Well I'm thinking about purchasing a 2003 + Cavalier (I'm a sucker for cheap visual upgrades), and I was wondering what current owners who have automatic transmission thought of their cars. Because of the driving situation in my area, the only option for me is automatic, and I'd like to know "how much pep" it has, and if it has performance fade.
I've got a friend with a 98 Civic DX, and it's acceleration has gone to @!#$, I suspect transmission wear though. I'd naturally assume a Cavalier would have acceleration difficulties, but how so. How's the performance.
I own an 04 cav, with an auto. I got it simply because of the traffic nightmare I deal with here in the valley ( a lot of stop and go traffic, a lot of sudden breaking and sudden excelleration) I love the pick up of this car. I have no issues when is comes to merging on short entrance ramps.The car will easily hit 70plus mph on a short entrance ramp in second/third gear. It does tend to bog a touch when your cruising along in forth gear and dip in to the throttle, just before it down shifts into third. My wife owns a base model 2000 cav and shes actually scared to drive my car because it has so much more "pep" then hers. Hope that helps you make your decission.
you want it WHEN??
i love my 04 auto id say to help things get either a B&M shiftplus or an autotrans interceptor to help with the shifting and "performance fade" it'll also help a little with the little "lag" you get from an auto
The one, the only, ME.
I love my auto 03 Cavi and I'll swear that the 4T40E can take a good amount of power. The power is there when you need it but at times it can bog just slightly. Even then I don't complain because I know it will pull well through the gear.
As for your friend's Civic, I've driven a well-maintained 2000 Civic and its acceleration was horrible. Maybe it wasn't a tranny problem? I'm not judging, just a thought.
Blown.
Got a 03 Cavalier w Auto. trans. Couldn't drive manual because a leg injury, I was a little afraid about performance... but nothing bad to say about it, it very fast (for a aut.), about as fast as a standard shift if you shift it semi auto.
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I also have an 03 Auto - great car, GREAT pep. I had just used this exact word to describe how well it responds. You won't be unhappy with it. The bog is there, I know what they're talking about, but it really isn't much at all, especially if you take it into account when you need to accelerate.
Auto ECOTECs...hmmm
My opinion is that they are...ok. They'll run low 16s quarter mile and reliable but I'll show you soon how with just a tranny cooler and some boost, they can take a HELL of a beating (more than those silly Getrag 5-speeds...pfff).
So a summary...
Stock = Ehh...ok
Boosted = YIPPIE!
and just for Roy...High compression Auto ECOTECs = Tha Poo
www.kronosperformance.com / 732-742-8837
i have an auto as well just becuase the missus needs to drive it, and all ic an say is no complaints what so ever. Probaly one of the best auto trans i can think of lately.
removing the balance shafts helps out with how well it revs also especially in 3rd
and we'll jsut see about High Compression Ecotec = poo boost will bow to my N/A >
The one, the only, ME.
04eco (theN/Aautoone) wrote:removing the balance shafts helps out with how well it revs also especially in 3rd
and we'll jsut see about High Compression Ecotec = poo boost will bow to my N/A >
Give me a couple weeks, I'll probably hit the dyno real soon.
www.kronosperformance.com / 732-742-8837
I love my 04 automatic Ecotec. Yes yes yes it boggs a little but with a lil tunin it can be helped. I picked up an auto trans chip, now the car is shiftin "alot better" like in the post abve it may bogg a lil but when u need that accel. its there. I made people in new hemi trucks mad cause though right now i cant beat it. It just makes them so mad that that my little blue 04 can run side by side for a good stent. I dont suggest racing trucks though.
I added a universal focuz muffler(stock pipes) and a cone air filter on my 03 ls coupe and it added a fair amount of pep (on the freeway it will hang with(but not beat) my 91 acura legend V6 coupe)
The manual is pepier than the auto. But the auto is no slouch and is done very well and. After I got my 03 manual, my mom got an 03 auto because they were only 10K. My stepdad told her if she could get one for the same price I paid she could have one, so she did.
4 months later my little brother purchased one as well...
-Chris
I have an 05 auto with the shiftplus+, I always keep it at setting 1, never have a problem with it and it will still jerk your head back on the shifts.
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I drove my buddies cavi, automatic, but damn, those first two gears are torquey!!! im a guy that hates autos. i would never buy one. but damn, i think i'd buy an auto cavi like his if i found one for the right price! really great car overall!
TEKONE Racing 2006
My 6 year old tranny is still as good as new. Not an ecotec but I think its the same transmission with a different bellhousing.
2000 2200 Cavalier: 9/14/2000--10/23/2006
2007 G85 SS S/C: 10/23/2006--Present
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I have an 04 with the 4 speed automatic, i'm not crazy about it though it always seems to clunk and bump into gear when going from park to drive. Although on the flip side of the coin surprisingly i still manage to get a pretty good launch enough to squeal the back tires from time to time, but other than that the bog is extremely annoying to me as is the issue when i go from park to drive. People have said it's because i have an economy car but i feel considering i paid a little over 16,000 for it i should have gotten better quality.
I wish I could squeal my back tires when I hit the gas....
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2265283
Lmao yeah chris your gonna be wishin that, till your tires become so slick they're almost useless then you're gonna be wishin ya hadn't.
Quote:
till your tires become so slick they're almost useless
Ha. That's pretty much me now.
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2265283
I heart the auto. Might not be the fastest, but whips most hon-duh and is great in traffic.
I still wish I had a 5sp though, more fun to drive.
1971 camaro 427 --- here!
Stock... and loving every minute of it.
is removing the balance shafts bad for a daily driver?
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