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The negative thing about this car is the reliability. You'll have a higher chance of getting a lemon (you can thank GM's quality control for that), which would lead to lost of sleep and newfound grey hair.
Wasn't there a magazine that used to publish costs to rebuild a car with replacement parts? I remember hearing teasers on the news every year or so that would list the cost for one vehicle as an example.
Also, when will we get the "Delta platform" based Chevy/Pontiacs?
No word on a new car, but the Sunfire upgrade list was impressive. I think it's a stop gap until they have a new car in 2 years.
Both remotes must be programmed at the same time. It is possible to program just 1 remote but a second cannot be added later.
A 2 remote maximum for each vehicle.
In the trunk over the rear drivers side wheel well is the receiver.
It has a 2 pin connector wired to it.
1) With a small screw driver or paper clip ground/short these pins together and keep them connected during programming.
Once grounded, the power locks will cycle lock-unlock. This indicates that the system is in ‘program mode’.
2)On the first remote hold down both the lock and unlock buttons for 15 seconds until the locks cycle lock/unlock. This remote is done.
3)Repeat step #2 for 2nd remote.
4) Remove the screwdriver or paper clip from the 2 pin connector.
5)Test the remotes (be sure not to lock them in the trunk when done).
Hope this helps!
-Onyx
I don't particulary care much about all these whiny people saying buy a Honda/Toyota. I like use to like Toyotas, now they are just getting cheap. A Honda is going to last you just as long as a Chevy. My girlfriends 91 Honda Accord LX with 70k on it burns oil and runs rough. And it was USED. My 96 Cavalier with 75k on it runs a little rough and doesn't burn any oil. A car will last you as long as you take care of it. And I don't know where all these 200k mile Hondas are. They don't exsit in North Carolina. You see lots of 94+ Hondas, a few early ones. But you see tons of late 80's Chevys (Cavalier's and Beretta's). People seem to think a used car is a great buy, why? Cause it's cheap? Cause you run the risk of buying something someone else has severly neglected? Cause it has a good chance of turning into a nightmare?
I'm not going to call the Cavalier a great car. But I can say I love mine. Even if it goes up in a ball of fire and smoke, I'd still love it. And what is this about being loud? (Well I guess the modified air intake on mine isn't helping any) I love the way it sounds (wish it sounded more like the old Beretta's). It has it's fair share of problems. My favorite the intermitent power loss/skipping. It's like it is loosing a fuel injector or something. It has low power somedays and occasionaly it studders and skips real bad. If anyone knows what that is let me know. And the dash rattle, you could try removing the central air vent, and tightening down the two screws there, it might help.
Brian
BTW, I know the EGR, IAC, and most simple things are not wrong with the engine. It is something more complex, or a system of complex stuff. My feeling is the problem stems from a poor fuel pump or a bad computer (have had the abs/trac system disable it's self 3 times)
The problem with this board is that too many people want to post misinformation about these cars because they think their own choices are superior to yours.
The only remaining part of the 81 Cavalier is the COWL as has been reported in a previous post. The Cavalier became based on the N platform in 94, The same base as the Skylark, Grand Am etc.I have seen this same ignorant claim several times on this board.The last 81 based Cavalier was the 88 to 94 version.
BTW,comparing a Golf to a Cavalier is laughable. No one in their right mind shops both those vehicles. By the time you'd add CD,air,
ABS auto etc. the VW is in the 18-20,000 range.With the exception of the automatic all the items mentioned are standard on the Cavalier and would be 3 to 5000 less and more with the 2002 rebate.Why not compare to the Mercedes Hatch, then? Why even post such an absurd comparison???
Klohiq, enjoy your Cavalier. Have you checked Canuk's Cavalier Club on Yahoo??? Very enthusiastic [and informed ] members.
Bcsizemo: I'm with you.Unlike many detractors, I actually OWN a Cavalier, a 99 2.2 with the 4 speed auto. Great mileage, with 27,000 miles, the engine keeps getting smoother and has a pleasant sound. Hitting the on ramp I'm already up to speed by the time I hit the lane, so power is not a concern.May trade for the 4door 4speed auto. w/EcoTech.Haven't had any problems , no rubber timing belt to change at $200 to $300, plus replacement of the water pump ["just in case,while we're in there"]at 60,000 miles.An honest vehicle. I like the fact that the 95 looks pretty much like the 2002 also. It's a good design and has worn well. Not something you can say about a lot of GM's newer designs.
Accident investigators claim the insurance institute test "results" are meaningless. These are the true experts as they study actual accidents. What you get in a laboratory situation will never be recreated on the road in a million years as each incident has it's own dynamics, so to shriek "death trap" and "the crash ratings say" only marks one as being unable to absorb data with anything close to critical thought.
There's nothing wrong with these cars.Their purpose has been consistent all these years: a lot of value for a fair price.And with additional rebates??? That's some sort of indicator that they're unsalable??? What sort of logic is THAT??? ALL of the automakers are doing rebates!I can go out today and get a Mitsubishi with no down,no payments for a year. Using the same lack of logic that I have been exposed to here, that would mean Mitsubishi makes a POS????????
Now although I think it was a great deal ther are a few issues with it: seat is not the most comfortable. I 'adjusted' it to allow more leg room. Also, they moved the radio above the heater controls but they moved them too far back and now you have to lean forward and around the shift knob to get to them. That means I have to take my eyes off the road. It was better the other way imo.
Absolutely false!
The current Cavalier/Sunfire are still J-BODY cars! The basic architecture of the J-Body car dates all the way back to the early 1980's! Is not just the COWL, is the whole entire UNDERPINNINGS! Who are you trying to fool, yourself?????
The only cars being currently manufactured in the lousy N-Body platform are the Malibu, Grand AM and Alero.
Please get your facts straight.
So, could the shocks be loose. Considering it is the lighest part of the car, I expect it to bounce around a bit, but I really wish I could figure it out. It's like a wobbling noise, like someone is bouncing 25lb rocks in the trunk, very hollow. More noticeable at 15-25mph since the engine and road noise at higher speeds cancel it out.
I would appreciate any insight besides trading it in for something better. I got that possibility figured out.
It's about time for the 5 year service, so I think I'll add the rear _struts_ to the list. <42,000mi seems low for replacing those, but it will be worth it if it eliminates the issue.
1. Cheap car, cheap parts.
2. Anyone can fix them.
3. Have pretty good 4 speed auto. transmission-- three speed sucks.
4. Has traction control and antilock brakes w. four speed trans.
5. A pretty car IMHO.
6. Doesn't hold value well, so you shouldn't have paid much for it.
7. If you have an LS the BFG tires are pretty good.
Bad:
1. Uncomfortable compared with other cars.
2. Moaning 2.2 rental car engine, or expensive to fix 2.4 engine.
3. Rude and crude.
4. Hard to see out of-- sitting in a tub.
5. Look out for head gasket problems with 2.2.
As for csandste's bad points, I only agree with point 2 about the 2.2. My wife bought a 92 2.2VL that had the same engine. I just gave it to the Salvation Army even though it still started up as well as the day she bought it - 10 years and 126K mi later and no gasket problems. Actually, the only major repairs were alternator and clutch. Except for brakes, suspension and cooling flushes, I did all of the preventative maintenance.
I think bad point 2 may be more in reference to a 2 door. I have a 2.2 4dr LS. It's basic, reliable transportation, and it can go distances when needed; I've done 12 hour trips from DC to MI and comfort was fine.
Only other bad point is front brakes - I think it is generally accepted here that the rotors are inadequate. I've had these turned once under warranty and now have to have them replaced.
All that said, we do have a strange problem that I wanted to ask the folks on this board about. At certain times the gas pedal gets very...uh...sticky, I guess. You have to punch through to get the accelerator moving. Once it's through that initial stickiness, it's fine, but as soon as I brake and then go back to the accelerator, it's "stuck" again. It's been happening for quite a while now, but we've just sort of lived with it, seeing it as pretty much par for the course, if you will. It doesn't happen all the time, and I've noticed it seems to be worse the warmer and/or the more humid it is. It's really getting to be a pain, especially in parking lots and the such, to have to gun the damn thing just to get going, and probably not all that safe, either. Any idea on this? Anyone have the same problem with their Cavalier? I suspect some sort of carbon build up or the such with the throttle cables/linkage. Dealer service didn't seem to have a clue, suggesting a fuel system additive that didn't make a difference. Any ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated.
It really felt like something was wrong with the clutch linkage itself...and was driving me crazy for a few minutes.
I felt silly, but relieved to find it was such a simple situation.
http://www.canadiandriver.com/previews/03sunfire.htm
Lutz, bring the Opel Astra, PLEASE!!!!!!!!
We ALL know you like the euro cars teo. You should just buy a Focus, they are European.
Take a chill pill dude...why should I??
I don't like the Ford Focus. This '03 Sunfire is hideous looking. Another attempt to patch up an ANTIQUE until it gets discontinued or replaced with a worthy vehicle.
Bring the Opels over here. I want Opels and Holdens to be offered in GM's line-up.
Man, you are tooo North American at heart...that's very good, but recognize that these ancient GM models are way past their prime time and need to go!
Meanwhile, I think we were talking about the Cavalier?
:-)
Pat
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Sedans Message Board
teo : I like some European cars, but mostly high end ones. European small cars have never turned me on in any way. Hopefully the next gen Cavalier will be better than the Focus.