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The 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 Is A Semi-Over Engineered Hunk Of Nostalgia: Video

This statement most likely appeals more so to the median age of the GM Authority staff than to the entire readership at large, but everyone knew that someone with a Chevrolet Cavalier.

The epitome of starter car, the frugal transporter and the staple of driver’s education; the Cavalier holds a weird and special place among the automotive timeline.

And, in this episode of Regular Car Reviews, Mr. Regular himself discusses why that is. Why the Chevy Cavalier is an over-engineered, lack-luster small car that encompasses every ounce of nostalgia from the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Is the Cavalier a good car? No. Does it look good? Subjective. But the video is well worth your time for a laugh, and the usual epiphany ending of each RCR video.

And, if you weren’t aware, you’ll also learn about the JDM Chevrolet Cavalier, built for Toyota in left-hand drive configuration.

Former GM Authority staff writer.

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Comments

  1. I recall it being cool that my cousin got a 1990 Z24, with the silver colored moulding, making it almost two-tone. My mom’s first car in 20 years back when was a plum purple Cavalier. My first “new” car was a 1998 Z24 on a lease. 165hp was nothing to sneeze at 17 years ago.

    Good times.

    Reply
  2. I did my drivers ed in a Cavalier and absolutely fell in love and have been searching for a good cheap one high and low ever since.

    Reply
  3. Many people will call this car crap. They did rust out and had bad paint and did many other things wrong but they keep on running.

    Even today there are still many in may area while many of the same vintage Honda and Toyota models are long gone.

    Reply
    1. Not sure where you live, but from time to time i see early to mid 90’s civics, and corollas, and i seen some cavaliers still just i don’t think any of the z24’s and some of the other civics i see from that era some swap out the engines and such.

      Reply
  4. I used to work at Lordstown when the Cavalier/Sunfire was being made and the Toyota was a RHD (not LHD).

    Reply

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