1989 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 2.8 V6 MPFI from North America

Summary:

The car still looks cool, sounds cool and is exciting

Faults:

Brakes at 35k.

Trans relay at 25k.

General Comments:

The car is fast.

Handles extremely well.

Very tight body, suspension, steering.

About 27 MPG.

Some wind noise, however even a BMW 328 Convertible almost has the same.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th December, 2012

5th Jan 2016, 01:20

Just inquiring about the transmission relay. Why did you replace it?

In reply to 5th Jan 2016, 01:20

27th Dec 2019, 23:58

I didn't write the original review, but in answer to your question, generally transmission relays are replaced when it won't shift in and out of gears. It's rare, but like any relay it can fail.

1989 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 Convertible 2.8L MPI from North America

Summary:

Worthwhile purchase, would do it again after 22 years experience!

Faults:

Head gasket replaced at 45,000 & 100,000 miles.

Alternator replaced at 85,000 miles.

Radio/tape player repaired under warranty.

- Dealer induced FM reception problem when repaired, couldn't correct it.

Middle of lower 3 spark plugs blew out of engine this week. Head must be machined to re-thread cylinder.

Steering wheel stanchion bolts came loose a couple times, fixed under warranty.

Aside from these issues, the car has been super fun to drive.

After the head is machined, I intend to keep driving it for a while, then maybe sell it to someone who can have fun with it for the 2nd half of the car's life.

General Comments:

Z24 still has an immaculate interior, top is good, still has performance punch, and reflects the excellent care I've given it for 22 years. Take care of something & it will save you money in the end!

Car handles like a sports car depending on what you try.

Good acceleration off the line, since the torque is biased in the lower part of the band, & the car is light.

If I ever sell it, I feel I'll sell a big chunk of my personal history - three cross-country drives, touring throughout the southwest & California coast, and driving at night with the top down have been very enjoyable highlights. Certainly more fun than driving a minivan!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th January, 2011

27th Dec 2019, 10:44

No need to have the head machined for the stripped spark plug socket. Take it to a mom and pop garage and ask them to put a helicoil in the socket. It's only about a $25 fix.

1989 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 3.1 from North America

Summary:

I love my Z24 "red rider"

Faults:

The previous owner gave me a detailed list of everything he has done to it, down to every single oil change. The man really took care of it. From what the list of repairs states, he had to do the normal keep up. Luckily all the major repairs were already fixed by the time I bought it for $950.

I took it to a mechanic, and he went to lift the car in the air to look under it, and the frame is too rusted to lift. So he had to lift it the old fashioned way. But other than the rust, it needs a tune up. But for a car as old as this one, I am very happy with the spunk it has. The paint on the hood has faded. But the rest of the car looks good. The car is red with silver trim.

General Comments:

I am so glad I got this car. It's a little older than I wanted, but not knowing what I was getting myself into, it was a risk I am happy I took. But luckily it was in great condition from the previous owner.

I like the feeling I get when I drive it. It gives me a reason to want to get up and drive to work.

Just bought and installed a CD player for it. The original stereo quit working before I bought the car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 8th October, 2010

12th Oct 2010, 12:35

Rusting out so bad you can't put it on a lift? Great condition? Hardly two comments I would make about the same car. If the frame is that bad, do you have any idea how unsafe your car is? Since the frame is what protects you in a crash, how do you think you'll fare if you are plowed into by... say... a large SUV? Yeah, I'd probably have skipped that car as soon as the mechanic said he couldn't put it on a lift.

I had a '90 and they were the easiest cars to keep clean and in mint condition. All you had to do was maintain them with a good washing fairly regularly and they would stay rust free. I even had mine in the NE with salty roads in the winter and it looked brand new year after year as long as I had it.

14th Oct 2010, 20:21

Yeah, it's rusted under the car, but other than that the car is in great condition mechanically.

15th Oct 2010, 09:04

Doesn't matter what the mechanical condition is. If it is rusted out to the point where it isn't able to be put on a lift, how do you think you'll fare in a crash with it? I would have gone with a safer car at that point.