1990 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 3.1 V6 Multi Port Injection

Summary:

Fun to drive sporty car!

Faults:

Before I purchased the vehicle I brought it to my mechanic. He indicated that the power steering line was seeping and that in the near future I would have to replace the fuel and brake lines. I informed the dealer of this to secure my purchase.

Shortly after purchasing the vehicle the power steering line broke. The dealer repaired it.

At 101,500Km the alternator went, costing me $380 (including the tow truck).

At 102,000Km the brakes needed work. I had all the break pads replaced and the front rotors machined (cost $270).

My fuel and brake lines are still intact.

General Comments:

This has been a great car!

It is a lot of fun to dress up. You can really make this baby look cool.

Has great acceleration. One day I took it full out and found out that I dislike governors. It rose to 180km-190km @5000rpm easily and it wasn't even red lining (red @6000rpm)!

Handling is great! It can stick a 45km turn with barely a sound and no rocking.

For those show boat type people out there, well you can hold a nice straight line squeal for at least 3 to 4 seconds.

I don't ever intend to sell it!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th January, 2002

1990 Chevrolet Cavalier Z-24

Summary:

A truly awesome and outstanding make of an automobile!

Faults:

It hasn't really had anything gone wrong with it.

Just your usual wear and tear on a vehicle.

It's still in great condition.

General Comments:

This car is great on gas.

It handles well.

Its physique is outstanding.

It has the power to hang with the big dogs.

It looks sporty, yet not too sporty.

You can tell you're driving a car and not a tin can.

It could stand to be a bit more roomy though.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th December, 2001

1990 Chevrolet Cavalier Base Coupe 2.2 I4

Summary:

Highly reliable, economic transportation

Faults:

Rear drum brake cylinder needed replacing.

Radiator was replaced.

Windshield wiper switch in steering column caught fire.

Needed new ignition module and crank sensor.

Lock-up converter isn't working properly, possibly need a new TSS module for the transmission.

General Comments:

Overall, I love this car. Aside from my recent transmission and ignition module problems, the car has been fantastic. It is a highly reliable and cheap to maintain.

This car is definitely not a sports car. It performs well, but don't think you're getting a race car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th November, 2001

1990 Chevrolet Cavalier 2.2L OHV

Summary:

A dependable, long term vehicle without compromising speed and agility

Faults:

The alternator went out at 120,000 miles.

Series of problems followed a 6 month sit:

Radiator hoses dry rotted.

Radiator leaked.

Water pump leaked.

All components replaced with no further problems.

Head gasket blew at 180,000 miles. Due to an improper torque wrench being acquired for the repair, the head gasket blew again on a long road trip, during which, I continued to drive it and cracked the head. Yes, it was my fault.

Oversped the engine at 215,000 miles. Initial symptom was a strange clicking noise, but I kept on driving, and more things broke. Damages follow:

Sheared all 6 bolts that hold the flywheel to the crankshaft.

Flywheel bounced around inside the bell housing and sheared off half of the starter shaft. This bouncing also snapped off the sleeve that the throw-out bearing rides on requiring a new transmission.

Disintegrated nylon pads on the timing chain tensioner, resulting in jumped time.

Most recent boggle was kind of mysterious. I'm certain it started as a vacuum leak from a ruptured vacuum line, but the real symptom was when the accelerator was pushed beyond the point of a slight bog on the engine, the engine shuddered terribly. Replaced the vacuum lines and all gaskets from the head gasket up, and the problem went away. (Note: The problem did not go away just by repairing the vacuum leak. Not sure if it was just a reset of the Electronics Control Module due to the battery being disconnected during the gasket replacements that fixed it, or if I replaced something else that was causing the problem).

General Comments:

Excellent acceleration for a 2.2L engine. Out performs a Ford Probe with 16 valve engine (from personal experience i.e. Racing).

The car now has over 270,000 miles and still gets around 32 miles per gallon with the air conditioning running.

Only suggestion, and this holds true for any vehicle, if something goes wrong, don't keep driving it. It will only cost you more in the long run.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th October, 2001

13th May 2006, 15:13

I have a 1990 Cavalier. It was a good little car until a local mechanic checked my engine light coming on, and replaced the oxygen sensor. The only problem was, he'd forgotten to put the new sensor back into the manifold. Since I did that, the car is running badly, my MPG has gone from 28 to 18. It pings terribly under a strain, and it idles hard. And this is with me using Amoco high test gasoline. I checked the breather, and found the filter was soaked with gas. I cleaned the TBI, installed a new air filter, and am hoping for the best. Is it a case of carbon, or what? BM in Tennessee.