Cavalier

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Supton, I still think you should get a Camry. Spend just a little tiny bit more, and get a lot better car. I looked at the New Hampshire craigslist, tons of them on there. Here's 2 of them. $2000 and you've got another 150,000 miles left in them.
The first one is a V6, you could probably squeak out 29-30 mpg out of it. Closer to 33-35 with the 4 cylinder if you do a lot of highway.

https://nh.craigslist.org/cto/5556581990.html

https://nh.craigslist.org/cto/5543179540.html
 
There are aftermarket pans with a drain plug available for the 4-speed auto, but none for the 3-speed. Even though the 4sp doesn't have a dipstick, there is still a fill tube down there. Transmission dipsticks are never accurate anyway, except Honda, where you check it with the car off.

But I'd recommend an Echo instead.
 
I'm surprised you found a Cavalier in NH.. I was just recently thinking that even cobalts are now very rare here in the Northeast. While Geo Prizms, Corollas, Civics, Focii from the early 200s are all abundant..

I think that says something about the amount of rust on the GMs in the area.

I'd recommend checking out a Focus of the same era - better driving dynamics, higher reliability, still very cheap, and there are a ton still out in the junk yards for used parts. Just watch for underbody and rocker rust.

Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog

But I'd recommend an Echo instead.


Echos have NOT been as reliable as the Toyota badge on the front would suggest...
 
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I have an 03 cavalier 2 door with the ecotec and 5 speeed that my wife bought new when she got out of high school. It had the fuel pump replaced while still under warranty and I put an alternator on it around 200k. Ill agree that its nothing special but has been excellent as far as reliability and it gets 33-35 mpg its my daily driver now.
 
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
Supton, I still think you should get a Camry. Spend just a little tiny bit more, and get a lot better car. I looked at the New Hampshire craigslist, tons of them on there. Here's 2 of them. $2000 and you've got another 150,000 miles left in them.
The first one is a V6, you could probably squeak out 29-30 mpg out of it. Closer to 33-35 with the 4 cylinder if you do a lot of highway.

https://nh.craigslist.org/cto/5556581990.html

https://nh.craigslist.org/cto/5543179540.html
Also, I know you've considered a Corolla. If a Toyota Matrix drives anything like a Corolla, it was pretty bad. I test drove one and it hopped all over the road, kind of like a dump truck. Maybe it had like 60 psi in the tires. I got back in my Camry and wow! Smooth like a couch on wheels compared to it.
 
My parents had a 2008 Pontiac Vibe, basic model. Definitely not a smooth, quiet ride, but reliable and simple.
 
Originally Posted By: pandus13
OP/Supton,

did you check insurance rates in your state?


No, I'd expect it to be low though. 40, married, and it'd be a 4 door. Edit: liability only, no reason for collision.
 
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Originally Posted By: Nick1994
Supton, I still think you should get a Camry. Spend just a little tiny bit more, and get a lot better car. I looked at the New Hampshire craigslist, tons of them on there. Here's 2 of them. $2000 and you've got another 150,000 miles left in them.
The first one is a V6, you could probably squeak out 29-30 mpg out of it. Closer to 33-35 with the 4 cylinder if you do a lot of highway.

https://nh.craigslist.org/cto/5556581990.html

https://nh.craigslist.org/cto/5543179540.html


Hadn't seen those yet (hadn't looked today, actually). Was hoping a bit cheaper actually. At those prices I might as well wait a year or so, and just trade in the truck--it'll be about due, at the rate I'm driving (30k/year).

Spied this:
http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/5548214120.html
but turns out his $1 does not mean $1k but rather "$1500 firm", which IMO is too high. When I zoom in, it looks like a 3AT. Looks good in the pictures but since the price wasn't right, I haven't gone to look.
 
$1k or $1600 doesn't matter too much IMO if the car looks taken care of and the guy has kept some records of maintaining it.
That one looks good though, and it should have the 4spd.
 
I see he updated his ad today, listing a proper price. Probably too many lowball offers.

Zooming in on the picture I count PRND21--can't read them, but the white splotches indicate that. Wikipedia indicates the 3T40 was dropped in 2001, but I can find forum posts (elsewhere) indicating it may have been used for a couple more years--probably wherever the basest 2.2 OHV was used, as the most-base/cheapest setup.
 
Originally Posted By: spavel6
I'm surprised you found a Cavalier in NH.. I was just recently thinking that even cobalts are now very rare here in the Northeast. While Geo Prizms, Corollas, Civics, Focii from the early 200s are all abundant..



CL shows 43 of 'em:
http://nh.craigslist.org/search/cta?query=cavalier
 
Originally Posted By: Robenstein
Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
Buy a Corolla if you need an econobox, maybe a Civic coupe.


I would avoid the Hondas if you want an automatic. While the Accords have the most issues, the Civics seem to have a fair amount also.


Tons of them with manual trans. I inherited a 2005 Civic with auto trans and easily get 44 MPG on highway.
Yes avoid the 2001-2002 Civic.
 
That car in the CL ad looks good. 1500 doesn't buy you much anymore. I would take a look at it and check for rust and maintenance. Personally, I don't keep long term maintenance records (just a reminder stick on the windshield, but it's usually obvious when someone doesn't maintain the car very well.
 
Originally Posted By: supton
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
Supton, I still think you should get a Camry. Spend just a little tiny bit more, and get a lot better car. I looked at the New Hampshire craigslist, tons of them on there. Here's 2 of them. $2000 and you've got another 150,000 miles left in them.
The first one is a V6, you could probably squeak out 29-30 mpg out of it. Closer to 33-35 with the 4 cylinder if you do a lot of highway.

https://nh.craigslist.org/cto/5556581990.html

https://nh.craigslist.org/cto/5543179540.html


Hadn't seen those yet (hadn't looked today, actually). Was hoping a bit cheaper actually. At those prices I might as well wait a year or so, and just trade in the truck--it'll be about due, at the rate I'm driving (30k/year).

Spied this:
http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/5548214120.html
but turns out his $1 does not mean $1k but rather "$1500 firm", which IMO is too high. When I zoom in, it looks like a 3AT. Looks good in the pictures but since the price wasn't right, I haven't gone to look.
I think a $2,000 Camry will be much more road worthy than a $1,500 Cavalier. Also think of what it'll cost to get it back up to spec to be commuting long distances. I'd much rather cruise down the highway in a Camry rather than a buzzy Cavalier. Mine with a 4 cylinder auto will sit at 80 mph comfortably all day long. About 2,600-2,700 RPMs. Heck, it even feels fine at 90. I'd find the time to go test drive one, then you'll see the difference.

My 1997 Camry that I used to have the guy advertised for $2,200 and I got it for $1,700 without much bargaining.
 
Originally Posted By: mjoekingz28
The OP is here asking about a Cavalier he is interested in and you are here trying to sell him on a Camry,,,,,,,,,,I mean, huh?


'tis ok. I expect constructive criticism. If I didn't, I'd post on a Cavalier forum.

Personally I'd rather have the Camry. Not sure it's worth the premium--higher miles, higher wear, higher price.

What'd be lovely is if I could find a Dragon Green Sonic, lightly used but heavily marked down on account of its manual transmission. Wife loves the color. I'd be willing to take on a note for that, and take her Camry in exchange!
 
Originally Posted By: mjoekingz28
The OP is here asking about a Cavalier he is interested in and you are here trying to sell him on a Camry,,,,,,,,,,I mean, huh?
Supton has been interested in a few cars over the past year, since I have some good experience with these Camrys (have had a 97 and now a 2000), and he's also a Toyota fan, I figured I'd let him know I have nothing but good things to say about it.
 
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