1996 Chevrolet Cavalier LS coupe review from North America

Exhaust exhausted - 73000 miles ($300)

Engine mount broken - 73000 miles ($200)

Head gasket cracked at 96000 miles - leaking oil ($1200, 40% paid by GM)

Fuel regulator broken - 96000 miles ($100)

All disk rotors warped : 73000 miles AND 84000 miles ($300 a shot)

Check engine light came on at 92000 miles briefly

ABS warning light came on at 101000 miles intermittently, mechanics could find nothing wrong.($65 for inspection!)

Strong gasoline smell in vehicle from 96000 miles to present when heater is turned on. Can't get rid of this.

Cheap fabrics inside give the car a dull, low quality appearance. Hard, thin seats are tiring on drives longer than half an hour. Seating is very uncomfortable, particularly in the rear. Exhaust is loud and rasping. Acceleration is slow and gearbox is jerky. Power takes at least two seconds to kick in after a downshift. Steering wheel is large and steering is vague with huge under-steer. Handling is poor, and in the wet very dangerous (thankfully there's no snow here in California). Interior quality of switches/controls is very low. I spent $3500 on this car, but at least as much on repairs. Mine guzzles gas. Altogether not good value. Yes, this is at the bottom of the GM range, and it seems that GM have made it a point to make a budget car feel substandard. If you want to spend money in this price range, buy a Toyota or a Volkswagen. Forget all cheap American cars.