Faults:

Heater core failed and replaced.

Driver's side rear wheel bearing cracked and was replaced.

Starter motor failed and was replaced.

Trunk lid release lever in cabin failed before I purchased the vehicle, and the previous owner rigged a mechanism with some wire to circumvent it... which I then broke after I filled the trunk with wood!

General Comments:

The Cavalier and the GM J-body are things that car-people like to hate nowadays, and it's not hard to see why. They are uninspired, design-by-committee type vehicles attempting to swindle pseudo-patriots out of their money who would otherwise be better served by buying a Civic, Corolla, Protege, whatever, but won't because they don't trust the Japanese.

Oddly enough though, the Cavalier in general proved to be something of an underdog, bravely soldiering through its miserable, thankless existence. It was somewhat reliable, and whatever did go wrong could always be cheaply fixed. Its no-frills design, construction and materials did their job, although sitting in the car, you could not help but think to yourself that it could be done way better with a little bit more effort. The materials were cheap to the point of immediate failure, and the ride was not at all comfortable nor sporty.

It did its job, for what it's worth. It was a car for a student that worked part time, and granted it could be better, but I also didn't spend money on it.

Faults:

I replaced the factory battery at five years!

Needed to have 2 injectors rebuilt at 100k miles.

Serviced Trans at 100k miles.

Coolant system serviced and refreshed 100k miles

Serviced and re-sealed ac system at 170k miles.

2 wks ago the timing belt tensioner went out causing the belt to slip and thus bend 2 valves!

We still have the original factory shocks and struts on the car!

General Comments:

My wife and I purchased this car three days after our first (of 3) child was born. The dealer tried to push us into a Geo Prism but I wouldn't budge! I'm glad I didn't. This has been without a doubt the best vehicle my wife or I have ever owned! It's only left us stranded twice, once when my wife ran out of gas and just 2 weeks ago when the timing belt tension-er went out causing the belt to slip and thus bend 2 valves! We are in the process of getting the engine and trans rebuilt and have her back on the road soon!

Faults:

I purchased this car from my neighbor who bought it and never fixed it. I have loved this car. It has had high miles since I bought it and still does. I've had to replace the starter 3 times, but I believe that's due to the idiots who fixed it for me the 1st time. Basically general maintenance though. Had to replace the clutch at 125,000 but that's not bad for as many miles as its had. We also got in an accident on the freeway and it was dented pretty badly, but amazingly my kids were OK. It does fabulous on gas mileage and can plow through the snow pretty well.

General Comments:

It is a little cheaply made, but performance wise I don't think you can beat it.

Faults:

Starter is misaligned, but still works fine; just takes one or two turns of the key.

Dash is noisy, rattling around.

Both rear hubs have been replaced and ball joints in the front.

E-brake is broken.

Brakes are done regularly, but I put 100,000 km on it in a year.

General Comments:

One of the most reliable cars on the road, this thing has never left me stranded and given some proper maintenance, it will go forever!

A 4 cylinder domestic engine with near 400,000km is unheard of. I am here to prove that this thing is going forever.

The previous owner did a head gasket, but that was driver error, in that he overheated it after blowing a water pump (check the temp gauge smart guy).

If I was recommending a commuter car or second vehicle, this would be it. I will drive this car anywhere; no trip is too far.