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+--- Thread: Looking At A Winter Beater, Any Tips? (/showthread.php?tid=13647)
Looking At A Winter Beater, Any Tips? - 01-yellow-ZX3 - 08-12-2005
I'm going to look at a '96 Cavalier tomorrow for my potential winter beater.
The car is super cheap, AC, Auto, 200kms, 4 door (cheap insurance), safetied, runs nicely.
One problem the owner told me about is that it overheats as it is. The fan works, but it overheats. It could be a thermostat problem, but if its not - how significant could this problem be?
Besides things like battery, tires, brakes - what other things should I look into?
Would a compression test be worth my while?
Unfortunately its currently not on the road, so I won't be able to drive it tomorrow to check things like tranny and what not.
Thanks in advance.
Looking At A Winter Beater, Any Tips? - BradfordZX3 - 08-12-2005
Cavaliers are known for bad headgaskets. see if it has been replaced because that will make the car overheat.
Looking At A Winter Beater, Any Tips? - Crazirich - 08-12-2005
JUNK
Looking At A Winter Beater, Any Tips? - nass - 08-12-2005
![[Image: 200_QUATTRO.jpg]](http://www.amcarsquattro.co.uk/images/gallery/Audi_USA/200_QUATTRO.jpg)
or anything else AWD don't cheap out for another FWD car
Looking At A Winter Beater, Any Tips? - 2001 ZTS - 08-12-2005
I think you'd look good in an STi.
Looking At A Winter Beater, Any Tips? - Crazirich - 08-13-2005
My favourite winter car is a 4cyl stang 5spd. Got through everything with that car.... i miss it
Looking At A Winter Beater, Any Tips? - darkpuppet - 08-13-2005
the focus makes a good winter car...
Looking At A Winter Beater, Any Tips? - SVT ZX3 - 08-13-2005
Hey Evan, buy my old beater...84 Buick Century, 230000km, interior warmer, dead reliable, just needs rear shock and mounts to safety. $400!
Looking At A Winter Beater, Any Tips? - 01-yellow-ZX3 - 08-13-2005
BradfordZX3,Aug 12 2005, 05:26 AM Wrote:Cavaliers are known for bad headgaskets. see if it has been replaced because that will make the car overheat.
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Ah, excellent, thank you very much!
Looking At A Winter Beater, Any Tips? - BradfordZX3 - 08-14-2005
Just wondering the status of the Cavalier. I have owned five in life. they are great reliable cars. I f you have any more problems I can probably help you
Looking At A Winter Beater, Any Tips? - 01-yellow-ZX3 - 08-14-2005
Haven't gone to take a look at it yet, as I can't get ahold of the guy.
I hear the headgasket replacement can be a costly repair bill if the head has to be machine etc. I definitely don't want to get into something like that.