I've read numerous reviews on Cavalier's and Sunfire's 1996-2005 and have noticed made in Mexico models have serious quality and reliability issues. I checked my door and it says made in U.S.A.
Many j bodies of this era have issues with failed DRL's, TRAC light always on, brake problems,
electrical problems, overheating and various other flaws that can only be attributed to low quality
standards and lack of pride in the manufacturing process. This does not apply to models made in U.S.A.
2002 Cavalier
I Will be checking mine when I get out of work!
I'd say about half of us do. Must be the lack of pride.
Canadian sunfire, 03' made in mexico, nothing has gone wrong yet....
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<<<<<2003 Sunfire Sedan>>>>>
mine is mexican made, where did u find the info on it, u got a like cuz i might be able to get my 5 grand back for replacing my break system
Kill list:03 eclipse, 06 GTO, 04 Mach 1 Mustang
1997 Cavalier base model, made in Mexico. I don't believe I've seen anything on mine that USA factory workers couldn't have screwed up just as much.
Shop Manuals, Brochures:
www.kenmcgeeautobooks.com
Yeah, I've got a canadian 01 z24 from Mexico... But it's been super reliable with no problems yet.
Nope.
mines mexican built, nothing wrong with it at all that I've found, hell, I just recently changed a wheel bearing and it still had the factory stamp on it after I had cleaned it up. yes, I was bored, lol.
my 2005 cavalier Z24 (Canadian model) was built in the U.S. in 126,000KM the only non maintenance part ive replaced is a wheel bearing. our 2005 Sunfire was built in Mexico 112,000KM on it and nothing has gone wrong yet, and it sees next to no maintenance. an oil chance every 5000KM if it's lucky and thats it.
as strange as it sounds, from what i see at work the American built J bodies seem to hold up better in a collision the the Mexico built ones.
but keep in mind the Cadillac Escalade was only built in Mexico for one year (2003 i think) all other years where built in the U.S. that says something about the build quality of Mexico built cars.
http://registry.gmenthusiast.com/images/my2005cav/my%20car%20the%20bash.jpg
I have a 2000 cav from mexico and havent had any major issue, just brakes and suspension mainly, It's been a solid car
Ryan1
THEREAL2005Z24 wrote:but keep in mind the Cadillac Escalade was only built in Mexico for one year (2003 i think) all other years where built in the U.S. that says something about the build quality of Mexico built cars.
What, that the Cadillac name means so little these days, that the execs figured they'd let the B-team give it a shot? See if the rappers noticed when the wheels started to fall off, before they were even stolen?
Shop Manuals, Brochures:
www.kenmcgeeautobooks.com
Mine's from Mexico also... and NO problems what so ever. It's a '96 pushing 300,000 kms now. It came from Mexico to Vancouver and made it's way to Ontario after a theft and now I've got it (legally, lol)
Mine is made in the USA and I have serious quality issues with mine.... ABS/TRAC problems, brake system problems, wiring harness problems. So obviously bad quality can happen anywhere.
Is is GM afterall!
how can u tell if they r made in mexico or not
Check the VIN # the first digit will tell you.
1 = USA
2 = CANADA
3 = MEXICO
Question if canada got the mexico made J's would the clusters be the same as the J's from the usa, or would it have the canadian cluster because in my owners manual it shows 2 different types of clusters for our cars. the original one where the temp gauge is like 100 195 260 and the canadian cluster where the temp gauge is like 125 175 250 or some such number and on the gas gauge instead of having F 1/2 E it just has pictures indicating like drops of fuel or something as to how much gas you have in the tank. My car is an 04 Ls sedan btw.
Ronald Dutton wrote:how can u tell if they r made in mexico or not
check for small chain steering wheel, tape on hood scoops, excessive chrome piping, and 45 seatbelts in the back seat.
Half of the J-cars out there were made in Mexico... this is nothing new. The cheapness and quality issues have zero to do with where it's built - all the parts come from the same sources.
I've owned four third gens... the first, the "Bottle Fed Zed" was a product of the Ramos Arizpe plant... and it was the best out of all four, never let me down. The other three are all the from USA, and they've all had various issues over the years.
^^^ bring back the bottle fed z!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Tuesday, July 01, 2008 1:22 PM
I agree with Lenko... No problems at all with mine.. LoL, come to think of it, we have 3 3rd gens, and out of all of them, the Mexican built one is the only one the dash has not cracked in.....
P&P Tuning
420.5whp / 359.8wtq
Thomas White wrote:Check the VIN # the first digit will tell you.
1 = USA
2 = CANADA
3 = MEXICO
The first digit of the VIN on my '98 Sunfire 'vert is a 4.
Not clear why, because the convertible models of the Cav and Sunfire (late '05- early '00) were all finished at the Lansing, Michigan Genasys facility - ergo,
in the U.S. So I don't know why their VINS don't start with a 1.
1 or 4 in the first digit indicates US built. "W" indicates German built... The GM VIN cards I have for 72-08 list various others too..
I think it's a 4 to distinguish it was built in two factories..? Started as coupes in the Lansing GM plant, and ended up across the road (pretty much..) at the Genasys plant for completion.
John Lenko wrote:1 or 4 in the first digit indicates US built. "W" indicates German built... The GM VIN cards I have for 72-08 list various others too..
I think it's a 4 to distinguish it was built in two factories..? Started as coupes in the Lansing GM plant, and ended up across the road (pretty much..) at the Genasys plant for completion.
Thanks John. From what I understand, our cars started as "finished" coupe uniframes, which were sent over to the Genasys plant. There, the room was literally sawed off. Then about 300 pounds of additional support was added, before the rear windows and convertible top were installed. The build then continued with all the other convertible specific stuff (different door windows/rear seat etc).
