what car do you like more?

[SPL db]

I drive a 98 Cavalier for a work car that we bought almost six years ago with only 24K on the clock.

It now has over 108K miles on the clock.

In those six years, aside from tires, brakes, & struts (which you'll do on any car this age), all
I had to replace was an EGR valve.

One of the most reliable cars I've ever owned foreign or domestic.

We also own a 2009 Chevy Silverado with a Duramax/Allison combo and it's had far more problems
than the Cavalier has had.

Luckily it's problems were under warranty.

 

[RamblinE]

For the most part they are reliable cars.

However, the question is, do you want to look absolutely tasteless? Or do just not care?

Do you want to drive a vehicle with all of the sporting characteristics of a brick? Or do you just not care?

If you're adamant on ruling out foreign cars for whatever silly misleading reason there are still the Ford Focus, Ford Escort and Dodge SRT4 to consider for fun driving, cool as **** compacts.

Compacts are a department that GM only just recently began to excel in. How recently? Within the past two years.

 

[kconnor]

Given the choices you presented I'd pick the Pontiac Sunfire. The GXP was sharp looking.

 

[slow_jazz]

The Pontiac will have a better interior.

 

[captaingamez]

I will never buy a foreign car after again after my civic, my pontiac sunfire makes me very happy, and it has alot of pick up and go. as long as you take car fo a car it will last a very long time, now on the other hand if you neglect it it will not last very long.

i am in absence of understanding of this post, however maybe you have a really good sunfire, but being a mechanic i will say that they are both the same car and both horrible, they are totally tasteless the interiors are the worst kind of american craperry, and the engines are not that reliable, if well maintained they are better off than not, however i have had friends with maintained sunfires and cavaliers that do not last past 150k without major major major maintainence. now talk about hondas, and i will not talk about brand new ones, but go back 3-4 years and prior, and you will probably never have to do anything but change the oil, the chevy guarantees breakdowns, while the hondas virtually do not break down in need of major repair ever. i work on american cars, why do you think i have an 02 civic si? i have never had to repair a major honda part on it, minor ones yes($160 and less) but that should be expected. my car is around 170k and it runs like the day i bought it. i change my oil on the 8000 mile mark regularly with an extended filter and full synthetic. My last car was a 1994 accord, 274k miles on it, ran like new still, engine had original clutch, and no major work, again. i t boned someone in it, drove it for 3 weeks while waiting for insurance claims, i know someone that wrecked their cavalier in a similar manner, totalled instantly, could not drive away, chevy has not built a good car in a long time unfortunately, but that FACT is what makes me money:thmbsp:

 

[RamblinE]

What's the most fun one can have under five grand?

It's not about speed. It's about fun. This is a car you can toss around and take to it's limits without breaking the law.

And on cool summer nights, you can always find a lady friend who wants to ride with ya top down

 

[frankxbe]

+1 on the Civic or Corrola At work we used to call the Sunfires Sh%t fires and the Cavaliers Crapoliers many years ago when I worked for Lincoln Mercury we called the
Ford Granada and Mercury Monarchs sh%t boxes! All four of those cars had a lot of warranty work then repair work after.

 

[olds442111]

Two POS cars. I'll call a cab first

 

[olds442111]

+1 on the Civic or Corrola At work we used to call the Sunfires Sh%t fires and the Cavaliers Crapoliers many years ago when I worked for Lincoln Mercury we called the
Ford Granada and Mercury Monarchs sh%t boxes! All four of those cars had a lot of warranty work then repair work after.

Lets not forget the Lincoln Versailles

 

[AnalogDigit]

x10:thmbsp: Look for a good used Civic, Corolla, Protege etc. They'll be on the road a lot longer and are a lot more reliable than that GM platform.

Amen to that! :yes:

 

[adam-ads]

The OP asked for a preference between two particular versions of one of the best selling cars ever made. He didn't ask for a bunch of anti-GM and anti-American rants.

 

[RamblinE]

The OP asked for a preference between two particular versions of one of the best selling cars ever made. He didn't ask for a bunch of anti-GM and anti-American rants.

He asked which of the same car we prefer.

Also, a real mechanic stating that cars like that keep him in business is pretty damning don't you think?

 

[adam-ads]

He asked which of the same car we prefer.

Also, a real mechanic stating that cars like that keep him in business is pretty damning don't you think?

There are slight differences, especially with regard to body parts availability. For that reason, I prefer the Chevy.

And no, I don't think there's anything damning about a mechanic telling a few anecdotes about a Chevy that got totalled, a Honda that didn't, or how tasteless he considers the interior.

 

[RamblinE]

There are slight differences, especially with regard to body parts availability. For that reason, I prefer the Chevy.

And no, I don't think there's anything damning about a mechanic telling a few anecdotes about a Chevy that got totalled, a Honda that didn't, or how tasteless he considers the interior.

There's nothing wrong with pointing out more sensible alternatives to the OP.

 

[adam-ads]

There's nothing wrong with pointing out more sensible alternatives to the OP.

Is that what you were doing when you said

However, the question is, do you want to look absolutely tasteless? Or do just not care?

Do you want to drive a vehicle with all of the sporting characteristics of a brick? Or do you just not care?

Or when you posted a picture of a Miata?

Or when you said that his reason for wanting an American car was "silly and misleading"?

 

[RamblinE]

Yes, yes and probably yes.

Having to choose between a Cavalier and a Sunfire is like choosing between a donkey and a mule.

In fact if that's all I had to choose from I'd rather walk, or take the bus.

 

[RamblinE]

I have a really nice bicycle I could ride while saving up for a Ford Focus or something

 

[dragonhead00]

Both suck equally.

 

[dr*audio]

You can now buy a Honda or Toyota knowing that in all likelyhood it was built in America. I buy a car that has a proven track record of reliability, is practical and is fun to drive. Our 1998 RAV 4 has 144K miles on it. So far I have bought tires and brakes, belts, the oxygen sensor and the muffler for it. It has the original clutch and struts. I have never replaced struts on any Toyota I have owned, and the ride and handling was just like new.