1999 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 review from North America

Everything:

The odometer only works when it wants.

The brakes and calipers had to be replaced at 16,000 miles.

The keyless entry fob doesn't work anymore.

Some of the outside door trim has started to come loose.

Strange noises and rattles abound.

The passenger automatic door lock switch was installed upside down!

Engine timing is very off. It sounds like someone is pounding a hammer against the engine block when I let off the gas.

Water in the blinker. Not just moisture, there was a large amount of water in the front blinker. It caused a short in the wiring.

Front passenger seat no longer slides forward to allow access to the rear seat.

The windows don't roll down at the slightest presence of ice.

The only thing that the dealer would fix under warranty was faulty blinker and the passenger's seat. The dealer can't find the source of the other problems.

First the good things: The car has good acceleration and handles well.

This car has a very low price, which may explain all the problems.

The doors open very wide. I always have to make sure I don't ding or dent other car doors when I'm in a parking lot.

This car has very good gas mileage.

The mirrors are break-aways. I have already hit my garage with the mirror, and it just springs back into place. A great feature when you have to always park in a very narrow space, or if you're clumsy.

The controls are mostly well arranged. The radio is a bit low though, you have to look away from the road a while to change a station. There also isn't a trunk release inside the car. There is one on the keyless remote. (Neither of my remotes work anymore though.)

I am very disappointed with the quality of this car. I don't know if it is just this exact car, or if it's all Cavaliers. I can't believe I was stupid enough to buy this car. The dealer won't fix most of the problems because they always come up with some excuse of why it's not covered. This is what the dealer told me: "The brakes and calipers could have been abused by the previous owner, all cars experience problems with the windows not rolling down in winter, there is no problem with the engine timing, it's supposed to sound like the engine is going to fall out, the noises and rattles must be loose luggage in the trunk, the odometer appears normal, keyless entry components are not covered under warranty." Just one excuse after another.

The dealer thought it was funny that the passenger lock switch was upside down. It works fine, so it's not really a defect.

This car should qualify for the Lemon Law. Buyer beware!

I'll be lucky to get 50k miles out of this one.