| # 5: CHEVROLET CAVALIER PONTIAC SUNFIRE |
| A winning duo for GM Female buyers: 59.5% / 59.8% |
The Chevrolet Cavalier and the Pontiac Sunfire are two cars built off the same platform, meaning they share several common components such as the engine and transmission. However, they each have a distinctive look which sets them apart.
The secret of their popularity lies in a very simple formula but one that is not always respected: the famous quality/price ratio. When it comes to the Cavalier/Sunfire, you can get a relatively inexpensive car that offers plenty of standard equipment, including several accessories which are generally optional on rivals models.
Base models are powered by a 4-cylinder 2.2-litre engine with 130 horsepower that works with a five-speed manual transmission. If you opt for the automatic transmission, there are two, a three-speed and a four-speed. I recommend going with the latter because it provides superior performance, as well as better fuel economy.
A few words on the reliability of the Cavalier and the Sunfire. Since 1995, there has been a noticeable improvement, much to the customer's satisfaction. It should also be mentioned that replacement parts are easy to find and cost pennies compared to the imports.