I'm about to buy a '96 Cavalier, have any advice for me?

[becscar]

After much serching I think I have decided to buy a 1996 Cavalier 4 cyl. It is purple and I love it. It has been well maintained from what I can tell. Supposedly only 2 owners, both of which were girls. The 2nd owner had to drive it home from college on her breaks from school so it has 110 k miles on it (highway miles mostly) She lived on campus, so she did not have to drive it while at school much. We had it checked out, no problems. It has a noisier engine than what I am used to ( I hear it is common?), but no knocks or rattles etc. It runs great. The interior is like brand new, and exterior is great too. I have put a deposit on it. What I want to know is any advice I should hear before getting a '96. What else should we check out? Should we do a carfax report? I clicke d on the link at autotrader's website that goes to Carfax, and it said there were 7 pieces of info on this car. I am wondering about that, as 7 seems kind of high. Is there any way to tell if it has been in an accident for sure?
Any advice from any other '96 Cavalier owners of what to watch out for? My Dad owns a 96 cavalier for his daily driver, and he says he has to fill trans fluid quite often. Because it can leak, and there is no dipstick to check it. Why do they make these cars without a dipstick for the tranny fluid?
Anyway, any advice you want to send my way about '96 Cavaliers would be appreciated!

Thanks so much!!!

[muff34]

Originally Posted by becscar

After much serching I think I have decided to buy a 1996 Cavalier 4 cyl. It is purple and I love it. It has been well maintained from what I can tell. Supposedly only 2 owners, both of which were girls. The 2nd owner had to drive it home from college on her breaks from school so it has 110 k miles on it (highway miles mostly) She lived on campus, so she did not have to drive it while at school much. We had it checked out, no problems. It has a noisier engine than what I am used to ( I hear it is common?), but no knocks or rattles etc. It runs great. The interior is like brand new, and exterior is great too. I have put a deposit on it. What I want to know is any advice I should hear before getting a '96. What else should we check out? Should we do a carfax report? I clicke d on the link at autotrader's website that goes to Carfax, and it said there were 7 pieces of info on this car. I am wondering about that, as 7 seems kind of high. Is there any way to tell if it has been in an accident for sure?
Any advice from any other '96 Cavalier owners of what to watch out for? My Dad owns a 96 cavalier for his daily driver, and he says he has to fill trans fluid quite often. Because it can leak, and there is no dipstick to check it. Why do they make these cars without a dipstick for the tranny fluid?
Anyway, any advice you want to send my way about '96 Cavaliers would be appreciated!

Thanks so much!!!

If the price is right then buy it. Sounds like you have done your home work. If you don`t plan on putting a million miles a year on it it will probably last a few years. I had a`91 sunbird (Cavalier same car,only a Chevy)that I just parked last year, had it from new and no major problems with it. Treat it right and You`ll be ok.

[becscar]

Thanks for the advice!
Yep, the price is right, we thought we had a big bonus check coming this spring, and now it is not happening. So we had to look in the $2k price range. Oh well!! We had a 96 Neon before and we had it 3 yrs. When we got it , it had 75k on the miles and when we sold it (because the tranny died) it had 110k So, as you can see we are not known for driving very much. I think it will be okay , I have heard of Cavaliers lasting to 220k+ if they are well maintained. I hope that will be the case here. If it makes it to 175k I would be thrilled.