2005 Chevy Cavalier

[Drew99GT]

Found one with 9,200 actual miles - apparently a little old lady driven car (church, grocery store etc.). I know those aren't the best type of miles, but the son is dropping the price on this car dramatically and I think I might be able to get it for about 6 grand.

I know the 2.2L Ecotec is a reliable mill; what about the other components? Automatic trans? Electrical system, suspension etc.?

Anyone here have a last gen Cavalier with some real world experience?

Thanks

 

[rjundi]

A few friends use them as commuter and Boston city beater cars and have little issues. No issues in the recent ones.

However $6k despite the mileage still seems pricey for a car design in the early 1990's not top of its game even back then.

 

[Drew99GT]

6K is actually 700 under Edmunds TMV. I might low ball him with cash in hand. It's been advertised for a while - started out at 7.5K and has been dropping since. The car is totally mint and has 2 documented oil changes in it's life.

 

[addyguy]

Transmission should be the same 4-speed unit as used on others, like mine. It's a sealed unit, so the only way to service is through pan drops. However, it is fairly sturdy, and with even minimal maintenenace will go for a long time.

Electronics can be dodgy on them as they get up in years, although it is usually minor annoyances, as opposed to full failures - panels lights going out, losing a speed on the fan...

Suspension is soft from the start, and does wear out, although, again, this isn't fatal, but a base Cavalier has never been known for sporty handling.

The exhaust system has issues - the muffler/tailpipe tends to come 'loose' ver easily, and will 'bang around' a lot...you see a lot of Cavs with 'bouncing' tailpipes/mufflers.

This is my experience from owning a 2002 OHV, 4-speed Cav that has been driven hard and put away wet - mine, at 145k miles, is now facing major repairs - suspension bushings are shot, blower motor only works on two speeds, transmission slips badly, exhaust is done...but none of this is the fault of the car. In fact the car has been very reliable, and I feel I've gotten good serivce out of it - I'd recommend it w/o hesitating!

 

[mechanicx]

If the car is in good shape and hasn't been wrecked, I'd get it. Those Cavaliers have a great powertrain and are about as reliable/durable as anything. I had 150K miles on a first design year '95 when I sold it in good running condition.

 

[pbm]

I think 2005 was the last year that the Cav was made. They were a decent if uninspiring car and were heavily discounted in 2005. The Ecotec was a big improvement over the OHV 2.2. I'd offer $5500 and go no higher than $5800 (but I like a very good deal). Good Luck.

 

[javacontour]

Peep here:

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/posts/1568864/

If you like the Corolla/Prizm, I'm not sure you'll like a Cavalier.

 

[S2500Dog]

The Chevy Cavalier are good cars with minimal proper maintenance and the dependability and reliability of the old 2.2L I-4 OHV or the 2.2L I-4 Ecotec.

 

[PF52]

There were 05 Cavaliers? I thought 04 would be the last year since they were pretty much geared up to introduce the Cobalt in 2005. With that said, I'd choose a Cobalt over a Cavalier any day; roomier, better interior materials but still using the Ecotec engine like the car you're looking at. The low miles ARE tempting on that particular one however...

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted By: pbm
I think 2005 was the last year that the Cav was made. They were a decent if uninspiring car and were heavily discounted in 2005. The Ecotec was a big improvement over the OHV 2.2. I'd offer $5500 and go no higher than $5800 (but I like a very good deal). Good Luck.


This analysis is spot on. I will chime in with the fact that I believe these are long lasting, durable cars. The Ecotec + 4 speed auto combo is an excellent powertrain, and each year they improved the chassis and interior. I had a 95 and an 03, and they were solid and economical cars to buy and own.

 

[mechanicx]

How do you figure the Cobalt is roomier than the Cavalier? The Cavalier seems slightly bigger and heavier built. I think the early Cobalts needed some modification for side-impact safety. Plus the Cavalier was all ironed out in the late-models.

 

[PF52]

In my case, the headroom makes the difference. I can sit comfortably in a Cobalt but in a Cavalier I feel it grazing my hair all the time.

 

[silverrat]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
Transmission should be the same 4-speed unit as used on others, like mine. It's a sealed unit, so the only way to service is through pan drops. However, it is fairly sturdy, and with even minimal maintenenace will go for a long time.



You can service this transmission by draining from the transmission check plug with the engine off and refilling from a cap near the air cleaner box. You can do that a couple of times.

 

[StevieC]

Engines/Transmission units are excellent... It's the other stuff that is problematic, like power accessories, switches, knobs, window regulators, seats etc.

For $6K I would buy it...

 

[silverrat]

My friend has owned a 2005 Cavalier since new and has 90,000kms on it. Only problem it has had is the washer fluid lines are very brittle and are leaking from multiple places.

 

[ffracer]

These cars were being sold here new back then for $7000 new with a 5-speed manual as GM was trying blow them out and meet some CAFE numbers with 5-speed.

I almost bought one for winter at that price.

 

[daves87rs]

I have two, and 2003 and a 2004. What would you like to know?


What trim level is it?


Each year does have some annoying problems....but then tend to be solid cars.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
Transmission should be the same 4-speed unit as used on others, like mine. It's a sealed unit, so the only way to service is through pan drops. However, it is fairly sturdy, and with even minimal maintenenace will go for a long time.

Electronics can be dodgy on them as they get up in years, although it is usually minor annoyances, as opposed to full failures - panels lights going out, losing a speed on the fan...

Suspension is soft from the start, and does wear out, although, again, this isn't fatal, but a base Cavalier has never been known for sporty handling.

Some good advice there, Addy. KYB struts will slove the soft issues...gets rid of most of the soft. Transmission is a PITA, and I would change the ATF regardless of milage. Changed the wife's ATF out at 50k.

The exhaust system has issues - the muffler/tailpipe tends to come 'loose' ver easily, and will 'bang around' a lot...you see a lot of Cavs with 'bouncing' tailpipes/mufflers.

This is my experience from owning a 2002 OHV, 4-speed Cav that has been driven hard and put away wet - mine, at 145k miles, is now facing major repairs - suspension bushings are shot, blower motor only works on two speeds, transmission slips badly, exhaust is done...but none of this is the fault of the car. In fact the car has been very reliable, and I feel I've gotten good serivce out of it - I'd recommend it w/o hesitating!

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: rjundi
A few friends use them as commuter and Boston city beater cars and have little issues. No issues in the recent ones.

However $6k despite the mileage still seems pricey for a car design in the early 1990's not top of its game even back then.



That's about the price for them here in good shape...

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: pbm
I think 2005 was the last year that the Cav was made. They were a decent if uninspiring car and were heavily discounted in 2005. The Ecotec was a big improvement over the OHV 2.2. I'd offer $5500 and go no higher than $5800 (but I like a very good deal). Good Luck.



Last year was 2005. Most of the 05s ended up in fleets (about 60 percent of them, in fact) They rolled out some "special edition" ones in 2004 thinking that it was it, but then came the fleet orders...