mobile-menu-icon
GM Authority

Almost-New 2004 Chevy Cavalier Coupe Up For Auction

Offered over the course of three decades, the Chevy Cavalier was a popular and affordable vehicle until its discontinuation following the 2005 model year. Now, a 2004 Cavalier Coupe LS that appears to be in like-new condition has been posted for sale online.

Listed for auction on Bring a Trailer, this particular 2004 Chevy Cavalier was owned by a single family until the current seller acquired the two-door coupe in 2023. According to a Carfax report, this LS unit has a clean Kentucky title, has never been damaged or been involved in an accident, and has service records.

Notably, this unit features only 3,200 miles on the odometer.

Front end of 2004 Chevy Cavalier LS.

Finished in the striking Victory Red paint color, this third-generation Cavalier features a number of sporty appearance goodies on the exterior, including fog lights, ground effects, a power glass sunroof, and a rear spoiler.

As for rollers, this two-door coupe rides on chromed-out 16-inch wheels wrapped in 205/55R16 Bridgestone Turanza tires. Braking power is delivered via anti-lock front discs and rear drums.

It’s worth noting that the tires display 2021 date codes, indicating that they’re on the newer side.

Moving onto the inside, the seats are finished in the Graphite cloth upholstery. Interior amenities include air conditioning, cruise control, variable intermittent wipers, power windows and mirrors, and a factory CD stereo with six speakers.

Meanwhile, an airbag-equipped steering wheel frames a 110-mph speedometer, tachometer, and gauges for fuel level and coolant temperature.

In regard to the powertrain department, a naturally aspirated 2.2L I4 L61 Ecotec gasoline engine develops 140 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. Output is directed to the front wheels by way of the GM 4T40-E four-speed automatic transmission.

Notably, the oil was changed in preparation for the sale, while the battery was replaced in June 2022.

This 2004 Chevy Cavalier certainly appears to be in near-perfect condition, however, do you think a vehicle like this would make for a good investment? Be sure to vote in the poll below, and let us know what you think in the comments section!

Subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevy Cavalier news, Chevy news, GM-related auction news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.

{{ title }}

This poll will begin soon.

This poll has concluded.

As a typical Florida Man, Trey is a certified GM nutjob who's obsessed with anything and everything Corvette-related.

Subscribe to GM Authority

For around-the-clock GM news coverage

We'll send you one email per day with the latest GM news. It's totally free.

Comments

  1. You know what’s sad – I would trade my POS 2023 Malibu for that…

    Reply
  2. Back in 2004, I had a brand new Chevrolet Trailblazer LT. It was a very nice driving vehicle and that inline 5 was smooth and quiet. But boy was it a gas hog. We took it on a trip from the Midwest to the sister’s in Montana. Although a comfortable vehicle on the road, the best MPG I could get at a steady cruising speed without A/C was just shy of 19. Disappointed for sure.

    When we got back home, I took it to the dealer to see if there was something causing the MPG to be so bad. When the service manager said “you got 19 MPG? That’s better than most.”, I decided that it wasn’t the vehicle for me. Sitting on the lot was a brand new 2004 Cavalier LS “Sport” package just like this one but in sedan and silver. I quickly made a deal to trade the gas hog 2004 Trailblazer in on the Cavalier. The only thing I made the dealer do was swap out those chrome-like rims for the polished gray ones and away I drove. It was a great move and I was very happy with the Cavalier and boy would that car get great MPG compared to the SUV. Seeing this red one made me think of that silver one and wish I had it still today.

    Reply
    1. That Chevrolet Trailblazer had a 4.2L inline 6. At that time it was advertised as revolutionary for GM, first inline 6 in years.

      Reply
      1. Belo: Sorry about that. You are 100% correct. I have no idea why I said 5 cyl. lol Maybe my brain isn’t functioning on the cylinders.

        Reply
  3. As nice as it is, I hate to say I still wouldn’t pay more that $3,500. Maybe I’m just cheap

    Reply
  4. These were decent little commuters. I miss having the option of buying a low priced sporty coupe that has decent pep and pretty reliable. Wish we could return to more common sense times.

    Reply
    1. They were. And unbelievably reliable. I still have a 2003 LS coupe that was bought new. The only things that car has cost me are tires and brakes, 2 batteries and a shift cable in all that time and over 100K miles. They don’t build them like they used to.

      Reply
      1. Cavaliers were great little cars. The lesser models were inexpensive transport for many new drivers who put $5 gasoline in at a time and killed fuel pumps, or knocked a hole in the oil pan on curbs.

        I still have my 2003 Z24 4 door sedan purchased new in 2003, now with 365,000km (227,000 mi) in Arrival Blue. Same body kit as the LS Sport in the images.
        FWIW, the Enhanced Traction Control (ETC) on the Cavaliers couldn’t be turned off since there wasn’t a switch like on the Pontiac Sunfire version. However, a single click on the hand brake lever, would operate a hidden switch.

        That little Lotus/Tonawanda L61 first used in Saturns, is free-revving. Frequent oil changes is the “elixir of life” for the 2.0L/2.2L/2.4L L850 engine family.

        It’s my spare vehicle just in case, my new 2023 truck runs into any issues that keep it off the road. Wifey wants me to get rid of the Cavalier, but it was an excellent daily distance commuter and the seats are better than the lesser models.

        Mine has the exact same looks except for being a 4 door (which isn’t common for the Z24) and no sun roof. It still runs great, but is finally getting a bit rusty around the edges, due to the white stuff sprayed on the roads in the winter.

        The interior on mine is as clean as the one in the image, except for the instrument panel bezel has a crack and the filler panel at the base of the windshield has multiple cracks. I always ran it with the A/C on and could hear the plastic snapping!

        Only the drivers’ seat has been occupied except for a handful of times in the past 20 years.

        FWIW, there’s not a Cavalier on the planet that had shiny everything under the hood even when new. The “knacker laquer” detailer shine, looks so fake. I PDI’d and serviced enough of them at the dealership.

        The last time I put new tires on mine, I replaced the original chromed alloy rims, because they were corroding around the bead seats, beyond the point where sealer would work.

        Tires, brakes and nothing much other than routine maintenance. The muffler did finally give out last year.

        FWIW, brake pulsation was a common issue from new on most every Cavalier at around 20-30K, mine included. Other than that, they were generally very reliable.

        Rotor replacement regardless or type or cost, resurfacing on bench or on car brake lathes and run out less than 0.001″, didn’t make any difference.

        I replaced the original wheels with alloys from Costco, when I put the last new set of tires on and never had a pulsation since! When I did need brakes last time, it got a cleanup and pad slap.

        Reply
    2. I had a 2009 Cobalt SS Turbo and it was fun, fast (for its time), and reliable with the only time being in the shop was for recalls, 3 of them.

      Reply
    3. I miss coupes! And affordable cars…not CUVs! Would love a modern Cavalier. I even like the interior as is with those Pontiac seats.
      In 2023, with gas and affordability crisis, we need another Geo! This time GM would probably use China line up vehicles but some are quite nice. Selling the MG EVs from SAIC would be sweet! Officially there is no link but they took Avista and turned it EV

      Reply
  5. This is an LS Sport, not an LS. Different model. Notice the ground effects panels and the fog lights.

    Reply
  6. I wouldn’t have driven it either. What if u seen someone you know. 😎

    Reply
  7. How’d this Cavalier escape duty for Hertz or Avis, I thought they had a standing order with GM for 100% of these crap cans built. The Cavalier ultimately became a reliable, if extremely dull, little commuter car. It screamed of GM’s extensive cost cutting in the era but did provide decent, reliable transportation at the bottom end of the price ladder. Not worth more than 10k when brand new, I’d say half of that would be fair for this well preserved low mile example. Neither of those attributes make it a better car than a 10 year old Civic but at least it looks better.

    Reply
    1. I would certainly disagree with you on nearly everything you said. First, this isn’t the base LS but the LS Sport. Huge difference and you didn’t see this model as rentals. Second, I certainly wouldn’t call the c**p cans. I had a 2004 LS Sport and it was a fun, good little car that would get great MPG. And why are you saying a “10 year old Civic” when this Cavalier is 20 years old?

      Reply
      1. Agreed on all counts Dan.

        I still have my 2003 Z24 4 door sedan and it still runs and drives great, earned it’s keep for 365,000km (227,000k mi) and is semi-retired.

        It is my at the ready spare vehicle that I’d jump in at a moments notice and drive from west coast to east and back without any worries.

        The Z24 and LS Sport were/are good little rides. When our daughter graduated, I’d promised her a new car as she’d driven an older vehicle for some time. I’d didn’t want a first year Cobalt, which was a mix and match parts bin special.

        So, I bought her a 2005 Cavalier VN I think it was with the 5 speed and the 15″ wheels, but no ABS. It was a great little car, but completely different to the Z24 or an LS Sport.

        Reply
    2. And that’s exactly where you’re completely off the mark and as a tech myself working on them also provided false first impressions.

      I had made a career change by 2002 and bought a 2003 Z24 4 door sedan new as a my daily commuter for the 80 mile round trip.

      I initially figured it would be a throw away car, but 20 years later it still runs like gangbusters and still drives great. There’s not a Civic around of that vintage that is worth a chit.

      Apart from a couple of pieces of plastic dash trim that finally succumbed to the bone-chilling A/C air flow, the interior is long-lasting. The Z24 and LS seats are more comfortable than the base models.

      No frills transportation? Yes, for sure at the lower end models where the market was aimed.

      However, Z24 and LS Sports models with ABS and Enhanced Traction Control, were a fair bit upmarket to the base models in many ways that only showed when driven, because apart from the wheels and aero kit, the base Cavalier was a solid structure.

      My ’03 Z24 has been a great little car now living in semi-retirement as a spare and outlived 99% of those Civics that you speak of.

      Reply
  8. I was not a fan of the 2003 refresh. And it has not aged very well. The 2000-02 versions were pretty handsome little cars, especially the coupes/Z24s. Kinda cool to see that there’s still a decent example out there, tho.

    Reply
    1. The 2002-2003 Cavalier Z24 had exactly the same add on front and read fascias, rocker panel cladding etc as on the LS Sport, which continued beyond the Z24.

      My 2002 built, 2003 Z24 4 door sedan has all the same above pieces and the chromed alloys, which were an option over the brushed aluminum finish (same spoke design) for 2003.

      The final run of VL, VN and Z Types were rather less handsome looking for sure, mostly pretty basic looks. ABS was also less available in the final 2005 MY run. 14″ or 15″ steel wheels were an option on the V models with wheel trim covers.

      Reply
      1. I had a new 2000 Cavalier Base Coupe (red, 2.2L, 3spd) as my first car just out of high school with the help of my parents. I really liked that car. Ended up handing it off to my sister, who ended up handing it off to my other sister. Became our family’s “first ride out of highschool” car. The 95-up Coupe versions of this platform have some of the cleanest, most proportional lines ever put on a mass produced car. My biggest gripes about the last refresh revolved around how awkward I thought the upper grille/headlights became and the bridge piece on the rear decklid. But other than that, dang, these were good looking coupes.

        Reply
  9. Hope I didn’t offend anyone with my earlier comment. When it comes right down to it I really down know much about these cars. I was just kidding around. I should keep my comments to my self if I don’t know what I’m talking about. If you are a fan of them I apologize.

    Reply
    1. No offense taken Rick.

      There’s plenty of times when folks here make completely unfounded comments about vehicles from their perception, rather than living with one. There’s many vehicles that I don’t care for, that likely provide reliable transportation, even to the point of excitement!

      The 1995 -2000 ish Cavalier and Sunbird base models were entry-level cars with the carry -over pushrod 2.2L engine that had grown from its earlier 2.0L version.

      Not exactly exciting for sure at first glance and that’s where negative comments frequently come from (bench racers who never owned, let alone drove one).

      The early Sport and Z models in the early models got the updated son of the Quad 4 engine through 1999, along with some body kit pieces. The original DOHC 2.3L engine grew to 2.4L and was used in Chevy, Pontiac, Olds and Buicks as an alternate to the V6 engine options. Buick and Olds actually had a SOHC version of the Quad 4 engine.

      In 2002 the J cars were updated with different facias, with the base engine still being the pushrod 2.2L and the option being the (first installed in Saturns) 2.2L L61 Ecotec engine designed and engineered by Lotus and Tonawanda Powertrain.

      That made a ton of difference in how they drove, since the old 2.2L pushrod engine with 2 speed TH125C transaxle or Isuzu transaxle had okay torque, but wasn’t exactly exhilarating to drive. The Ecotec and 4T40E or Getrag 5 speed made for a significant improvement.

      My view early on as a GM tech were that they were basic transportation, solid if not overly exciting. I preferred the 1994 Cavalier Sport V6 to a 1995 Cavalier 2.2L pushrod engine and the looks were something that grown on you like the Trans Am rounded body lines.

      That was my view until I decided to buy one for my 80 mile daily commute. I didn’t need excitement, just reliability.

      Mine was an ’03 Z24 4 door sedan, which was not common. I grabbed a bunch of keys off the key board at the dealership and it just happened to be the first one I drove as it was out front under the building canopy. Since I pack stuff around, I prefer the 4 doors, so that was how I bought my Z24.

      With the L61 Ecotec the driving experience changed and the car grew on me the more I drove it for the past 20 years in my commute and around North America.

      The Cavalier Z24 option ended in ’03 as the model ran out through 2005, VL, VN and “Z Type” models were final parts bin specials using up parts.

      I’d have to say that anyone who has never driven or owned a Z24 or LS Sport would be forgiven for poking fun, because in reality it really is a solid car with good handline and power, especially compared to the “tin can” Civicyotassans of the day, which some preferred.

      Reply
      1. I got better mpg with a ’93 2.2 5 speed than ecotec automatics in a Cavi and Cobalt. It’s first and foremost a reliable econobox, ecotec was unnecessary. The sporty car intention was a mfg’s goal that wasn’t going to work out.

        The rounded ’95 generational change hurt the J-car’s, due to headroom. The a-pillar and roof side structure were noticeably closer to your head. And in general, sunroofs deal-kill any small car that will have a taller rider.

        Reply
  10. One minor correction, MartinS, the 125C was a three speed transaxle.
    One other thing that it seems no one mentioned is a killer sound system. I was really impressed that a lower priced car like this could have great audio. These are just a terrific little car.

    Reply
    1. Thanks ACZ. I should have proof-read it first!

      Yes, of course the TH125C was the 3 speed and we used that transaxle for many years in training apprentices on hydraulic circuits, since the only electronic on the transaxle was the lock up converter solenoid.

      Ditto that on the sound system. The RDS radio in the Z24 was a step up from the base radio, with great sound and speed sensing volume too.

      Reply
  11. One other thing. For those that have experienced the cracked dash carrier at the base of the windshield, there is an adhesive attached cover panel sold through Rock Auto. I have not bought one, so I can’t vouch for the quality of it but if you’re tired of the cracks, it may be an option.

    Reply
    1. Good on the cover panel. I need to take mine off and glue it back into one piece!

      At this point with mild rust in a couple of spots, it’s still functionally an excellent little car. Like many, I didn’t have much of a positive opinion about them until the owners related how they liked them.

      I noticed while wrenching in the dealership how infrequent they needed anything beyond routine maintenance and took a chance on the Z24. I was more than pleasantly surprised and 20 years later it’s still worthy of a spot on the driveway, ready to go at a moment’s notice.

      Reply
  12. I’ve had cavaliers and would love to get another one. I’ve been looking but no luck in finding one in good condition.

    Reply
  13. I would bid on that cavaliar if I could

    Reply
  14. I have a good running cavalier. A 5 speed manual transmission. 2000 red 2 door .

    Reply

Leave a comment

Cancel