Incredible - Fun & Peppy - Need I say more?

What is so great about the 2005 Chevy Cavalier? Why did I buy it? Well, I have recently done some shopping around for a very affordable car. I was looking for something that I knew would be dependable and go the distance. What did I come up with? The Chevy Cavalier. I know, it's American made, and not a lot of people think that American made cars are all that great, especially something as basic as a Cavalier. What do you want, it's an economy car. It's meant for helping you "save" money.

I have now owned my Cavalier for about a month, I purchased the Base Model Cavalier Coupe. I can honestly say that I'm happy with it. Why did I choose the base model? Because it didn't cost much. I could say it was cheap, but that wouldn't sound very good about the car. Sure, it's not luxury car with all the option, but I am not a person who is concerned with those things. It does it's job, it serves it's purpose, and I know that it will last for years, and most of all I could afford it. Frankly, I am not so concerned with having a sun roof, or power windows, or even electric door locks. Those things to me, are NOT worth the extra $5,000 you'd spend, and since I didn't care, I bought the base model.

Go ahead laugh, but hey, I love my car. Why the Cavalier? Well the Cavalier and I go way back. I've owned 2 different Cavaliers (the coupe both times). Ironic as it may sound, both of those cars were red, and so is my new one. What is my hang up? I don't have a hang up with Cavaliers, I just know that those cars in the past have proven to go the distance, and handle almost anything a person can put them through. Like a Timex... "takes a lickin' and keeps on ticking". They last, and that's what I'm looking for in a car. I'm not a person who is all about fancy things, and all the extras you get with a car or anything for that matter. I like simple, the basics, if you know what I mean.

As I said, I have owned my 2005 Cavalier Coupe for about a month now, and I have been enjoying it. It definitely has some pep for only being a simple little 4-cylinder, and it's EXCELLENT on gas. My very first tank of gas went a long way. When I drove off the lot (with a full tank of gas) it had only 10 miles on it, and before I had to put gas in it, I was nearly to 400 miles. Now that's awesome. Even a Volkswagon Beetle didn't get that kind of mileage. I was impressed to say the least.

When I had first gone and test drove a Cavalier, I had driven two different models. I drove the LS Sport Package one, (listed at around $19,000) and after that, I drove this base model car that I bought. Listed at $10,850. How did they compare? Not much difference to be honest with you, not even in the engine. They both have the 2.2 liter ECOTEC DOHC four-cylinder engine, and the difference with how they both handled on the road wasn't that much of a difference. Sure the LS Sport Package car held the road a little better than the base model, but I believe it was due to the low profile tires, and the suspension. I felt it wasn't anything that I couldn't do by myself by buying a set of rims with the same type of low profile tires. Was it worth the difference in money? No, not in my mind.

Clutch & Transmission

First of all let me tell you, I do not drive anything except for manual transmission cars. I had a 2003 Ford Escape, which of course was automatic, and I just don't care for automatic at all. When I drive, I WANT TO DRIVE!!! When I test drove the Cavalier, the clutch seemed to be pretty sensitive, easy to push in of course, but when letting out the clutch it felt sort of springy. I figured it would just take a little getting used to. Now after owning the car, I can say for sure, it certainly did take some getting used to. Once you are used to the car, the clutch works more smoothly and shifting is just as smooth. I can, however, tell you that the first day or two my husband was making fun of me, and asking me if I was just learning to drive standard. I wasn't used to it yet, and it felt a little bit jerky, but hey, as with any new car, it takes time to adjust to things. You are usually still getting to know your car.

The shifter is typical of a Cavalier, it's a bit on the harder side, not saying it's hard to shift, but you aren't going to just glide from one gear to another. It feels sort of notchy when you shift from one gear to another. I have noticed though, that while sitting at a stop or a traffic light, it seems a bit hard to put the car into first gear. I will give it time, maybe that just needs some getting used to as well. I really don't have any complaints in this area. Shifting the car on your own, you are in control of your speed, and you will find that this little baby definitely has some "get up and go".

Handling

The Cavalier handles very well around town, and on winding country roads. I have found that the Cavalier handles just as well on the highway. I can say, however, there is some road noise, but I either chalk that up to the type of tires that come on the base model, OR on the fact that it's a simple small economy car. If you're buying a Cavalier, it's to be expected, again, this is certainly not a luxury car, it's not meant to be. When passing or changing lanes on the highway you will find the car is able to make the transition well, there is no lack in power and the ability to pick up speed is pretty good. I have, however, noticed that on windy days you may hear the roof make noises, but, I have only had this happen once, and that's only while I was driving on the highway. Once again, I didn't expect perfection, after all, it's not a Lincoln. You get what you pay for - Correct? Either way you look at it, if you bought a car like this, and pay the very affordable price, then I think you know already ahead of time not to expect luxury quality, because it just isn't going to happen.

While driving the 2005 Cavalier, you will find that it's a smooth comfortable ride. With the exception of bumps in the road, you WILL feel those, but you get what you pay for, if you want a smooth gliding car over bumps, then buy a luxury car, this isn't the car for you. Don't get me wrong, the bumps are no big deal, and hardly noticeable.


Interior

The interior of the car is pretty basic - nothing real fancy there. It's smooth contours are more modern than those older style Cavaliers, and the dash buttons and lighting are pretty basic. You have everything right there where you need it. You have the speedometer and the RPM gages there in front of you big and bold, and easy to read. There is no need to sit up or lean a certain way to watch the gas gage either. While there is no light that comes on, to tell you that your fuel is low, you will get a bright red light telling you to "Check Gages" when your fuel is low. Visibility in the Cavalier is great, I haven't found any blind spots or anything like that. On the dash panel where the heater and stereo features are are still pretty basic, like the older Cavaliers, those buttons or knobs haven't changed much. It's your standard Chevy in that department. Even though the knobs haven't been updated in years, the layout allows for easy access. Nothing is strained to see, or adjust there.

The Stereo even on a base model, comes with a cd player. That's standard option now days I guess. I was happy about that, but I do have to say that the sound system is not going to impress those who want to pump up the music. For that you might not want the base model. You can get the better sound system, which is optional, or you can always go and have it done yourself somewhere else. There is plenty of leg room in the front seats, I have not sat in the back seat so I couldn't tell you about comfort there. I have long legs, so my drivers seat is usually pretty far back, I think I would feel sorry for another long legged person if they had to sit behind me. There doesn't appear to be a whole lot of leg room back there. Keep in mind that I purchased the 2 door coupe. I can't speak about leg room in the sedan, so I will leave that one alone.

With the coupe you also have PLENTY of trunk space, even more so than the sedan has. I really like my trunk. I know you are thinking that this girl is crazy for saying "I really like my trunk" But I have to tell you why - I went from driving a 2001 Volkswagon Beetle to this Cavalier, and at least now I can go grocery shopping without thinking of how much my trunk will hold. My mother-in-law laughs when I told her with the Beetle you can only buy about $100 worth of groceries, that is if you want to get it home in one trip. *wink* Now I can shop, and not worry about the trunk. The rear seats also fold down, they have a 60/40 split, so if you only need one side to fold down you can do it while someone is still riding in the back seat. Guess what? I've already used this feature, and it worked out well. I was completely satisfied with the trunk, and the seats folding, and the ease of taking things in and out of the trunk.

The Base Model does not come with all the extra features so you don't get the power windows, or the sun roof, or even mirrors in your sun visors. But I have found that rolling a window down manually isn't a big deal. In the center console on the Base Model you have a little compartment for change or whatever you wish, but in the other models, that is where the power window buttons are. The arm rest also opens up, providing you with some storage there. You have two cup holders, and I can at least say that it will hold those "Super Size" cups that you get from McDonalds. That was my biggest complaint about the Beetles cup holders, you couldn't even put a 20 oz. bottle of soda in those cup holders.

Their is a fairly flat surface area behind the cup holders that you could put things in, personally I don't use it for anything except my garage door opener which doesn't have a clip so it rests in the compartment instead. I have found that my cell phone lays perfectly down in there as well, because it's small. Both side mirrors have to be adjusted by hand, the driver side mirror has a little lever sticking inside so you can adjust it from inside the car, but the passenger mirror has to actually be adjusted by opening the window and moving the mirror where you want it. (Needless to say, finger prints get on the mirror) I just hate that!!! But, once it's set, there is no need to worry about it again. Right?


Reliability

Over all, I would say the Cavalier is a reliable car. It always was, even way back when I had my other two. These cars have been known to last well over 150,000 miles without problems. My friends uncle has one with around 220,000 miles on it and there are no problems at all. -- They last, what can I say?

To sum up my opinion, I will say that if you are looking for a car that is both stylish and affordable, great on gas, a car that will last over time, and be both reliable and dependable, then the Chevy Cavalier is for you. Base model, LS, Coupe or Sedan, you won't be disappointed, I assure you.

Two Thumbs Up for this sassy little car!


© 2004 - £ynda Nielsen