3rd Jan 2006, 03:06
I own a 1998 Cavi 2.2L coup with 92000 miles. The car was a first car present with 62000 miles back in 2004.
First of all a fuel pump lists online at 45 dollars for a aftermarket highperformance pump for around 100. Yes I know it is not OEM, the aftermarket pumps have served friends well.
Secondly the transfer to internal pumps; it's to reduce operating noise. If you listen closely as you turn the ignition into forward accessory, you will hear a whine coming from the rear passenger compartment floor. This is the pump bringing the fuel system up to pressure.
Parts replaced:
Starter, soon after purchase
Alternator upgraded to a high amperage unit (for car audio)
Due to contact with a curb last winter, I replaced the front left rim along with the bearing assembly approx. 350 with labor.
Parts that need to be replaced:
Left CV shaft.
Rotors need to be trued.
Front struts are beginning to get spongy.
This is a great almost sporty vehicle if you ignore the 0-60 times. The solid rear beam axle does make high speed cornering over anything but flat tarmac a little exciting.
For all those wondering - top speed is 109 before the limiter kicks in hard.
4th Apr 2007, 14:12
A fuel pump on a Chevrolet Cavalier does NOT cost 1800$. I had the bad luck of it going on my 2002 Cavalier VL. Parts and labour added up to around 550$ (Canadian dollars). If you paid 1800$ for a fuel pump you got SERIOUSLY over charged. Most head gasket jobs go for less than that.
13th Apr 2007, 16:35
Design and engineering of the third-gen stage one Cavaliers. Well, I'll have to say.. manufacturing and production is all about money. The whole world revolves around money. So when you have cheaper materials, less attentive to detail (such as poor tolerances, finish, design/engineering, body stiffness and torsion values could also be improved) things are produced with cost and profit number one. It's manufacturing. Try Tim McAmis or Jerry Bickey and build your own! Custom NHRA PRO STOCK car. That would be the best thing to do.
14th Apr 2007, 15:41
Funny how Toyota and Honda figured out that you get more return customers by building in quality up front even if it costs more.
But you've just pointed out why American manufacturers will never, ever be successful again. They let accountants run wild.
25th Feb 2009, 10:52
I bought my 98 Cavalier 2.4L in 2002 with 135,000 kms on it. I also had to replace the water pump ($1,900) but it had 280,000 kms on it when I did. I never drive the crap out of my car and the oil is changed every 5,000kms. The pump cost a lot because they have to drop the engine to get at it, it's the labour that kills you! Anyway, the pump is the only thing that's ever gone wrong with it to this day, it's got 330,000 kms on it now and it's still the very reliable. It's by far the best car I have ever owned!!!
25th Feb 2009, 15:24
1999 Cavalier 2.4L.
180,000 miles and only problem was an alternator at 120,000 miles, which I did myself.
5th May 2009, 09:14
I have owned a 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier LS manual shift; I have driven it for 3 years, 90.000 km, and I can truly say that it has been one of the best cars I`ve ever driven, sporty, safe, comfortable and reliable. I had to make some minor repairs, like changing the water pump at 60.000 km, and every 20.000 km I had to change the spark plug cable for the second spark plug, nothing more. After the Cavalier I only buy japanese cars, they are more reliable, but not as solid or fun to drive as the Cavalier.
5th Jun 2009, 11:41
I own a 1998 Cavalier with a 2.2 liter engine and with a 142000 miles on it, it is the best car I've ever owned, never have had any problems.
26th Apr 2010, 09:02
I own a 1998 Cavalier. The fuel pump went out. I started looking for another; I found one that costs 180, and it's after market. Made by Venom. So you don't have to spend 1,800.
My car has 220,000 miles, and the only thing wrong with it is the fuel pump. Take care of your car.
26th Apr 2010, 12:48
Not that the original poster will ever come back and read these posts, but do your research before paying that kind of money for anything on a car. If you have prices in hand when you go to the dealer, or any other mechanic, then they have to justify why they are overcharging you. If you can find this part for a couple hundred or less, then they obviously just whacked you hard to see what your reaction would be and hope for the best. They won, obviously, as you didn't protest, but actually paid that sum for a part worth roughly 1/10th of that.
Yeah, there are dealers that will do this as service is their main income. Do your homework and you won't get taken so badly. It is so easy to get prices online nowadays too, which gives you no excuse. You'd have found a reasonable deal in less time than it took for you to write this review!
31st Mar 2004, 15:03
I can't believe a fuel pump costs $1800. That's preposterous.
When they switched to in-tank pumps the cost of a fuel pump did skyrocket because of the labor mostly. Some of the worst vehicles can cost $7-900 for this service at the dealer. On the other hand, if the dealer made several incorrect repairs before diagnosing the fuel pump, the cost to solve the original problem could be anything.
The poster simply should have given more specifics of that $1800 repair to help out the viewers.