicaaly cleaned because of sludge and all kinds of stuff I have never had done on a car before. The brakes do have a grinding noise, but they have since it was new, the Cav not being a luxury car and all. The noise has never changed or gotten worse, only the braking. Anyhow, they want 700 for the brake job and a total of 1550 for a complete service with all the cleaning and so forth that it apparently requres. I thought this car was basically no service for 100,000 miles except for oil, filter and repairs. What gives, does it need all this, what about the brakes, all highway miles, and I am not hard on the brakes. Am I about to get ripped off?
Never going to that dealer again. One thing my mechanic said that was interesting. He said the brake sytem for the cav is to light for the job, and he recommended just probably having the brakes done, leaving the rotors alone, because after six months the rotors, even if reground would warp again because they are not strong enough, and so I would be back to where I am today with the feeling like the front wheels are out of round. Could I actually have convinced another dealer that the rotors were warped, because you and my mechanic seem to say the same thing pretty much. My dealer in NYC charged me $100 just to tell me my brakes were shot and rotors were damaged, which I had to pay just to pick up the car. Was their a recall or anything on the rotors, or should I just have my mechanic fix the brakes and put all this behind me. By the way, the brakes made a grinding sound since new, I figured that is the way the brakes sound, I never heard any squeling or anything. The dealer, who is a lier at this point said I probably ground through the sensors, which is definitely wrong, no way I would knowingly ignore that and let it go. Thanks for your help.
Here's the deal - Around Christmas-time while visiting family 700 miles from home, we got pulled over in heavy traffic. The Police officer maintains we were going 89 mph, while our speedometer clearly stated 74 (speed limit 70 mph) as it had since we left home. We're fighting the ticket I/I even at 74 mph we were going with the flow of traffic, and we certainly weren't going 89 mph!
Here are my questions - I hope the answers will assist in our defense.
1. According to Chevrolet, 145, 229 cavaliers were sold in 1996. Does anyone know approx. how many there are on the road?
2. When was the last significant body model change? (My 1996 and my sister's 1997 both look relatively similar to the new 2001 models) was it 1995?
3. How many colors of green, blue or teal have been offered over the years (or since 1995)?
4. Any other pertinent information that you believe would be helpful in this matter.
The last redesign/body style change was with the 1995 models.
So how is this information going to help you with the speeding ticket? Just curious...
I wouldn't worry about those noises. My Cav brakes are also noisey when I first take off in the morning. I think the brake pads are hygroscopic and absorb moisture during the night. I've had all my wheels off and see no damage to any of the braking surfaces. If I were you I'd run away from any dealer services.
So far I've had great service out of my car and am happy with it.
Having said that I got the car back from the mechanic, he replaced all four rotors because he got some deal as well as the pads, even though we originally agreed, just change the pads and leave it alone. The cost was $ 260, and I must say, the car brakes better than when I bought it new, not that it brakes any stronger or anything, just that it is quiet, like most cars, no grinding anymore. So I hope that is the end of it.
I should say that outside of this problem, which really seems more dealer related, the car is driven hard and performs well with no other problems. Hopefully everything will continue...
As for the Prizm, they don't sell it in Canada so I have no idea.
It's stouter as well because it's the same as goes into larger GM vehicles if I am not mistaken. It's smooth and reliable, though. I have one in my 99.
As to longevity I plan on having this Cavalier long after it's been paid off. as such I hold to a strict maintenance schedule:oil and filter every 3 months [I rarely put 3000 miles on it in that time.
Nearly 19,000 miles on it and I have had it two years since new. No problems except a couple of minor things taken care of at the dealer.I'm VERY happy with it.
Also with the 4 speed auto.the engine is quieter at cruise.It can be noisy when accelerating,but smooths out nicely.It isn't tedious in the way the 2.5 litre was in the Citation/Celebrity/any GM car of the 80's.
You will find wildly varying opinions on these cars. They're old fashioned and cheap and easy to repair if anything goes wrong. That was one of the primary reasons i bought one. My neighbor has a 98 and has had no problems. Hope this helps.
In my opinion the '93-97 Prizm was probably the best of the bunch (if memory serve me), and the '01 Corolla (and I assume Prizm) is a step backward--seems a lot cheaper in construction, I know that was a priority with the redesign.
Each of the Prizms/Corollas is better in the engine department than my 97 Cavalier which has the 2.2 engine. I wish I'd gotten the 2.4. The Cavalier four speed auto transmission is a nice one--- for an automatic. It was my first auto. and I'll probably go back to the five speed.
The Cavalier has been pretty reliable, only a bad ignition switch (I probably hung too many keys off it) and a bad alternator in almost 60,000 miles. The Cavalier seems noticibly older than the Toyota products, you can tell its roots go back to the early 80's. In some ways it seems cruder than the 87 Nova and definitely older than the 90 Prizm.
I couldn't really see that the 01 Corolla was that much better than the 90 Prizm. As I said, IMHO the 93-97 Prizm/Corolla was the best of the bunch. The 87 Nova is actually quite fun to drive but I don't appreciate the 3 speed automatic hooked to the carburated engine.
I found the Hyundai Elantra to be a better all around car than the new Corolla. Roomier and more modern all around although the seat fabric was a bit cheesy. Of course the Corolla is due to be replaced next year and the Prizm discontinued at the NUMI plant.
Looking back, I rather wish I'd bought the Prizm with a 5-speed back in 97 (I had a GM card), I must say, however, that the Cavalier has been a much better car than I would have imagined. Plus, I would think that the Cavalier would be less expensive to fix when things do go wrong.
All I can say it, the cars start and run fine. No they aren't refined like a Civic, but they cost thousands less also. The 1.9% lease rate sure does keep the cost down also.
Mine come and go as well. I figure it's part of it's personality.I figure it's just talking to me.100 miles away from 19,000 and running fine all the way, no problems and great mileage.
Okay,
I just purchased a 2001 Z24 with 5speed manual transmission. I feel the same vibration in the clutch as the previous poster said. I also have strange noises coming from the engine compartment (sounds sort of like a car that has bad gas in it kind of a knocking sound). The trunk doesn't open with the keyless entry and is very hard to shut. the car has 1200 miles on it. I am kind of upset about this. Has anyone else in the group had any of these problems? If so, was it resolved? If it was resolved could you please let me know how? I would really appreciate any feedback. Thanks.
CountryBoyX
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Apr 29, 2001 (11:45 pm)
Make: CHEVROLET Model: CAVALIER Year: 2001
Service Bulletin Number: 291100 Bulletin Sequence Number: 163 Date of Bulletin: 11/00
NHTSA Item Number: SB616394
Component: POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:STANDARD:MANUAL
Summary:
SUBJECT PERTAINING TO MANUAL TRANSMISSION RATTLE. *TT
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May 07, 2001 (04:27 am)
Apparently they know how to fix the issue with the Jetrag 5 speed in the new 2001 cavalier. I am going to have my trunk and the transmission issue fixed on the 8th (tomorrow). I will let everyone know how it goes. I must note that I didn't have too many problems with my 98 Cavalier RS (2.2L). The plug wires and EGR valve (EGR Valve is very expensive) were the only issues I had with it. In 36,000 miles it never broke down (except once I ran it out of gas). It did have some annoying noises in the dash but I could deal with that. Sometimes people just get lemons. You also have to maintain a car. I had a 5 speed in my 98 as well. when I had the brake pads replaced for the first time I had the rotors resurfaced (this prevents the pulsating that I hear lots of people talking about). My father had an 87 cavalier and the only problem he had with it was a squeak in the dash and it drove him nuts so he got rid of it. I had a 91 Cavalier with the 2.2L and it had 115,000 before the transmission went up in it (it was involved in a flood and transmission was rusted inside). I sold it with 145,000 miles on it and it never broke down on me. Every car has it's problems and yes even a "Honda" will not last if you don't take care of it. My sister has a civic and it is a piece of S***. Honda makes good motorcycles but I don't like their cars. Eventually when I win the lotto I will own a new Vette. Until then I am very happy with my cavalier experience. I will let you know if I continue to have issues with my new Z24 after I take it for service at Jerry's Chevrolet, Perring Parkway, Baltimore, Maryland.
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May 16, 2001 (04:21 am)
Well,
I took my 2001 Z24 in for service. They replaced the manual tranny fluid with some kind of synthetic fluid. The grinding noise seems to be gone. As for the trunk they forgot to put the auto trunk latch on at the factor and they tried to tell me it wasn't an option on the car. I told them it was standard. I had both the service and sales managers out looking at my trunk. I mean why would a car have keyless entry for doors and not for trunk and no latch inside vehicle. Long story short they put the part on my car and everything works fine now.
I am probably going to get the RAM Air hood for my Z24 :-D
Speaking of my friend, he has a 1996 2-door base with 3-speed auto. and the 2.2. He had to replace the whole transmission in the car just after 100K. Also, the timing chain, the water pump, and various oxygen sensors and stuff. He said he didn't think that was too bad for 100K. Of course, I know people with other cars that don't do anything to them in 100K. To each his own I guess.
CountryBoy: Funny you say about Jerry's. I was looking for a car and went there too. Drove the Cavalier, but it felt just like the 1996 I used to have and I didn't get it. Went up the street and got a Mazda Protege from S&S on Joppa instead. Good luck with your car.
Also, has anyone ever had a problem with the 4 speed making a bang when shifting into Drive after a cold soak?
What do you mean it doesn't have a timing chain/belt? They fixed everything on the car so I am pretty happy right now.
Countryboyx
How so? What was your experience? Did you work for them? Thanks.
Countryboyx
Aside from this irritation, we have had good luck with this car. Trouble free for 2 year now.