Brain fahrt caused duplicate post, please delete this.
[ November 21, 2004, 01:57 PM: Message edited by: XS650 ]
[ November 21, 2004, 01:57 PM: Message edited by: XS650 ]
Is the 2005 Chevy Cavalier a solid car?
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Cavalier isn't GM's top of the line product and doesn't claim to be.
I have never owned a Cavalier and don't expect to ever own one, but I have rented them a few times for up to a week of a few hundred miles a day. I also know several people who have had them for a long time.
Except for the obvious bottom feeder aspects of the car, they seem to be reliable, economical reasonably comfortable transportation appliances.
After a week of driving a rental Cavalier a few hundred miles day, I actually liked the car better than when I got it. It did what it was supposed to do and was comfortable. I liked it a lot better than Neon I had on a previous trip. Compared to the Cavalier, the Neon was loose collection of parts flying in close formation. The Neon was more fun, but the Cavalier was more comfortable to drive long distances and felt solider.
Add the anecdotal reliability reports I have personally and on line heard from owners and they look like good cars if they are what you want.
[ November 21, 2004, 01:57 PM: Message edited by: XS650 ]
the term "throw away chevy" really applies here. Its a good cheap transportation vehicle, but don't count on it plus 100k miles.
I see new ones on autotrader for like 7500-7900 dollars with a manual transmission.
Its not a fun car to drive, its basic trasportation though.
JH
I see new ones on autotrader for like 7500-7900 dollars with a manual transmission.
Its not a fun car to drive, its basic trasportation though.
JH
My sister was shopping for cars recently when hers got stolen, and the Cavalier/Sunfire was one she was seriously considering.
Insurance, however, was ridiculous on them in comparison to most larger GM cars. Even Caddy's and $40k trucks had lower insurance rates. It seems that they tend to be driven by a certain demographic that produces a lot of claims, and since they are not often economical to repair, write-offs are almost a certainty for anything but trivial damage. Also, the owners don't tend to take as good care of them either (oil changes, etc.) even further accelerating the write-off process if they are in accidents.
So just something to take into consideration. Spending a few more bucks upfront might lower your longer-term insurance costs enough to warrant the additional capital outlay.
Insurance, however, was ridiculous on them in comparison to most larger GM cars. Even Caddy's and $40k trucks had lower insurance rates. It seems that they tend to be driven by a certain demographic that produces a lot of claims, and since they are not often economical to repair, write-offs are almost a certainty for anything but trivial damage. Also, the owners don't tend to take as good care of them either (oil changes, etc.) even further accelerating the write-off process if they are in accidents.
So just something to take into consideration. Spending a few more bucks upfront might lower your longer-term insurance costs enough to warrant the additional capital outlay.
I've already said that I thought a Cavalier was a decent transportation appliance. But, to not be lying by omission, if I had to choose between asensational deal on anew Cavalier or spending the same amount of money on a used Honda or Toyota, it would be the Hondota.
I keep remembering more. Somebody brought up the Neon. I could have had one of those for the same dollar, no tach, no ABS, and a smaller gas tank. For a little more, you can have the tach and ABS on the Neon.
As for fun to drive, with the Ecotec and 5 speed, it isn't that bad.
As for fun to drive, with the Ecotec and 5 speed, it isn't that bad.
Not true. I see Cavaliers with over 200,000 miles all the time. Also no timing belt to replace, so routine maintenance is cheaper and easier than imports. GM sells the car cheap in part to keep their "C.A.F.E." fuel mileage averages higher. So many people have the false impression that just because something is imported and more expensive it is better.
re: throw away car
re: insurance rates
re: comparison to japanese cars
I can potentially get this car for 1/3 the price of a base model civic or corolla. So if it lasted only 36K miles (the warranty period) Id have made money off of it. I can pay it off in 6 months or less and drop full coverage insurance if I wanted. Plus with gas prices rising...
re: squeaks/alleged low build quality
I drive a 10 year old 80K base model tercel as a daily driver. No air, no PS, no power anything. It does have a good stereo that circuit city installed 8 years ago. From the factory it had 2 buttons, rear defroster and hazard lights. A cavalier is an upgrade, trust me.
Normally Id probably buy an echo for $10K over a cavalier for $8K. This is significantly less $$$.
re: insurance rates
re: comparison to japanese cars
I can potentially get this car for 1/3 the price of a base model civic or corolla. So if it lasted only 36K miles (the warranty period) Id have made money off of it. I can pay it off in 6 months or less and drop full coverage insurance if I wanted. Plus with gas prices rising...
re: squeaks/alleged low build quality
I drive a 10 year old 80K base model tercel as a daily driver. No air, no PS, no power anything. It does have a good stereo that circuit city installed 8 years ago. From the factory it had 2 buttons, rear defroster and hazard lights. A cavalier is an upgrade, trust me.
Normally Id probably buy an echo for $10K over a cavalier for $8K. This is significantly less $$$.
If you drive one for a few hours and still like it, sounds like a no brainer to me. If you take care of it like a BITOG anal-retentive fanatic it should last along time.
At that price, I would even give up my pre-disposition for Japanese cars over el-cheapo American base models.
Stick or auto?
Well, we call them "Cadavalier." We have a large amount of them in our state fleet. Most people don't walk away from a crash.
You hit it on the head here. IF money were no object, I would say look for something else. However, at the price you can buy it for, it's a no brainer to pick up on it. Heck, if it turns out to be a problem trade it for something else in a couple/three years. If not, maintain and run it until the wheels fall off.
Because it is roomier?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?
It also has far better ergonomics, IMHO. Nifty little car. Other than Cadillac CTS it's the only GM vehicle I liked at last autoshow.
Stick fo sho! I dont want another GM with no dipstick/tranny drain bolt. I already have a malibu like that. I want a serviceable tranny, so I can put syn in it and leave it for 75K.
I forgot about the 24 hour test drive! I should drive it a few hours. Ill be at the dealer wed morn and thurs is thanksgiving though.
I hate to disillusion you, but the Getrag 5 speed in my 02 doesn't have a dip stick. You can't even see the fluid in it.
I have NEVER seen a manual transmission with a dipstick.
In fact, some don't even have a filler plug, you disconnect the speedometer cable and fill them through that.
But they all have a drain plug somewhere.
In fact, some don't even have a filler plug, you disconnect the speedometer cable and fill them through that.
But they all have a drain plug somewhere.
Sounds like a killer deal then. Add a set of good tires and some salvage yard Z24 swaybars, and you'd have a nifty little car.
Have you considered a base single cab 4 cylinder Colorado?
mr
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