Used 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Consumer Reviews
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Never Again, will i buy a GM product
I bought my cavalier new in 2003 and i am not hard on a vehicle. But since i have had this car new it has been thru 3 sets of brakes and rotors, 2 times to have the horn fixed, first time was under warranty second time cost me some major money. The fuel pump went and that was a major blow to my pocket book. Over all the car is ok but when it comes time to fix something you better have a brinks truck in your back pocket to fix the stuff that goes wrong. I have a 94 S-10 that has 126000 miles on it and it hasnt cost me near what the cavalier has cost me. So i will never buy another gm product again.
So far so good...
In July 03 I purchased a 2003 5 speed, 2 door. I have slightly over 300 miles on it so I can't say much about reliability. Seems like a decent car for $8840 (time will tell). I'm certainly convinced that the $14K sticker price is just another marketing scam. You would be a fool to pay that much for any car like this. You know thay made profit on what I paid! I hate the marked up sticker prices and the facade that the rebates are real. Insults my intelligence.
- Base CoupeMSRP: $8,95085 mi away
- LS Sport CoupeMSRP: $4,999328 mi away
- Base SedanMSRP: $6,995710 mi away
I love this car
I had a 93 cavalier (base model) i loved it so after 2 years of driving it i felt i had enough experience and i wanted a new car.I pulled up on the lot and this was the first car i saw. The next thing i knew i was driving it on the highway loving every minute of it. After that it was sitting in my driveway 5 days later..
2003 LS Sport Coupe
I Love this Car!!! I traded in my 1997 cavalier, I was hard but this car made my transition easy. Some think spending $30,000 for a car make it better, not true. This car is so under rated it makes me very mad!
Great Buy!
I had a 98 Neon before I bought this car, and so far the Cavalier has been much better. It rides on air and if you do not watch the tach, you would not know that it shifted gears at all. I got the LS SPORT and the groud effects make the car look awesome! The stero system in it is awesome too, has great sound and the XM Radio is a must as well. With automatic, cruise, power locks, windows, the keyless entry, 16 inch wheels and fuel economy, this car is definitely for you if you are looking for a good afforadable car.
Too Good To Be True
I should have known the price was too good to be true, I love to drive my car, however that is when it runs. It only has 32000 miles on it, and is in the shop more than driven, and Chevy does not stand behind their work. I think its a good starter car, but if you want a reliable car for day to day never ever by a Cavalier. Trust me I learned the hard way, and still owe 10,000.00 on the car
2003 Cavalier
OK car. Bad tailight sockets-recalled, r/r power steering pump 22k, fuel pump 55k, dash guage cluster gone haywire at 45k, needed calipers at 75k, rear window defog not working 65k.
Not so great
I bought my 2003 cav brand new and ive had nothing but problems with it. Its definately a piece of junk. I will come to a stop and my car stalls.. I've taken it in to be fixed many times and nobody can find the problem. Its definately a lemon, i would not suggest buying a cavailer.... Definately not worth the money..
03 Ls Sports coupe cavalier
All in all the car is great for begining drivers. its safe, reliable, and fun to drive!
Little Red Chevy
Handles like a sports car. With the five speed standard it really zips.
Good Job Chevrolet !
I test drove 4 other cars( Focus ZX3, Civic, Protege , Elantra) before deciding on the Cavalier. My choice was easy. For the price, it can't be beat. Fun to drive, decent gas mileage, easy to maintain and very nice looking. Safe also, was invloved in an accident this past weekend where a 2002 Honda Accord ran a red light and hit me squarely on the passenger rear fender and wheel. Car took it and I was able to drive away (a flat tire later) but probably less than 3K damage. The Honda lost it's entire front end. I didn't even loose a wheel cover...
lemon yellow lemon
I bought this car new in 2003 and thought it would be a good car for my needs. I had it in for repairs 5 times under warranty and count fewer times since. Now it has headlight problems and turn signal light on passenger side blows out every 2 to 3 weeks. I would never buy a GM car again!
2003 Chevy Cavalier
Manual 5sp.transmission is smooth, 2.2L/140hp engine has adequate pick up and acceleration. Very smooth and quiet ride. Suspension and handling are excellent. Would like to see how it performs in the snow. Braking is excellent. Overall a great performer, for a basic car. Exterior design is beautiful. Paint appears of excellent quality. Interior design is lacking a bit, though. It's definitely NO FRILLS, and driver seat comfort isn't that great. It's functional, to say the least. Definitely a good car, overall; and I always find Chevy engines to be very reliable. With the $5000 rebates offered on 2003 models, this car is a great deal.
No luck with cars
I have had my car less than a year and I put all 18K miles on it and I have a wiring problem with my car. My cruise shuts off when i put on my turning signal. My CD player had a defect and I got burned when I took my CD's out and my rear turning signal's wires were eroded. My drivers door doesnt shut all the way unless you slam it. My heat vent fell out when I was driving down the road and the gears to change the heater settings are stripped.
Good cheap car
Bought this 03 Cavalier used, 125000km on it, it has 175,000 on it 2 years later. This car was my hero in bad times once I was finished school looking for a job. It is so cheap to maintain and repair. Somebody hit my car and ran, I bought a new bumper for 40 bucks from somebody and put it on. Nothing has gone wrong with this car, except a fuel pump, because all I could afford was to put 5 bucks of gas in it and ran it on the light the whole time (my own fault). You will dust standard Civics and Corollas in this thing, not any Japanese cars give you 155lb feet at mid range. Fuel economy is excellent. Car gets a bit rattly with age, but so does any car. Buy it!
Annoyed!
Decent car for the price. However, I am writing this review because I am wondering how RMcoolX managed to purchase a 2003 Cavailer for $7k. RMcoolX please detail out your rebates that brought a $14k car down to $7k.
excellent car
this car is outstanding, excellent buy.
love my cavalier (CA-VAUL-E-A)
This is a fun car! I purchased a 2002 cavalier LS coupe with the sports package and it is nice. It handles very well and is good on gas. Also, I was able to take advantage of the rebate offer, which saved me a lot of money. If you want a sports car, but do not have "sports car money" I recommend this car. Make sure that you get a coupe with a sports package. This car is really nice. It far exceeds what I expected. Chevrolet has come a long way with the Cavalier!
Simply awsome
at first i wanted to get the 2002 cavalier model that was out but i waited longer and when the 2003 came out i loved the new body style and went to check it out and drive one and now i own it. I love it!! My first new car and i have no intentions of selling either. It is also my 3rd cavalier after owning a 1991 and 1994 model which were very nice as well but only base models and were very good on gas as the new one has already proven.
Economical and reliable
I purchased this car with nine miles on it, so all of its miles have been mine. It's solid on fuel economy and roomy for a small sedan. I've had very few problems with it (an automatic window motor was replaced under warranty and I've had a tire and battery go, but that's been it). I have two small peeves: the back windows won't go all the way down, which my 11-year-olds hate and the temp control is right where your drink is, which means an extra step when you don't want to be fumbling with a travel mug. Other than that, it's been a great car thus far. I'm going to keep it until the 11-year-olds get their licenses--if I live that long-- so I'm taking very good care of the car.
Good for HS students
This car has everything needed for a High School senior The sound system rocks i love the steering wheel feel on it. and the 60/40 split seats in back. the color is Graphite which next the the blue on the outside looks awsome.
Cheap reliable transportation
I bought this in 2004 with about 9600 miles on it, no problems, except for a fuel pump that I had to replace. I got it for about 7K and I drove it over 70K miles. I can't ask for a better deal. Even today it has a decent re-sale value (about 3.5K easily). I do most regular maintenance myself and this car has been running like a champ. Fuel economy has been good too, in 2004 I got about 31 mpg combined, I still get about 28-29 mpg combined... even after increase in ethanol in fuel. If style is not your primary concern, and transportation is the only thing you care about then this is a good value.
Good car
Fun car to drive to drive with the 5 speed trans, great gas mileage, very quiet motor.
I love my car!
I just bought this car about a month ago and I've had no problems with it at all. It gets up to speed real quick and it handles real good. I bought it almost new so the tires were still good and the interior is beautiful. The only thing I've done is put better speakers in the back.
The Cavalier (2003)
*One of my friends recently bought a new Cavalier and found out that it had a big makeover. She got inside and said, "This is the car for me!" It drives fast, but not too fast. It looks sporty, but its personality is for city streets. The car is fun to drive and could use a few more features and a new interior design.
Good Product for the Money
My car is primarily used for vacations, weekend trips, shopping etc, not commuting to work. With the rebate the total cost on my car ended up being between $13-14,000. For this amount of money I think I got a great deal on a reliable vehicle. I've had no engine or mechanical problems with the car in the five months I've had it. But, the seats need to be more comfortable. My lower back hurts after a two hour drive. Also, the viser moves the rear-view mirror every time you put it down. That's a pain. I love the styling of the car outside and the power windows and locks. I think the backseat is nicely spacious for a coupe. Great stereo and air conditioning.
Junk
I bought my Cavalier brand new in 2003. In October of 2008 I had to replace the engine because my oil pump was not working. None of the dashboard lights lit up or anything. It just died one day. My Cavalier has less than 75000 miles and got oil changes regularly. The mechanic says it was a manufacturer defect but of course, Chevy offers no help. My heat only comes out the passenger side vent and my rear defroster stopped working like a year after I had the car. Other than that, it's great.
cavalier rocks
No problems so far!!!
My Own Personal DeathTrap
This wasn't my idea to get this car. My parents bought it for me and i wish they hadn't. I've been to the dealership 3 times since i've had it and i only have 7,000 miles on it. Both back tail lights went out. MY Trac Light go off everytime i hit the slightest bump. Oh and stopping in the snow or rain is a joke. It feels like it won't stop and thats just scary.
I made a mistake!!!
I wanted something dependable. So I thought that if I bought a new car it would have to be right? Wrong. I am afraid to touch anything because it usually falls apart. I have had it for 3 months and I already regret buying it. My ac works good but I can't use it because it makes my whole car shake. This car feels like it is about ready to fall apart. It is comfortable once you get in and keep your hands of flimsy things. But the truth is its cheap because its built cheap. I wish I had bought a Honda. I am going to loose about $2000 for this stupid mistake! Oh and I have 2 friends with the same model and both of their engines blow up!
Nice Surprise
I happened upon this car with no prior knowledge of this model; and with a less than positive attitude towards the cavalier in general. Seeing this last LS coupe sport package on the lot, and then driving it changed my mind forever. I'm extremely pleased with this car!
It's just a Chevy
Initially loved the cheap price I paid, but soon discovered it was a cheap car. No major problems, but a few things have broken including the a/c vent, seat, a few wheel covers, and the accumulator assembly had to be replaced. The CD player tends to skip if an entire CD is played, no matter how new the CD is. There is a lot of wind noise, you have to turn the radio way up when driving on the highway. Get up speed is good. The car is light and can be pushed around by the wind on the interstate. The car looks sporty, but you can't tell the year of the car by the outside unless you're looking at the front or the back. Inside looks like my old Corsica.
You get a little more then you pay for
After rebates and so forth I paid 10K for this brand new car. You definatly get more then you pay for. the 2.2L 140hp engine matted to the manual 5 speed gearbox is great. The car is not a Benz so I wasn't expecting it to be as comfortable as one, but for a small car, its pretty decent. Braking is very smooth and sure. As with just about all American cars, theres a question as to the quality of the fit and finish, but I haven't found any blemishes. Nothing rattles or squeeks. Wind noise and engine vibration is minimal. You really do get a lot for 10K.
nice car
We just bought our cavalier 2 months ago, and I am really impressed. It handles in accidents very well. We drove the car off the lot and down the street and some guy rear ended us going about 40 MPH totaled his truck, gave us bumper damage. All in all i like driving the car.
The New Cavalier Can Move It!
Having not quite driven 500 miles yet, I have to say the most impressive thing about the '03 Cavalier is the 2.2L EcoTec engine. It sounds good and, combined with the automatic xmission, moves very smoothly. I really feel the power when I get up around 60mph. My first Cav since '85, I hope GM has learned something about engineering. I like what I see so far.
wonderful car
I bought my car used, and there is nothing better then an cavalier, i love the look and the style! It's an hot car, i will be driving one for years to come!
A love/hate relationship
I purchased this car a little over a month ago and it was the biggest mistake I made. The seats are so-o-o uncomfortable! The unadjustable lumbar is a killer. I'm out of work now with a sprained back!
Just Plain Great!
I have read other reviews about this car and it boogles my mind how people could dislike this car. I bought it with 6000 miles on it and havn't had a problem yet! I love everything about the cavalier, and am very dissapointed that 2004 was the last year for them. But i can gurentee I will always buy a chevy!
Fun and Carefree
I bought my Cavalier immediately following ABS problems in a previous car (a much larger and less fuel efficient Cadillac). I bought it from a rental car sales lot and since then I have put 1 qt and a half of oil in it (exc oil changes), no coolant, 2 air filters, one set of brakes, and put air in the tires twice. Coming from an extreme nickel and diming situation, this car provided me with an oasis of carefree driving. I love to drive it; its agile and quick, makes almost no noise, and never runs hot. This car is definitely my "little buddy". I plan on doing several aftermarket changes to update it a little, but it doesn't need much.
Cavalier
Good Car. GM got it right this time.
Chevy Owner
1st Chevy I ever owned. Absolutely love the sporty look, but definitely was impressed with its overall performance. Great deal for the money!
I love my cavalier
This is my very first car. I've had it for almost 2 yrs now and have over 110K on it and it's still running strong. AC works amazing and so does the heat. It gets regular oil changes and tune ups and has amazing gas mileage. I've done alot of driving in it, miles at a time sometimes and it doesn't ever have a problem. I've gotten into one accident with it and it was just exterior damage, and the car looks and feels like it never happened. Nothing major has had to be fixed on it yet. Runs very well in the snow.. Very reliable car!!
Lovin My Cav
I recently purchased a 2003 LS two door. I have racked up 1700 trouble free miles. So far the gas milage has been excellent. I love the sunroof and sound system. The car is easy to drive and park.
Good Car
I think that the Cavalier is under appreciated, it is a good, enjoyable to drive and looks good too. i personally think it is a better looking car than the Corolla or Civic.
cavaliers are good
the car is fun to drive. it handles surprisingly good with minimal body roll it feels glued to the ground, accelleration is peppy but not a traffic light warrior. the exterior looks great the interior is cheap looking but ok.all in all the best cavalier ever made.
review
very execellent car, it is my first and it is a very good car for a teenagers
A Great Car for the Money
I bought this car used for my daughter and she has put a lot of miles on the vehicle commuting to school. The car now has 43K miles and we have not had one problem! My other daughter has a 2000 Cavalier and it too is very dependable. Its not a luxury car, but for the money, you get relative comfort and a well made vehicle. My brother-in-law has a 92 with 135K and its going strong. My nieces 88 had 181K when she traded it in. A lot of positive testimony!
Great for Price
I've had very few issues with this car. It looks nice, holds its value and runs well. I have the 5 speed manual and it has a lot of pep for a 4- cylinder engine.
Excellent value
I have driven it for 15000 KM so far and I enjoy it every time I drive it.You can not get anything better for the money. Very stylish. Excellent on gas. Nice interior layout except for the central console.
Very blah car
With a Cavalier, you get small size, Chevy styling, GM quality, and Buick handling. In other words, the worst of all worlds. To be honest, the Cav is not an awful car, just not a very good car in a sea of good competition. The styling's bland; if blending in is your goal, it may be for you. It was a mistake for Chevy to use a bowtie- bar in the styling; it doesn't fit well and looks awkward. The interior creaks and feels cheap. The engine is good, but the suspension is too loose. When turned, the car sways the other way. According to the figures, the Cav is GM's biggest seller. But those figures probably include rental and fleet sales.