Hey guys,
My name is Mike and I just joined the J-body site. Well I don’t own a J-body yet however I hope too very soon. As of right now I own a 2000 Buick Regal GSE that is my fun car and a 1988 Chevy Celebrity Eurosport as my beater car. Originally my Regal was my daily driver however after all the work I put into the car include the racing transmission I didn’t want to keep loading the miles up onto that. So I started driving my Eurosport again as my DD. However with over 240K I don’t feel like putting anymore money into it so I was looking for another GM DD. I pretty much knew I wanted to get a 4 cylinder car to save on gas however if I was going to get one it had to be stick. So I started looking at all the GM 4 cylinder cars that came stick and mostly the ones I can find the easiest are J-bodies. My friend that also has a Regal has a 97 Cavalier as his daily driver and that is what got me into a Cavalier as my DD replacement.
The reason I wanted to get a 1997+ because I own an HP tuners programmer/scanner for my regal and if I was to get a GM car that’s a 97 and newer I could still use it. Also I didn’t want to get a car that was too old to be used as my DD. Originally I wanted to get a fully loaded cavalier with the 2.4 motor. However I have talked to a few people about those and they tend to have common rod problems with them? Then I was told that the 2200 motors had much less power and as well were prone to overheating issues? I am not sure if these facts are 100% but that is what I was told by a few people and what I saw online. Everyone I talked to said I should try to get a 03+ with the 2.2 Ecotec motor. If I was to get that Ecotec it would be a mix of reliability and as well performance. The only issue is the 03+ Cavaliers are they are newer and cost more of course. I really wasn’t looking at trying to spend that much on another daily driver. But I didn’t want to buy something for a few thousand and wind up not lasting me very long.
As of right now I am looking at these two Cavaliers.
1.) I found a 2002 Cavalier base with the 2200 motor and 5 speed. The body is in alright shape with the front/rear bumper being scratched up and as well having a nice dent in the driver side rear quarter panel. The car only has 66K and the guy is looking for $2,500 for the car. He has had the car listed for along time and the price has been dropping and dropping. The only issues with the car is the car is going to need a 60K tune up, front brakes, and inspection because the car has never been inspected due to it having Washington tags. If this was an Ecotec powered car I would be all over it. But being the 2200 I am not sure if I should try to get the car less or walk away? The nice thing is it’s a private seller and I have already driven the car.
2.) I then found a 2003 Cavalier base with the 2.2 Ecotec and 5 speed. The body on this car is in much better shape only having a crease in the driver side door. This car has around 100K and the price is $2,950. He has had the car along time and can’t find anyone to buy it because its stick. Should I try to offer him less on this car? Being a NJ car I would also have to get an inspection for the car not too long after buying the car. The only thing I am not too crazy about is the car is at a dealership and I rather deal with a private seller. Also I haven’t test driven the car yet and I will be soon.
So what do you guys think I should do? Just get a 2200 power cavalier or wait around to see if I can get a cheap ecotec power one? I wish I had more time but I really need to get something before hard winter sets in. My current beater I don’t think will be safe to take it though the winter.
2000 Buick Regal GSE - "Gods Grocery Getter is powered by an L67 3800" -
333WHP
12.900 @ 109.91mph 2.166 60Ft (Fastest 1/4)
13.374 @ 110.01mph 2.467 60Ft (Fastest Trap)
2004 Chevy Cavalier - 15.7 @ 90mph (Semi-Modded)
If your going to buy a Cavalier, or a Sunfire, get the newer ones. 2000+, preferably one with an ECOTEC and a 5 speed. It seems you already have found one though. Go with the Second Option or, if you got the time and patience, get the First Option and swap an ECOTEC into it. I don't remember right now if you need to swap anything else into the first one besides the obvious.
Also, I would like to see some pics of the Regal. I got one myself, LS though, lol.
Yeah that is why I have been holding off about going back to the 2002 Cavy owner and buying it. I am really trying to find a 03+ Ecotec so I don't have to deal with swapping.
Here is what my regal looks like:
My best time so far is 13.003 @ 108.31 on street tires. I should be in the 12's once I get my DR's. I took the car it the dyno about 2 weeks ago and it put down 315, 407, 411WHP. However the 400 ones most likely are wrong. With my setup I should be around the 320-340WHP range. You can see why I don't want to DD the regal anymore lol.
2000 Buick Regal GSE - "Gods Grocery Getter is powered by an L67 3800" -
333WHP
12.900 @ 109.91mph 2.166 60Ft (Fastest 1/4)
13.374 @ 110.01mph 2.467 60Ft (Fastest Trap)
2004 Chevy Cavalier - 15.7 @ 90mph (Semi-Modded)
test drive the ecotec first see how it handles and see if they have any type of warranty on it and if so get the ecotec you will thank yourself in the end. You dont want to be stuck with the first one and something blows on it and you have to replace it all yourself out in the snow. at least with a warranty you'll .a) get it fixed for free or b) get a pretty good discount on getting it fixed. and sometimes instead of them charging you up front to fix it they will just tack it on your bill. if your going to finance it that is.
You can always get a 02 ls sport with the ecotec
13.520 @ 98mph! 220whp 234tq
02cavcruzin wrote:You can always get a 02 ls sport with the ecotec
That is REALLY want I want to get. I like the 00-02 look better. I did find two 2002 LS sports but one was a 2200 and the other is way too much and far away...
2000 Buick Regal GSE - "Gods Grocery Getter is powered by an L67 3800" -
333WHP
12.900 @ 109.91mph 2.166 60Ft (Fastest 1/4)
13.374 @ 110.01mph 2.467 60Ft (Fastest Trap)
2004 Chevy Cavalier - 15.7 @ 90mph (Semi-Modded)
So how much do you guys think I should offer for that 2003 Cavalier I found? Its at $2,995 should I try closer to $2,500?
2000 Buick Regal GSE - "Gods Grocery Getter is powered by an L67 3800" -
333WHP
12.900 @ 109.91mph 2.166 60Ft (Fastest 1/4)
13.374 @ 110.01mph 2.467 60Ft (Fastest Trap)
2004 Chevy Cavalier - 15.7 @ 90mph (Semi-Modded)
I would go for the 03 eco.That price is cheap,and mine has 143,000 on the odometer and runs strong.You could offer him less but its already cheap.I love your buick,very clean.THE ULTIMATE SLEEPER.
13.520 @ 98mph! 220whp 234tq
i got a 01 cavy ill sell u for 3k
MY 01 Cavy....work in progress
