Lets just start by saying that you should change the brake pads every year and the rotars every other year, but for the price I just change both every year (they're brakes they wear out, no point in complaining about them). and wheal bearings are a common problem in any car you will probably have to change them atleast once in your cars lifetime.
Other problems with my cavalier have been the tranny (replaced), gas tank (replaced, cv joints (replaced), altenator (replaced once which is common), corroded head light wires (replaced), feul and brake lines (replaced), timing chain (replaced),none of the locks work including trunk
and the list goes on.
With that mileage you should be so happy that it has gone so well. It also depends on your driving style. I am in Canada in the harsh winters... ha ha ha! I have had my 1996 Cavalier go through snowbanks that my moms CRV got stuck in, go figure. I also have 189,000 kilometers on it and it is strong with the Manuel transmission. I am a high school student and I just bought the car and love it. Pretty cool looking to with the red paint and 2 doors. Good low insurance and low fuel and maintenance cost. For a cheap Mexican made car, it is a gem for the price, no regrets here!
I bought my "96 cavalier in 2001 and all I've done is replace the water pump (normal),front brakes and rotors (twice), alternator (2x) and am looking at 200,000 miles.
I also had problems with my front driver side wheel bearing, I just got it changed because it was way past due for a change. When my boyfriend was changing the bearing he was also changing the front brake pads and he notices the the front passenger rotor was warped. Sometimes when its cold and it rains the car won't start. It has great gas millage and doesn't have too many problems. Not a bad first car.
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