01 cavalier

[coreys87]

looking to buy a cavalier since gas is suppost to go over $5 a gallon this summer. found a 01 with 170k miles but only 80k on new motor. what are some common problems with a 2.2 5 speed cav? it has brand new tires and brakes. got him down to 1350 without even meeting him.

 

[towman]

check the head gasket at the front of the motor for signs of leaking, and the frame rail in the back where it goes over the axle, have seen many of them rotted away

 

[crazy4offroad]

I've been eyeing a VW Jetta TDi, 50+ mpg FTW!

 

[coreys87]

i have been too! but they get pricey. and yes the headgasket was just done. jettas are iffy tho. timing belt needs to be done every 15k and in the older ones 99- when the rockers start going within 6 months the floors gone and then the struts start falling and the front end falls apart. lol at 17 there a little pricey as well. lol

 

[crazy4offroad]

I've seen a couple second hand for $4k - $6k, haven't heard nothing but raves about em but when things wear out it is expensive. Saw some nice newer model Corollas too I wouldn't mind having but you just cant tow a trailer with them lol and I cant convince the wife to sell her Highlander.

 

[89Suburban]

check the head gasket at the front of the motor for signs of leaking, and the frame rail in the back where it goes over the axle, have seen many of them rotted away

Great info. I also noticed my mom's frame rail on the r/r has a rust hole starting that I got to fix.

 

[HotRodPC]

I've been eyeing a VW Jetta TDi, 50+ mpg FTW!

I'd llove to find one, about a 2000-2004 TDI. They get better mpg than the new ones. But the people who have them for sale, know this. I've looked, and it's hard to find one for less than $6000 with mileage in the 150-180K range. They will easily go 300,000 miles, and if maintained can get 500,000 with some maintenence and parts changes, like injector pump, and new injectors at about 250K. I've been looking, but gave up some time ago cuz funds aren't here and I"d make myself sick if I found a steal deal and coulldn't get it.

 

[HotRodPC]

I've seen a couple second hand for $4k - $6k, haven't heard nothing but raves about em but when things wear out it is expensive. Saw some nice newer model Corollas too I wouldn't mind having but you just cant tow a trailer with them lol and I cant convince the wife to sell her Highlander.

2003-2008 Corollas are also great cars and in a 5speed, plenty of pep and 28-30 city, 35-40mph hwy. Not bad at all for a simple gasoline engine with Variable Valve Timing. Hate to talk good about a foreign car but at least the CE models are made in the USA employing americans.

 

[smurph20]

2003-2008 Corollas are also great cars and in a 5speed, plenty of pep and 28-30 city, 35-40mph hwy. Not bad at all for a simple gasoline engine with Variable Valve Timing. Hate to talk good about a foreign car but at least the CE models are made in the USA employing americans.

Well made in America with overseas parts put together by some americans and mostly mexicans

 

[HotRodPC]

Well made in America with overseas parts put together by some americans and mostly mexicans

You're exactly right, and ALL the profits go back overseas too. BUT... it was the ONLY FOREIGN car I EVER bought in my life, and I could only live w myself cuz I convinced myself Americans got a job from it. But I had to do it. At the time I was full time process serving, and after Katrina, gas prices doubled and my business just about closed up due to gas prices. Made me sick to do it, but I had to do it to survive, and no US made vehicle come close to it for what I got it for, with as good of mileage and dependability. Hated it Hated it, but I can't say I regret it. I had to do it.

 

[coreys87]

got the car for 1200. only problem is when you go from turning all the way right to all the way left or vise versa it clunks. but still runs and drives fine. any input?

 

[RetroC10Sport]

Axle CV joints or a motor/trans mount, could be a strut mount too...

 

[HotRodPC]

YEP, my vote is CV joints. Left alone to get worse, you'll sure know when they are about to go completely.

 

[kleedus]

i bought a new 04 cavalier 2 door should of never traded it off it was a great car

 

[smurph20]

check the bushings around the rack n pinion