1989 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 2.8L V6
Summary:
Perfection on wheels
Faults:
The factory stereo ate cassettes when the car was acquired (1997). Since then, it was replaced with a 45 watt Alpine CD player
The alternator died of old age (Partially due to an Alpine Stereo that was too powerful for the then 12 year old alternator). When the alternator died, the car still made it 130 miles until it could get replaced.
The factory sunroof leaks during rain at the tropical storm and/or hurricane level.
The power windows switch wore down and separates from the housing.
The power steering pump developed a leak and had to be replaced.
The spark-plug firing sensor died and had to be replaced.
General Comments:
Purchased the vehicle used while in high-school in 1997 with the intention of getting a year or two out of it. Only paid about $2,000 for it. Now, 6 operational years later, I've had nothing but good things to say about it.
The Z-24 has earned it's keep through 4 hard Vermont winters (Outperforming numerous 4x4's and All-wheel-drive's I might add. It's fun driving on the unplowed Vermont roads looking at the SUV's stuck in the ditches. It's even more fun watching the look on their drivers faces as a 12 year old, 2WD Coupe pulls those plastic POS's out back onto the road.)
Working in EMS, it's done its fair share of 02:00 AM wakeups (0-90 while still cold) and has performed admirably.
Now in Florida, it's survived 3 hurricanes and numerous tropical storms, with only minor leaking from the factory sunroof.
When I got the car, it was only supposed to be a stopgap until I could afford something better. Now, 6 years later, the heck with that, there isn't anything better, I'll put that money towards retirement. Something tells me this Z-24 will still be around by then.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 27th September, 2002
13th Feb 2009, 19:56
I've had 14 Cavs in the last 8 plus years, and every one of them has had well over 130k on them.
Out of the bunch, four of them have been Z24s, one auto that I gave to my brother, two of them 5 speeds, and one 86 4 speed.
I've sold most of them off in great running condition with close to 200k on them. They ranged from my 1980 hatch, to my wife's 97 2.2. The 97 was the only third gen we've owned and the only one I wasn't happy with (junk).
My 86 RS 4 door was bought for $100, drove for a year and drove to the junk yard. It was rusted so bad when I bought it that I had to weld the rear doors shut to keep it from breaking in half, but the yard gave me $85 for it as scrap, LOL.
I have to say this was one of the best cars to come out of Detroit in the 80's and early 90's. A lot of people don't give this car the respect it deserves, and a lot of them are still running strong, aside from the head gaskets on the 2.2 at 130K, and a wheel bearing or two, they're very cheap to keep going and great little cars.
19th May 2010, 16:34
I have a 89 Chevy Cav Z24. I drive the hell out of it. I've had to replace the ignition coils and the alternator. Other than that, it has been fine until I ran out of gas. Now my car won't start at all. I think my fuel pump went out. This happened two days ago. It has 164203 miles on it.
25th Nov 2002, 16:07
Hi there, my 88 z24 keeps puttering.