1994 Chevrolet Cavalier RS review from North America
"I could keep this car forever!"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
110K miles - vacuum leak was the cause of stalling in traffic. Problem was that the transmission wouldn't come out of higher gears after a full stop. Mechanic fixed it in 5 minutes.
100K miles - A/C compressor gave up. $700 for a GM compressor, so I didn't fix it because I prefer the windows down anyway.
130k miles - head gasket leaks antifreeze out the front of the engine and has for a few thousand miles now. Not detecting any antifreeze in the oil or internal components, I've opted not to repair it and just add a gallon of water with intermittent antifreeze monthly.
130k miles - rough idle occurs when conditions are damp or when water gets splashed in the engine compartment. I am suspicious that the coil pack has a crack and operates like an old distributor would with water in it.
170k miles - driver's power window ceased operation. I replaced the window switch cluster in the center console and the window motor itself, but neither has remedied the problem. Concluded that low voltage in aging wiring is the culprit.
180k miles - interior lights/turn signals "go dark" with no evidence of blown fuses. Turn signal cruise switch was replaced by myself at 150k miles due to a bad switch, and this is the first significant problem since the replacement.
As you can tell, I don't have a lot of money for repairs, so this is great car for a "cheap-skate". Change the oil and you'll be just fine.
General comments?
I am amazed that this car accelerates like new with 182,000 miles on it. Mostly highway miles and it gets in the neighborhood of 30 mpg consistently.
70 miles a day for this car, but I would be a little uneasy about a long trip. Maybe I'm just paranoid, but 182,000 seems like a ton of miles for an American car.
The interior is very user friendly, but it's not a roomy family car like a Buick. It was fine with one child, but it's really only good to pick up kids from school.
The appearance and paint are great for having a life outside. The Midwest salt hasn't destroyed it yet.
Recommended reviews
| A good balance between performance and economy |
|
| Not exactly luxurious, but will probably survive a nuclear war.. |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Don't Know |
| Model year | 1994 |
| Year of manufacture | 1994 |
| First year of ownership | 1998 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2007 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.2L 4 cylinder Automatic |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 8 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 5 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 75000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 182000 miles |
| Previous car | Chevrolet Cavalier |
| Date of Entry | 19th September, 2007 |