2004 Chevy Cavalier Review
2004 Chevy Cavalier Review
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Used Cavalier for sale
Appraise This CarChevrolet Cavalier model years
Chevrolet Cavalier types
- Sedan
- Coupe
See Edmunds pricing data
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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
Not much. An upgraded stereo with a CD and MP3 player is now available on the base coupe and sedan. The Sport Appearance package that includes 16-inch wheels, a rear spoiler and sport suspension is also available on the base coupe and sedan.
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 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier Special Value 2dr Coupe (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 $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$159/mo for Cavalier Special Value
Cavalier Special Value
vs
$179/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier.
5 star(68%)
4 star(21%)
3 star(9%)
2 star(2%)
1 star(0%)
234 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
3.13 out of 5 stars
It's doing its job.
evanz, 09/28/2012
2004 Chevrolet Cavalier 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
This is my second car. I bought it, after weeks of searching for something else in my price range. I don't really like Chevy, but i got it in great shape, and condition. I bought it with 80,000 miles, and it now has about 105,000. I've driven it across states without hesitating. The only thing I've had to replace was the fuel pump at about 100. Everything else works fine, and even looks … alright. The car isnt fast, but if you give enough gas it can go. I live in an area with snow, ice, rain, and hills, and this car works fine everywhere. I take good care of my cars aesthetically, and get their regular maintenance. But I drive the **** out of my cars, and this one is still holding up fine.
4.25 out of 5 stars
Great car!
hannam, 10/15/2012
2004 Chevrolet Cavalier LS 2dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
I drove this car for almost a year before someone ran a red light and totaled it.
Looks great for the price, easy to drive and great for a first car!
I bought it with 90k and drove it to 100k.
I did have a few issues with it.
The backseat was really difficult to access.
If you buy with the original radio, be aware that installing a new radio could put you in the $200-300 range as the … system is connected to many other things in the car (like the beeps for when your car door is open).
AC went out around 94,000 miles.
The lights below around the gearshift went out, and I had to hit the gearshift to make them come back on.
All in all, I'm still happy with the purchase and sad to lose it.
3 out of 5 stars
A great engine surrounded by an average car
happychihuahua, 10/01/2012
2004 Chevrolet Cavalier 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
The EcoTec 2.2 is a marvelous engine, its powerful, quiet and as reliable as an anvil, a testament to its foreign design.
The rest of the car however is General Motors, what can you say.
The steel on the car is paper thin, so even a slight bump will distort the quarter panels and your plastic bumper will never fit properly again.
The interior is typical GM, with the bizarre toilet seat … flusher door handles and the cheap plastic interior.
The plastic covers by the mirrors tend to slap off and the manual mirror adjusters tend to break.
The shift level gets loose and since its plastic will begin to fall apart, requiring replacement.
The interior noise is higher than it should be.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Great first time car
kiprsnx, 02/21/2013
2004 Chevrolet Cavalier LS 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
I got my cavalier at around 40k miles, recently traded it in for a pickup at 105k miles. Was very sad to see it go. Only thing I ever needed to fix was a bad fuel pump and a leaking water pump. Got me through many drives from Washington-California, and a year of 30 mile work commutes. I also left it sitting for almost a year and had no problem starting it up. Only real complaints I have … are the radio controls are blocked if you have anything in the cupholders, the piece of plastic on the dash against the windshield cracks and the road noise. Other than that, it's fun to drive, comfortable and has great gas mileage. Would definately recommend!
2004 Cavalier Highlights
Sedan
Base
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $14,435 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 27 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $159/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 13.6 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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