I've had this car for a year now, and though I miss the security of my 1992 Oldsmobile, I'm not any longer embarressed when people see me in my car! Mine is a 2-door, 5 speed red cavalier. Unfortunately, the person that bought it first was more concerned with "pimping" it out than the comfort of driving, therefore it has standard features: manual locks and windows, no a/c and no cruise control. That's okay, though. Rolling your window up and down could be considered exercise, without cruise control, I'm always aware of my speed, and I just roll the windows down (exercise!!!) in the summer...it kind of feels good with the wind blowing through my hair...kind of like a Pantene Pro-V commercial.

Anyways, you're probably more concerning with how it runs, right? Well, my baby is only 4 years old now, and so far so good. No mechanical problems yet, but I really wouldn't expect any from a car of this age.

For being a 5 speed, the gas mileage isn't really impressive. I'm not one of those people who keep a calculator in their car, so the best I can tell you is this: I think it's a 15 gallon tank, and I usually get around 300 miles for a tank of gas, with city and highway driving pretty much the same. I don't know if that will help you, but I get the impression that small standard cars usually get better mileage than that. My boyfriend's Honda Civic, which is also a 5 speed, has a 10 gallon tank that usually lasts 400 or more miles.

Since it's a 2 door, the front seat is really roomy at the expense of the space in the back seat. The back seat also flips down, like most cars, giving the large trunk even more space. Though the back seat is a little cramped, I've taken this car on road trips without complaints from those sitting back there. The controls are well placed, and I would say the handling is pretty good. The brakes work fine, though, being a 5 speed, I tend to use the brakes less than I would with an automatic. Also, it's not a very noisy car, especially on the highway.

This car hasn't had the best crash-test ratings, so I'm pretty careful when I drive. Also, it's not the best in snow, which you've probably read in other reviews. But what do you expect from a small car? If you're that bad of a driver in the snow, then move to Florida or get a Jeep. I live in Upstate NY, where it snows ALOT and I'm still alive. That must count for something.

Finally, if you get one of these cars, and yours has a previous owner like mine, who tinted the windows, put rainguards on the car, and put a hideous decal on the doors, then don't be surprised if some pimped-out Dodge Neon pulls up to you and starts revving the engine. My baby's quick, but my Oldsmobile had more balls. Cavaliers, unless you get a Z24, are not made for racing. Oh, they look sporty, but don't embarress yourself and race somebody. You'd be left in the dust, my friend.

If you're considering a Cavalier, I would suggest taking one for a drive. Either you'll like it or you won't. It's just a matter of personal preference.
Amount Paid (US$): 7000
Condition: Used
Model Year: 1999
Model and Options: Regular RS, standard features