SpikeyLee

A Porsche or something could get smashed from behind in a way that is unrepairable. It's something that could happen to any car and isn't the fault of Honda so Honda should still be a viable choice, but since it's your/your family's money then the choice is really up to you guys.

Really, avoid Cavaliers at all costs!! Impalas or Luminas are better choices from Chevrolet, but I think that there are way better cars to consider. A couple of the Nissan's mentioned are worth a look.

sTiTch

My ex-gf used to have a 89 Cav... head gasket blew on her.
She owns a 96 Cav now... head gasket blew on her last year.
My friend drives a 91 Cav in the winter, and when his Prelude is in the shop... stalls in traffic All D Tyme!

I'd say avoid older Cavs. They have a problem with their head gaskets, as you can tell. Not sure about the newer ones tho.

imported_My Blue Si

If I were in your shoes I would probably go for a 98-99 Chevy Cavalier Z24, they're very affordable in price with low K and it's got everything you want, fully loaded, power everything, sunroof, aluminum rims and I think it's got like 150 HP. Not a bad car IMO

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

if anything, GM products are best domestics, what kinda luck you have with it is anyones guess.

My dad's new VW TDI turned out to be a piece of crap, but I found a site that will help in me restoring the car to a somewhat reliable state, and eliminating design flaws.

punkindrublic

the only problem with the z24's is that they are obviosuly used... and the previous owners are mostly young kids who beat the crap out of the cars... and because they are domestic they can't handle it....

when i was buying my car i test dropve 2 late 90's z24 and one sunfiure gt.... they all had something major wrong with them.... the one z24 had a major loss in power even compared to my car.... i honestly dont understand why people buy domestic... other then upfront costs....

i mean i've put on a little over 100 000 kms since i bought my car... and the only repairs i've done was... new starter and distributor.... aside from regular things like brake pads and tires

imported_My Blue Si

That's true but that's not the issue here, he can't get a Honda for his certain reasoning. Not all domestics are trash though, if they're well maintained you shouldn't have a problem with them but I would obviously take a Honda over a Domestic any day. Also if you compare a 98-99 Z24 to an Si b/c all of the features are pretty much the same in both models with the exception of 30 hp more on the cav and the 98-99 si's come with hubs instead of aluminum rims and if you line up the Si with the z24 with the same amount of K you'll be saving thousands on the car and it's got a bit more to it.

With that said, I wouldn't really pin point all Z24's with young little teens behind the wheel beating on them, b/c it's just as bad with Civic's for example go to ronas on a friday or saturday night, **** every light I go to theirs a civic taking a beating down the road.
Plus you always take the chance when buying a used car, im pretty sure 95% of ANY car driven by a teen is beaten the **** of no matter what year/make/model.

I know many people with Z24's and they never beat on them, I also have a couple of neighbours in their 30's and 40's who have z24's and those are certainly not beaten on. Plus if you decide to get a Z24 I would go threw a small used car shop or dealer and get a one year warranty with the car just to be on the safe side.

imported_My Blue Si

your a lucky one, I put 40K on my car and I already spent $5000 in repairs and all the labour was done for free by me, imagine if I brought it to a mechanic

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

I would ONLY buy privately. Dealer cars sometimes come off lease (beat!), as former rentals (ugh!), as trades (cuz of major problems - going to a new car), or accident repairs from insurance auctions. Best bet is to buy private and look at MANY MANY examples. If it's too good to be true and the price seems low... that cuz there is something that YOU don't see. Plus, private, more room to haggle.

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

Oh, unless you go with the GM factory certified used car program, then the warranty may hold some water... otherwise, forget about it!

imported_My Blue Si

That's why going new is the way to go, or privately off an old man

I had my good/bad experiences with private sales, but with my civic I bought it, spent over $1000 on the motor and tranny to get it working good so it can last me a while, but decides to blow up going 20Km down my street after I had it for only 2 weeks

punkindrublic

maybe its cause you drive a 4th gen haha jokes... i think i have been very lucky with my car.... but of all the domestic cars i have driven or that my family or friends have owned its nothing but bad experiances

imported_BoOsTd

crapaliers and sunflowers can eat my ***..period, im not gonna try and convince anyone, ive owend and fixed both of them, i know they are **** thats all that matters to me ...its not my money ur wasteing...

PS. u wonder why people sup up civics ? cuz they have the extra money they would of spent on repairs on a domestic..

johnny23toronto

I hated Z24's,

but, My sister has had an automatic 99 Z24 for a few years now. No problems, except for some stupid parasitic power drain I've pinpointed somewhere in the passenger floor computer area... I hear it vibrating ever so quietly... its minor and doesn't kill the battery unless the car sits for 3 weeks.

Aside from that, I've actually grown to like her car. Seriously. It handles very well, drives VERY solid on the highway (speed limiter), and its still way faster than my civic, even after my swap. It tops out at something pathetic like 165 km/h, and thats annoying.

The traction control helps in the winter too.

She babies it. But, I like raping other civics with it. True, the interior dash layout is crappie, in comparision to other cars. It also eats brake pads in the front....

But it is really quick, seriously, and the sunroof and a/c is nice...and its quiet inside... and lots o other reasons too.

IMO, if you are a gentle driver, it will last you and be a nice car. But, if you start banging the crap out of it, it cannot handle abuse and the tranny will definetly go and the motor will suffer expensive consequences.

CoconutDaniel

thanks gusy i really like the turn out of this thread.

I READ EVERYTHING U GUYS SAID!!!!

i still think the 1995 cavys and up look really nice! i dont know anything about mechanics tho, i need to learn more. i will be a gentle driver for sure. i cant afford speeding tickets or tickets of any kind.

I'm think of a toyoto celica, they look sweet but insurance will be higher.


the reason why my dad shys away from hondas is because my uncle had a very bad experience with his accord just like you guys have been bad mouthing the cavalier.

I dont care what car i get to be honest. as long as its not a 240 volvo gl lol

i jsut want a car to drive around, be seen, and i want ppl to like my car.

With a civic, tehre is a lot of after market parts for it (so i hear)
and with a part time job i'll be able to get a lot by the time i graduate.

With the celica i dont know anything about it i just know it looks good.

I was thinking of a supra at one point but the insurance will kill me and they cost more than other cars.

my dad heard from a dealer where he got his minivan that a cavalier is reaible or something like that.

his best friend drives a honda tho... maybe i can presuade him to think about a honda now.

Anyway what do u guys have to say about toyota celicas???

SilverCRXSi

The newer Celica's I personally like lots.
I'd take a Celica over a Cav. anyday!

I'm sure most people will agree with me too!

punkindrublic

the older celica's which would be in your price range are very heavy cars... well for there size anyways... but you can get them with a nice turbo all wheel drive set up which is nice...

imported_Team Rukus

I dont understand wat ur dad is sayin.
basically he doesnt wanna get a honda cuz wat happened to ur uncle could happen to u?
thats teh stupidest thing in the world i have ever EVER heard.
no offence but ur dad is pretty stupid.
its called an ACCIDENT for a reason.
u can have a ****** saleen s7 or u can have a 1983 honda civic or even a VOLVO (the safest car in the world that is mass produced) and the concequences would be the same depending on the impact etc....
ofcourse u cant fix a car that has really bad frame damage (actually u can) but i wouldnt drive it. Just because u dont get honda's doesnt mean u wont get into an accident, there are so many reasons y ur dads statement is wrong.
i dont wanna even start.

JEPPA

MOST DOMESTICS STILL HAVE NOT CAUGHT ON. NO INDEPENDENT REAR SUSPENSION. VERY STRANGE? CAVILERS NEED TO UNFIX THEIR FIXED BACK SIDES. A FOCUS IS OK BUT SHAKE THE BAD JOO JOO AND GO FOR THE BIG "H". (NOT THE OTHER "H" THOUGHT).

imported_gatherer

believe it or not but the focus is kicking *** in SCCA solo 2 events ... rumour has it that it is the car to beat in the nationals...

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

gatherer, if you ever get to drive a VW golf, do it... the car is sloppier than yours, but f00kin glues to the road somehow and easily lifts the rear tire off the ground with almost no effort. Body roll aplenty - but it sticks

CoconutDaniel - Toyotas are generally almost as good as Hondas, but the are also out of whack in price for the older "sportier" modles, esp if you get a Celica GT-S, and repair costs. Honestly, for a first car... need cheap, reliable, easy to fix, cheap to fix, and fun to drive. IMO, Cavalier fits the bill. HOWEVER, I still think you should get a Saturn - late 90s coupe would do you good, and they look great souped up!