1983 Chevrolet Cavalier Base from North America - Comments

Automatic Transmission Failed @ 303,000 miles.

Starter went several times over the years as did the alternator.

General Items.

Who says old american junk can't last forever, what else could my mother have wanted from a car when she bought this hideous thing new in 1983? Who on earth would have thought this thing would have lasted this long before it decided to die? I thought only Toyota and Hondas lasted this long? This old beater has been around forever and we hate to see it go, but its did its time and its time to move on. Everything still works (besides the transmission) the a/c everything, I guess we can just say it was very well taken care of. I wish there was some club that we could enter this old car into this has to be a record for a Chevrolet, of course you couldnt tell because the odometer doesn't have the first digit so it just rolls over and over each time-

What is it with this car and starters/ignitions? I have had my 1983 Cavalier since 1993 & dealt with this 3-4 times.

Great little car for driving around town, though I wouldn't drive it out of town. Hydraulics have failed in the hatchback, must be propped up with broom. Have also replaced hoses, belts, had transmission rebuilt, but not nearly the problems I had with my former car (a 1978 Pontiac Catalina).

Same person as above - I forgot that I have something called "torque -something or other" that makes the car vibrate & shake between gears at 35 or so mph before that next gear catches. Doesn't seem to affect anything - they told me in 1994 that I needed to have it fixed and the car is still running today.

303,000 miles not bad for american cars!

I owned a Jeep cherokee sport that had

350,000 miles and after I sold it, even now, I see

the new owner driving around in it.

I bought my '83 Cavalier for 50 bucks. It's days were ended, but I revived it, swapped its shot automatic for an '89 5 speed, and turbocharged it's 2.0L OHV engine. It runs strong and has been a great car in-spite of two engine fires in the turbo development stages. Stock horsepower for a 2.0L OHV is 86HP, but I think I'm running close to 140HP!