1994 Chevrolet Cavalier Station Wagon 2.2L

Summary:

It served us well, but watch those maintenance costs

Faults:

Up until recently, this car was doing just fine.

It blew a gasket at 160,000km. It was no big deal. It got fixed.

It had some weird stalling problem at intersections that could have been a number of things. The fuel injectors were cleaned, but it didn't help. Recently it has got so bad that my mother refuses to drive it. It chugs laughably up hills and sputters like a jalopy.

Had a fuel leak in the fuel line. Once that was fixed, it leaked again further down the line.

The roof leaks. We don't know where it leaks, but in hard downpours it will drip on the automatic gear shift thing. It is too costly and time consuming to fix, assuming we can find where the leak even starts...

The doors are beginning to rust badly. Not a pretty sight.

The rear window trim just decided to fall off one day.

General Comments:

This car was a great car! It drove us everywhere without fail and up until last winter (Dec. 2002) it was a reliable car and a joy to drive.

It's comfortable and roomy.

This car handles well and has reliable brakes and steering. I learned to drive with this station wagon, and it is very user friendly!

It was a shame that she decided to throw in the towel well before her time...

Our mechanic warned us not to drive it into the ground, since it was only designed to be driven 175,000kms. We did not heed his warning and refused to sell it. It was a precious car. May it rest in peace.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th January, 2004

1994 Chevrolet Cavalier Z22 2.3

Summary:

Expensive repairs, for a cheaply made speeder

Faults:

Gas tank had a rusted hole, replaced fuel pump and gas tank 216000.

Hood of car split apart and ripped off car at high speeds (140km), due to rust, replaced 217000.

Fuel lines leaking, replaced 217000.

Front rotors rusted apart, replaced 219000. (rotor caused front passenger wheel to shake at speeds over 90km)

Head gasket blew needs replacing 234000.

Brakes failed, need to be replaces 235000.

Rust is all over the car.

General wear and tear, headlights, oil changes, and other routine maintenance.

General Comments:

The car may look nice when you go to buy it, but you should stay away. This car has been nothing, but trouble for me.

I will admit it can make it to 160km like the speedometer says it can, and it is a very fast car, but things breaks parts left and right.

You would assume a car with a four cylinder engine would be good on gas, but not this one. It is better than a larger engine, but it still a gas hog.

They say this is the smallest car designed and produced completely in North America.

If you want a fast car that breaks a lot and looks fairly nice, I'd say go with this, but if you want something reliable... buy anything else.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 5th December, 2003

20th Feb 2004, 17:32

Thanks for the review :)

Yeah, that's why I keep my car too, it's my first one, and I do love it. It is a great car... if it didn't break so often.

When something broke though, I was in no danger whatsoever, I am just thankful the emergency break is in such a handy spot... ha ha.

24th Feb 2004, 02:34

I also have a 1994 z22, the z22 was a dealer package, so you really only have cavaliers with z22 stickers on them.

Non the less, I love my car.

I have had it for over a year and the only thing that went wrong with it was the blower motor, but that was a mere $50.

You guys must have gotten cars that where really badly taken care of, because mine has been a dream.

And as far as the hood rusting off, I also had the same problem, but before I let it get to the point where it flew up, I replaced it with a 1993 z24 hood (fiberglass :D)

And you also have to understand that our cars are 10 years old, so things will need replacing if no one has done so.

I'm not trying to flame you guys, but you can't blame your car for having previous neglectful owners.

22nd Apr 2004, 14:06

Rust is almost invariably the result of neglect, not poor engineering. The head gaskets are a bit weak on the 2.2. I had one leak antifreeze on the front side of the engine at the #4 cylinder. However, for the do-it yourselfer, it is an easy engine to work on & the parts are inexpensive and readily available.