2003 Chevy Cavalier Review
Price Estimate: $1,288 - $2,146

Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Low price, torquey four-cylinder engine, optional satellite radio and OnStar.
Cons
- Ancient design inside and out, cheap interior materials, poor build quality, low resale value, poor side-impact and front-offset crash test results.
What’s new
The Cavalier gets a refresh this year that adds new front and rear fascias, revised headlights and taillights, redesigned ground effects, body-colored mirrors and door handles and a new hood. LS Sport models also get integrated foglights and new rocker moldings. The 2.2-liter Ecotec four-cylinder is now the only engine offered, as the Z24 model has been dropped from the lineup. Base model Cavs no longer come with standard ABS brakes, but it remains an available option. Inside, the Cavalier now features a center rear three-point seatbelt, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift lever, a rear 60/40-split bench seat, new child-seat anchors and optional side airbags. Finally, you can get XM Satellite Radio on all cars, and LS and LS Sport trims are available with the OnStar communications system.
Edmunds says
Despite the new look, there's no hiding the fact that this car was engineered more than a decade ago, leaving it hopelessly outclassed by nearly every other car on the market.
For sale near San Antonio, TX
14 listings
- $4,450good price
- 40,268 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use only
- 22 City / 30 Hwy MPG
- Auto Express (260 mi away)
- Rear Bench Seats
Close
Located in Dallas, TX
CASH SPECIAL - Runs and Drives with COLD A/C and no check engine lights. Only TWO Previous Owners and Clean Texas Title as seen in the Free CARFAX Ava...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
25 Combined MPG (22 City/30 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1G1JC52F437151809
Stock: P25983
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 07-18-2025 - 197,508 miles
- 2 accidents, 4 owners, rental vehicle
- 22 City / 30 Hwy MPG
- Hi Tech Motors (488 mi away)
- Alarm
- Rear Bench Seats
Close
Located in Tulsa, OK
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
25 Combined MPG (22 City/30 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1G1JF52F937198048
Stock: 198048
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 03-06-2025
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Texas
$135/mo for Cavalier Base
Cavalier Base
vs
$145/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Chevrolet Cavalier Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Really good Cavalier
4.38 out of 5 starsDarby J. Pruitt, 08/03/2009
2003 Chevrolet Cavalier 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
This 03 Cavalier is the 2nd Cavalier I have owned, and besides the few problems that I have had this car has seen me though thick and thin. Now that I have hit 105,000 miles I'm looking forward to it's first real tuneup. It diffenetly has the get up go I need to fly past any import I come across. The comfort is pretty good seeing I managed to stay setted for 10 hours on two 780 mile … trips, and I think the automatic transmissons are as good as the manuels. The only problems I've had are the fuel pump, e- vac canister, and catalytic converter, (the converter was my fault for running hard everyday). And after 1 wreak with a BMW (BMW's fault) the Cavalier is still running like she means it.
Excellent car
3.5 out of 5 starsravens1986, 09/05/2013
2003 Chevrolet Cavalier 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
I bought my cavy when it had around 135,000 miles on it. It's just now gotten to 218,000 after five years of owning it, and it's been exceptionally reliable. The only part to go bad on it was the fuel pump, I have not had to buy any other parts for it. Other than the standard oil change and brake service, new tires, and normal maintenance, I haven't had to put any money in to it. And I … used to abuse the crap out of it when I was younger. Well worth the investment. I notice a lot of people posting about having all sorts of problems with theirs, but it's the absolute opposite for me. It's not the sportiest car, but it is reliable.
everywhere and back
3.38 out of 5 starsmycars201, 04/13/2012
2003 Chevrolet Cavalier 2dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
i was giving this car as a present from my parents in high school in 2006 it had 40k miles on it, and it was a good little first car, drove me everywhere i needed to go, im 6" ft so its not the biggest and i couldn't fit more then 3 people in my car. i went to college in Oregon and did very well in the rain, considering im from arizona and that's where the car had lived most of its life, … i drove 3 hrs every weekend from the coast to portland back never let me down. the longest trip this car has taken was a 16 drive to san fran and was perfect, sold it 96k miles and only did routine maintenance, brakes oil change, never had to replace clutch, did have to replace soarks at 90k
Solid work car, with plenty of quirks.
3.63 out of 5 starshpcrowley, 12/25/2014
2003 Chevrolet Cavalier 2dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
Bought this car from a buy here-pay here lot with $160k miles for a ridiculous price. Been reliable so far, but has SOOO many little problems. When I first bought it, the instrument cluster would go haywire at at random times, which was later attributed to moisture in the electronics. The climate control has an annoying click on any setting but recirculate, and the knobs broke to boot. … the shifter has a disconcerting grind in it going into fourth gear.
The interior is virtually destroyed, and the body isn't much better. okay, so now for the positives: it's been unwaveringly reliable for the past 6 months! The only expense I've had has been tires. All in all, a solid driver.
2003 Cavalier Highlights
Coupe
Base
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $14,030 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 25 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $135/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 13.2 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Cavalier include:
- Alarm
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver1 / 5Passenger2 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalPoor
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintPoor
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