Chevrolet Cavalier Z24
I fully expect to get hammered for this choice, but I sincerely can't help it--I loved these when I was a kid, recommended them to friends when I was older, and still think owning one of these would be a lot of fun. One friend who bought one on my recommendation loved it and still remembers it fondly.
It's a Cavalier. Yes, a Cavalier--the lowliest Chevy around for most of the last 20+ years. I'm not talking about just any Cavalier, though--I'm talking about the Z24 hot-rod edition. Feel free to pause for a moment to let the significance of that statement wash over you.
Admittedly, the Z24 didn't add a lot in terms of speed, but the Z24 at least guaranteed you'd get the more powerful 2.8-liter (later, 3.1-liter) V-6 and a tightened suspension that helped eliminate the base car's spongy feel. The Z24 package also added the visual horsepower of special wheels, silver accents across the bottom of the rocker panels, a lower stance, and Z24 badges. Yeah, it's cheesy, but at the time that stuff was pretty cool.
While the bone-stock, antiquated GM pushrod V-6 won't help the Z24 win many drag races these days, for the time its performance was suitably sporty. Most of its competition had high-winding 16-valve four-cylinder engines, and while those engines had a big edge in terms of sophistication, smoothness, and high-RPM performance, the relatively large V-6 had them all beat in terms of off-the-line torque and rorty exhaust note. Meanwhile, the
Z24's unsophisticated but stiff suspension and wide tires allowed it to grip tenaciously on smooth pavement--albeit at the expense of a smooth ride.
The extroverted looks, the purposeful exhaust note, the strong torque, and the good handling made the Z24 a bit of a poor man's muscle car. Well, make that a very destitute man's muscle car. Unfortunately, the Z24 couldn't improve on the woeful build quality and reliability typical of GM cars of the day.
The original bodystyle, with its right-angle styling, was pretty cool, but the smoother, more purposeful second-generation is my personal favorite. It was even available as a convertible!
I love the commercial below--not only does it resurrect the long-forgotten "Type 10" sub-Z24 sporty package, but it features the line "... with an interior that will comfort your very soul."
That's fantastic copy-writing right there.
The photos all come from V6Z24.com, which as one might guess is a fan site for Z24s and other GM J-bodies, such as the almost identical Pontiac Sunbird (which also came as a turbo!). The first photo comes from user chev_88z24_fan; the second of a rare first-gen comes from user zbart; the third from user blue88z; and the fourth from user 88redz.
--Chris H.
Michael on February 28, 2008 at 05:46 PM
Ah, my first car. A red 1988 Cavalier Z-24. Five speed, black cloth interior - and the day I picked it up was one of the happiest...well, ever. I beat the tar out of the thing, blew most of the motor up, replaced it, drove it another 40k miles or so. Heaven.
gtwildfire on February 29, 2008 at 05:25 PM
I once bought a used '94, red Cavalier Z24, having got it to immediately replace a '97 R/S that I totaled one month after purchasing (still pissed @ myself)...
Anyway, my Z24 had an automatic trans. Surprise set in the day after buying it, when I took it on the highway. I hadn't realized it didn't have overdrive. It was a 3-speed auto.
Light-to-light, considering its vintage it was not a disappointment. It handled pretty well although its looks were pretty dated by 2000, around the time of my ownership.
That car actually started my focus on driving more performance-oriented cars. It was a stepping stone of sorts. Since then I've bought a Grand Prix GT and a Firebird. I don't really miss the Cavalier, what I have now is so much better but it did open my eyes to what I wanted out of my rides.
Click my url if you want to see them.
Light on February 29, 2008 at 07:13 PM
My girlfriend recently bought the Chevy TrailBlazer SS. It has the nice big rims, the Corvette 6.0L engine (about 400hp), and no roof racks (all the LS models have them, they are tourist cars here in Maui). We had the only one on the island, but then someone else bought the same exact slick gloss black tinted 2WD SS model we have.
I love the rort of the exhaust tone. Passing people going up Haleakala Highway is just a simple exercise of will without ever having to dog it. The auto trans knows when to shift and does so notably firmly. I suppose this is needed to withstand higher forces of the HO engine. I don't think I've ever put the pedal to the floor in this thing... well... that's not true. But it certainly doesn't require me to do so in order to get to speed quickly. This vehicle is tame enough to drive Miss Daisy, yet ready to bark fire when you let it and definitely stands out from all the other TB models.
My girlfriend accuses me of loving the car more than her. I note that there will come a time when the car gets sold and I'll stick around.
Chris Hafner on February 29, 2008 at 08:51 PM
gtwildfire: "That car actually started my focus on driving more performance-oriented cars. It was a stepping stone of sorts."
It sounds as if you're describing a gateway drug - which actually isn't that far-fetched.
You get that first little taste of performance. Maybe a friend introduces you to it. In my case, it was a high-school friend with a Corvette. He punched the throttle, I felt the rush. I knew I wanted to feel that again.
Soon you start dabbling in something small and inexpensive. Maybe a Z-24 or a Probe, or perhaps an Alfa. It's fun for a while, but after a few months it's just not enough - you need something just a little faster; you need a little bit bigger torque rush.
You move up to a mid-90s Mustang, maybe, or an Eclipse, then from there maybe you save up for an old M3 or Corvette, promising yourself that this is it, no more.
Of course, it's not. After that you start conniving your way into something way beyond what you can afford - something like a 911, an M5, an AMG Mercedes, vintage numbers-matching muscle cars. You take out a second mortgage on your house; you liquidate the kid's college fund.
Then you start splashing out for expensive performance upgrades - blower kits, crate motors, nitrous. Then you move on to the really hard stuff - Ferraris, Lamborghinis, numbers-matching Hemi Chargers, maybe an original Cobra. All in service of the next hit of acceleration.
Actually, it sounds great.
Chris Hafner on February 29, 2008 at 08:54 PM
Light: "My girlfriend accuses me of loving the car more than her. I note that there will come a time when the car gets sold and I'll stick around."
That's fantastic.
Chris Hafner on March 01, 2008 at 12:10 AM
Cookie, Mochi, I just moved the CRX conversation into a new post.
http://www.carlustblog.com/2008/02/car-lust--twin.html
Little_Dragon on March 24, 2008 at 05:17 PM
I love those cars!
Great torque from a dig. Perfect car for city driving.
Very durable engine that can take a heavy foot and love it all the time. Just regular maintenance.
I still have a 1990 Z24. The engine is running strong and healthy. Ride is comfortable and I think I'll keep it around for quite a while.
18 years old and still going strong. I can't complain.
badsam on March 24, 2008 at 10:30 PM
hmmm... not reliable eh?, mine is 18yrs old, mildly modified (suspension, braking and steering), has 347,xxx kilometers (216,xxx miles) no major failures and still going damn strong. Won't win many drag races, well that's when you ask 2 questions..."How fast do I want to go? How much money do I want to spend?" It really doesn't matter what kind of vehicle it is either... look up 12 second minivan on youtube. And regarding handling, it isn't unusual for this 2nd gen Cavalier owner to be up to highway speed, or better, half way into damn near any 'on-ramp' I come to (providing there isn't anyone in front of me). Going any faster than that is strictly for the track. Did I mention... I love the cornering ability.
Fun, inexpensive, easily repaired and longevity a great combination.
Justin Holloway on May 04, 2008 at 01:07 PM
how much would u sell the convertible for
on June 12, 2008 at 08:28 PM
i love z24s i have a teal 1993 cavalair z24 and i love it iam looking to get anther one.
Ned Flanders on June 22, 2008 at 01:37 AM
I still drive my 84 cavalier everyday, I know they have a reputation of being
a bad car, but it's almost 25 years old and still runs great, and everything
still works.
I did a 3d model of it to preview the new paint.
here are 3 paint options:
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/9614/azul01ks8.jpg
http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/4831/blanco01px5.jpg
http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/262/negrosolidocu4.jpg
Debby on August 08, 2008 at 12:46 AM
Hi guys!!
My first NEW car was an early 80's Z24. It had 5 miles on it when I drove home from the dealers. First year they were out...black with grey interior. Nicest car I've ever owned!! Easy for me to take care of...fun....responsive!! I put 60,000 miles on it the first 3 years. Drove it everywhere!!
Looking for another one...bit of nostalgia!! (Smile)
James on September 24, 2008 at 07:03 PM
i have an 89 Z24 with the optional 2.8h.o. engine and the muncie 5sp and absolutly love the car. it was my first car and my parents had it before they gave it to me. It has enough power to give you some thrills and can show some of these little 4 cylinders how americans make cars. i also own a 2002 Grand Prix GTX and the power between the two is quite close. Any car that can burnout through the first three gears is ok in my book
The Z24 on September 29, 2008 at 07:32 PM
How did this wind up a forum for discussing CRX's and other "pizza cars" of the 90's. Seems to me it is for sharing homage to a rather fun car that was rather popular at particular time period. The 88-90 Z24's may have been your typical chev, going through front pads and rotors, wheel bearings, heater cores, and a host of other predictable GM break downs every 6 months, but they sure could take a massive pounding. I have owned three, most of which died at about 400000KM or so (due to rusting out in my Canadian climate), and still have one to this day, which is 19 years old and currently has 330000Km on the original powertrain. Not bad for a piece of "GM junk."
Bottom line, these cars were cheap as dirt, were just peppy enough to be fun to drive,always came back for another beating, and always bring back awesome memories!! Good blog!
greg belcher on October 04, 2008 at 08:05 PM
hello, my wife has a 88 z24 convertable i want to restore it, i cant find any of the weather stripping for it, i need the strips that go at the lower edge of the door glass and the quarter glass,i also need door seals (i can get those for a coupe but not convertable) i also need every other weather strips, anybody know where to find them?? thanks
mike on October 17, 2008 at 12:18 PM
i have owned two of these cars. The first one I owned was a 90 with the 3.1L 5-speed and i feel i love with these cars. I sold that one. Now my daily driver is a 93 z24 with five speed, my show car is a 87 conquest 2.6L Tsi with a 5speed. I only buy thing that are fast and the z is just that.
Jim on October 26, 2008 at 03:14 PM
I got my first 1989 Z/24 because it was either I took it or it got towed.
White with the blue interior.Automatic tranny, a 2.8 I thought,
It sat out in front of my friends house for two years when I got my hands on it,
And to tell you the truth I didnt want it,
Come on now a Cavalier..
I own a 1966 GTO,
and a 1970 Cuda,
and a 1961 Chevy Impala SS Ragtop.
A 1995 Ford Expired S/E full framed with a 350 chevy and 5 speed.rear wheel drive,,(dont ask,,it was a joke to start with that got out of hand to prove a point..)
To name a few of my toys,,
Then I drove it,
And found out this wasnt Grandmas Cavalier...
Seems some fool.bored the engine out .60 over and put a 3.1 crank and rods in it...Whooo hoooo...I took it apart measured it..
And there isnt any little ricer that can take it in this area.
And its just a little cheaper to drive now days than the GTO.
So when a Black 1989 Z/24 with the 5 speed came up for sale down the road..For $350.00 I bought it,
Okay so its a Cavalier,
but when you shave the badges
(Badges,,we dont need no stinking badges)
No one knows what it is..
No damn it...It is not a fox body mustang..
And with a little work,like boring it and stroking it,you can give the little V-6, close to real smallblock inches,
And its a Cavalier,,
So if you need a part, the wrecking yard is full of them,
Its alot cheaper to play with against these ricers,
than the old Detroit Iron,
(The ricers wont play with me when I have one out.)
And its old enough where I dont have to deal with emissions when I tab it..
Say all the bad things you want to about them.
Ya, have to own one to understand
THe Z24 on November 14, 2008 at 02:47 PM
BIngo... that Jim fella just said it best..."you got to own one to understand!"
steve-o beave-o on November 19, 2008 at 06:57 PM
I hate cavaliers, yet have had 3...including an '88 Z24. That thing was kind of fun, had some spunk, looks, and yes, that fun exhaust note.
As for this thread turning into a CRX discussion...of course it would :rolleyes: Honda kids love to leave their territorial urinations all over everything.
Jake on December 01, 2008 at 09:28 AM
I just bought my uncle's old 89 z24. has a tiny amount of radiator fluid going into the engine but not enough to where the engine is junk. small weld and its good a s new. flushed the tanny, put fuel in it, and turned the key. started instantly with a little more of a roar than a standard z24 seeing as it has no catalytic. took it out for its first drive in 6 months and it ran amazingly for its age (almost 20) and its mileage (303,118). Getting this car was a bit of a shock to myself seeing as the only thing I have ever owned has been a Ford. Reason for that is that my dad hauled ford parts for 43 years until he died of Agent Orange complications from Vietnam. Anyways, I really like this old car, it almost beats my old 84 f-150 with the 351 holley carbed Windsor that I sold two years ago. The biggest surprise cam when I fixed a minor tranny problem with a $14 bottle of Lucas Oil tranny fix. I only paid $80 for this car and the body is in great shape with the exception of a tiny amount of rust on the drivers rear fender. I guess this is a testiment to old fasion american engineering. I've never driven or seen another vehicle that has held up as well at 300,000+ miles. Chevy just gained a new fan.
Philip on March 04, 2009 at 11:52 PM
Brings back memories. My first car was an 89 z24 with 120k miles. Didn't leak or burn a bit of oil and didn't have any major issues with it. Great times in that car, loved it. Sadly totalled it one day and drove a couple pieces of shit, then i was driving down the road and saw a 94 z24 5spd and said thats mine. Went out and bought it the next day with an antifreeze leak and collapsed lifter. Only had it for 6 months, then blew up the motor before i had the rest of my 90 tgp swap ready. Was working on the wiring harness and needed an ecu. But needed some wheels, so i had to sell it. Still have that motor at my house waiting on my next one. One of 2000 tgp's made and i was lucky enough to find one at the junk yard. She's rebuilt, painted and ready to go. Anyone wants to sell me z24 or 26 let me know. Been looking for the right one.
SCOTT M BURTON on April 14, 2009 at 12:55 PM
I just purchased one of these cars that is quite decked out...lambo doors,big radio,air-ride,18's with wide 35's.How do I get some pics up on your site...Scott/NY
jimbo on July 07, 2009 at 04:02 PM
i have a RS cavalier i think its a fun car maybe not the fastest but it beats the hell out of subarus and other 4 cylinder cars anyway its a great first car i mean ya no airbags but hey your not gonna get that fast to crash that hard anyway
Robin Fisher on July 19, 2009 at 08:30 AM
I have a 1990 Cavillier Z24 V6, 188,000 miles and she purrs like a kitten and runs GREAT. I got it 13 years ago and it had 45,000 on it. I do have to thank my now ex husband for maintiaining then and sitll now today. I love my car...
DANGER! on August 16, 2009 at 07:33 PM
OMG!... I am now 34 years old when I was 19 I bought a 1989 Cavalier Z24 edition with a 2.8. Well needless to say I was driving (SPEEDING) on a road trip one day and found myself doing 108 miles per hour! I wanted more speed so I completely floored it! My Cavalier reached 112 or 114 before it shut itself down!! At that moment is when I first found out about engine governors...so I temporarily removed the governor and OMG thank God I didnt blow my engine,overheat it, or blow a head gasket at whopping speeds of approx. 126 - 128 mph!!!! I ran into hard times and had to sell my Z24 :( I can not even imagine owning a Z24 with a 3.1..... I really miss that oddly fast (possessed) 2.8 Z24!