I think you answered your own question. I know a couple of Cavalier owners
who are happy with their cars, but they think of cars as appliances and are
mainly concerned about purchase price, which is dirt cheap due to huge
factory discounts.

Considering GM's huge resources I find it surprising that they haven't
introduced something to rival the Focus.

I think most people that buy a Focus do it because they WANT to, most people
buy a Cavalier because they HAVE too. I do think that the Focus has more
character than the Cavalier. I think of the Cavalier more as a 'cookie
cutter' car than anything else, basic transportation, that's it. Both
purchased new should give you 60K or so without major problems, but you
should expect that from any new car.

xyz,

I would start by driving both cars back to back. Resale values for
both are not so good, so that may not be an issue. Factor in rebates.
Also, the early production problems are gone and the Focus is
reliable. The Focus is a much newer design and the Cavalier is on its
last leg and a very old desigm, styling aside. The Cobalt is replacing
it for 2005. You also get a larger choice of body styles with the
Focus (wagon, 4 dr sedan, 3 dr/5 dr hatch).

I don't think too many would argue for the Cavalier, they would be
more apt to argue for an asian car, but it is your call and your
money.

I am very happy with my 3 year old ZX3 and have had few problems in
50K miles. I would buy one again. The things that quickly sold me on
it was how it drives/handles (like a more expensive sporty car) and
its overall design/packaging (high seating/good space utility was what
I wanted.

Gary

Both these cars are crap.
I have a 2001 Ford Focus, we now call it the Ford Fokay, Because when it
goes wrong we say "Fokay it"

Had a Cavalier, not too good a vehicle, continual head gasket and rust
problems, but parts were cheap. The new small GM cars are Daewoo, Yuk.

The Ford Focus, North Americas answer to the Yugo except the Yugo was a lot
cheaper to buy. (Lemon Aid says it all)

Lots of things go wrong with the Focus and are expensive to fix. The
ignition lock jams and its a $300-$400 hit, happened 2 times, if they drill
the steering lock wrong- new column. Eats Brakes, pads and rotors in this
part of the world are not cheap. Front suspension likes to come loose, many
control arms, engine sounds like a diesel when it starts up in the morning.
Have had a bad knock from the rear, dealer cannot find it, but they did take
the rear suspension apart and put it back. NFF. Bad fuel mileage, my wife's
Malibu V6 gets better gas mileage.
Depreciation on these cars is brutal and Ford will not acknowledge there is
any problems with the 2000-2002 models, bunch of w.nkers.
I could go on and on but if you buy one of these cars you are NUTS, I made a
mistake by trying to save a few bucks I bought this piece of junk instead of
buying a Honda or a Toyota. Do yourself a favour and buy A Honda or a Toyota
in 5 years it will be worth a hell of a lot more money than a Focus and you
will have less problems.