1999 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 2.4 liter from North America

Summary:

A bargain to buy, cheap to run, and fun to own

Faults:

A buzzing sound from passenger side windshield pillar was fixed with a light rap on it. No noise since. Have not had ANY problems with the car. It still rides as tight as the day I bought it.

General Comments:

I bought this car as a second car as I didn't want to wear out my 1990 Camaro IROC-Z. When the fuel prices sky-rocketed, I'm glad I did! I've averaged close to 40 MPG on the highway averaging over 70 MPH and with A/C on. I've used it on vacations to the Pacific Northwest and have been able to match my Camaro in average speed in the mountains.

The car has more than enough power and handles extra cargo or passengers and the automatic transmission without breaking a sweat. I've never wished for more power when overtaking other cars.

Of the eight new cars I've bought in my life, this car has been the most trouble free.

The only thing I'll change is to go to hi performance brake pads as the stock pads don't work well in heavy rain and when making many hard stops.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th July, 2003

1999 Chevrolet Cavalier Coupe 2.2L 4 Cylinder from North America

Summary:

A good looking piece of GM trash

Faults:

The door will not shut without being slammed, this results in the door paneling coming out, and requiring fixing about every 10 or so closings.

Passenger door will not open from the outside.

Alternator went shortly after buying the car.

Trunk leaks water.

About 6 or 7 rattles and such in the car.

After removing key from the ignition, a sound of pressure being released happens for about a minute or so.

The transmission is starting to go.

Dealer broke the seatbelt cover, the top of the seatbelt, and left wheels without 4 lug nuts.

Cd player does not work sometimes, and frequently skips.

Car often will not start, and sometimes requires as many as 4 or 5 tries.

Water leaked within side corner lights, and killed the bulbs.

Paint is peeling off all over the car, holes as big as one inch around.

One day, the ABS decided to randomly turn on, and almost get me into an accident.

Piece holding headlight in place broke, resulting in extreme shaking.

General Comments:

It is very cheaply made, and shows it. Also, from what I hear, they do not last beyond 100,000 miles. The car has a beautifully designed exterior. The dashboard feels like its made as the same plastic as a coke bottle. It feels like it's going to break down at any second. It looks much faster than it actually is; I have trouble passing minivans. I have not driven this car hard at all. The ride is very rough; I could feel a dime on the road. The car feels like it weighs 6000 lbs., because the brakes are so terrible. I would not suggest anyone ever buy a Cavalier. I will never ever buy a GM product, I'm sticking to imports.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 5th June, 2003

26th Nov 2003, 12:52

I do not believe you. I had a 99 Cavalier and never had any major problems. The brakes require good brake pads.

If you buy good pads then brakes are excellent.

Cheap pads and shoes often cause poor performance.

I do not want to deny you had problems, but some of them are ridiculous.

You wrote:

"Car often will not start, and sometimes requires as many as 4 or 5 tries."

This means you had a major problem, leaving it unfixed might harm your engine.

"Dealer broke the seatbelt cover, the top of the seatbelt, and left wheels without 4 lug nuts."

Which dealer? Where? Phone number? Did he fix it later?

Was it resolved? Leaving wheels without lug-nuts is extreme danger. He should loose his dealers license! It is unacceptable. Sometimes it happens that the car owner has locked lug-nuts and when a key is lost then you have to cut these in order to replace tires or just maintain wheels (wheel balance). When the shop technician asks you if you want to pay additional 20 bucks for these then some people disagree. It happened to me few times so I know.

In most cases it is required for the customer to sign a document releasing the liability. Otherwise you will NOT get your car back unless you approve this.

You know what? I think owing a car is responsibility.

You have to pay sometimes for the proper maintenance.

Oil change, filters, other parts once a while.

It pays back.

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