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My girlfriend just bought this '98 Cavalier sedan as her new DD. She wrecked her '07 Cobalt in January, and I've been commuting both of us to work and school, which isn't inconvenient or anything, but with her going a term at school longer than me, and my need to go to work during the next school term to continue my thesis means she'll need her own car. We were thinking of finding one in mid-October, but started looking early and found this one, which she named Olive. Beats working on the car in the winter!
I know it's not as exciting as a Fbody, don't need to tell me that. This is just a good place to log what has been done on the car.
So, here's the details.
1998 Chevrolet Cavalier 4-Door, Base trim level
Manta Green exterior paint, Graphite interior color scheme
2200 115HP Inline-4 with the 3T40 3 speed automatic. Real speed demon with its large power output and 3:18 final drive.
214,260 miles
Manual Windows
Power Locks (inside)
Air Conditioning
Brakes
Tires
The issues (something generally an $800 is full of):
Third cylinder misfire code (audible and felt easily)
Rear O2 Code
Evap Code
A/C only works when it's cool out
Broken glovebox latch - two owners ago used about half a roll of duct tape to keep it closed. Previous owner removed duct tape and used mechanics wire as a twist tie.
Needs front tires - virtually slicks at this point.
Trunk release doesn't work
Rear seat fold down release is missing (access achieved via manually pulling the latch inside the hole)
Rust on doors - especially drivers door which has a large rust hole
Filthy, used interior
Previous owner smoked - smells like a chimney
Light switch doesn't really work
Exhaust leak up front - and a lack of muffler out back
Passenger front door handle is funky - need to pull on the lock and handle at the same time to open
A lot of little things, mainly - but to be expected for a car with this high of mileage, and for this price.
The good:
The underbody has virtually ZERO rust. I was amazed.
New [non-matching] rear tires
New tie-rods
Good windshield and glass
Headlights work well (not foggy or hazy)
Shocks and struts appear to be in decent shape, goes around a turn great
Runs and drives fine, even with the misfire
New alternator
New belt
So yeah - it's definitely a project, but it should be fun.
Some pictures from the night we brought it home.
2012-09-03_22-34-23_32.jpg
2012-09-03_22-30-56_484.jpg
2012-09-03_22-30-27_880.jpg
I know it's not as exciting as a Fbody, don't need to tell me that. This is just a good place to log what has been done on the car.
So, here's the details.
1998 Chevrolet Cavalier 4-Door, Base trim level
Manta Green exterior paint, Graphite interior color scheme
2200 115HP Inline-4 with the 3T40 3 speed automatic. Real speed demon with its large power output and 3:18 final drive.
214,260 miles
Manual Windows
Power Locks (inside)
Air Conditioning
Brakes
Tires
The issues (something generally an $800 is full of):
Third cylinder misfire code (audible and felt easily)
Rear O2 Code
Evap Code
A/C only works when it's cool out
Broken glovebox latch - two owners ago used about half a roll of duct tape to keep it closed. Previous owner removed duct tape and used mechanics wire as a twist tie.
Needs front tires - virtually slicks at this point.
Trunk release doesn't work
Rear seat fold down release is missing (access achieved via manually pulling the latch inside the hole)
Rust on doors - especially drivers door which has a large rust hole
Filthy, used interior
Previous owner smoked - smells like a chimney
Light switch doesn't really work
Exhaust leak up front - and a lack of muffler out back
Passenger front door handle is funky - need to pull on the lock and handle at the same time to open
A lot of little things, mainly - but to be expected for a car with this high of mileage, and for this price.
The good:
The underbody has virtually ZERO rust. I was amazed.
New [non-matching] rear tires
New tie-rods
Good windshield and glass
Headlights work well (not foggy or hazy)
Shocks and struts appear to be in decent shape, goes around a turn great
Runs and drives fine, even with the misfire
New alternator
New belt
So yeah - it's definitely a project, but it should be fun.
Some pictures from the night we brought it home.
2012-09-03_22-34-23_32.jpg
2012-09-03_22-30-56_484.jpg
2012-09-03_22-30-27_880.jpg
Still, better than before.
, as well as the set of Delco plug wires seen earlier.
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