My Cavalier and my life.

[T3hPwn3r3r]

I have recently been taking lots of trips, just this week alone I've put over 1500 miles on my car, with more Detroit, Chicago, etc. trips to follow.

Question 1:
How hard would it be to equip my Cavalier with cruise control?
Question 2:
What could I do to make the car more bearable on the highway? Every little bump goes right to your lower back. Also, is there any solution (via ECU flash or something) to change the gear ratios? At 75 I run at 3k RPM... I'm sure this can't be good for my car.

[JC316]

I have recently been taking lots of trips, just this week alone I've put over 1500 miles on my car, with more Detroit, Chicago, etc. trips to follow.

Question 1:
How hard would it be to equip my Cavalier with cruise control?
Question 2:
What could I do to make the car more bearable on the highway? Every little bump goes right to your lower back. Also, is there any solution (via ECU flash or something) to change the gear ratios? At 75 I run at 3k RPM... I'm sure this can't be good for my car.

1. Very hard. You would have to change the wiring harness and the stuff on the interior.

2. What year is it and how many miles? I have had a 96 and a 2000 Cavalier and they were both very comfortable. Sounds like the struts/shocks might need replacing.

3. No way to change the gear ratio, that is set by actual gear teeth. Is it an auto or a manual? 3K is fine in either, I used to drive a 95 Saturn and it went to 3000RPM at 75 too.

[T3hPwn3r3r]

02, but it's only got 43k miles on it.

Screw cruise control then.

Also, isn't running at high RPMs like that for 6-7 hours straight bad for the car? It seems like it'd put it under a fair deal of stress.

[T3hPwn3r3r]

Also, it's auto.

[JC316]

Nah, the 4 bangers are meant to run at higher RPM's, it won't hurt the engine. Odd about the bumps, I really don't get it, especially with those miles. You could change out your seat for a more comfortable one. I would imagine that it's a manual seat, not power, so your options are pretty much unlimited.

[Wile E]

Yeah, 3000rpms isn't high. As for ride, the only thing you can really do is try different strength springs and shocks.

[1Kurgan1]

Yeah I would think you have something that needs replacing. I know Cavy's aren't the most comfortable, but they aren't spine jarring.

[T3hPwn3r3r]

I'm thinking an Escape or Equinox, both get good fuel economy and are American...

Which do you guys think would be better and why?

I've driven the Escape but not the Equinox, the Escape is pretty awesome :)

[3991v]

I wouldn't get an Escape. They're nice when they run, but they're a pain in the ass to work on.

[1Kurgan1]

I say you send me some money :p How are you getting all these cars? lol

[T3hPwn3r3r]

Selling old ones, scholarship, etc.

I'm buying lightly used.