1998 Chevrolet Cavalier Consumer Reviews

Good car

Written by: fully1977 on 06/19/2009

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Cavalier 4 Dr LS Sedan

Review

Just took 2 kids and a car-load of stuff on a 150 mile one-way trip; 74mph; and still got 35.8mpg! "Only" got 30mpg on the return, but that included 3 days of stop & go driving to work.

Favorite Features

Looks pretty good.

Suggested Improvements

Door sills starting to rust. Blower motor resistor out (again).

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Pretty good for first car

Written by: Jonathan O on 04/28/2009

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Cavalier 4 Dr LS Sedan

Review

I bought this 2 weeks before I graduated. It had some problems with fuel injectors, and throttle body. After I got that fixed it has been fine ever since.

Favorite Features

2.4L engine.

Suggested Improvements

Bigger back seat.

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What a great buy

Written by: bandit88 on 04/14/2009

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Cavalier 2 Dr STD Coupe

Review

I bought this car as the second owner with 234, 000 miles on it, about three years ago. I've put about 60,000 miles on it and I've put minimal amount of money in it. It is fun to drive, easy to learn stick on, and I average 33 mpg with most highway miles. This car owes me nothing!

Favorite Features

The manual trans, the peppy 2.2, and the spoiler in the back

Suggested Improvements

The cupholder in the front; its only good for cans

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Glad I bought it

Written by: BC on 02/14/2009

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Cavalier 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

Traded it in today after just shy of 11 years. Over 128,000 miles an it was the most reliable car I ever owned. I didn't lose sleep over $4/gal gas because this baby got over 30mpg. My biggest complaint was that the brakes and rotors generally only lasted 25-30k miles. The exhaust tended to be the next biggest issue but I don't think I ever had to replace the catalytic converter or the expensive pipe that came off of it. Pipe was rusted through when I traded it though. I didn't wash the car much and the only rust was near the bottom of the doors and I live in upstate NY where they love to salt the roads. 5 speed manual was fun to drive. Climate control fan had to be on 3 (of 4) to blow by year 3.

Favorite Features

Great mileage, nice stereo, reliable

Suggested Improvements

More durable rotors. Better climate control fan or better options for replacement.

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Left me stranded

Written by: jimmy on 12/20/2008

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Cavalier 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

I bought this car with 34,000 miles. Drove great filled up once every 2 weeks. Great on gas. However the gauges didn't indicate when there was a problem with the engine. The water pump wasnt connected properly. Long story short. Headgasket blew as well as the engine. Get it inspected after you buy it.

Favorite Features

Gas mileage, unless there's more than 1 passenger

Suggested Improvements

Power

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Good job on this one Chevy!

Written by: Big Pine Man on 08/25/2008

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Cavalier 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

I have been very satisfied with my 1998 Cavalier. I have about 180000 miles and have had no major troubles. My only big repair has been a water pump. Otherwise just basic maintenance. The car does seem to go through brake pads sooner than other cars I've owned. This car leaves no fliud stains on my garage floor. Overall this car has been a great cheap car to own and drive. My only real complaint about this car is driving it in the winter. Even with good tires it seems to spin alot and the low trax light always comes on. Also the anti lock brakes appear to engage very easily on packed snow roads. This car has not costed me much money though and that is huge. Im happy with the reliability

Favorite Features

Low maintenance costs, good gas mileage, nice looking reliable car.

Suggested Improvements

More than one cup holder, better braking system, better traction system. Better seams on bottom of doors. They seem to rust to soon. I have had to doctor them up myself.

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Happy camper, reliable car!

Written by: Anderson on 08/05/2008

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Cavalier 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

I am very happy overall with my 1998 Cavalier. It is by far better than my 2002 Malibu which is a piece of junk. I have about 180000 miles on this car and to date I have had to make no major repairs. I don't understand it. Only the Japanese cars are supposed to be like this. The only money I have invested in this car is for basic maintenance and a minor repair to the heater fan switch that quit working. My only real complaint on this car is that it is not that great in winter driving. It might be to light. I live in MN and for a front wheel drive it has poor traction on packed snow even with decent tires. Trax light always comes on. Other than that it's been a great car.

Favorite Features

Reliability. Cheap to operate and drive. Very good gas mileage.

Suggested Improvements

Make the bottom of the door seams better against rust. More beverage holders.

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Great little car

Written by: EX E4 on 07/13/2008

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Cavalier 2 Dr STD Coupe

Review

I currently have about 250,000 miles and all I have had to do was replace the clutch and an a/c line (besides regular maintenance). I drive 90 miles a day to work and back and average about 30 mpg. This car has never left me stranded. The original battery lasted 8 years!

Favorite Features

Fuel economy, manual transmission, CD player and a/c. I'm easy to please.

Suggested Improvements

None.This is a Cavalier not a Corvette, just get me where I want without breaking down and I'm happy. I definetely got my money's worth out of this car!

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Very good car

Written by: anderson on 06/23/2008

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Cavalier 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

I bought my 1998 Cavalier new 10 years ago. This has been a great car. Very reliable. The only money I have put into it is basic maintenance and exhaust. I have 170,000 miles on it and I am still on the original engine, original tranny and this car leaves no fluid stains on my garage floor. I have been so happy with this car. My only complaint with this car is that that traction is not that great in the winter even with new tires. They spin very easy even on a snow packed road. It's like the car is too light. Overall this car has been a great purchase for me.

Favorite Features

Trunk space with fold down back seat, gas mileage (about 30MPG HWY), very low maintenance costs,

Suggested Improvements

Better bottom door seams, started to rust a few years ago. More comfy seats, and put a transmission fluid stick in it so it is easy to check the tranny fluid!

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Great car, great price

Written by: P on 05/30/2008

Vehicle

1998 Chevrolet Cavalier 2 Dr Z24 Coupe

Review

This was my first new car and has served me very well over the last 10 years. I use it exclusively for driving to work and put very few miles on it. For the most part no complaints. The battery post corroded from the inside after 10 years, can't beat that. CD broke after 9, but radio still works fine. Driver's window motor and A/C stopped working after 8 years. The A/C is something under the dash that is way too much to spend on a 10 year old car and the window motor, switch and relay has been replaced numerous times and it still doesn't work. Car always starts and still get 27 mpg average after 10 years. Great pick up for a 4 cyl. Most reliable car I've ever had.

Favorite Features

Reliability, pick up and mpg can't be beat!

Suggested Improvements

I should have gotten a longer warranty!

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