My grandpa's neighbor bought a '01 Chevy Cavalier for his daughter before she went to college. It is now just sitting in his yard and he wants to sell it for $300 since the transmission is starting to go out. It has 200K miles on it (probably highway miles). If I replaced the transmission, would this be a good deal? I didn't know how reliable Chevy Cavaliers are...
Keep in mind that I am a college student myself in need of a car for next year. :)
2007-04-01 08:20:04 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Buying & Selling
That's a lot of miles. Expect a lot of problems.
Head gasket (soon)
Timing belt (real soon)
Electrical problems. (tomorrow)
You get what you pay for.
2007-04-01 08:30:05 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. KnowItAll 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since you already know about the tranny, keep in mind that there is a lot of wear on that engine as well. Listen to the engine with a good ear! Do the valves clatter or click?
Drive the car! Does it seem to take a lot of gas to get the engine to rev? that could indicate compression problems.
How does the steering and front end feel?
All these things are important when purchasing any used vehicle.
I have driven a dozen or so different Cavaliers with various amounts of mileage, most seem to have held up fairly well.
2007-04-01 15:31:20 · answer #2 · answered by afreshpath_admin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cavaliers don't exactly have the best track record, but the newer ones have been getting better. If the engine is in good shape it might be worth saving. For as cheap as he's asking you might even consider asking if you can have a mechanic look at it and give you an estimate to repair whatever needs fixed before deciding if you want it. You shouldn't be out more than 150 bucks to have it completely checked out and even if its got major other issues and you decide to pass on it 150 isn't that much to spend on what could be a good deal. You never know if it might just have a solenoid or two going out or need fluid or something silly to be a perfectly good running car again.
2007-04-01 15:28:52 · answer #3 · answered by y2bmj 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yeah, a rebuilt tranny would be about 800 to 1,000 installed...make sure you check tie rod ends/ball joints/ and have the engine checked out too.
The car is worth more than the 1,300 to 1,500 you'll spend on it to get it runnin well.
I have an 86 cavalier and a 99 cavalier with rebuilt transmissions in both.
2007-04-04 00:01:13 · answer #4 · answered by DerekJ 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are willing to put a $1000 into the transmission, then yes it is a decent deal as long as the rest of the car is tip top considering the mileage (good tires, brakes, owner kept receipts of all work done so you can see what has been replaced).
2007-04-01 15:24:07 · answer #5 · answered by purple_lily76 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
theres alot of miles on it .the car just might turn out to be a money pit .have a mechanic check it out first .you may just be better buying a different car with less miles for about 1500.00 because once the transmission goes the engine soon follows .i mean the car does have alot of miles ..i think you should pass it up .ive owned alot of used cars ..sorry
2007-04-01 15:31:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
nope !!!!! way too many miles to spend the $1,000 to $1,500 for the transmission repairs. you can buy a car with nothing wrong for the same price so please just use the same $$$ to get a car with nothing wrong.
2007-04-01 15:29:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋