1991 Chevrolet Cavalier RS review from North America

I'm on my third alternator.

The cruise control died just before 100,000km.

Fuel pump has been replaced.

High beam switching unit was fried.

Suspension is badly in need of new bushings.

Clutch requires replacement.

Engine is overdue for a rebuild, and the rear main bearing seal has a small leak.

Everything else is little stuff that you would expect from a relatively cheap car, and the fact that it is 10 years old. Like the cup holder which could never stay in proper working order or the dash around the center air vent which is warping away.

Overall my Cavalier has been a great car. It has pep, has lasted a lot longer than I ever thought, and was a good value for my money when I bought it new.

Unfortunately the paint job has really taken a beating due to rocks and my lack of attention to repairing the chips. Which is too bad as it looked really sharp when it was new.

I have only ever been stranded by this car twice and they were both minor. One was from a dead battery and the other was from an alternator.

I have mistreated this car a lot. I am heavy footed, and don't slow down for much, yet it has kept on ticking. And still has that peppy feeling when the gas pedal goes to the floor in a hurry.

I think I have spent maybe $2000 on overall maintenance so far on this car. However with the age and kilometers piling up I am looking at probably around $3000 to do some major work on it. But that is far cheaper than a new car, and I think I can make it perform better than when it was new. It's just too much fun to drive to give up yet.