As rough as this 1983 Chevrolet Chevette CS four-door sedan looks in the overall photos and even in the detailed photos, I tend to agree with the seller that it could make a good daily driver. Maybe not the safest one in today’s world of texting, uncaring, coddled, inattentive drivers in 5,000-pound SUVs, or a fast or maybe even a reliable one, but an interesting one for sure. It’s listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Alexandria, Indiana, and they’re asking $1,600. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Lothar… of the Hill People for the tip!
We’ve only seen three 1983 Chevettes here on Barn Finds over the years, and none of them were four-door sedans. Oddly, I wrote up two of them, and Adam Clarke wrote up one painted like the General Lee. The other two were a like-new base Scooter model and a two-door diesel model that would really be a winner at car shows. Not that this faded, mottled, and somewhat rusty four-door Chevette wouldn’t draw a crowd. It looks like the color-keyed front bumper cover is missing, bummer. I can’t tell if the paint is faded or if someone started to restore this car and gave up, or what’s going on. There is some rust on the rockers and also the floor pans, so it does need work.
I know what you’re thinking, other than thinking of the fresh Rust-Oleum silver rims: who in their right mind would daily drive a Chevette in today’s world? I’m not talking about cross-country driving, I’m talking about using this car around town, preferably a small town or suburb of a big city. Neighborhood driving, like groceries and regular errands. Maybe driving it to work if you don’t work in downtown Boston or Los Angeles and have to commute on the freeway. Who’s with me?! (crickets) Speaking of the silver rims, they would have been black originally, a much better choice with the blacked-out grille and black trim.
Chevrolet made the Chevette from 1975 for the 1976 model year, and they were offered until the end of 1987. This CS model was somewhat fancy for a Chevette, but the interior is anything but fancy in 2025. Two things that stand out to me, other than the general dirty appearance of this car inside and out, is that it has an automatic transmission (bummer), and the horn button is missing from the steering wheel. The dash also appears to be a bit wavy-gravy and otherwise funky-monkey (what the). The back seat looks decent, if not as dirty as everything else is. It won’t be a plush spot for commuter friends riding with you.
The engine is Chevrolet’s 1.6-liter OHC inline-four with 65 horsepower and 80 lb-ft of torque when new. Backed by a Turbo-Hydramatic three-speed automatic and floor-mounted selector sending power to the rear wheels. It runs and drives, but needs brake work to be that coveted daily driver. I argue that with regular maintenance and some cleaning and polishing, this could be a very interesting, somewhat reliable, and certainly crowd-gathering daily driver. What do you think?
Interesting that those tail lights were simular to the 1980-89 Caprice, then morphed into what was on the Chevrolet Lumina.
If this was any other color than red, I would completely ignore this. But my brian says, “Hmmm..what if we….?” for about three seconds, and then common sense kicks in…
I would definitely be part of the crowd checking this out for old time’s sake. I just enjoy looking at cars I used to see all the time and never do anymore. My dad bought a ’79 used in about 1984 to use as a commuter. It was easy to work on, dependable and didn’t use much gas. Pretty good in the snow for a RWD too. Not a very collectible car, especially in it’s condition, but I bet someone could squeeze some more service out of it.
Funny what you find interesting as you get older. It’s a long day at the car show with my dad (age 79) my son (27) and me (54).
Agree with AL Bundy. Easy cars to work on and simple transportation To bad it is not a manual My Dad is 79 and I am 53
I get that nostalgia can obscure objectivity; we all have nostalgia for whatever vehicle, however humble, gave us our introduction to mobile independence. But at some point it’s time to decouple the object and the experience. And appreciate how cars have improved.
My brother married into a Chevette. He said it was a miserable little car. Probably hasn’t improved with the passage of time.
My dad had one about the time me and my sister started driving, it was the car we could borrow in the evening or weekends since my mom’s station wagon was off limits. He bought it when it was a few years old, he hated it, the one redeeming feature is that it had a manual transmission. After the Chevelle my dad decided when he bought a new for him, used car, he stepped up and started buying better quality. There is a reason you never see them, when they turn up, there is a reason they are cheap.
Steve R
My niece bought one new, had a bumper sticker that read Thank you for not laughing at this car.
MrF, I married into a Cutlass, couldn’t have been happier with the car, or the girl. I drove a few Chevettes with a stick, always thought they were nice little cars.
I drove a Chevette for a day and it was the most miserable car I have ever driven–loud, slow, tinny, and the cheapest interior imaginable. And yes, I have driven a Yugo.
Never had a Vega though, right?
…It’ll drive you happy!
A sad little car when new. I’d rather ride a bicycle.
There were no redeeming qualities of the Shovette. The appearance of the automatic makes this thing even worse. Buy it to relive your worst automotive mistake?
I like these in red with black trim. They are just a car. A friend of mine had one just like this 20 years ago. It was cheap and dependable for him. I still sing the Prince song as “little red Chevette.”
From what I’ve noticed over the years, the VAST majority of hatred towards the Chevette comes from people who never owned one. The people that have actually owned one (or more than a dozen of them like me) found them to be incredibly reliable, inexpensive and anvil tough.
No, they were not fast or flashy. They weren’t roomy or give a “big car” smooth ride. But they were budget transportation that millions bought and got more than their money’s worth. If you actually read car magazines of the time, or buying guides for years following, they agreed with my opinions. And never said things that you read from the peanut gallery like those above.
And no….you would NOT rather ride a bicycle, Dave.
I drove my moms. A tin can POS. YES I would rather ride a bicycle,Jim.
No, you wouldn’t. Because the very scenario happened with a roommate of mine when I had a Chevette as my daily driver.
He constantly ripped the car and said the very same “big man” comments that you are. Things like: you wouldn’t catch me dead in a Chevette. Or: I’d rather walk than ride in that pos.
But then came a dui, and loss of license for him, and all of a sudden, the Chevette was just fine to get a ride in.
So No, you wouldn’t rather ride a bicycle… and that’s a fact.
Jim you have no idea what I would do. You’re just another keyboard warrior that likes to judge others. You don’t know me or what I want. If you don’t like my comment you can keep it to yourself, but your type cant handle opinions that differ from yours. I kind of feel sorry for you, you must have a miserable existence.
I agree with Jim.Tough , reliable and easy to work on.
I owned one for years, then passed it on to my teenaged son.
He was very hard on it but the darn thing would not die.
What was once a nice dark green car now had a blue left fender, white front bumper and blue hood.
All replaced relatively easily by myself.
He used it to deliver pizza out of Lanark , Ontario during the winter. Snow , ice , gravel rural roads,, nothing could stop it.
Eventually we were advised the floor pan had become weak and it was probably unsafe to drive.
We drove it to the wreckers.
Despite prevailing opinions I also found it fun to drive, just as much as my Chevy Nova!
I agree. The Chevette wasn’t a fast or flashy car, but they were tough and dependable. I owned a ugly green 1980 Chevette with a manual transmission. I drove that car back and forth to work about 120 miles every day for about 6 years. It had probably 200,000 miles on it when I sold it and still ran good. It was a good commuter. I loved it.
My wife’s 1st car was a 1984 Chevy Chevette S. It was a white 4dr with black rims that had chrome trim rings and center caps. She had AC on hers to with automatic transmission . It was a THM-175 from France. The 1.6 liter engine was from Brazil. AM/FM Stereo Radio with 3 speakers. It also had a rear window defroster. She drove the car for 16 years to 160,000 miles !!! Her next car was a 2000 Toyota Echo 4dr that we still have. It has 200,000 miles on it and the AC is just as cold now as it was when it was NEW. The Echo has a 1.5 liter engine with 108 HP. It has a 4 speed automatic
My parents had an 81,83 and 84 all manuals. Drove them throughout high school. The one and only redeeming quality is that in the snow you could do endless donuts in second gear.
Stretching it to call this a good daily driver when it was new.
The car was fantastic when it was new got over 40 miles per gallon!! Obviously you never owned one or ever drove one.
I never owned one is correct. I’ve driven and worked on dozens of them. I worked at a dealership when they were sold new and became an independent shop owner for 40+ years. I know the cars well. 40 MPG means one needs a new calculator. Just as an FYI you’re not supposed to count the miles on a tow truck.
One thing that impressed me on my nearly new 1977 Chevette was thick, cut pile carpeting. Way better than today’s mouse fur.
I babied that car, hand wash and wax plus shampooed the carpet.
Bought a new Pontiac 1000 in ’86 , two door with a 4 speed and the alloy wheels . It was a great car to commute in and very dependable . My wife and I put about 110,000 on it and the car still ran and looked good .
All this hate for a simple car. Okay, it’s not quiet or smooth riding like an Impala or fast like a Camaro but not all of us are loaded with cash so we need to start lower on the automotive food chain.
To all the car snobs out there please forgive us.
This one is gone, which one of you rascals bought it?!
Dang! I procrastinated too long.