A Chevrolet Cavalier is not exactly high on most enthusiasts’ lists as a car to someday own. But like a fine wine, most cars get better with the passage of time, and the Cavalier in Z24 guise was a pretty sharp ride. If you were in high school and had a Z24 Cavalier two-door, you owned a pretty sweet ride, especially so if it was a convertible. This example listed here on eBay has just over 33,000 original miles and looks sharp in blue over a white interior with a matching top.
The Z24 package was by and large a cosmetic upgrade, with no real performance gains to be found. There may have been some suspension tweaks, but the Z24 was all about the wheels and ground effects enhancements. The convertible Cavalier is a good looking car as far as drop-tops go, and is one of the rare early 90s models that looks just as good as the hardtop variant. The seller’s Z24 looks the part of a low-mileage specimen, with the machined wheels still sharp and the Z24 badges resilient.
I don’t believe the Cavalier came with leather, but it’s hard to tell from the photo. Regardless, this white interior is in excellent condition, and the front buckets are surprisingly well-bolstered for an economy car. The upholstery is very clean, to the point that I wonder if it’s been re-done at some point. All of the white surfaces, from the back seat to the door panel inserts, are so clean – even in a low-mileage car, you typically see some soiling on surfaces like these.
The 3.1L V6 was widely used across GM’s model lineup, and while not exotic by any means, it was generally reliable and cheap to run. The seller’s car is just as clean under the hood as it is up top, and the painted surfaces match the exterior panels. The presentation is winning bidders over, with bids up to $8,000 with no reserve. With summer around the corner, this clean Z24 convertible is a cheap and cheerful entry into warm weather motoring.
WOW, never was really in to these but agree with the write-up. This may be the nicest one of these on the planet and where the price sits at the moment, this may be the coolest cheapest convertible around. Again not really my bag, but can appreciate a really clean well priced ride when I see one. Would be a star at a local car cruise or cars and coffee.
Had a white black convertible top Z-24. The 2.4 naturally aspirated engine had pretty good acceleration. Wish I still had it to run around town in.
Neat car in very nice condition and if the mileage is accurate, it’s a good buy. These cars were very reliable and long lasting, I hope it finds a good home where it’s preserved and enjoyed.
That seatbelt is so 1993 GM. Something that makes anyone say “what the heck is this” while everyone else has figured out a better way.
3.1 > 2.8 🏁
Notice the functional hood scoops, fresh air pulled pushed in from high pressure spot at the base of windshield for a smart boost of HP.
Nice ride!
A young girl from our office, fresh out of college, wanted to buy a new one like this in the worse way. Unfortunately she had just started dating a cop who told her they were dangerous. Even more unfortunate, she listened to him. Eventually she dumped officer Fife, but by then, they were no more. Wonder what happened to her, she was a nice kid, and damned fine looking to, as I recall. Jamie, you reading this?
The story sounds made up to me.
Jaime told me to tell you, to quit stalking her…..lol
Trust me, not the case. She told me, over and over again, how much I reminded her of her Dad. Besides, I have the most beautiful wife in the world, bar none.
Some may not be crazy about the Cavalier but one thing is for sure, you can’t kill them. They are one hardy car.
In 1998 at 18 years old I bought a 91 Z24 blue like this, but it was a coupe. Low miles -40k and really good shape. To a high school kid this car was awesome, it was quick, had a throaty sounding exhaust and was damn sharp looking. The 3.1 was strong enough and it was geared just right for serious fwd burnouts! I had a blast in that car and 25 years later I still have the occasional dream about it.
Remarkably, GM was able to wring an eye-popping fourteen years out of this platform, exceeding the second gen F-body (twelve years), the third gen F body (eleven years), and nearly both the square body C/K pickups (fifteen years) and the Fox body Mustang (tied with C/K trucks at fifteen years). The second gen J-body only ran another ten years before being replaced by the Chevy Cobalt. GLWA.
These were great fun cars to have. I had a 1992 Z24 convertible it was triple white and great to drive especially because I lived in FT LAUDERDALE FL. I traded it for a 1995 Cutlass convertible,Torch Red with white top and white interior.
My Dad bought a ’92 coupe that was a bit lighter than the covertibles. Even with the automatic transmission I was surprised at the power and handling of the car. Nice car here.
I thought the Cavaliers had 4 bangers and Z24 had the 6 cylinder, either 2.8 or 3.1 Liter? Also Z24 had better wheels and tires. Not just appearance was different.
The ideal car to tow behind your big RV. Winter in the South, summer in the North, that would be the life! Friends did that with this model, but only 6 months a year. Towed on a front wheel dolly, no mechanical skills needed to disconnect the drivetrain. Age got them before the vehicles.
I ordered a new Sunbird convertible in 1990. The white interior (it’s vinyl) was newly introduced around then, convertible only IIRC. I included it on that car and really liked it. I presume that’s what is on this car too.
SOLD for 8K.
This is a good one! This is the earlier 3.1 with the iron heads. It had 140hp and was very reliable. Not long after this, they introduced the 3.1 with aluminum heads. It had 160hp but they went through intake manifold gaskets all the time. The oil and coolant mixed. The next generation 3.4 did the same thing. Very nice convertible for the money.
I went through a set of intake gaskets in my 91 Z with the 3.1 liter and that had regular green antifreeze. My 98 Malibu had a newer 3.1 with the orange Dexcool antifreeze which would eat the gaskets as I recall. Mine failed at 40k and 60k, I got rid of the car after that and never owned another GM. The newer 3.1 had more horsepower but felt sluggish compared to the older Z24
The first run of these with the 4 cyl were slugs. Wife wanted one, test drove it, awful. The dealer was under a decent hill, poor car could barely make it up that hill with us in it! We passed on it and bought a Toyota Corolla, much better car. I think GM improved them the longer they made them, adding better engines. Haven’t seen any around in a long time, typically a throw away car.