The 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier was a comfortable, dependable, fuel-efficient American-made compact when it came out, and that’s exactly what it is today, with some drivers reporting 300,000 miles on the original transmission.
Is the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – Simply a great car at a great price. If you’re in the market for a used compact this is one of the best options available to you.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – The Cavalier is a comfy ride with dependable suspension, but it’s still a compact. If you’re especially tall or wide at the shoulder, you may feel a bit of a pinch. Likewise, trunk space is fine for overnights and short road trips, but forget hauling furniture.
- Reliability 9/10 – If you find one with 150,000 miles on the odometer, don’t be surprised if you put another 100,000 on it.
- Safety 7/10 – The 2003 Cavalier is a safe car, but it’s two decades old. So the onboard tech is outdated.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – At 26/33 miles to the gallon, city/highway, this is one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles of 2003.
- Value 9/10 – With pricing starting as low as $1,429, this is one of the best deals on the market today.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier?
Edmunds praised the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier’s torque engine, low price, and optional satellite radio, but felt that the car was overall outdated in its design with poor build quality.
Kelley Blue Book users have found the car to be remarkably reliable, with one driver reporting that it went right past 300,000 miles before finally giving up the ghost. But, nobody seems to like the materials used in the interior.
AutoBlog reports that the overall ride of the Cavaliar has been improved over the 2002 model, with less road vibration, even on rough roads, and tighter handling.
What Common Problems Does the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Have?
The leading cause for complaint in the 2003 Cavalier: Fuel pump failure. There are 343 complaints on file at present with the same story being reported again and again. The car loses power or fails to start as it’s not getting any fuel from the tank into the combustion system.
A common electrical issue sees drivers reporting hangups with the instrument cluster. Wrong readings, dials not returning to their starting positions, etc. There are more than 100 complaints on file with the NHTSA but no recalls as yet.
Powertrain complaints are scarce for a twenty year old car, with only 17 reports on file. But, when it does start to go, early signs of transmission failure usually include rough shifting and failure to go into gear.
The 2003 Cavalier has its share of problems, like any car, but with just 2 recalls on file with the NHTSA and 704 complaints, you don’t have too much to worry about beyond normal wear and tear.
How Long Will the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Last?
There are reports of 2003 Cavaliers topping 300,000 miles with the original powertrain and engine. One mechanic at Car Gurus even claims to have worked on an engine with 440,000 miles on it. But, as you can’t vouch for the previous owner’s maintenance habits, expect a lifespan of around 250,000 miles.
RepairPal point to ABS control module replacements as the most expensive common repair for the 2003 Cavalier, starting at around $1,004.
It has been very reliable in years other than routine maintenance, I've spent $100 to replace the reservoir tank.
For as old as she is she’s very reliable. Interior is a little run down. She takes me everywhere anytime
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is pretty good for a car from 2003, with the LS model coming equipped with a premium six speaker sound system, including rear woofers, and CD player.
Safety technology is, likewise, pretty good for 2003. Four-wheel anti-lock brakes, full airbags in the front, and daytime running lamps.
Is the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier a Good Value?
The Cavalier is definitely a good value. A Base model Cavalier in decent condition starts out at around $1,429 on the low end, with a typical listing price of around $2,993. An LS can go up to around $3,305.
These prices come from models with around 150,000 miles on them. A well-maintained Cavalier can double that number. There’s no way to be sure the previous owner was getting their transmission fluid changed on time, but if you can get your hands on someone’s Sunday driver, this is one of the best deals available today.
What are the Different Models of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier?
The 2003 Cavalier has just three trim levels, being the entry-level Base, the high-end LS, and the LS Sport.
The entry-level Base includes:
- AM/FM stereo
- PASSLock theft deterrent
- Manual air conditioning
- Cloth bucket seats in the front and 60/40 split bench in the back
The upgraded LS adds:
- 15″ steel wheels
- Power windows
- Keyfob and remote keyless entry
- Premium cloth seating
- CD player with 6 speakers
The LS Sport is a sportier version of the LS, adding:
- 16″ aluminum wheels
- Front fog lights
What Engines Come In the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier?
- Whatever your options, whatever your trim level, the 2003 Cavalier comes packed with a 16 valve 2.2L DOHC engine delivering 140 horsepower and 150 lb.-ft. of torque. This comes paired with 4-speed automatic transmission and is configured in front wheel drive.
What Colors Does the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier?
Drivers report that the 2003 Cavalier is comfortable enough to keep long road trips from feeling like an endurance test. You’ve got about fifty inches of hip room in the back row, which means that you can comfortably seat five average-size adults, or four if your friends need a little extra elbow room.
The real concern when a car gets to be this old is saggy suspension. With only 23 suspension complaints on file with the NHTSA, we can safely say that most 2003 Cavaliers still have plenty of spring in their step. But see how it performs on corners and rocky roads when you do the test drive.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Have?
Trunk space is adequate, if unimpressive, maxing out at 13.6 cubic feet, or about three suitcases. If you’re tailgating or barbecuing, call it one big cooler and a small charcoal grill.
Interior storage space is, likewise, adequate. There are enough spots for your phones, notebooks, and drinks, with two cupholders up front, two in the back, and a fifth in the LS trim. If you like to put your coffee in one and your water in the other, your passenger’s just gonna have to hold their soda on their lap.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2003 Cavalier was part of the 3rd Generation launched with the 1995 model and retired a decade later with the 2005 edition, when the nameplate went on hiatus until the 2016 model year.
1995: The 3rd Gen Cavalier launched with a 2.2L MFI L4 engine and three trim levels, being the Base, LS, and Z24 with a 2.3L Quad 4 under the hood.
1996: The Z24 dropped the 2.3L Quad for a 2.4L twin-cam in 1996.
1997: The Cavalier was Chevy’s best selling car for 1997, with changes including new color options inside and out.
1998: Chevrolet dropped the LS convertible for 1998, offering a Z24 droptop instead.
1999: Visual redesigns for 1999 included a new body-colored grille, some new color options, and revised badges.
2000: Bigger headlights, a modernized grille design, and five-spoke hubcaps ushered the Cavalier into the new millennium.
2001: Chevy dropped the convertible model entirely in 2001, owing to sagging sales.
2002: CD players were added to the LS and Z24 models.
2003: New fascias, headlights, taillights, and body colored mirrors and handles gave the Cavalier a sleeker appearance.
2004: The Chevy emblem was redesigned in 2004, replacing the silver crossbar with a gold bowtie.
2005: There were no major changes to the Cavalier for 2005. By this point Chevy was already in the process of wheeling out the car’s replacement, the Cobalt.
How Does the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Compare to the Competition?
The Honda Civic is the first thing you’re likely to use for comparison. The clearest difference between the two may be that the Cavalier is a little more powerful, at 140 horsepower to the Civic’s 115, but the Civic is more efficient, at 32/38 mpg city/highway to the Cavalier’s 26/33.
If you’re only comparing it to other American compacts, differences in both performance and fuel economy with the Ford Focus are pretty marginal, both are pretty reliable, pricing is comparable, but, based on anecdotal evidence, the Cavalier is more likely to make it to 300,000 miles, so do with that what you will.
It may simply come down to preference here. 2003 was a great year for reliable compact cars, and there are plenty of Cavaliers, Civics, Focuses, and Elantras still on the road today.
Do Owners Recommend the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier?
It has been a awesome vehicle. I get super gas mileage, a smooth drive and its very low maintenance! I would recommend this vehicle to anyone who wants to invest in something that will last.
Yes, she runs good, ac works, no rust. She’s been kept very well. No oil leaks. New tires 5 months ago
