Faults:

After almost 200,000 miles, not much has really gone wrong with the car, other the usual wear items like brakes and tires.

It still has the original spark plugs.

I've had to replace the driver's seat three times, but I'm not a small person.

Check engine light has been on the past 100,000 miles. Shows an evap code or a possible oxygen sensor. Replaced the sensor once at 90,000 miles. Came back on again at 97,000 miles.

Window track bent at 120,000 miles. Expensive dealer repair, should have not fixed it.

Recently replaced bearings. Tie rods, shocks, and struts are still acceptable. Lower control arm bushing needs replacing.

Dash pad has cracked in two places.

The defrost has not worked right in the last couple of years. It will melt ice, but the windows stay foggy unless I crack open a window.

A/C died two years ago.

General Comments:

I bought the car brand new in August of 2002 out of desperation. My previous car, a 1996 Ford Contour, blew up at 122,000 miles. I needed something dependable for work, and after being in an out of the repair shop numerous times with the Contour, I could not afford to keep doing that.

I've had the car over 11 years now. Drop dead reliable. The only time it didn't start was when the original battery died five years ago.

Despite the cheap and chintzy interior, the car is comfortable. I wish I had cruise control. It is starting to show its age, however, with the paint peeling and dash cracking. Also, in the summer time the inside of the car, with the dark hard plastic, is a sauna. Unfortunately the A/C died two years ago. Since then I've also had defrost issues also. I do not know what the issue is.

I know these cars were panned by the media, but this is the best car I've ever owned. It will be a sad day when our journey ends.

Faults:

Rear defroster light comes on, but no power to the defroster. The fan blower works on 1, 2, and 4; 3 is inoperable.

General Comments:

I have another Cavalier, a 2000 model now with 165k, got it with 118k four years ago for $1100. I still have it, with no plans to get rid of it. It has been totally reliable.

That one has a three speed auto, this one has a four speed auto. I like driving both. The four speed auto tends to run to a higher RPM than the three speed in normal driving. The three speed gets into third (top gear) at 25-30 mph and locks up at 40-45 or so. The four speed runs to 20 in first, 30 or more in second, and 40 or so in third. The four speed is quieter on the road at 70 mph, but I saw figures showing only 300 RPM difference at 60 mph. No tach on the three speed to tell. I show 2100 at 60 and 2800 at 80 with the four speed auto. I like them because they are easy cars to drive, just the right size, and reliable.

I rent cars regularly, and the new 2012 models of same size are peppier and better on gas. I paid $1100 for the 2002 model with 143k three months ago. I have two nice cars for $2200 investment. The air works on both. Why would I want to spend an additional 20k to get a loaded new small car?