Sick

[Keith Nuttle]

I lost my car. I had a 2002 Cavalier Z-24 2 door coupe with 5 speed manual that got 28 city and 30 highway. It had the torque to go up the mountains on the West Virginia turnpike at 70 and not bog down, as today's Automobiles.

It got total last Thursday, and I have been looking for a replacement.

There is no car to replace it. All are larger, have less power, weigh more and get less gas mileage. Is that what the liberal have been talking about for the last 10 years when they say they are improving the American Automobiles?

PS I had just driven through West Virgina turnpike the day before the wreck, and watch today's cars bog down about 10 to 16 mph going up the hills.

[Tim Daneliuk]

that got 28 city and 30 highway. It had the torque to go up the mountains on the West Virginia turnpike at 70 and not bog down, as today's Automobiles.

get less gas mileage. Is that what the liberal have been talking about for the last 10 years when they say they are improving the American Automobiles?

and watch today's cars bog down about 10 to 16 mph going up the hills.

Keith -

I used to travel extensively and rented cars all over the US and Europe. Now, rental cars are the most abused cars on the planet so you can tell pretty quickly what brands hold up. For my money, the Honda Accord is the best car (made in the US, BTW) in the category. I have driven both the 4- and 6-cylinder models, and owned the V6. They are superbly screwed together, run like a top, and with 20K rental miles on them, they still were rattle free and ran fine.

BTW, the only difference I noticed between the 4- and 6-cylinder models was the kick getting from 0-60. Around town and at highway speeds, I found them remarkably similar. So, if mileage is an issue, I would not hesitate to recommend the 4.

P.S. We've also owned several Acuras - Honda's luxury brand. They are also terrific, though at a higher price point.

[Leon]

My son has a similar equipped 05 Cavalier which he got new. He gets 39 mgh in the highway and 32 in town.

Anyway good car for an entry level vehicle.

If you want reliable and several steps up and still affordable look at Honda and Toyota.

[P.H.T.]

You should be able to find another 2002 Cavalier around someplace. Might take a bit of looking, but sure there are some out there. 2002 is not really that old. Not as old as the 1967-69 Celica ST that I have been looking for.

Paul T.

[Ed Pawlowski]

Sorry to hear about your car totaled, but thee are plenty that can replace it.

My Sonata V-6 gets that mileage and with 250 HP has plenty of zip. I just got back from a 2400 mile vacation and averaged 28 mpg with speeds up to 85 mph. Some flat, some hilly. Far more comfortable that a Cavalier and easier to get in and out of.

I've driven cars in Europe (Smart Forfor, Citroen CV-4) that could out run a Cavalier and got over 40 mpg and climbed very steep hills.

Those car bogging down on hills are driver inattention. They have to push on the right pedal to make it go faster.

[Larry Jaques]

I rented a Kia Elantra a few years ago and it got 33mpg at 100mph, during my trip to the San Francisco Bay Area. They're built in the USA, in downtown Bama. I was impressed with the car.

powerful is he who has himself in his own power. -- Seneca

[Larry Jaques]

Most powerful is he who has himself in his own power. -- Seneca

[Larry Blanchard]

Agreed. We took a trip through the Canadian Rockies a few years back and even on the steepest grades I could maintain 40-50 miles per hour in a 4 cylinder, non-turbo 2006 PT Cruiser.

Got about 29mpg doing it as well - I was surprised as around town is about 18-19.

[Robatoy]

=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0-- Seneca

Hyundai certainly woke up to the challenge to build a car which could compete with Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. They're now almost up to the Subaru quality standard. The new Impreza gets fabulous mileage. 36 MPG (US) and starts at $17,500 in the US. Very safe, very high trade-in value, very reliable. AWD. For 20 grand? Nothing to talk about.

[Ed Pawlowski]

Not many years ago I used to laugh at people buying Hyundai. Remember the early ones? Easily spotted with the lack of paint on the roof and hood from the sun exposure. Then they got better

I'm on my second Sonata and thinking about a third if the right deal comes along. Both have been perfect with no warranty issues. You won't find a body seam that is not perfect and the metallic paint glistens in the sun. Built right here in the USA too.

[knuttle]

That is exactly what I am trying to avoid in the next car I buy. The car I lost (Since my original post I was informed it was totaled) could maintain 70 mph in the steepest part of the mountains. Even my Chevy Astro van can maintain 60 pulling a boat in that same stretch of highway and still get 18 to 19 mpg.

[Larry Blanchard]

Our old '91 Astrovan got 15mpg. City, highway, prairie, or mountain. Never towed with it. You're either lucky or optimistic.

[Leon]

Part of the reason that your vehicle did so well in the mountains compared to other vehicles is the computer fuel mixture setting. Vehicles originally sold to customers in mountainous regions have different proms in the computer and or different jets in the carbonated cars. It is a matter of having that adjustment made for the higher altitudes.

[dpb]

On 5/10/2012 3:37 PM, Leon wrote: ...

OP was talking about WVA mountains for Pete's sake. There isn't a point over about 3400 ft on I-77. The tallest point in the state can't be 5000.

We're 2900 ft here in W KS w/ the western edge of the state at 3500 to nearly 4000. Hardly "high elevation".

[chaniarts]

is that true? people buy cars in one place and move to another all the time. dealers move cars around between dealers, and i'd be amazed that they swap proms.

[dpb]

On 5/10/2012 4:39 PM, chaniarts wrote: ...

I think not any more, anyway; perhaps there was a time in the early introduction of computer-controlled ignitions when there were some changes. The only ones I'm aware of had to do w/ places like CA w/ specific emission controls requirements, though.

In the olden days of carbureted engines it was necessary to readjust idle for high elevations but that wouldn't really be terribly necessary until above 6000 ft or higher and then generally only for permanent change in locale; rarely couldn't "get by" w/o it. Of course, if you're starting from even lower, the change is greater.

I can recall many, many years ago driving w/ parents to the top of Mt Evans, CO, (nearly 14000 ft) and in the parking lot there the car had so little power it could barely back itself out of a parking spot in a nearly level lot.

BTW, really cool place; take the time to do it if you're ever in the area--well worth it.

--

[Leon]

Try to keep up. :!) I responded to him on his response to Larry mentioning the Canadian Rockies. Those are more than foot hills.

[Leon]

I have been out of the automotive business for q20 or so years but there are still plenty of cars that need that adjustment.

Idle had nothing to do with it. The vehicles idled just fine, fuel mixtures were changed with jet exchanges and or prom changes, if you wanted to remedy the situation.

Been there done that, but Rockey Mountain NP.

My favorite place is between Silverton and Ouray.

[Keith Nuttle]

I have a 2005 Astro the last of the line. I have a book in the glove compartment where I record every fill-up and all service.

I was disappointed as my 1994 Safari GMC Van got better than that. I was compulsive then and recorded everything then.

[Keith Nuttle]

I thought about that, BUT ........... On the Cavalier there is a 3 X 4 channel that runs across the front of the car that connects the right wheel frame to the left. So while the car was hit at the front fender this channel was ripped from the front of the car.

If it had been sheet metal and plastic, I may have considered that option. Having that channel ripped from the front, brought into question motor mounts, basic alignment, etc.