1989 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 review from North America

I bought my Z for $400 bucks. It needed new heads due to a blown gasket, which in turn leaked antifreeze into the oil, turning it into peanut butter. The heads cost me $450 to get rebuilt.

I finally got to hear the car run when it was all put together.

...For about five minutes!

Found out the battery and the starter were both pooched. I was not happy!

There goes another $200 dollars.

Once it was all back together again, the engine had run for a while when I noticed that the fan was not engaging.

I pulled out the diagnostics tester and found that it was just the computer. Just! Yeah right, there goes more money out the window.

O.K. Finally the moment of truth. I had my car. It ran. It ran great! I drove around for a little bit to see how she ran. Beautiful. I went to the car-wash to shine her up. Looked sweet. I went to the gas station to fill it up. Paid the $35 bucks (frigging Canada), hopped in my ride, turned the key, nothing.

...The fuel pump went and crapped out on me. Now I had to change the pump. With a full tank!

At last. My car worked. I Drove it around for two weeks.

Wouldn't you know it, piston blew. That big waste of money has been sitting in my garage for two months now. I would like to put in a 3.1L, But I'm having trouble finding a cheap used engine with half decent mileage on it.

That thing. That hunk of scrap metal. That piece of junk... is still my favorite car. I hate to love it. I love to hate it. But I still cherish my Z, and I'll never let her go.

I love my Z24

________________________________________