jdk541

So as the temperatures start to heat up here in the desert, I am looking for a summer beater as my daily driver so I can protect the Vette.

I have noticed some reasonably priced early 2000's GM cars with the 2.2 Liter Ecotech engine. All of these cars appear in good condition but these engines have 180,000, 210,000 even 220,000 miles on them.

I am considering one that looks to be well maintained but has over 200,000 on the odometer. The car only has to last me through the summer and then I will scrap it.

Anyone have any knowledge about these engines and do they have a good reputation? Or am I just asking for it heading down that path?

My commute to work is less than 3 miles and the car I am considering is less than $1,400, so not much financial risk here.

Input and opinions welcome.

Patsgarage

I have owned a couple of them, an 08 Cobalt that I never had to touch in 110k, and a 01(?) Cavalier that I am teaching my daughter to drive on. The car has 170k on it and still runs great, but it has started to leak oil. The intake tract was also soaked with oil when I got the car, I cleaned it all out and will see if it comes back. She has only put 200 or so miles on the car, so I am going over it. For the most part the engines are pretty good, at that price I would take a shot and see what happens. I am not sure what the market is like in AZ, but with that short of a commute maybe look for an "old man" car that nobody wants, ie Buick Century, Olds Cutlass, etc. With all the retirees out there I would thing they are everywhere for no money.

MVR 155

Anything with 200K could net problems at any time. It's going to all hinge upon how well it was maintained by the previous owner(s).

RBS_Z51C5

I agree completely.
My current DD is an '08 Cobalt with 165k. I've changed spark plugs once and changed oil every 5k. I still haven't flushed the antifreeze yet, but I just reminded myself lol. The motor has ZERO leaks, just burns a quart between changes now. I don't know about the earlier 2.2 Ecotecs, but mine has been flawless.

Slo Yelo C5

I own 2 cars with Eco Tech.

2003 Cavalier (base model--bought it brand new for $9,500! Haha)
2009 Cobalt 2LT

I still own both. Cavalier recently hit 200,000 miles. I stopped driving it because the car around the motor fell apart (rust issues from all the salt driving in PA winters for 14 years, suspension falling apart from driving down horrible PA roads with 4"+ potholes for 14 years, etc). Honestly, other than batteries, fluid changes, tires, etc, the only money I've ever put into that car, ever, was a replacement fuel pump. That's it. It's still running the stock suspension (never changed shocks/struts, etc) with 200k miles, never even changed the trans fluid and the trans still shifts perfectly! The car is literally indestructible.

My 2009 Cobalt is my daily driver. 85,000 miles. Bought it brand new. Fluid changes, new batteries, and just had new spark plugs put in at 83,000 miles. Not a single problem. Ever. Never broke down, didn't start, etc in 8 years of driving through snowstorms with -5℉ temps or driving through 98℉ temps with high humidity here in the NE US on 450+ mile, 10+ hour summer vacations. The car is an absolute beast.

I wish my C5 Corvette had the same reliability/durability as my Cavalier and Cobalt.

Eco Tech = Can't go wrong

GM hit a grand slam with these engines. Anybody know if they still use them in any current cars?

The only thing to watch for is Cavalier specific...Cavaliers are known to have bad body rust issues near the rear tires. Other than that, you'll buy an Eco Tech and won't want to get rid of it.

dugsgms74

Good engine if a bit unrefined. Had a 2.4 in my 06 Pontiac Solstice, had to replace the water pump(need a special tool and still kind of a PITA) and one VVT solenoid. Other than that was a great engine.

sublime1996525

I had a 2005 Cavalier and the engine ran great. I think it had 140,000 when I sold it.