1996 Chevrolet Cavalier 2.2

Summary:

Old Faithful!!

General Comments:

I loved... my Cavalier! I am so heartbroken. So many have put down this wonderful car, but I have run mine over the mill!

Today my husband had a terrible wreck and totalled it (He's okay) but if he hadn't wrecked it, I am positive it would have made it to 300k.

This has been the most cost efficient, gas saving, faithful car I've ever had. This was the first car I paid for myself and it's been paid off since 2003 (I got it in 1999). I already miss it so much!

I will be glad to take anybody's Cavalier that would like to donate it to a worthy cause... namely my husband getting to work Monday. I hope you will give yours another chance. They are faithful to you if you are faithful to them.

Rest in peace my little Cavalier! I will always love you!! Belinda.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th January, 2008

1996 Chevrolet Cavalier 4 door 2.2L

Faults:

Replaced head gasket.

Replaced fuel pump.

Muffler fell off

Transmission went at 179,000 miles.

General Comments:

I bought the car for $300 and it didn't run. I put a new fuel pump in it, and the thing ran like a race horse.

Muffler fell off, so I decided to straight pipe it, and then put a on a semi stack, coming up from the back. Put ID lights and a whip on the trunk lid.

Head gasket started to leak so I replaced it.

Body panels not too good, so whenever I got mad, I'd kick more dents in them.

The plain black steel wheels made it look like a hot rod.

It went through the mud pretty good, and was able to get out after awhile when I was stuck in the mud in the middle of nowhere.

Transmission finally didn't shift anymore at 179,000 miles, which is good considering how I drove it and treated it. So I drove it in first gear until the motor didn't run anymore. A cheap car that could take a beating.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd January, 2008

1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 2.4L

Summary:

Great, but interior costly

Faults:

Exterior:

Alternator at about 60k

Muffler gone at about 200k

Gas tank rotted at around 205k

Door hinge would shut on drivers door 208k

Mad rust everywhere.

Interior:

The interior is hell, I think I've replaced every part in every spot.

At around 60k was when it started all breaking.

The door panel broke off, which caused the speaker to blow, which when I reinstalled that, the radio wouldn't work. When I fixed the radio the dash wouldn't go back on.

The worst being the speedometer breaking, the seats & seatbelts breaking, and the gas pedal falling off while I was driving!

General Comments:

The car is sick and looks nice, but the interior was poorly made. If you don't mind what the interior looks like then this is your car!

Its also really quick at about 0-60 in 8 seconds with most parts stock.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th January, 2008

18th Jan 2008, 11:33

If you have a Cavalier that you are actually measuring 0-60 time on, get a Camaro or something. A Cavalier is a point A to point B car, not a racing machine. You already have 200K on the odometer, driving it like that isn't going to help it last longer.

You shorted the radio out changing a speaker; I bet $100.00 you had the radio on while you were changing that speaker, touched the wires together on the speaker and shorted the output on the stereo, thus mandating the changing of the stereo.

6th Oct 2008, 11:12

I have a 96 Z24 with about 210K, and let me just say it is running just fine. Still 0-60 in 8-9 and nothing, I repeat nothing, has gone wrong. Mind you, I love the J-body and I am on the J-body.org forums if you'd like some more info. I have done quite a few visual mods, but that is not because my car NEEDED them.

As far as the engine goes, still running a 2.2 L base. So yeah, all in all, I would say it comes down to the way the car was treated.

In reply to 18th Jan 2008, 11:33

2nd May 2013, 10:11

I say it is a racing machine, it could kick a Camaro's butt!