Faults:

Steering gear (to be replaced under recall).

Strut mounts.

Plastic seat belt parts.

Plastic seat hinge cover.

Blower fan switch.

There isn't a good selection of aftermarket suspension parts available for this car.

General Comments:

My Cavalier has been very reliable.

Only now after 90,000 miles have I had to really put significant money into repairs (4 struts, strut mount, possibly springs).

This car fits me like a glove, even though I'm 5'11".

I love the stock sound system.

I added the matching 12 CD changer myself and have never regretted it.

(Though it was expensive.)

Faults:

Windshield wipers became misaligned within 6 months of usage due to high winds in a storm and driving on highway.

Rack and Pinion was leaking and replaced within 3 months of purchase.

Power Steering pump leaking and replaced within 3 months of purchase.

A/C intake line touched power steering pump after replacing valve cover gasket and melted a hole in it at 100,000 miles. Didn't notice that the line shifted and contacted pump until too late.

Alternator failure at 128,000 miles.

Battery cell failure shortly after Alternator failure within same week.

Gas pump failure 3 weeks after Alternator failure at 130,000 miles.

Beauty moldings under seats usually broke anytime someone overweight entered or exited the vehicle. Replaced 3 times.

Audio Speakers in doors are extremely poor quality to handle normal bass from factory head unit.

General Comments:

Despite all the problems I had with this vehicle, I really liked it.

It was fully loaded and a pleasure to drive.

I averaged about 30m/g and usually filled it up with 92 octane.

Faults:

This car had a perpetual oil leak despite having been repaired several times. Not one mechanic was able to tell me why it could not be repaired for good.

I made yet another trip to the dealer when the car was recalled. It seems some models were refusing to make left hand turns. Go figure!

The brakes would grind loudly. My friendly neighborhood Chevy dealer actually said, "Oh, there's nothing wrong with these brakes. They're just dirty, that's all." Wow.

Yet another recall when the ignition switch had to be repaired. Or at least I think it was one of those recalls. By this point, I'd lost track.

For some reason, the wheels made a very loud rattling while driving at any speed. Another mystery to the oh-so-helpful Chevy dealer.

The last straw was when I was on the highway and the car stalled out of nowhere. After that, I actually became afraid for my life. I told the tow truck driver to take the car out of my sight. Literally.

General Comments:

After being put into a dangerous situation on a busy highway, this "car" and I parted company in a big hurry. I actually rented a car while shopping for my new one, as I refused to get behind the wheel again.

I guess in general it handled alright. The only good thing about it was the gas mileage it got.

But if you couldn't tell from above, the car's technical failure was only made worse by the complete lack of interest on the dealer's part. They were all over me like a cheap suit when I was in the process of purchasing it, but acted like they didn't know who I was when things started to go wrong. And believe me, it didn't take long at all for things to go wrong.

I think that's the part that really threw me over the edge. Maybe I could resolve to the fact that perhaps I caught a lemon if it weren't for the absolutely horrible attitude of the dealer and Chevrolet in general. Maybe they react so badly because they know they've manufactured a fleet of jalopies? I'll leave it to you good people to decide.

On a happier note, I've happily settled into my beautiful, reliable, completely problem-free Toyota Corolla. My friends, I love America. But when it comes to cars, the Japanese have gotten it right.