2001 Chevrolet Cavalier Z 24 review from North America

We just bought a 2001 Z 24 Cavalier with 80,000 miles on it.

Great deal on this car we thought. After all, it is to be a 3rd car for us until our 14 yr old starts to drive in 2 yrs. It was sporty, sharp, and just cute!

After approx. 500 miles, the "trac off light" and the "check engine light" both started coming on. Happened for approx. 1 week. While waiting for an appointment at our mechanic's my husband changed the air filter; and viola- no more lights.

Great I thought- but will still get it checked out by our trusted mechanic since I had the appointment and all.

First thing out of our mechanic's mouth was "unload this car at your first opportunity".

I asked what was wrong and he said

"low 02 sensor intermittently" I thought OK.

Why sell it? He said "2.4 quad motors are the worse motor GM ever built.

They are terrible, break down easily, and when the timing belt breaks it ruins the whole motor.

IS there any truth to this?

He said "after 100,000 miles, they are only junk and you can't give them away".

Now I am scared that I just spent $5300.00 for a car that will be unreliable and I had hoped to keep it for like the next 10 yrs and entrusting it to be a great car for our daughter in a few years.

Any good or bad things happen to any of you with this same motor, model, etc?