Sometimes, you just need a car that lets you soak up the upcoming summer without worrying about how many people it will impress or whether it will get front-row parking by the valet. There’s a lot to be said for a convertible that simply lets you enjoy all times of day, from the setting sun to a perfect moon rise. The 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 convertible shown here on eBay has been owned and maintained by the same owner for the past 15 years, and he claims to have prioritized upkeep, adding 9,000 miles to the clock. Right now, it shows 71,000 miles, and bids sit at $3,550 with the reserve unmet.
While we have to walk a tight line calling a car a survivor versus a very nice driver, I’d wager this falls into the former category. The paint looks outstanding, and the small details like the two-tone effect on the side skirts and front/rear valances look spot on. The top also looks near brand-new, but the listing doesn’t specify when it was last done. Of course, it has the trunk-mounted luggage rack; I always felt this killed off the sporty vibe a Z24 was supposed to have, and the holes drilled in the lid made it impossible to simply remove. The 14-inch alloys are some of the best GM has ever put on a car.
Interiors were pretty basic and not much different from standard Cavaliers. You did get some tasteful Z24 badges and unique upholstery. The seller notes that while the power windows work, the rear quarter windows are slow to move. The interior shows little wear and tear, and it comes with a range of features, including a digital cluster, AM/FM cassette, and air conditioning. The seller seems confident that everything works as it should, and based on the cosmetic condition, we have little reason to question it. The driver’s door weatherstripping is starting to crack, but the seller has already procured a replacement piece, which is included in the auction.
The engine is a 2.8L V6 producing 125 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired to a 3-speed automatic that the seller claims was replaced under his ownership. The 5-speed manual really is the way to fly when driving a Z24, but relatively few buyers opted for the standard transmission, and likely very few convertible buyers. While this will never be an enormously collectible car, it will perform admirably in its role as a mildly interesting summer driver that you don’t see anymore. A 5-speed would be the ultimate spec in one of these, but beggars can’t be choosers. Would you opt for this or a 6-cylinder Mustang Fox-body drop-top?
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