2001 Chevrolet Cavalier VL 2.2L

Summary:

GM should be ashamed of itself

Faults:

Strut mounts at 34000km's.

Brakes sticking at 11,000.

Needed new rotors and pads at 39,000km's.

New fan motor at 34,000kms.

Wiring harness repair at 41,000km's.

Wipers sometimes stop working whenever they feel like it.

Stalled on the highway.

General Comments:

The car handles considerably well and takes off when it needs to.

The car is very solid with thick doors and the body panels sound thick.

The sound system is excellent compared to most vehicle in this class.

On the bad side, the engine is quite loud and the Anti-lock braking system sometimes engages while braking over a bump.

This vehicle is at the dealership every 4 months or so for one problem of another.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 16th August, 2003

23rd May 2005, 20:57

I have a 2001 Cavalier 2door. I have 74500km on it and have only done 1 brake job which was about 2000 km ago. The reason that the ABS comes on when you hit a bump is because your wheels are slipping when they lose contact with the road, this is how the brakes are supposed to preform. I think it is a great car and agree with the strong points that you have outlined.

2001 Chevrolet Cavalier 2.2

Summary:

Decent car at a decent price not a great car at a great price

Faults:

Control arm grease fittings never get lubed at dealership due to a top mounting where it is impossible to see them if the car is on a hoist.

Rotors warp very easily due to soft metal used.

Rotors are expensive to replace since the wheel hub is incorporated into them.

Drivers side seat spring blew apart twice. Dealer fixed under warranty both times.

Fuel level sensor had to be replaced after I ran out of gas despite the gauge saying I had 1/8 of a tank left.

Very hard to put an aftermarket stereo in since the airbags are wired through the factory stereo.

General Comments:

This car is very good on gas and at a great price when we got it.

Handling is sloppy, but that may have been due to the control arms not being lubed until I found them while checking my rotors.

The hand brake digs into your leg since it hangs over the center console.

The seats are very poorly padded and the foam starts to lose form after 2 years.

The front bumper really catches wind and almost floats the car if going over 110 kph (65 mph). Sitting behind a transport at that speeds really causes the car to wobble around the road.

Great warranty. 5 year 100000 km power-train warranty. For $900 cdn you get 5 year 100K bumper to bumper.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 25th July, 2003

2001 Chevrolet Cavalier L 2 Liter

Summary:

Never another GM

Faults:

Two days after buying the car, I had to take it in to the dealer because of a grinding, clunking noise from the front passenger tire assembly. Dealer was unable to figure it out after five days, and decided to lubricate all the moving pieces and that seemed to do the trick.

Somehow I managed to ruin my brand new brake rotors after 10k miles, but still had perfect brake pads -- everyone I tell that to says its impossible.

Almost daily, when accelerating and the engine gets up to around 2300 rpm there is a loud squealing noise from under the hood, until it shifts to the next gear. Took it to the dealership twice, but they were unable to duplicate or fix.

Strange clunking noise started to come from the front driver's side tire assembly. Took it in to the dealer, they replaced the strut-plates and claimed the noise was gone. The ride became more rigid and the noise continued. I returned to the dealer and took a tech on a test drive so that he could hear the noise. He said it sounded like the ball-joint. But also said that even though it was under warranty, GM would not cover it until it failed. I asked him what that meant and he basically told me that the tire would fall off the car when it failed. Then and only then would GM cover the repairs.

General Comments:

Handling is pathetic -- taking corners at 25 mph feels like you are traveling at 45 mph.

Gas mileage was pretty good. I usually got 325-360 miles per tank, or 31 mpg.

Heater fan controls are behind the cup holders. Making it so you can't adjust temperature without moving beverages.

The car came standard with ABS and Traction Control -- but no AC or trunk release button. Seems strange to me.

Shifter lever is difficult to move from park. I am afraid I am going to break it sometimes.

Daytime running lights, kind of nice.

No low fuel light or alarm when you leave your headlights on.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 13th July, 2003