Don't sell your Cavaliers...
ypelchat
04-19-2007, 12:06 AM
In 1993, I bought a used (31K kilometers) 1991 Cavalier RS, with a 3.1L V6.
So far, the repair bills on this car, amount to about $800.00. That includes several sets of brakes, mufflers, an alternator, and a new fuel tank. Not bad for a 290 000 Km car. I intended to keep the Cavalier as my main winter car, even though I also drive the Astro, in the winter. Last winter, the Cavalier started flawlessly, even when the temperature reached as low as -38c.
I have yet to replace a single light bulb, on the Cavalier. :o)))))
I bought a new travel trailer, so, last year (march 6th 2006), i bought a slightly used (59 900 Kilometers), looking like new, 2005 Chevrolet Astro AWD, so that I can tow my newly bought 17ft trailer... :o(
At the time of purchase, I neglected to buy the GM extended warranty that was offered to me ( I said to myself.. It's a GM. I'm not going to have a problem with this vehicle. I thought my Astro was going to be as good as my Cavalier was, so, why spend the extra money on a useless extended warranty...).
I was wrong...
So far, the Astro has spent 7 weeks in the shop...
Tonight, I called the towing, once again, so they can pick up the dead body of my Astro, and take it to the GM dealership (once again). Of course, since it's an AWD vehicle, you need a towing that can carry the Astro on top of a platform, not just a regular towing... $$$
Since I bought it, I pumped over 6K$, trying to make this 2005 GM wreckage going. Right now, it's 64781 Kilometers... I spent more than $1.22 dollar/per kilometer in repair costs.
Everything seems to break down in the Astro. I don't drive my vehicles with a heavy hand. I take care of them... The exterior door handles have been replaced 2X.
One day, it starts perfectly, the other day, it won't. It will crank forever, but the engine will never run. I relent on using the Astro, cause I never know when I'll get stuck with it. The big GM dealership (where it was bought) doesn't have a clue on what's the problem. They put in a new fuel pump. Checked gas quality. They replaced the computer. They replaced the spark plugs, the spark plug wires and cap, coil pack, EGR, fuel injector, catsytic converter... they replaced everything...
I wish i could remove the Astro's crap computer management systems, and put an old system (just like in my 1991 Cavalier). I'm sure the Astro would start every time. The current automotive computers, may be good for the environment, but they are money bottom less pits. Very cruel to our wallets...
Whenever the dreadful check engine light lits on an Astro, you know it's gonna cost you a shit load of money...
Next thing i'll ask the GM dealership, is to put a new truck on the current key... I figured I already paid for it. Maybe it'll fix my problem... The dealership seem to replace parts on a "try your luck" basis. And I'm the one who pay for it...
Right now, the damn thing would only start 1/2...
Code P0300 All the time...
Even the check engine light bulb burned, because it was ON for too long...
Will I buy another GM vehicle... HELL NO. This saddens me, as my Astro is looking like a brand new one....
Whenever you decide to buy a used GM vehicle, do yourself a favor, and spend the extra bucks for an extended warranty. You'll be glad you did.
So far, the repair bills on this car, amount to about $800.00. That includes several sets of brakes, mufflers, an alternator, and a new fuel tank. Not bad for a 290 000 Km car. I intended to keep the Cavalier as my main winter car, even though I also drive the Astro, in the winter. Last winter, the Cavalier started flawlessly, even when the temperature reached as low as -38c.
I have yet to replace a single light bulb, on the Cavalier. :o)))))
I bought a new travel trailer, so, last year (march 6th 2006), i bought a slightly used (59 900 Kilometers), looking like new, 2005 Chevrolet Astro AWD, so that I can tow my newly bought 17ft trailer... :o(
At the time of purchase, I neglected to buy the GM extended warranty that was offered to me ( I said to myself.. It's a GM. I'm not going to have a problem with this vehicle. I thought my Astro was going to be as good as my Cavalier was, so, why spend the extra money on a useless extended warranty...).
I was wrong...
So far, the Astro has spent 7 weeks in the shop...
Tonight, I called the towing, once again, so they can pick up the dead body of my Astro, and take it to the GM dealership (once again). Of course, since it's an AWD vehicle, you need a towing that can carry the Astro on top of a platform, not just a regular towing... $$$
Since I bought it, I pumped over 6K$, trying to make this 2005 GM wreckage going. Right now, it's 64781 Kilometers... I spent more than $1.22 dollar/per kilometer in repair costs.
Everything seems to break down in the Astro. I don't drive my vehicles with a heavy hand. I take care of them... The exterior door handles have been replaced 2X.
One day, it starts perfectly, the other day, it won't. It will crank forever, but the engine will never run. I relent on using the Astro, cause I never know when I'll get stuck with it. The big GM dealership (where it was bought) doesn't have a clue on what's the problem. They put in a new fuel pump. Checked gas quality. They replaced the computer. They replaced the spark plugs, the spark plug wires and cap, coil pack, EGR, fuel injector, catsytic converter... they replaced everything...
I wish i could remove the Astro's crap computer management systems, and put an old system (just like in my 1991 Cavalier). I'm sure the Astro would start every time. The current automotive computers, may be good for the environment, but they are money bottom less pits. Very cruel to our wallets...
Whenever the dreadful check engine light lits on an Astro, you know it's gonna cost you a shit load of money...
Next thing i'll ask the GM dealership, is to put a new truck on the current key... I figured I already paid for it. Maybe it'll fix my problem... The dealership seem to replace parts on a "try your luck" basis. And I'm the one who pay for it...
Right now, the damn thing would only start 1/2...
Code P0300 All the time...
Even the check engine light bulb burned, because it was ON for too long...
Will I buy another GM vehicle... HELL NO. This saddens me, as my Astro is looking like a brand new one....
Whenever you decide to buy a used GM vehicle, do yourself a favor, and spend the extra bucks for an extended warranty. You'll be glad you did.
old_master
04-19-2007, 06:30 PM
You're right, it sounds like the dealer doesn't have a clue what's wrong with it. If you're asking for advice, I'm quite certain that other Astro/Safari owners in the forum will agree with me on this one, find an honest shop that knows what they're doing. If you're willing to repair it yourself, we can help you.
Kings-x59
04-19-2007, 11:30 PM
nice rant...
I have a '99 cavalier which runs like a champ too.
I have an '89 astro which has never left me stranded, and my sweetend 4.3 gets up and goes.
lacking any real symptoms posted and since the shop can't find the problem I'll throw out a wild guess that the pulsator on the fuel pump has given up the ghost.
I have a '99 cavalier which runs like a champ too.
I have an '89 astro which has never left me stranded, and my sweetend 4.3 gets up and goes.
lacking any real symptoms posted and since the shop can't find the problem I'll throw out a wild guess that the pulsator on the fuel pump has given up the ghost.
drew300
05-02-2007, 02:58 PM
I had a '90 Lada Estate Wagon that was also extremely inexpensive to keep on the road, and VERY easy to work on. But after 10 years, it was too rotted to keep. I wish I could get another one. And, at the stop lights, I got the same looks as Mercedes driver got. (sort of)
Automotive Network, Inc., Copyright ©2026