Is the 2005 Chevy Cavalier a solid car?

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FL-400S

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I know its no civic (or is it?) but is it a solid car? Im thinking 140hp with 5 speed manual! The only reason I ask is because Ive racked up enough rebates that I could possibly get a brand new cavalier (or aveo) for a rock rock rock bottom price. Take the lowest price that comes to mind and cut it in half and that might be close to the kind of deal I can turn. I dont really need it but gas aint gettin cheaper and another small car aint a bad idea.

Are there any major problems that plague cavaliers?
 
I get 145 hp with 5spd in my '95 Accord. GM's engines are at about the same level, power and efficiency-wise, as Hyundai's/Kia's. The Koreans don't have as that much experience designing engines, but GM doesn't have that excuse.

This is all just my opinion, but I am not at all impressed with any GM products.

But if you can get it for next to nothing, that can change things.
 
I've got 53K on my 02 with the Ecotec and a 5 speed. Only thing other than oil changes* and gas was turning a rotor. Of course the lumps came right back. Oh yes, I did change the windshield wipers the other day. The front passenger seat adjuster is a little flaky too. I need to check it when I thing of it. I get in the mid 30's on cheap regular running 75-80 on the interstates. Do a search on Cousin Cletus. He is happy with his, I think an 00. I hate some design features like the power windows with the switches on the console and the theft deterrent system, but that is Labman's antediluvian attitudes. Nobody has much experience with an 05.

Pennzoil 5W30 dino every 3 months, maybe 6000 miles. Purlux or Purolator filters mostly.
 
quote:
Originally posted by labman:
I've got 53K on my 02 with the Ecotec and a 5 speed. Only thing other than oil changes* and gas was turning a rotor. Of course the lumps came right back. Oh yes, I did change the windshield wipers the other day. The front passenger seat adjuster is a little flaky too. I need to check it when I thing of it. I get in the mid 30's on cheap regular running 75-80 on the interstates. Do a search on Cousin Cletus. He is happy with his, I think an 00. I hate some design features like the power windows with the switches on the console and the theft deterrent system, but that is Labman's antediluvian attitudes. Nobody has much experience with an 05.

I forgot, great heater, will quickly roast you. I think it is the aluminium block.

And I haven't added any fluids to it except air. No oil top ups between changes.

*Pennzoil 5W30 dino every 3 months, maybe 6000 miles. Purlux or Purolator filters mostly.
Click to expand...
 
Subject: Small Cars by GM

Small cars has never been their strong suite.

They just can't seem to ge a handle on it.

But if the price is wright,go for it.
Good Luck.....
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I've got an "04 cavalier with the 5 speed that I drive to school. I've driven better cars, and its chasis feels very flimsy, but it starts every day. And it was cheap, capital C. In short, if you can live with the poor crash ratings, it'll get the job done. Also, with the cartridge oil filter, oil changes are a snap.
 
The 05 Caviler is about as a good of a car as GM can build. It ihas some sqeks and rattles still but is a solid car if maintained! They had some initial problems with sleeves cracking on the ecotec but that has since been hammered out.

Cut the oil change interval in half and change the trany fluid ever 30,000-50,000 miles! Get the dexcool coolant out after about a year! Toyota Longlife, DC's Longlife, Zerex G-05 would all make excellent replacements!

If you want one get it now. The replacement "Cobalt" is going to try to do away with incentives . I do not think it is going to work but GM is tired of haveing to give the Caviler away!
 
The dealerships around here are giving the Cavi's away with 100k/10yr warrantys. I would consider one. I have heard good things about the Ecotec. I had a rental 04 Stang droptop and a kid with a 5-sp 04 smoked me. Go for it, with all the rebates you cant beat it.

Eric
 
Cavalier 2.2L 26/36 epa mileage. Aveo 1.6L 27/35 epa mileage. Cavalier 140 HP. Aveo 103 HP. Why would anyone want the Aveo over the Cavalier
dunno.gif
?
 
As far as reliability goes, I would rather have the cavalier. Looking back at past asian made chevy's/geo's, if it wasent built by toyota they were junk. As far as if the cavalier being solidly built, the model has been around long enough that an 05' model is better built then say a 95' would be. If you keep the car long enough to someday put money into it, the parts will be cheaper and easier to find. I would rather buy a good used car over the "ugly" chevy aveo. Also, the ecotech is a much better engine then the old 2.2 ohv and 2.4 quad4. The cavalier also handles better.
 
quote:
Originally posted by drive it forever:
Cavalier 2.2L 26/36 epa mileage. Aveo 1.6L 27/35 epa mileage. Cavalier 140 HP. Aveo 103 HP. Why would anyone want the Aveo over the Cavalier
dunno.gif
?
Click to expand...
Because its a 5 door hatchback compared to a coupe. Some things have advantages.
 
I have a 2002 Cavalier, 2.2 OHV engine with the 5 speed transmission and like it very much. I believe the Cavalier is actually a better car than a Civic and costs less to boot. Over the years I have owned three of them because they have been such good reliable cars. The only problem I had with mine was the brake rotors warped, but replacement rotors and pads were 50 bucks at the parts store (Carquest)and the car was about ready for a brake job anyway. I have heard the reason for rotor issues is because the stock pads are too hard. Check out www.j-body.org for a good Cavalier site. The 2.2 Ecotech had some minor issues when it first came out but supposedly they have been worked out. The Ecotech is going to be GMs most popular 4 cylinder engine in the future, so it's not just some "lame duck" car. The same drivetrain will be used in the replacement Cobalt. Parts availability is good and the price of parts is dirt cheap. My OHV Cavalier gets about 31 mpg just running around and 38 on a highway trip. GM has a taken a bad rap on their small cars (Citation, Vega) but the J body cars are as reliable as any car on the road.
cheers.gif
 
My dad has an 00' Cavalier with the 2.2 OHV. This has been a very reliable car (only 25K on car). The mileage is excellent. The only negative is the engine noise. After driving my wifes Accord the Chevy is very raucous. The OHV is very reliable but also very old-tech. I think the ecotec is much quieter and refined. If the price was right I'd go for it.
 
Well Im gonna try my darndest to get one of these at the low price. Im open to guesses on how much I could potentially get one for. Like I said, take the lowest price youve seen and cut it in half. GM card rebates rule, especially when they top if off. IVe also got some kind of auto show rebate and a dealership postcard rebate and a college grad rebate. It all stacks up to low low $$$. Ridiculously low. I need another car like I need a hole in my head. But for the price I cant afford to not buy one. Im excited about the 140hp mated to the 5 speed. I like my little tercel but its weak. Manual trannys help a lot.
 
I currently own an '04 and a '93 Cavalier, both are solid rides. The '04 has about 22k miles on it with no problems so far. No detectable oil consumption 6k OCI's with GC. Not a sign of any rattles in it's admittedly spartan appearing interrior either. It is my opinion that the Ecotec engine has at least one advantage over some of the imports: No timing belt! It has good 'ol steel chains that should last till the engine is worn out. And if the 2.2 ohv in my '93 is any indicator that should take a nice long time. It has over 220k miles at present,with less than a quart consumption between 6k mile changes. And yes the interrior is about to fall apart on the '93. I've allready had to glue some pieces back on. Kids! Maintenance on the '93 has consisted of 2 alternators, 3 brake jobs,1 water pump, belts, hoses and tires several times, timely fluid and filter changes and one rocker cover gasket. Neither car has ever failed to get me from point A to point B. It will be a sad day when the '93 goes to the junkyard, she's a member of the family now and we just couldn't sell her to strangers. It will be driven untill the wheels fall off. As for the '04: strong 4 valve per cyl. performance with economy (I once got 36 combined on a beach trip). I like the fold down rear seats,this adds some extra cargo carrying ability. Hope this is helpfull. Rickey
 
Im guessing the Auto doesnt have a dipstick or drain plug. What about the getrag manual? Is the fluid service-friendly?
 
Haven't really looked for a drain plug...yet. But I can tell you that on my '04 Cavalier auto there are two openings visible to me on top of the tranny case. One is about 2" in diameter and has a plastic plug similar in appearance to a body drain plug in it. I would guess this might allow inspection of the transfer chain (if any?). The other opening is smaller, and has a screw on cap (no dipstick). I wonder if fluid level measurement and replenishment can be done there? Maybe service department has a special device for fluid measurement at this opening. It does seem that the factory reccomended service interval fot ATF is a bit long. But consider this: Modern autos with lock up converters stress the fluid much less (less heat) than older designs. Also modern fluids are much better or so it is reported. Good Luck... Rickey.
 
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