Cavalier Reliability

I'm looking for a car. I've been all over eBay and it seems that Cavaliers go for way less than Civics, atleast thats what it seems.

I'm wondering is their any reliability issues with cavaliers, I'm looking at stuff in the 60K range.

I'm looking for a car. I've been all over eBay and it seems that Cavaliers go for way less than Civics, atleast thats what it seems.

I'm wondering is their any reliability issues with cavaliers, I'm looking at stuff in the 60K range.


Cavaliers are generally pretty reliable. I've had no real problems with my 03, but it only has 20k on it as of now. If you get the Z24 with the 2.4 in it I've heard it's particularly strong, and reliable. Even at 60k you'd have a pretty good running car I think seeings as some people have Cavaliers with 200k+. If I were you I'd either get the previously mentioned Z24 or the newest body style with the 2.2 ecotec, not to say the other 2.2 is bad or anything. Just an opinion, and yeah, the Cavalier does go for less than the Civic. Good luck with picking a car.

my 2000 cavalier has 182,000 miles and still kicking strong

it really seems like the later years ones run for longer than the older ones, with most of the engines anyways

but it also seems that alot less of the later years ones sold than the early ones

ironic possibly


it seems that with the older ones the Z24 are the best ones to have, along with any of the 2.4L ones,

and the later ones all seem to drive/ride lots better than the 94 older ones, the 95-up actually seem very improved

and thats coming from an old beater truck and big car freak like me that doesnt evne like little FWD cars very much at all,




good luck

ive had 2 cavaliers...(1 got totaled at 140k and it was runnin like brand new) and 1 now wit about 80k on it and it runs realllly well (just replaces the clutch)

Take care of it and it will last forever

I've owned 3 over the past 20 years and they all have been very reliable cars. Honda is over rated and the Cavaliers can be had pretty cheap used or at the local auction. I bought a 1992 at the auction last year for a relative and it has been flawless. Just keep up with the maintenance.

They have some common problem areas,and I find the materials used in the 95-up cars is far cheaper than the 2nd generation models.Sitting in a 3rd gen Cavalier as compared to a 94 is like night and day.The plastics seem more flimsy,the dash is almost nonexistant on the passenger side,and the trim on the doors and overall body shape and feel of the sheetmetal seems inferior to the 1988-1994 series.I do however like the seating feel and legroom on the 95-ups as compared to 94 back.I particularly think the rear door design on the 95-ups is rather laughable.No dog leg is used on the rear wheel well.The door is the dog leg,fully exposing the door skin to the splash of the rear tire.This is obvious cost cutting on GMs part.Why GM would have to cheapen a top seller like the Cavalier for its 95 redesign is beyond me.Probably speaks volumes of why GM is in such deep trouble today.

I will admit and so will a select few gm tech guys to someones face that there is a nice list of things on the cavs that stock just suck a fat one but as soon as those things take a dump and you replace them with aftermarket/better things the car is great.

I have had 2 cavi's so far a 94 with a v6 5 speed, and my 03 5 speed now... and itruely cannot complain about either.

Ive got a 98 coupe with 80k miles. Bought it from a rental company. I havent had any problems with it. Still running strong.

Ive got a 98 coupe with 80k miles. Bought it from a rental company. I havent had any problems with it. Still running strong.

wow, not to change the subject or anything, but you said you bought a rental car?????

my 03 cavalier has 55,600 miles on it(i know its alot) the only thing ive replaced was the fuel pump(was a lil pricey) and the starter. Ive seen cavaliers on ebay with 180,000 still running strong

screw civics

wow, not to change the subject or anything, but you said you bought a rental car?????

Yep. I needed a car and the only thing I could afford was either a 98 Cavy with 35k or a 96 sunfire with 106k. So I went with the obvious. About 8 months after I got the car the altenator went bad. But thats the only problem since then. I know rentals are driven hard but they are also taken care of. To a rental company if the car is broken their not making money.

I am also looking into buying a Cavalier, but I am concerned. I have heard a lot of them have starting problems, at some time or another in the life of the car. And it is not just a simple repair like a starter. Is this true? If so what causes it?
Thanks in advance for the info!

Haven't heard of any starting problems. I have a 2002 Cavalier now (owned since new) and zero problems. Look at a used one you like and then send it to a professional mechanic to check for crash damage, compression test, and a good checkup before you buy (unless you can do that yourself).

Thanks for the info!!

my 03 cavalier has 55,600 miles on it(i know its alot) the only thing ive replaced was the fuel pump...

My '03 Cavalier has LESS than 50,000 miles and I just had to replace the fuel pump... I'm curious as to what reasoning they gave you for why it had to be replaced. I was told running the car with low fuel, using dirty fuel, and just a "freak" thing that could have happened to anyone (because my car didn't fit the profile of one that would have this sort of thing happen). As well.. while the garage was fixing the fuel pump they discovered a major oil leak in the front... Not sure yet what has caused THIS problem but it is another that apparently was just a "luck of the draw" occurence... This car is mainly highway driven, and is a FAMILY car!!! It was bought BRAND NEW, and the warrantee only ran out on it in the last 6 months!!! I'm angry and confused as to how this could happen.. and I'm wondering if anyone has had similar problems or any insight as to exactly WHAT the heck is wrong with my car... and what should I do??? (ie: contact the dealership, light the thing on fire and collect the insurance etc etc...)

PS... did I mention that there was virtually NO indication that there was anything wrong with the car!!! She was riding smooth, no banging, clunking, or otherwise... and NONE of the indicator lights were on.. not the low oil (which was damn near empty!!) OR the check engine indicator.. the only modification to this car was the remote starter installed...which was done by the dealership and hasn't posed any problems previously!!