2003 Chevy Cavalier Review
2003 Chevy Cavalier Review





+34
Used Cavalier for sale
Chevrolet Cavalier model years
Chevrolet Cavalier types
- Sedan
- Coupe
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.
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.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.23 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$158/mo
Cavalier Base
vs
$170/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier.
5 star(41%)
4 star(38%)
3 star(15%)
2 star(3%)
1 star(3%)
172 reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.38 out of 5 stars
Really good Cavalier
Darby 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.
3.5 out of 5 stars
Excellent car
ravens1986, 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.
3.38 out of 5 stars
everywhere and back
mycars201, 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
3.63 out of 5 stars
Solid work car, with plenty of quirks.
hpcrowley, 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
Sedan
Base
- Combined MPG
- 25 MPG
- Cost to Drive
- $158/month
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Drivetrain
- front wheel drive
- Engine Type
- Gas
- Warranty
- 3 years / 36,000 miles
Safety
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.
- Side Impact TestNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintPoor
- IIHS Small Overlap Front TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front TestPoor
More about the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
Used 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Overview
The Used 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier is offered in the following submodels: Cavalier Sedan, Cavalier Coupe. Available styles include 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M), 2dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M), LS 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M), LS Sport 2dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M), LS 2dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M), and LS Sport 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M). Pre-owned Chevrolet Cavalier models are available with a 2.2 L-liter gas engine, with output up to 140 hp, depending on engine type. The Used 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 5-speed manual.
What's a good price on a Used 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier?
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, VA. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
Which used 2003 Chevrolet Cavaliers are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier for sale near. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a used car from our massive database to find cheap prew-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the Used 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier.
Can't find a used 2003 Chevrolet Cavaliers you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
Find a used Chevrolet Cavalier for sale.
Find a used Chevrolet for sale.
Find a used certified pre-owned Chevrolet Cavalier for sale.
Find a used certified pre-owned Chevrolet for sale.
Should I lease or buy a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out Chevrolet lease specials
Check out Chevrolet Cavalier lease specials
Related Used 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Rolls Royce Wraith 2021 Review
- Subaru Ascent 2020 Review
- Subaru Ascent 2021 Review
- Subaru BRZ 2020 Review
- Subaru Crosstrek 2020 Review
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 2010
- Used Lexus IS 350 C
- Used Jeep Cherokee 1995
- Used Mazda Protege5 2002
- Used Subaru Legacy 2006
- Used Audi A7 2015
- Used Cadillac CT4 2015
- Used Volkswagen Eos 2013
- Used Acura TSX Sport Wagon 2013
- Used Nissan Frontier 1994
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2022 Volvo XC60
- 2023 Q5 Sportback
- Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 2022
- Audi E Tron Sportback
- 2023 Audi TTS
- 2022 GLE-Class
- 2022 GLA-Class
- Lexus IS 350 2022
- Volvo S60 2022
- 2024 BMW M4 News
Research recent models from same make
- Silverado 3500
- 2022 Chevrolet Corvette
- Chevy Express
- Chevrolet Corvette 2023
- 2022 Bolt EUV
- 2022 Silverado 1500
- 2023 Chevrolet Express Cargo
- 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
- Chevrolet Express 2023
- 2023 Maserati Silverado 3500HD
Research similar vehicles
- Mirai
- Maserati Quattroporte
- 2022 M3
- Maserati Ghibli
- 2022 Lexus IS 300
- Subaru WRX
- 2023 Q50
- 2022 Dodge Charger
- Nissan Altima 2022
- Audi A8 Interior