The GM J-Body Cars Like this 1991 Cavalier RS Convertible Had More Success Than They Deserved

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Curious Cars

Curious Cars

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 581
@justinstiff5641
@justinstiff5641 2 жыл бұрын
Bill is the Only guy on KZbin that can make me watch a 40 minute video of a Chevy cavalier!!!!!
@UndisputedMRecabo
@UndisputedMRecabo 2 жыл бұрын
My EXACT thoughts,lol, I graduated high school in 2000, so these were the cars EVERYONE had in all different options/models, I had several 90 z24 coupes and they would SMOKE the 225 60 14s from a stop like nothing else! Such fun cars
@patrickflohe7427
@patrickflohe7427 2 жыл бұрын
BAHAHAHA I love Bill’s videos!
@jonathanjones4125
@jonathanjones4125 2 жыл бұрын
I know right..lol His commentary is hilarious
@egold2071
@egold2071 2 жыл бұрын
You should check out his hour-long sucker on a Regal coupe. Be sure to put on a pot of tea or have your whiskey flask handy! 👍🥃🥴
@hipnoticheadnotic5631
@hipnoticheadnotic5631 2 жыл бұрын
He draws you in lol
@frjer11
@frjer11 2 жыл бұрын
Nearly 40 minutes on a Cavalier! You have a gift.
@whitsundaydreaming
@whitsundaydreaming 2 жыл бұрын
COTY 🤣
@glovedcop69
@glovedcop69 2 жыл бұрын
Lol 😂😂
@egold2071
@egold2071 2 жыл бұрын
Pfft yeah! Forty minutes on a Cavy... friggen 58 on a Buick Regal... then mayyybe 26 minutes on a custom hot rod that Penelope or Uncle Johnny spent $200-300k putting together. Truly the most gifted, glorious KZbin showman!
@egold2071
@egold2071 2 жыл бұрын
Pfft yeah! Forty minutes on a Cavy... friggen 58 on a Buick Regal... then mayyybe 26 minutes on a custom hot rod that Penelope or Uncle Johnny spent $200-300k putting together. Truly the most gifted, glorious KZbin showman!
@ondrejbures3909
@ondrejbures3909 2 жыл бұрын
Hi from Europe. I love these “regular” cars that everyone had, so nobody is talking about them now. KZbin is full of Chargers, Mustangs and 59 DeVilles so this Cavalier video and others are real gems for me. I love to discover what was “the peoples car” in different eras. Keep them comming. And big thanks to all the people sharing memories and experiences with these cars. I love reading them as much as watching the videos. One of the best communities of followers on youtube realy:-) Thank you all!
@bradbacorn4783
@bradbacorn4783 Жыл бұрын
I have a 93 cavalier rs 3.1 rag top
@benedictdonald4338
@benedictdonald4338 Жыл бұрын
@@bradbacorn4783No kidding?!?! It’s still running?
@bradbacorn4783
@bradbacorn4783 Жыл бұрын
@@benedictdonald4338 somehow lmao I straight piped it and rip the piss outa it
@hertzair1186
@hertzair1186 2 жыл бұрын
Bill, I’m begging you…you’ve got to do a podcast…your ability to articulate automotive knowledge with humor needs to be shared more in the rather dry automotive world. Even my wife, who is rather stoic, makes rather out of character laughs whilst listening in the background….
@hertzair1186
@hertzair1186 2 жыл бұрын
@B K ….in an automotive way
@billace90
@billace90 2 жыл бұрын
Let’s say Bill is well articulated, ok? But I’ll drink to that! 👍🏻
@hertzair1186
@hertzair1186 2 жыл бұрын
@@billace90 …..he is that!
@CarlosGuzman-bq8fr
@CarlosGuzman-bq8fr 2 жыл бұрын
I agree with you. My wife loves Jim. So funny.
@Kohbruh
@Kohbruh 2 жыл бұрын
You’ve taught me how to fully appreciate vehicles. Every one of ‘em has a story and you are a master at telling it. 👊🏿
@windanthonystream
@windanthonystream 2 жыл бұрын
I had the Pontiac Sunbird version of this same car. The 3.1L with a 5 speed manual ran for 290,000 miles without any major repairs.
@roaddawg3217
@roaddawg3217 7 ай бұрын
That 3100 was the truth, propelled that little buggy quit nicely! I had a cavvy with 1
@stoneylonesome4062
@stoneylonesome4062 3 ай бұрын
Love these little GM econo-Coupés, always fun to drive with a manual gearbox, especially the SS/Z-Package. I’d swap in a Turbocharged Buick 3800 V6 and the Pontiac AWD system.
@curbozerboomer1773
@curbozerboomer1773 2 жыл бұрын
That 3.1 V6 is very reliable, and has decent power...I have a 98 Lumina, with 210,000 miles on it...have owned it for 16 years now...the only major repair was to the upper and lower intake manifold gaskets, at 120,000 miles...this was a common problem with that engine, as GM used very crappy gaskets, that would eventually fail....otherwise, my car is solid, reliable, and even the AC still works!
@LulaRoberts
@LulaRoberts 2 жыл бұрын
👍
@DullerCrab
@DullerCrab 2 жыл бұрын
No wayyy!!!!! Finally!!!! I have a 1992 Cavalier Z24 fully optioned out with only 60k on it. Been waiting for Bill to finally review one!
@davidnorth9144
@davidnorth9144 2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Bill for putting as much love and detail into your reviews for cheap econoboxes as you do for expensive luxobarges. Always worth the time to watch. Glad you made it out of your run in on the track.
@ondrejbures3909
@ondrejbures3909 2 жыл бұрын
“Econoboxes” “Luxobarges” saved to my dictionary. Thank you:-)
@steveelliott742
@steveelliott742 2 жыл бұрын
I owned a ‘89 Z24 and i loved that car. It could take a beating and it never let me down.
@fitfogey
@fitfogey 2 жыл бұрын
Man yeah. The Z24 was a great car. Scooted along real good. Could surprise some folks in a race.
@monkeywkeys3916
@monkeywkeys3916 2 жыл бұрын
Had a 84 Buick Somerset V6. Always started, frozen solid mornings.
@NewEdgeDesigns
@NewEdgeDesigns 2 жыл бұрын
I Used to have a 91 cavalier Z24 3.1, I loved it for it’s time..
@jcraig1848
@jcraig1848 2 жыл бұрын
I had 91 similar to this but mine was white on white pleather with a black top. Had the blue stripe instead of red. It was a fast and fun car to have in the mid 90s. The chick's love convertibles, even cheap ones haha
@volvo09
@volvo09 2 жыл бұрын
Too bad they all disappeared though... They just got used and abused. Not a bad small car at all. Same with the lumina, I liked those cars.
@jcraig1848
@jcraig1848 2 жыл бұрын
@@volvo09 actually learned in a Lumina Eurosport edition. That was a decent car too, for sure. Real tight steering on that one.
@jcraig1848
@jcraig1848 2 жыл бұрын
@@rareblues78daddy BOTH Haha! Good catch
@lobsterwhisperer7932
@lobsterwhisperer7932 2 жыл бұрын
You're the only person on YT who can review any piece of shit for 1 hour, and make it a worthwhile viewing experience.
@g.c.brooks7214
@g.c.brooks7214 2 жыл бұрын
The Cavalier Z24 had a bit of street cred back in the day in the sport compact segment. I lined up with one that had 3.1 V6 and a 5-speed. I was driving 280ZX non-turbo at the time. The Z24 stayed with me I thought I was gonna dust it. Gotta give GM props for that setup.
@leadcounsel4869
@leadcounsel4869 2 жыл бұрын
I had a 1992 Z24, and it was a remarkably fun and affordable car. For a front wheel drive, it could motivate itself down the road pretty well for that era, and not too far off HP and torque numbers from Mustangs and Camaros of the day.
@damontroch4765
@damontroch4765 2 жыл бұрын
Ive driving a 84 Turbo 300ZX and it was barely faster than the 1992 Z24. I find it hard to believe the non Turbo 300 zx of that same era wouldn't get smoked . The newer 222 HP non boosted V6 would smoke that 3.1
@damontroch4765
@damontroch4765 2 жыл бұрын
Those 280 zx were dogs even the turbo was only 180 HP so you probably got smoked and just dont want to admit it lol. Maybe your under powered Nissan might have beaten a 2.8 version cavalier. 😂
@TinkeringPaul
@TinkeringPaul 11 ай бұрын
I drove a 91 Cavalier for 10 years. Loved that car. Barely any issues, all were easy to fix.
@christopherconard2831
@christopherconard2831 2 жыл бұрын
Three speed automatic without even an overdrive. GM was convinced the 55MPH limit could come back at any time.
@youtbe999
@youtbe999 2 жыл бұрын
They had OD.
@houseofno
@houseofno 2 жыл бұрын
Really? With that 120 mph speedometer staring back at you in the instrument cluster?
@markvanderlee
@markvanderlee 2 жыл бұрын
@@youtbe999 not that car. Just a 3 speed.
@86twin
@86twin 2 жыл бұрын
Depending on the model trim level you could get a 3 speed up until the early 2000’s
@andrewdonohue1853
@andrewdonohue1853 2 жыл бұрын
@@markvanderlee with lockup...... until the TCC failed anyways LOL. TCC...... torque converter control
@skunkworks9-3
@skunkworks9-3 2 жыл бұрын
1st car was a 91 cavalier coupe in teal with a 5 speed manual. Paid $150 for it, replaced the ball joint and drove her for almost a year. Was to rusty to keep and my boss gave me a Lincoln Mark 7 with a Jasper rebuilt 5.0. The good ol days.
@Nitroxdude
@Nitroxdude 2 жыл бұрын
2006 my first car was a 92 red convertible with a z24 3.8 auto I bought for 500$ bucks lmao 😂
@andrewdonohue1853
@andrewdonohue1853 2 жыл бұрын
@@Nitroxdude 3.1, the J body never came with a 3800 2.8 was the earlier v6 in the j body
@Nitroxdude
@Nitroxdude 2 жыл бұрын
@@andrewdonohue1853 my apologies, yes you are correct, 3.1
@smithraymond09029
@smithraymond09029 2 жыл бұрын
I remember liking the Z24 version of this car in the early 90's. It seemed like a nice, small, sporty, daily driver.
@HipsterDoofus100
@HipsterDoofus100 2 жыл бұрын
I first learned how to drive stick in my friends Z24 convertible. It was around the mid 90s when I learned, but I don’t remember the year of the car. It was a cool little car.
@richardmorris7063
@richardmorris7063 2 жыл бұрын
My friend had one ,just bought it & had to push every it in the norning.lol!
@pittdave
@pittdave 2 жыл бұрын
i had an 87 z24 coupe...loved it
@georgeharleydavidsonrider156
@georgeharleydavidsonrider156 2 жыл бұрын
Yes they were and dependable too .
@leadcounsel4869
@leadcounsel4869 2 жыл бұрын
I had a 1992 Z24, and it was a remarkably fun and affordable car. For a front wheel drive, it could motivate itself down the road pretty well for that era, and not too far off HP and torque numbers from Mustangs and Camaros of the day.
@myshatteredsoul1
@myshatteredsoul1 2 жыл бұрын
Bill, you truly have a gift! I watched this entire nearly 40 minute video about an old Chevrolet Cavalier and at the end, my first thought was “it’s over already?”! You could read the phone book and find a way to captivate viewers and make it entertaining!
@theplayernkc
@theplayernkc 2 жыл бұрын
Had a 1989 Cavalier Z24, great running car and fun to drive. Bought a 2001 base Cavalier to save on gas driving to work. Both cars ran great and I never had an issue with either of them. My oldest daughter ended up with the 2001 Cavalier and she drove it until she got married and they traded it for some Chrysler thing, not even sure what it was.
@stepheng3667
@stepheng3667 2 жыл бұрын
I had a 91, loved Z24's. I bought a 2001 Z24 brand new and I still have it. 220,000 miles on it never touched the engine or trans. Just drive it occasionally now in the summer. Found an identical 01 last year with only 42k miles on it so I bought it. Now I have twins.
@dennislavoie5869
@dennislavoie5869 2 жыл бұрын
I had a ‘91 Cavalier RS sedan with a 2.2 4 cylinder. It was gold with gold wheels like the ones on your Cavalier. It was a fun car to drive.
@benscampers1818
@benscampers1818 2 жыл бұрын
Had a 92 coupe same color. Lots of memories in that shitbox. Dad had every incarnation of the J body - conv, wagon, sedan, etc. Thanks again for shining light on some of these forgotten pieces. Your tribute to them is respectful to the "common man" as you say, who drove these.
@Springbok314
@Springbok314 2 жыл бұрын
My wife had a 1987 Sunbird coupe, 5 speed with crank windows, no A/C, no intermittent wipers and AM/FM radio. But it had hidden headlights! The pride of Lordstown lol. I myself replaced the head gasket and I am no gearhead. It was a good car for what it was.
@d.davis2009
@d.davis2009 2 жыл бұрын
You are a total kick in the ass. Love your sense of humor. I've had many of the the cars you put up. I'm an old guy, love the sarcastic attitude. I know what your after, life's short, laugh, enjoy, remember the old days. Thanks
@edwardjbarton
@edwardjbarton 2 жыл бұрын
Had an 89 Sunbird GT turbo 5 speed convertible. Lasted almost 200,000 miles. For the early 90s it was a fast car.
@douglasb.1203
@douglasb.1203 2 жыл бұрын
I had a second Gen Honda Accord BITD that continually needed CV joint replacement and had a Turbo Sunbird coupe rental for a week. Those 150 horses made that car freaking quick with torque steer every time the boost came on.
@edwardjbarton
@edwardjbarton 2 жыл бұрын
@@douglasb.1203 for sure! It was one a sub 8 second car and it was literally a handful with the torque steer and only one hand on the wheel (shifting with the other). It replaced an 86 Shelby Charger which was just as fun…
@UNCFIPP
@UNCFIPP 2 жыл бұрын
This gen coupes & convertibles are nice looking... These were EVERYWHERE in my school days(95-99), and I kinda wanted one, but my crowd liked the big rwd bc,&g bodies more..
@volvo09
@volvo09 2 жыл бұрын
They really were everywhere... Perfect hand me down and first car for a teen. They were used up fast.
@andretv2308
@andretv2308 2 жыл бұрын
You make every review worth watching because you’re very entertaining and informative
@paulie-Gualtieri.
@paulie-Gualtieri. 2 жыл бұрын
Good evening Bill hope you are well and not to beaten up after the crash.
@curiouscars9282
@curiouscars9282 2 жыл бұрын
A little sore but good to go, Paulie.
@paulie-Gualtieri.
@paulie-Gualtieri. 2 жыл бұрын
@@curiouscars9282 Glad to hear it Bill 👍
@severinlourenco8355
@severinlourenco8355 2 жыл бұрын
In the early 90s, I had an Eagle Talon TSI with everything on it, and had an accident, received a Sunbird convertible, similar to you Cavalier, and fell in love with a roaster. Which led me to my 2001 Mazda Miata that I love and still own to drive top less.
@robertdiehl9003
@robertdiehl9003 2 жыл бұрын
Great car back in the day. They served their purpose and millions of people used them to get around town racking up millions of miles. So nice car by all means I.m.o.
@two3D
@two3D 2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for this video. In 1984 I was a junior in high school. My parents bought me a four door Cavalier. Good memories of high school and college girlfriends.
@stevemastbaum
@stevemastbaum 2 жыл бұрын
Black 1987 Z-24 2.8 , digital dash , auto. It was my first brand new car. Loved it!
@michaelday6987
@michaelday6987 2 жыл бұрын
Had a 91 Z24. Loved every minute of it. If I could find a decent one now, I would buy it.
@Iluvbisquits
@Iluvbisquits 2 жыл бұрын
I'm a Ford guy through and through, but my cousin had a Z24 back in the day and that car was a blast!!!
@ronmccullock1407
@ronmccullock1407 2 жыл бұрын
Good evening Bill from a very wet and windy Manchester in England from Ron. Glad the weather is cool and to your liking, and the animals and birds are keeping their distance, apart from the birds making a lot of noise later 😀
@curiouscars9282
@curiouscars9282 2 жыл бұрын
Hello Ron, and thanks for the kind words.
@pdennis93
@pdennis93 2 жыл бұрын
My parents bought a beat up 1985 Chevy Cavalier 4 door in 1993 that was already rusted out in the rocker panels and the bottom of the doors. I flooded it out on a road after a thunderstorm. I heard American Pie on the radio before it happened. I used to joke that I drove my Chevy the lever but the levee wasn't dry. Turns out, the spot where the road was flooded was flooded was next to a levee and the levee overflowed LOL. I think we put another computer in it and drive it fir another year until the waterpump blew.
@americasevilgenius
@americasevilgenius 2 жыл бұрын
I had a '92 Z-24 when I went to college, and absolutely loved it. That 3.1 V6 had some pep to it--it felt like you could blow most anyone away in the dust when you passed them. Incidentally, when I was initially looking at Cavalier's, I actually wanted a convertable in the exact color of this one on the video...however, my father absolutely refused to let me get a convertable (he figured I'd flip the car and land on my head...and he probably wasn't wrong, in retrospect). So I went with the maroon Z-24...and it still brings a smile to my face when I think of it.
@neuideas
@neuideas 7 ай бұрын
I used to have a 1985 Cavalier Type-10 hatchback with the 2.0 and a five-speed manual. I really liked that car. It was nimble, economical, and good-looking. Later on, I bought a 2001 with the 2.2 and a five-speed manual. I had it for over 15 years. It was extremely low maintenance for its first 10 years or so.
@APA2Channel
@APA2Channel 2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Again for featuring the parody Sammy Davis Jr. Cimarron Ad that I made. I'm thrilled you found it!
@joelyons3713
@joelyons3713 2 жыл бұрын
Yesss!!! Most overlooked car in history!! (And rightfully so). What a trip.
@waynemangan9925
@waynemangan9925 2 жыл бұрын
The Z-24 Cavaliers were an aspirational starter car for us 80's kids. Make an affordable car look sporty and cool, they had that recipe down. These were actually fun cars especially once they got the 140hp v6. Never owned a Cav though but plenty of friends did.
@jamesdow1795
@jamesdow1795 7 ай бұрын
My second car was a 1984 Cavalier wagon...yes...wagon. Many wonderful evenings were spent enjoying the quaint views of Vermont loggingroads...anyway,I bought it with 82000 miles,sold it 2 years later with 102000 miles. I spent 4 years in the Army,got out,lived my life. In 1996 I ran into an old nairdowell buddy driving that same damn car. 152000 miles. Same engine. Same 5spd trans.. This was in VT,hard winters,lots of salt. These cars were awesome.
@tristanmoos9770
@tristanmoos9770 2 жыл бұрын
I really appreciate the old cars bill reviews, as a ‘’snowflake’’ born in the early 2000s I don’t even know what most of these cars are. So cool to learn about the automotive past
@gordonbettini8445
@gordonbettini8445 2 жыл бұрын
Hey Bill it's give me Detroit Grand rapids Michigan listen when you talk you remind me of Jack Benny I'm 70 years old I used to watch Jack Benny on TV you got an attitude just like his but I'm a real car man I've been in the car business all my life I'm retired now have a good day good videos love you watch it
@pcno2832
@pcno2832 2 жыл бұрын
22:04 Barretta a GM-10 car?? I thought it and the Corsica were a rehash of the compact N-body coupes like the GrandAm, Calais and Buick Skylark that were originally intended to replace cars like the Regal and Cutlass Supreme, but were never accepted as legitimate heirs to that slot. Why GM chose to call the Barretta and Corsica L-bodies instead of N-bodies when they all shared the 103.3" wheelbases (and were said to be stretched J-bodies) is a mystery, but GM was in the habit of burning through the alphabet with its "new platforms" in those years.
@tripyramidpictures9224
@tripyramidpictures9224 2 жыл бұрын
I graduated in 1991….awesome year… the 80’s & 90’s were THE BEST!
@brianstubbs1235
@brianstubbs1235 2 жыл бұрын
This takes me right back to the days where I was a new & used car porter at a Chevrolet dealership in the early 90's. They sold quite a few of these Cavalier ragtops just in the first summer when I started working there. And it sounds just like I remember.
@mattattack5205
@mattattack5205 2 жыл бұрын
I remember seeing these mostly as hard tops in my high school parking lot. Thanks for sharing Bill. Keep up the great work!
@Trance88
@Trance88 2 жыл бұрын
Crazy to think a '68 Camaro was already a "classic" car when this RS Cavalier was built, yet somehow this car isn't a classic today. I can understand its hard to deem anything built after the late 80's as a classic from traditional classic car standards.
@lunarpking
@lunarpking 2 жыл бұрын
I've seen people hold the opinion that mid 80's or so is the end of the classic car era. I myself hold that the mid 70's is about where I draw the line. It somewhat comes down to what people drove as teenagers/young adults and somewhat what their parents or family drove or they were around as kids. Anymore I see cars that aren't even 15 years old being accepted as "classic" cars, but that's mainly by morons of my age or younger. Hell, by law in my state it's 30 years old to be plated as "special interest" which just means classic. My old Jetta would be a classic here in a year or two and yet that thing is so far removed from that title to me that I think it's crazy to even consider it as such.
@klasseact6663
@klasseact6663 2 жыл бұрын
See your wrong about it not being a "classic". Check out Radwood car shows. No its not muscle but it's retro cool to a younger generation and I think that helps to keep the car culture alive! This car would be a hit at any Radwood carshow😎
@evanc6110
@evanc6110 2 жыл бұрын
A 68 camaro should have been as much of a classic in 91 as a 99 camaro is now.
@klasseact6663
@klasseact6663 2 жыл бұрын
@@rareblues78daddy retro isn't a word reserved for a certain decade of car or era but something 30 yrs old IS retro, whether you like it or not. I'm 52 yrs old and I like all cars but in YOUR definition retro to me is 70's and 80's.
@KoolBeans426
@KoolBeans426 Жыл бұрын
Owned an 84 Z24, 2.8 automatic, loved it! Great in snow and rain. The digital dash was very easy on eyes at night.
@braddietzmusic2429
@braddietzmusic2429 2 жыл бұрын
An entirely nice transportation device that is fairly attractive, sounds nice with the V6, and as a bonus, is a convertible. I think it has aged nicely.
@railbiker100
@railbiker100 2 жыл бұрын
I owned 4 Cavaliers: a 1982, 1987, 2003, and 2004, all 4-door sedans. I only kept the 1982 for 8 months because the aftermarket A/C messed up everything, but it was built more solid than than the rest. The 1.8 liter carbureted 4 cylinder was just anemic. I put 249,000 miles on the 1987; only the A/C quit. The last two were the best with the 2.2 L Ecotec engine. I bought the 2004 after the 2003 was totaled in a 4-car pile up. The air bags deployed and I walked away without a scratch.
@timbullough3513
@timbullough3513 2 жыл бұрын
Oh the J body memories... Rode in a Cimarron once down a twisty mountain road in Northern Utah and then on the highway for a few hours. Was surprisingly good! You would be surprised, they actually used good soft leather! Rode in and drove many a Cavalier from Z24 - 4 speed to 2.2 automatic of 90s vintage. The Z24 model would squeal the tires in any kind of humidity throug all the gears on the shell roads of Mobile Alabama! And if I recall correctly we had 7 or 8 people in a Cavalier one early morning in Fort Walton Beach ( at least 2 in the trunk with it open - ha). Only thing the Ford Tempo competitor had better was general better quality of materials/construction and much much much much better seats. For that reason alone would choose Tempo over J car even if Cavalier was otherwise better in every other way.
@tylernewton7217
@tylernewton7217 2 жыл бұрын
For the love of GOD! So be it - Bill survived. Thank the “lord”. He lives long enough to give us another review of another GM platform. We love it.
@roxiebeagle
@roxiebeagle 2 жыл бұрын
Another car that all of us have stories about! Bill- you are on fire! Thanks for posting!
@brunobalestra
@brunobalestra 2 жыл бұрын
Crazy as it will seem, this car, our Chevrolet Monza, was not only an outstanding success but it was praised for being so much more modern than everything else. The basic 80s design was sold into the mid 90s with a facelift and the introduction of fuel injection in 91. Engines were 1.8 and 2.0 4 cylinders.
@Berchol
@Berchol 2 жыл бұрын
The burgundy velour seats on top versions were (and still are) mindblowingly beautiful.
@jllen729
@jllen729 2 жыл бұрын
My best friend had that exact car only in red and I have to say you brought back some fun memories with this one. And yes it was a damn good car to her!
@jimmehp2748
@jimmehp2748 2 жыл бұрын
I had a 1991 Z24 version of this car that I bought on my 19th Birthday brand new. Loved it.
@ThePolandball
@ThePolandball 2 жыл бұрын
Mid 90s southern Ontario; these were EVERYWHERE: I seem to recall a neighbour having one. Mmmmm... massive taillamps.
@discerningmind
@discerningmind 2 жыл бұрын
That was always the thing with GM econoboxes, they drove nice. I had an '04 Cavalier, the model year before the last, and they really had that as refined as I think that they could. It drove great, was really good on gas, and it was comfortable. It was a much better car than what GM replaced the Cavalier with being my Cobalt that came after. It was awful, and surprisingly it just didn't drive well at all. Another good car they had was my '78 Buick Skyhawk, as that drove great, and it was comfortable as well. It's too bad that GM has fallen so low that myself and a lot of other people won't buy their cars anymore.
@gkstanfield
@gkstanfield 2 жыл бұрын
I parked these J-Car convertibles incessantly as a valet at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki when they were brand new stock in Hertz and National Rental Car fleets on O’ahu…fun to remember them for a short while..!
@leadcounsel4869
@leadcounsel4869 2 жыл бұрын
Rode in a 91 convertible one summer and loved it. Bought a 1992 Z24 in about 1996, and that car was an absolutely great car among all of my many vehicles. It was a lot of fun, and sporty looking and sounded and drove fantastic.
@TheJeffcurran
@TheJeffcurran 2 жыл бұрын
In 1994 I ordered a brand new Pontiac Sunbird SE. 3.1 V6, no power accessories, no A/C, sport suspension, 15" aluminum wheels. I lived in Chicago at the time so didn't need A/C. It was the ultimate urban warrior. I could smoke any 5.0 Mustang in a stoplight to stoplight run. In Chicago, every stoplight has a bus stop in the right lane. If there was no bus there you could get in that lane and jump the light on everybody else. $11,000 brand new.
@one4uf
@one4uf 2 жыл бұрын
My J-body memory- a sibling group of 3 friends in HS that had a red Sunbird convertible that all 3 of them passed down thru each other. It was known as “Big Red” and sounded like a lawnmower, as all of these did. Also, probably 1% of these j-body convertibles have ever had the boot put on the top when down.
@sparky6086
@sparky6086 2 жыл бұрын
I remember, that the 1st gen J Cars in the US had a lot of trouble. I don't remember specifically what went wrong with them, but I remember a lot of people missing work, because their J Car broke down.
@stevefletcher2334
@stevefletcher2334 2 жыл бұрын
first year (82) was carbureted, first cold day in winter up North none of them would start...none of them!
@duralate
@duralate 2 жыл бұрын
I love your videos you cranky old bastard!
@billace90
@billace90 2 жыл бұрын
Bill is not even 50 yet!
@duralate
@duralate 2 жыл бұрын
@@billace90 He's an honorary old soul
@PizzaDave802
@PizzaDave802 2 жыл бұрын
My first car was a 93 in the same color as this. It was a hard top with the 4 cylinder and a five speed. Great little car.
@dmac19050
@dmac19050 2 жыл бұрын
You got a good one. I had same one as you in the late 90s and it broke down anytime i went anywhere other than school or work.
@Ryantravisaol
@Ryantravisaol 2 жыл бұрын
I truly enjoyed the review of the year the car was from. Really brings ya back. Love your channel
@increiblepelotudo
@increiblepelotudo 2 жыл бұрын
This is my favorite car curmudgeon!!! Stellar as always!
@blautens
@blautens 2 жыл бұрын
I had a fully optioned 1984 Firenza ES by way of marriage back in the 80s. I felt this video on a very visceral level, like two former prisoners chatting about common memories. Thanks, Bill
@Raptor3388
@Raptor3388 2 жыл бұрын
That Pallex cloth was used in EVERYTHING at GM in the 80s-early 90s. They started using it in 1983 I believe, in Pontiacs.
@CarlosGuzman-bq8fr
@CarlosGuzman-bq8fr 2 жыл бұрын
I owned a 1982 chevy cavalier blue with grey interior. With a sunroof. I loved 😍 ♥️ that 🚗 car. I didn't get to enjoy it. Mine was a 4 speed manual. I needed rent money 💰 so I had to sell it. I had a chance to get it back but the guy hit something and wanted what I sold it for. I regret not getting it back. This was in 1991 ish.
@NJW1973
@NJW1973 2 жыл бұрын
I had a '89, Z24 coupe w/2.8L and a 5 speed. Sold it at 198,000. Only replace the alternator, water pump, struts and exhaust system. That's it. Great car. Exhaust always sounded good. Sold it in '98. I still miss it.
@allisons3663
@allisons3663 Жыл бұрын
I worked at a Chevy dealership in the Summer of '88 and we got in a black Cavalier convertible. It was a really nice-looking car. The owner of the dealership drove it around as a demo all summer.
@mistermister2085
@mistermister2085 2 жыл бұрын
My sister drove one of these from California to Wisconsin and back in the early 90s. I remember thinking it was so nice. She smashed it up out in California when she blacked out on the interstate...she didn't die or anything (still alive) but the car was toast.
@sparkplug2646
@sparkplug2646 2 жыл бұрын
I had owned a couple of these cars back in the late 90s. An 89 z24 hardtop and a 91 hardtop. Both ran pretty dang good! I still like the looks of the 89 z24..
@Tully3674
@Tully3674 2 жыл бұрын
I drove a '91 coupe (same color inside and out) while on contract work in Colorado & Wyoming in 1992. For what it was, the car served its purpose. Simple, plastic interior and a chassis that would occasionally squeak. A car that took you from A to B. I drove 4,100 miles in ten weeks during a typical Rocky Mountain winter and the car did well.
@bertram46
@bertram46 2 жыл бұрын
Those were a great value. I was a sales manager at a Chevy store back then. Sold like popcorn. I liked the Z-24 convertibles. I had a Z-28 convertible demo I think a TPI red w red leather and the big wheels. Loved it more than a vette. This car Bill has could be so much fun on a budget.
@jamie.777
@jamie.777 10 ай бұрын
What a review. This teal color brings a tear 😢 to my eye. All the hot chicks in 1990 high school had the teal cavalier. My wife had a 90s 4 door z24 that was black with red trim lettering. That car had balls, i was so stooooopid and basically gave it away. 😢😢. I love your 80s 90s GM passion. I feel the same, my youth was spent in GM cars
@LebronPhoto1
@LebronPhoto1 2 жыл бұрын
I had 2 1993 Cavaliers. One was a two door and the second was a four door my wife drove. They were pretty good cars for the money. I think they get a bad reputation because people expect a lot more and compare them with much pricier cars. Many people wish they can find reliable transportation in this price point nowadays. Even used car prices are creeping up.
@jayjasper1482
@jayjasper1482 2 жыл бұрын
Im shocked you found a clean one. I had one a 93 and loved it. Ended up keeping it till 2000. Great little car. Bought it new for 10 grand sold it for 3500. It got me through college and then some. No major issues at all. Its fun to see a car from my youth. Originally went to buy a camaro but the insurance was twice as much as the car payment. 😆 sons of bitches.
@monkeywkeys3916
@monkeywkeys3916 2 жыл бұрын
Same with Nissan Maximas. Insurance indicated a High accident profile. No way
@led1071
@led1071 2 жыл бұрын
Bill thank you for all the GM vehicle uploads! Di e hard GM B-body fan here from Buffalo NY - I own a 96 Buick Roadmaster Estate W oodgrain Wagon with the LT-1 and love it. Just glad to see someone else appreciate GM- despite their poor management.
@led1071
@led1071 2 жыл бұрын
Much as I love WNY winter here the scenery where you are there in Florida is beautiful! But not the humidity for 8 out of 12 months:)
@lesterbolling1577
@lesterbolling1577 2 жыл бұрын
I had a white Pontiac Sunbird with a white convertible top. I really liked it. I had when I was in my late 20"s. I had it for almost 7yrs before trading it in.
@jayhopkins8341
@jayhopkins8341 5 ай бұрын
I had a red 1991 coupe. My 1st new car & 1st one I bought myself after graduating from college in 1999. I loved that car. My grandma called it a sports car lol. It was fast despite the 4 cycl engine but mine was a 5 speed. Also, I can’t believe he actually made a video where he wasn’t complaining about everything. I still wonder why he lives in FL if he hates it so much lol.
@Gr8thxAlot
@Gr8thxAlot 2 жыл бұрын
Wow, these things were EVERYWHERE in the Midwest! My neighbor had the Pontiac equivalent of this convertible. I looked at it everyday and was thankful it wasn't mine. I see it has the famous fluctuating GM temp gauge that never settles in the middle.
@markvanderlee
@markvanderlee 2 жыл бұрын
Looks like it needs a thermostat.
@Gr8thxAlot
@Gr8thxAlot 2 жыл бұрын
@@markvanderlee Bill is too distracted by the weather to notice.
@michaeltaylor1603
@michaeltaylor1603 2 жыл бұрын
I was given one by my dad. 1985 2 door/ blue w/ electronic dash. Had over 100k until older sister totaled it. My 1st car. All cars I owned had 4 cylinder/ sideways engine. The Chevy was the ONLY one that would NOT spin out If you hit the gas. Escort, Saturn & Accord spin Spin SPINNNN! Ford/Honda (best A/C in Houston!!!)
@briankorner750
@briankorner750 2 жыл бұрын
Only Bill could get away with doing a 39 minute video on a 91 Cavalier and get away with it. 😄
@diggermolly5927
@diggermolly5927 2 жыл бұрын
If I remember correctly, the wheels are steel with a plastic cover made to look like aluminum. I had a '93 that looked identical to this one but as a coupe. Great review as always.
@bryanttaylor4300
@bryanttaylor4300 2 жыл бұрын
Really awesome review. You just never see a cavalier in this kind of condition
@pascutia
@pascutia 2 жыл бұрын
My dad had a 90’ Sunbird. What a car. It was relatively reliable but what a POS.
@DennisNieves-fm4sl
@DennisNieves-fm4sl 10 ай бұрын
So glad you did a video on a cavalier before driving it to the crusher.
@georgeharleydavidsonrider156
@georgeharleydavidsonrider156 2 жыл бұрын
They were dependable cars . The Z 24 package was very nice. I think they were very sharp cars for their time and they were made in America by my neighbors. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
@tcatman1000
@tcatman1000 2 жыл бұрын
Interesting, I always enjoy your commentary. Keep up the great work!
@dominicbunker9852
@dominicbunker9852 2 жыл бұрын
Hi Bill, I live in the UK its February and cold here. Enjoy watching your videos so much so knowledgeable and so funny.
@jayjasper1482
@jayjasper1482 10 күн бұрын
I had a 93. Got me through college and 2 years after. Almost 100,000 miles be for I sold it. Good car.
@williamcuthbertson6575
@williamcuthbertson6575 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for featuring these old “average person” cars. Too many channels focus solely on exotics.
@steinravnik8692
@steinravnik8692 2 жыл бұрын
I had a 96 coupe in the same aqua blue color as my first car. They depreciated like crazy. I bought mine in 98 and with a year left on factory warranty for $7500. Civics and Corollas were $10k+ and that was not in my budget. Fit and finish was atrocious even for the time. The whole thing squeaked and rattled and just felt flimsy. It actually ran trouble free until 100,000 miles. AC went out right around 100,000. No further issues untill 150,000 miles, then smaller items started going out like power steering leaking (never fixed it), water pump, fuel injectors, and on. I got it up to 213,000 miles when someone rear ended me and took it out of its misery. Believe it or not, the drivetrain never gave me issues. It had a fully original functioning engine (2.2 OHV), clutch, and stick shift when it got totaled. All in all, it was a good car and it got me through college.
@LulaRoberts
@LulaRoberts 2 жыл бұрын
My first new car was a 1984. C-10 . 2 door coup. 4cyl auto and air. Cloth seats, Am/FM radio, tented glass white walls. Got 250.000 miles on the car.My mother made me trade it in due to floor rust and value cover leaks.
@AKHyder01
@AKHyder01 2 жыл бұрын
My '00 z24 convertible was fabulous. At 2700 lbs it had fun handling, and the 2.4 motor shared with some bigger cars got that light car moving pretty fast. Small enough to park in spots pretty much everyone else would pass up. Fairly big trunk and a folding rear seat (rare in a convertible) made for a surprisingly practical car. Also, amazing gas mileage. Like "DC to New York and back on a tank of gas" mileage.
@fitfogey
@fitfogey 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you I was looking for a Z24 comment. I had a buddy that had one in high school and man did we love that thing.
@andregonsalvez9244
@andregonsalvez9244 2 жыл бұрын
Great review and video . I was 21 when this Chevrolet Cavalier was new , these were very popular and pretty reliable for their segment .
@Optimistprime.
@Optimistprime. 2 жыл бұрын
I love you act as if crashes don't happen when racing lol. Anyway...my uncle worked for GM so my cousin's inevitable had theses cars. They both ended up having Pontiac Sunfires. Coupes. I liked those cars as a kid. They never had problems with them. Friends had a z24s lots of memories!
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