Would not go into 1st gear, bad synchros.
Around 2000-3000 rpm, sounded like a diesel truck.
Power steering was making a weird groaning sound.
I bought this car, thinking it would be a nice, newer, reliable car, paid $5900.
On the test drive at the dealer, it drove fine.
Second day I had it would not go into 1st gear from neutral, would have to go 2nd to 1st to take off. Mechanic said it needed new transmission or synchros replaced ($1500) and it started making the horrible diesel sound at 2K-3K RPM's.
I recently sold the car and had only had it a little over a month and less than 1K miles.
It was a sporty looking car, but the 1st gear problem was just too much for me coming for a 99 Civic (76K) with no shifting troubles.
I think the gertrag transmission evidently was the wrong fit for this car.
Did you get it inspected before you bought it, man? Obviously the transmission was crap, which would explain the price of $5900.
I don't think its necessarily the transmissions fault, though I'm not too familiar with the getrag tranny. This sounds like a case of abuse by the previous owner, who like many believe that the z24 cavalier is a race car and as such treat it accordingly.
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