Saturn or Cavalier, which is more reliable?

[Rob Taggs]

I will be looking for a new car in a few months and would like to know the opinions on which car is the most reliable. I want a 4 cylinder engine and manual transmission. The cars I'm looking at are the Saturn and the Cavalier. One main concern is whether the engines have a belt driven or chain driven timing set. I've seen what happens when the belt driven type snap and the engine goes to the junkyard. Please give your choice and opinions.
Thanks!

 

[san123chez]

I'm currently driving an '04 Cavalier, with the 2.2 ecotec motor and 5 speed transmission. The ion and cavalier share this combo (motor and transmision) in every model in the respective lineups. In short, whichever you choose, you'll get the same driveline, so pick the one you like the most. The cavalier, however, has better incentives and rebates, and both have proven very reliable. Mine has 10k miles, and no problems yet. Best of luck with the new car.

 

[san123chez]

Forgot to add, both have a timing chain, not a belt.

 

[Al]

I assume you have your reason for looking at these bottom feeders in this class of car.

I would sure be looking at Corolla, Honda, and Mazda in that order.

My understanding is that the 2.2 is a very good engine though.

 

[Marlin]

Look at the Cobalt. It is replacing the Cav and is much nicer then what the Cav as going up against.

 

[T-Keith]

speaking for not-new models, the Cavalier(with the 2.2 OHV) should give you less maintenance and cheaper parts then just about anything, short of a 85-91 N-body.

 

[eljefino]

The saturn might have an advantage if you get a lot of door dings or a ton of road salt. Note the undercarriage, which usually rusts first, is still metal.

Don't be embarrased to be choosing a simple econobox; the engineering going into these two cars is pretty good (particularly the stellar powertrain) and you're getting the car at/below cost, subsidized by some gas guzzler somewhere. (You're evening out GM's CAFE average.)

Either car will hold the road way better than any Rio/Aveo/Accent etc for the same price. (Not a slam on any little Korean cars, which I like, BTW)

Wonder if the ION has better suspension than the cavalier...

As already noted, you can probably get a cavalier for $3k less, which compensates for many little details.

 

[FL-400S]

$3000?

You gotta buy an ION 2 (whatever that means) to get air and CD player which is standard on 1SV cavaliers. That bumps the price to $14945. And from what I hear you cant negotiate on saturns. And you cant use a GM card rebate like you can on a cavalier (or cobalt for that matter). The saturn is gonna cost ya $7000 more

. The cavalier is a no brainer. Mine has lasted me all of 1500 trouble free miles

so far. And theres a ton of junkyard, ebay, and aftermarket parts for Cavaliers.

 

[FL-400S]

Make no mistake about it, go get a cavalier right now. The base model ones (1SV and some 1SA) are selling for $7995 advertised in many dealer newspaper ads. I got one and my parents got one at that price, from two different dealers. JUMP ON IT!!! PM me if you want more details.

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

A Saturn ION 1 is a great deal for $13325. A/C and CD player, that's it. But if you're looking for cheap, very reliable transportation, that's the way to go.

The Cobalt and ION are the same car save for the interior layouts and the ION has polymer vertical panels on the exterior--great for 10 years from now when you still own the car and there are NO dents in the doors or 1/4-panels! It gives you a proud, warm-fuzzy feeling that so little money went so far...

If you need power locks or windows, you'll need to step up to the ION 2, which, of course, costs more.


There's a $1500 offer if you're a current GM owner until Jan 31, 2005. Clipped from the Saturn site:
Get $1,500 when you buy
- or -
$750 when you lease an eligible new GM vehicle.
Offer ends January 31, 2005.

And, combine that with this offer:
Now, when you purchase or lease a new 2005 Saturn ION you get a choice of the following:
5 year / 60,000 mile extended vehicle coverage*
– or –
$1000 allowance to personalize your new ION

So, that's $2500 in incentives (I doubt you'll use the warranty on an Ecotech based GM car) which bring that ION 1 down to $10825. Saturn also has 0% for 36 months as well. Hard to beat a good new car, even one considered a "bottom feeder" for under $11000. This thing will last you 250K, easily.

As for the current Cavalier, I seriously looked at the entry level model which a local dealer had for $9K and 0% for 72 months. Insurance was almost $30 higher per month than my 96 Saturn and the crash test ratings are poor. I figure I'd hold out for a better car IMO. But the $125/month car payment was VERY attractive!

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

DOUBLE POST --DELETE--

 

[SKUNKY]

Have a 03 Cavaler...blown motor @ 11k..GM replaced under warranty..Have issues with IAC valve...doesen't act up when taken to dealer(that's Normal)...other then that it's a good car...30+ mph 5 speed manual makes it fun to drive..

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

Found another snippet from the Saturn site:
2005 Saturn ION Models

0% APR for 36 months
for qualified buyers*

– or –

$500 customer allowance**

That makes an ION 1 model only $10325.00 if you pay by check!

Is there a better deal for a better car on the market? I don't think the Cobalt's are being sale-priced like this just yet are they?

Darn it BITOG! You're the reason why my old Saturn runs so well I can't justify purchasing a new one!