1989 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 review from North America

The factory stereo ate cassettes when the car was acquired (1997). Since then, it was replaced with a 45 watt Alpine CD player

The alternator died of old age (Partially due to an Alpine Stereo that was too powerful for the then 12 year old alternator). When the alternator died, the car still made it 130 miles until it could get replaced.

The factory sunroof leaks during rain at the tropical storm and/or hurricane level.

The power windows switch wore down and separates from the housing.

The power steering pump developed a leak and had to be replaced.

The spark-plug firing sensor died and had to be replaced.

Purchased the vehicle used while in high-school in 1997 with the intention of getting a year or two out of it. Only paid about $2,000 for it. Now, 6 operational years later, I've had nothing but good things to say about it.

The Z-24 has earned it's keep through 4 hard Vermont winters (Outperforming numerous 4x4's and All-wheel-drive's I might add. It's fun driving on the unplowed Vermont roads looking at the SUV's stuck in the ditches. It's even more fun watching the look on their drivers faces as a 12 year old, 2WD Coupe pulls those plastic POS's out back onto the road.)

Working in EMS, it's done its fair share of 02:00 AM wakeups (0-90 while still cold) and has performed admirably.

Now in Florida, it's survived 3 hurricanes and numerous tropical storms, with only minor leaking from the factory sunroof.

When I got the car, it was only supposed to be a stopgap until I could afford something better. Now, 6 years later, the heck with that, there isn't anything better, I'll put that money towards retirement. Something tells me this Z-24 will still be around by then.