Faults:

Shift cables were replaced right before car purchase.

Air conditioner compressor went out one year after purchase.

Headlight switch broke at 175000. Easy fix, only $50.00.

Glove box latch busted around 150000.

Parking brake cable snapped. Had no parking brake.

Windshield wiper motor transmission broke on highway, in thunderstorm. Cheap fix but a scary drive.

General Comments:

Overall I loved this car until the day we parted. She didn't look like much after the harsh northern winters ravaged her rocker panels with rust, but she started every single time and NEVER left me stranded. This car would have lasted well over 200000 if I'd kept it.

The ride was great for a 12 year old car. It was smooth and handled very well.

Word of advice however, buy the 5 speed. The 3 speed auto is crap for merging in larger cities.

Take care of your Cavalier and it will take good care of you.

Faults:

Sometimes the car would not start, but most of all, it was a great first car.

General Comments:

I love and miss that car.

Faults:

Had the car for around 7 years and over 50 thousand miles, and here is what has been fixed.

Alternator around 100 bucks.

Starter around 130 bucks.

Valve cover gasket 8 bucks.

Converter (warranty) free.

EGR valve 115 bucks.

General Comments:

So for owning the car for that long, and having this little amount in repairs, all which I was able to do myself since the car is easy to work on. I could not be more pleased with the reliability.

Car gets 40+ mpg on the highway, and will average around 29 in a mix of highway and city driving (way over what it's rated).

Acceleration is OK; my best 1/4 mile time was a 16.8@86mph which for a base model economy car, is not too shabby. It has enough power for daily driving, which is all that really matters in a car like this.

Biggest issue are the interior rattles, which really do not bother me too much. Handling is also a little sloppy.

Overall I love this car. For the price you cannot beat it. Take care of it and this car seems like it will run forever!

Faults:

No too much, with this many miles you have to expect to replace things. They were sporadic, and the cars sensors gave me plenty of warning!!!

General Comments:

This was an awesome car, and just kept going and going, and boy, do I drive a lot, from NH backroads to visiting friends in Boston every weekend, I am still not afraid to take it there.

Faults:

Let me start of by saying I love this car. I got into an accident and that's the only reason why I do not have this car anymore.

If you maintain it chances are nothing will go wrong with it. I put on 30,000 km in six months and nothing went. However, if you have a 2.4 engine you are in trouble. I have heard those break down a lot. Thankfully, mine did not.

I just change the oil regularly and keep everything up to date. This car was a tank, very reliable. I went 4x4ing in it and everything. I also had the convertable model.

Faults:

Overheating - The day I purchased "Callie", the temperature gauge went right up while on the highway, and the coolant light came on. Pulled over to discover coolant all over the road and engine of my car. Filled the coolant back up and took it back to the dealership. Turned out it was the thermostat that blew.

Rear defroster - Since day one the rear defroster hasn't worked. It has been in the shop 6 times now in less than 3 months - switches have been replaced, wires have been fixed etc, and yet to this day it still doesn't work - the car is going back next week for round 7.

Wheel bearing - Last week the front passenger side wheel bearing started making an incredible whining sound when driven at any speed. Car is going in next week for that to be replaced as well (no longer covered on the 30 day warranty, so that is out of pocket)

Fuel leak - Car had 4 fuel leaks in the lines in the first month of owning - fuel lines have all been since replaced.

Rear brakes - When braking the car has this "jarring" feeling; turns out my rear drums need to be replaced (also out of pocket).

Fan speeds - I see this is common in the Cavaliers; out of 4 settings for my heat/ac fan speed, only the top 2 work, so it's either full hurricane winds or nothing at all.

General Comments:

I absolutely LOVE this car. GREAT on gas and honestly, the repairs are not crazy expensive. I do keep in mind that the car is now 11 years old, so things do break over time.

She runs with the best of them, is quick in traffic and handles the highways with ease.

The wind noise at highway speeds is a little excessive however, but turning up the stereo helps.

The insurance is pretty reasonable for a young guy like myself, and there are plenty of aftermarket parts and accessories to dress her up nicely.

My friends are surprised when they see that she has nearly 265,000kms, because with the way she handles and drives, you'd never know it.