1998
Chevrolet Cavalier

Starts at:
$11,710
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New 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
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Owner reviewed vehicle score
Not rated
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
Consumer rating
Owner reviewed vehicle score
Not rated
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 2dr Cpe
    Starts at
    $11,710
    23 City / 31 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas L4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn
    Starts at
    $11,810
    23 City / 31 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas L4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2dr Cpe RS
    Starts at
    $12,970
    23 City / 31 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas L4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn LS
    Starts at
    $14,250
    23 City / 31 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas L4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2dr Cpe Z24
    Starts at
    $15,810
    22 City / 32 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas L4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2dr Convertible Z24
    Starts at
    $19,410
    22 City / 32 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas L4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

The good & the bad

This vehicle doesn't have any good or bad insights yet.

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Safety review

Based on the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Frontal driver
3/5
Frontal passenger
4/5
Side driver
1/5
Side rear passenger
2/5

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
3 years / 36,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
3 years / 36,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
5 model years or newer / up to 75,000 miles
Basic
12 months / 12,000 miles bumper-to-bumper original warranty, then may continue to 6 years / 100,000 miles limited (depending on variables)
Dealer certification
172-point inspection
See all CPO program details

Consumer reviews

87% of drivers recommend this car
4.3 / 5
Based on 24 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 3.9
Interior 3.9
Performance 4.0
Value 4.3
Exterior 3.9
Reliability 4.1

Most recent

  • By Julie Mays from Reno NV
    Owns this car
    September 20, 2024

    My Cavalier is a 1998.

    My Cavalier is a 1998. I have 345,000 miles on her. Her top coat is starting to peel. I live in Reno and the winters here are hard on the elements. But she runs great. Have had her since 2010. Paid 700$. She had 184,000 miles on her. Never changed the plugs or wires. Changed the oil once. She runs like a champ and purrs like a kitten. Soon I will have 500,000 on her. Love my beater.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 4.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By RBARMY MEMBER 249 from Barnesville
    Used to own this car
    February 4, 2020

    The Worst Car I ever owned

    The car's pulleys would fly off. My alternator,starter,coil and random sensors would quit working. Once you change motors the check engine light will stay on until you pay dealerships 180 to clear it and add the motor's serial number. The lights in the back would blow once a month. The fuses would blow once a week. I wouldn't trust this car with anyone I love and care about. It's ridiculous. Also I hit a small bump and the gas tank started leaking. After that happened the parts on both the front tires went bad one by one. Ball joints,tie rod ends,and axles. One A frame needed replaced on the passenger's side. Sometimes the ABS brakes worked and sometimes not. What a nightmare! If you are thinking of buying a 4 door regular model Chevy Cavalier don't do it. They are the money pit.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 2.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 1.0
    Exterior 1.0
    Reliability 2.0
    1 person out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Cavalier98 from Rochester, ny
    Owns this car
    January 9, 2020

    Has to be my favorite car and Ive had many

    Bought this car for $650 from its third owner, absolutely love it! It’s a coupe. Other than stupid little stuff it needs a new converter and one 02 sensor. Parts are cheap and plentiful, great in gas, comfy, looks great, fun and pleasant to drive always. Doesn’t skip a beat. Couldn’t ask for a better little car!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By ErvWis from Lansing, MI
    Owns this car
    January 16, 2019

    Fun, Peppy smaller car

    Convertible top is very easily operated and boot is very easy and good looking. Pick up is good, both lower and higher end. Great in city traffic. Great gas mileage.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Diana8607 from San Diego, Ca
    Owns this car
    December 10, 2018

    Love my 1998 Chevy Cavalier!

    I LOVE my 1998 Chevy Cavalier. It is now 20 years old and has only 121,000. I am actually looking for a new car but keeping this as a backup.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By car king from sacramento ca
    Owns this car
    August 31, 2017

    great car for price

    I bought this car with 120,000 miles on it. the only thing wrong with these cars is they are not maintained. replaced battery cables and changed fluids and filters and cleaned injectors and the car runs like a new car. a/c works great and 26 mpg .145,000 miles still runs like new with just oil changes.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 3.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Heythere023 from Columbus, Ohio
    Used to own this car
    August 26, 2017

    330,000 miles and still going strong!

    This car was in my family for almost 10 years before it was given to me when I was sixteen. I drove it everyday to and from school in high school and then again in college. It was reliable, safe, and great on gas! Would recomend to anyone. Sadly my poor little car was totaled when someone rear ended me this past summer, otherwise she'd still be chugging along.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Slippy from Saratoga Springs
    Used to own this car
    August 9, 2017

    275k miles and enjoyed most of them

    Bought the Z24 new, with a manual and didn't have any problems for the first 130k. Drove it 275k before retiring it. Not perfect, but never left me on the side of the road, and minimal issues.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By dyolf10 from new orleans
    Owns this car
    August 2, 2017

    best reliable car i own

    this car has met every expectation i have ,it runs great ,and its easy to fix ,no issues whats so ever
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By mickykray1290 from Minneapolis, MN
    Owns this car
    June 18, 2017

    Very reliable !

    I bought this car 10 years ago and have used it almost daily. It is not in the prettiest condition, but it still gets me from point A to point B. Some minor things such as no A/C and the gas door fell off, but it has been an amazing car to me. I will be sad to see it go when I get a new car.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
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  • By Cuban Muscle Crisis from Naples, FL
    Owns this car
    August 2, 2015

    There's no stopping this car

    For my first car I bought a Cavalier 4-door in Cayenne Red Metallic with 162,000 miles for 500 dollars and never had I once regretted the purchase. With routine maintnance this car took me everywhere and ran like a charm, every week day I took it on 80+ mile round trip commute to college and it never left me stranded. Confidence is when you can take a 17 year old car up and down I-75 and keeping with the rush hour traffic without breaking a sweat. I had to change a few components in the engine and plus the engine parts were cheap. So when I finally sold it to a person in town with 217,000 miles I was sad to part with it, and I still miss it. I still see it ocassionally driving around and it doesn't suprise me that it keeps ticking on. Is it cost effective to own this car? Is it reliable? I couldn't agree more
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 3.0
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  • By Dogcatlover from Clarkston, MI
    Owns this car
    August 19, 2014

    NO xxxC

    I BOUGHT THIS CAR AT VOA. THE GUY ASSURED ME THE A/C WORKED AFTER WE EXPLAINED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE AIR AND MY HEALTH. THEY FILLED WITH FREON AND LESS THAN A WEEK ;LATER IT QUIT WORKING. I WAS TOLD THE BELT WAS BAD ALSO. THE CAR HAD VERY GOOD MILEAGE, BUT I DON''T APPRECIATE BEING LIED TO.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 3.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier?

The 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier is available in 4 trim levels:

  • (2 styles)
  • LS (1 style)
  • RS (1 style)
  • Z24 (2 styles)

What is the MPG of the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier?

The 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier offers up to 23 MPG in city driving and 31 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

Is the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?

The 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier has an average reliability rating of 4.1 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier owners.

Is the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier a good Coupe?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier. 87.5% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.3 / 5
Based on 24 reviews
  • Comfort: 3.9
  • Interior: 3.9
  • Performance: 4.0
  • Value: 4.3
  • Exterior: 3.9
  • Reliability: 4.1
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