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From: cramer@kontron.UUCP (Clayton Cramer)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: cavalier query (Was a piece of junk)
Message-ID: <467@kontron.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 20-Jan-86 14:18:26 EST
Article-I.D.: kontron.467
Posted: Mon Jan 20 14:18:26 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 22-Jan-86 05:28:42 EST
References: <1941@pur-phy.UUCP> <1133@homxb.UUCP>
Organization: Kontron Electronics, Irvine, CA
Lines: 68

> I bought the cavalier int 82 when it first came out.  I bought a loaded
> model and got rid of it 2 months later.  Granted the new models might have
> changed, however at the time it was the worst car I ever sat in.  Here are
> some reasons.
>

I own an 84 Chevrolet Cavalier, and while I'm not utterly happy with it
(in fact, I doubt I will buy another American car for a LONG time), my
experiences are dramatically different.  Point by point:

> 1) Lack of leg room for driver, look closely at that hump on the left side
>    where the wheel well is.  It isn't obvious until you've driven the car
>    and are looking for a place to put your foot.

I'm 5'10", and I don't find the "hump" where the wheel well is a problem --
even on long drives.

> 2) Seats were very very uncomfortable (at least for me).

Seats aren't the most comfortable I've ever sat in, but they are much
better than American car seats used to be -- medium firm instead of squishy,
and some bolstering is present to hold you in place (though I doubt most
Cavalier owners corner hard enough to worry about this).

> 3) Engine was very underpowered (and I mean very), I know that they have
>    changed it since then, but I still don't trust them.

The early Cavaliers had 1.8 liter carburetted engines -- they wouldn't
out-accelerate some VW Microbuses.  Mine has a 2.0 liter fuel injected
engine, and it's adequate.  (You can get 2.8 liter V6 in the Cavalier
now -- that should solve that problem.)

> 4) Transmission was a mush mush (probably cause of 3).

My 84 has the same antiquated 3-speed automatic -- don't hold your
breath waiting for it to improve.  This is the cause of...

> 5) Fuel mileage was nothing to speak of, my roomier and less expensive VW
>    wagon (85) gets much better mpg and has better pick-up.

I've rented Chevrolet Celebrities with V6 and 4-speed automatic that
got better mileage and MUCH better pick-up than my Cavalier.  I would
consider THAT before the Cavalier.

> 6) Factory equipped radio/speakers weren't worth a dime.

If it's the bottom-of-the-line AM radio, of course!  AM/FM/stereo cassette
is mine is as good a stereo as I've heard at REASONABLE volume levels.
(Of course, some of you run stereos so loud that it makes a difference ---
but I doubt you can hear sirens or horns at those levels.)

> 7) Trunk space seemed big, but somehow when I took a trip with my wife we
>    had trouble storing luggage.

Complete agreement.  There's not much room back there.

> 8) Not enough room in the back.
>

For adults on a long trip, this is probably true.  For children it's fine.

>
> I hate to say this, but check out the foreign cars before purchasing
> a cavalier.  My equivalent choice would probably be a VW Jetta.
>
> Jonathan M. Liss homxb!4373jml

Or a Toyota Corolla.