Used 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Consumer Reviews
Used Cavalier for sale
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Love it!
Amanda, 01/28/2006
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier LS 2dr Convertible
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I love this car, yeah it may be a Cavalier but I think it's a great car. The car is fun to drive, drives well, and is great on gas. It's easy to get in and out of, the seats move easily and its more spacious then i thought it might have been. I honeslty enjoy this car more then the others I have had, so overall I believe it's a great car for a 21 year college girl!
American tough
IDLE13, 03/21/2006
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier 2dr Coupe
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car a few months ago cheap! Its been super reliable and gets great gas mileage. Perfect for someone on a tight buget or someone looking to mod a car. With its OHV engine it produce good steady power.
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier for sale near you
Showing 2 of 2 listings
- Base CoupeMSRP: $1,69598 mi away
- Z24 CoupeMSRP: $1,500723 mi away
Awesome car
mannyd98, 08/26/2006
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier LS 2dr Convertible
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
One of my favorite cars. I owned one in '96 and regretted getting rid of it. When I saw this one, I had to buy it. Also very safe and reliable. We were just in an accident. A Ford F250 ran a stop sign and hit us. It totaled my Cavalier, but we were all alive
It works for me
Spec, 12/21/2006
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier LS 2dr Convertible
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have been happy with this car. There have not been any major problem inherent with it, just some minor things. For a 10 year old vehicle, it still performs rather well, getting 24-28 mpg around town and not exhibiting any problems on road trips.
One amazing car
jayman, 11/12/2007
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 2dr Coupe
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I truthfuly just needed a car with good fuel mileage. I never thought I would sit down in a little 5 speed rocket that gets 34 miles to the gallon on the highway. I have had my Cavalier for about 2 weeks and I have not had any problems with it at all, I bought it for $1500 from an individual who took really good car of it. It's only got 100,780 miles and it runs amazing. I was really suprised when it out performed a new Scion Tc. I will keep this car till it dies, or until I die which ever comes first.
Most fun inexpensive coupe you can get!
Brian, 11/19/2007
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 2dr Coupe
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bought my Z24 for $3000 in Dec. 2006, and I have loved every minute of driving it. It has more horsepower and torque than any available new car less then $20,000. I get 30 mpg driving in city highway traffic to work. Takes corners very well. Seats are pretty well designed except maybe a little too firm. The plastic upholstry cracks pretty. Had to replace quite a few standard wear and tear parts after I bought it but no water pump yet. I couldn't ask for more from a $3000 car.
My car is always broken!
Unsatisfied cavalier, 05/16/2003
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier 2dr Coupe
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have had almost everything fixed and it just keeps breaking down. I bought it used as a bargain, and it has been far from that. I've put more money into than I paid for it just three years ago. Off the top of my head, things that have been replaced are the entire cooling system, the computer chip, brakes more than once, air conditioner, and the inside is falling apart!
Avoid like the plague
taken4aride, 03/06/2003
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier LS 2dr Convertible
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Fuel pump-August, 2002; $800. TRANSMISSION-January, 2003; $2300. Head Gasket-Febraury, 2003; $500. Total mileage of this car is only 68,000. This is, without a doubt, the absolute worst car that I have ever owned. The above list is only a small sample of the problems with this car. Many problems similar to other reviews (motor mounts, shoddy interior, etc).
96 cav
96chevy, 02/06/2003
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier LS 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Just getting rid of this car after over 103,000 miles due to a blown gasket. Only other significant repair was air conditioning system around 75,000 miles. It was a reliable, affordable car.
Good Car
Sugasara14, 05/27/2003
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier 2dr Coupe
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is a very good car. I havent had any problems with it. It has a lot of power for a 4 cylinder.
best car
cavy, 06/02/2003
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 2dr Coupe
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
this car is the best car i've ever had it's amazing. its powerful, fast sporty and runs perfectly.
Z-24 Review
Joe Hydralics, 06/14/2003
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 2dr Coupe
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have had this car for two years now. I can say that it is a reliable car that is sporty and fun to drive. I have put 29000 miles on it so far, and it now has 85000 miles. No major mechanical problems have come up yet, though the struts are in need of replacing. The 5-speed manual is easy to opperate, but it will slip out of reverse from time to time.
This car saved my husband's life
GBate, 06/26/2003
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier 2dr Coupe
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We bought this car in 1996 new. We never really had any major problems with it. It was good on gas mileage and when our children were small, it was comfortable for them. As they grew; however, the back seat was too small for anyone over 5'. My husband was side swiped on a major highway and crashed into a guardrail at 60mph. The car was totaled but he walked away. I give credit to the solid build of this car.
cav
fdaklf, 07/09/2003
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car is well worth the value. I strongly suggest it.
Same problems as others.
James Nemanich, 03/15/2002
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier LS 2dr Convertible
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I just wanted to say that I am having the same problems others are having. Transmission out, electronic fuel sending system (Controlls fuel guage) replaced 2 times, waterpump, heater core, wheel berings, window motors. GM sold these with the new Dex Cool engine coolant. Around 1999 they discovered this was breaking down and causing internal engine rust. I'd trade in before 70k.
Not what it's cracked up to be
Scrubb, 03/21/2002
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I purchased this car new. Immediately the interior trim started to rattle, which I can't stand. Soon after, the interior trim started to fall apart including the center armrest lid, seat trim and finally the seat itself. I found that the paint job chipped and scratched very easily. It didn't seem thick enough. The muffler began a strange and bothersome rattling at only 25k. The head gasket failed at about 50k and the water pump failed at about 55k.
One of Chevy's best
khoist, 04/27/2008
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier 2dr Coupe
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have the five speed model, and it's a blast to drive. Repairs are somewhat inexpensive, and It's dependable. Switching from my 1997 Taurus this car is more upgradeable
Trusty Rusty
luckyday, 01/30/2012
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier 2dr Coupe
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I had this car from 2004-2011 and only needed to have routine maintenance done on it....until the end. The clutch blew, had it fixed cheap by a friend, a few months later the exhaust fell off. At that point, I figured it would just nickle and dime me to death so I took it to a salvage yard. In the time that I had the vehicle though, it was a great little car.
Can't wait to get rid of it!
Jon, 05/06/2009
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier 2dr Coupe
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought this car with 68,000 miles on it, and it was in OK condition. 4 years later I'm at 92,000 miles and I can't wait to get rid of it. I have massive oil leaks from several spots on the engine, my radiator hoses blew a few months ago and I too have headlight issues due to faulty wiring. Road/wind noise is unbearable, more so then the constant chatter of the plastic interior and rattling of the suspension. On cold and rainy days the engine tends to flood itself. ALL the seals leak in this car leading the interior and trunk to get wet. The entire electrical system in this car is horrible. Apart from the headlight problems, the electrical system tends to give out at high speeds.
What a Great Car!
Jeff83, 10/23/2003
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 2dr Coupe
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
I special ordered this car and have been the only owner for seven years and 61000 miles of trouble free ownership. Had it for five years before I had to do anything to it other than oil changes because the battery started leaking.It is almost 8 years old now and the only major repair has been to replace the water pump for a heafty 800 dollar bill last year.It still has the origional rear brakes and all 4 struts.I got 50000 miles out of the origional tires. No rattles,leaks or anything that does not work. Overall a great car!
Loving it
NCS, 03/18/2002
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 2dr Coupe
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
This was my first car that I actually owned, a 5-speed Z24. What a great fun little car. I got it with over 130k kms, and am now over 170k after a little over a year. The jump for a car in this class is great, much more $ is usually needed to get anything worthwhile the torque department. Very few minor repairs, and regular maintenance keep things going smoothly. I've also drive a 1990 Corsica with over 500,000kms on it driving in northern Ontario for 9+ years and it still runs fine...whats that about North American cars again? I've got nothing bad to say about it.
Good Transportation
DK, 07/26/2006
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier 4dr Sedan
0 of 26 people found this review helpful
Perfect choice for someone looking for a small car, basic transportation. Decent sound, great on gas, decent room for a small car. Reliable as all outdoors, I loved it.