Fuel pipe corrosion (needs replacing soon)
Cam Gasket leaking new one required. Since this job has been done its also come to light the oil filler cap is leaking so a new one cap will be needed too.
3-4 Bulbs have needed replacing since I've had the car.
Obtaining 1st and 2nd gear was difficult turned out to be mis-aligned Gear linkage which was an easy job to correct myself. 121K Mileage.
Terrible rattling under car, turned out to be the spot welds on the catalytic converter heat shield had severed and was causing it to vibrate. Was advised that the heat shield could be simply ripped off as it is not absolutely necessary (which solved the rattle). 121K Mileage.
Since I've had the car its needed new Brake Discs/Pads all round. I was advised the brake fluid could do with being changed - a job I did myself with a bleeder kit which only came to around £14 including new fluid. (Brakes much better afterwards)
Cam belt which vauxhall advise needs changing every 40,000 miles needed replacing, quite an expensive job! 121K Mileage.
Recently Nov/2004 needed a new radiator as the old one developed a hole over a very short period of time which water gushed out of, replaced for £60! 123K Mileage.
Driver side electric window mechanism broke while it was in use being wound down one day. The window actually came loose and seemed very dangerous. Whole new mechanism cost over £120 which I thought was eye-wateringly expensive and not using my windows next summer as a result! 122K Mileage.
Nearside front anti roll bar linkage severed and needed replacing. Also the wheel bearing on the back left needed replacing. 123K Mileage.
I'm sure there is more a lot has gone wrong with this car and nearly a £1000 has been spent on it since I bought it for half that.
The only thing I would question about this car is people generally tend to say that parts for the cavalier are cheap! I've not found the parts cheap at all even when shopping around.
Lots of rattles internally!
It's a pitty so much has gone wrong with the car because the Cavalier really is a very nice car. The 2litre engine has power both on the motorway and for initial acceleration, say from roundabouts etc... It is a nice spacious car, but the interior is now very dated compared to modern cars. However when all is said and done it really is a joy to drive when it's all working correctly! A nice powerful car.
I have found an unfortunate side of the 2litre engine and that is I found it to have too much power in 1st gear or something, but only in the wet. You have to be very light on the accelerator or else your wheels will easily spin!
I actually think most of the problems with my car are due to its age/mileage etc Afterall mechanical parts do wear out it's a fact of buying an old car.
The engine would appear to sound very healthy and I think its got a lot of life yet in it go. I think this is a very good first car to have, especially if your interested in learning about how your car works and maintaining it yourself.
It is a thirsty engine round town!
These problems sound pretty normal on a 12 year old car with 120k miles.
I own a 1993 model covered 172,000 trouble free miles treat her with respect and I'm sure she will do a few moore.
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