Topic: 89 Cavalier

[smainville]

This one is most likely for Barrie1, but anyone's comment is welcomed.  I am starting to look for a car for my son, we spotted an 89 Cavalier with 59,000km.  Yes it is a car that belongs to a little old lady that used it for church every Sunday, actually she's 94 and recently failed her test.  It has a 2.2L engine, probably never tuned up, new exhaust end to end, new tires, was oiled and it shows because the floor pan is immaculate.  On the other hand the brake and gas lines are badly corroded, it drives well and the price is $3000 with safety.  I plan on offering less, my own mechanic will look at it Tuesday, ie. compression check, steering, suspension, transmission, cv's, leaks, etc.  My thinking is that this little car is dirt cheap to fix, millions can be found in the scrap yard therefore a good bet for an 18 y.o. to start off with.  Please comment.

[AVToller]

I dislike the beast, but your reasoning seems sound to me. I think it could be an excellent first car - not too fast, cheap to run, and it will give him some experience dealing with small problems. Nothing like getting your hands dirty on a regular basis for developing an appreciation of things automotive. If it checks out, go for it. What does your son think about a Cav? If he likes the idea, you've done a great job of raising him IMO. If he says, "But dad, I want a Porsche!!!", <sigh> you did your best anyway. 

[articsteve]

This one is most likely for Barrie1, but anyone's comment is welcomed.  I am starting to look for a car for my son, we spotted an 89 Cavalier with 59,000km.  Yes it is a car that belongs to a little old lady that used it for church every Sunday, actually she's 94 and recently failed her test.  It has a 2.2L engine, probably never tuned up, new exhaust end to end, new tires, was oiled and it shows because the floor pan is immaculate.  On the other hand the brake and gas lines are badly corroded, it drives well and the price is $3000 with safety.  I plan on offering less, my own mechanic will look at it Tuesday, ie. compression check, steering, suspension, transmission, cv's, leaks, etc.  My thinking is that this little car is dirt cheap to fix, millions can be found in the scrap yard therefore a good bet for an 18 y.o. to start off with.  Please comment.

Not for $3000.  It is a 1 to 1.5K car in Ontario.  The car is not dirt cheap to fix unless you are fixing it yourself.  Mechanics don't like installing junk yard parts mostly because many non static parts are junk and often times don't fit. Take the fuel lines.  Is your mechanic willing to use rubber fuel line, plastic tied to whatever.  New steel fuel lines are expensive. Many are not willing to do that.  I do it but only for friends in a jam.  Brake lines are not a biggie.

Barrie is going to tell you that it is an excellent vehicle bless his heart.  I will be a counter weight to that. There is no up side to this car.  They are impossible to resell. Consequently, consider it a disposable unit and if your confortable with that then fine.  Gas mileage sucks.

Can you not pony up a bit more cash and get a Honda with standrad tranny?  If it's not rusted it is guaranteed to resell and parts are dirt cheap for older Hondas and they are easy to fix.  If you are a good shopper you can by a old Honda drive it for a year and resell it without loss or very little.

[ovr50]

Even around here, I'd say $3k for a 17 year old Cav is a bit much. It is a throw-away as Artic says.

[AVToller]

True about the price, but Smainville did say he planned on offering less if it checked out. A disposable car is NOT a bad idea for an 18 year-old IMO. It was good enough for me, and it was good enough for my son. Your mileage may vary. 

[JD]

Granted it has low KM's, but that is countered by the fact that things sieze up and deteriorate when cars sit like that ... I mean, she drove it all of 3500km a year!

If he's a domestic kid, then sure, offer $1,500, but otherwise I would suggest (with today's gas prices...) you look for a comprable Civic or Tercel.

[smainville]

You all make good points, much appreciated.  My son would drive it yes, it's not cool but he does'nt care.  It's is all about getting his 1st car to allow him some mobility, ie when he starts his apprenticeship this winter and of course going to the movies with his sweety   We fully realize that it is disposable in the end, at this point in time this type of car commands much less $$$ for insurance.  Also to get something like a japanese in good shape it would have to be much newer much more expensive and that's when insurance goes through the roof.  He's paying this with his own money I am not helping at all except getting my hands dirty when it will need fixing, we are very much mechanically inclined.  If it's too tough I have an affordable mechanic nearby, by the way he will inspect it on tuesday.

[AVToller]

Good luck with it, one way or the other. As I said, it sounds like you are doing a lot of things right, including getting your hands dirty along with your son. Kudos! 

[mr_meow]

Dont do it what every you do - its sat too long through too many winters - think 17 harsh winter doing just over 3000 a year - for $3000 you can do a lot better than that car - it will be a nightmare - take a look on www.autotrader.ca - you son would like a car yes - but lets not let his first car be a nightmare.

This might be a better deal service by honda - so you can tell if it is a dog - just by a simple seach I've turn up that - I'm sure you can find better

Year: 1991
Make: HONDA
Model: CIVIC
Model Detail: DX
Price: $2,490
Mileage: 168,000 km
Date: 9/11/2005
Ad Type: Private

Comment: Auto., CD player, excellent condition, no rust - California car, regular service (have all paper work, serviced at Honda), 105,000 miles (168,000 km). $2490 or b.o. Day (905)845-3322 ext. 2620, evening (416)533-8750, ivanimba@yahoo.ca. (CRJJKD)


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[paulk]

If that Honda is accident-free (or almost accident-free), that's a very good price given the mileage and maintenance records.

[smainville]

I'd love to have eyes on that car, I would not be surprised that is has been repainted.  A Honda would cost more in insurance, having worked for Honda I don't trust auto transmissions of that era.

[Wetson]

Although I'm not a GM guy I say go for it if she'll take less than 3 K for it.  I still see quite a few Cavaliers from that age group on the road in Toronto.  The money you save (if she takes less) you can use it to put new fuel and brake lines in.  If the car breaks it breaks..... at least parts are relatively cheap and available.... Sunfire shared a lot of the same components.  If it passes the inspection your mechanic gives it all the more power to you.  Assuming it doesn't rust out, your son should be able to get another 50K out of it.  My friend had a 90 Sunbird and he got 300K+++ out of it .... he only had to replace the alternator and do the general maintenance.  Not bad for a 'disposable' car with a 4 banger in it.

[quadzilla]

I drove a 89 Z24 for 10 years and it was a very low cost to own vehicle.  My buddy had an 88 Cav as his second car and drove it over 200K with only a head gadget as anything major.  My problem was rust and a leak that seemed to drain onto the passenger floor that felt like a leaky boat when it rained.  I put over 250,000 kms on mine but it was time for something new.  I know the Z24 came with the 2.8 V6 but even my buddy’s 4 Cyl lasted quite the long time.  I don’t think these cars are that bad for something cheap. 

For a first car it’s the ideal choice if you can get it at the right price. 

[Bullet Blue]

Sounds like it's a good deal to me. If your mechanic approves then you should seriously consider it. Just out of curiosity, what other cars has your son been looking at? It's always a good idea to check out what else is out there rather than jumping into the first car you see.

If it were my son, I'd have him looking at Volvo 240's or Volvo 740's. The main reason for it? Safety. I would want my son driving the safest car that his money could allow. Even if it meant helping him out with maintenance costs here and there. Finding a good car that will save you money in insurance and maintenace is a good idea, but none of that will matter if, God forbit, he ever gets into a car accident. I'm not sure how the older cavs did for safety, might be something to look into. Just something to think about.

[smainville]

Well it looks like she wont budge, 3k with safety or 2500 as is.  We offered 2k with safety no more, my boy said let's walk and I say good for him!  He's showing good maturity for 17, he's learning the ropes.

[legaljargon]

I think your offer is good - if she doesn't want it, then too bad for her.  I used to drive an '89 Cavalier that I bought in 1998 for $2400 - and it only had 67,000 km on it.  It was a great car to run around in (especially for a university student), and the engine still lasted past 200,000 km.

The only problem was the extensive rust that developed.  Ever year, no matter what I did, it got worse.  Rust ate through my gas tank, doors, and numerous spots on the body.  The driver's side door could barely close, and all the locks seized - it was unlocked 24/7.  It was great ventilation, but the car was starting to fall apart around me, and I didn't want to pay to fix it.  I got rid of it in 2003 - to the junkyard.  RIP.  I think Mrs. LegalJargon was happy, though!

After sitting around barely used for 16 years, I find it hard to believe that only the brake and gas lines are corroded.  It will probably need more work than that, and as you start to drive it, problems are sure to develop rapidly.  It may be a great opportunity for you and your son to bond while you fix it together (hey, that's what my dad and I did while I had the old Rusty Banger), but you really shouldn't pay more than $2000 for it, IMO.

Good luck car-hunting!  It's one of those rare joys your son will always remember - driving his own car for the first time.

[AVToller]

Good outcome and a good lesson. You have done a fine job with the lad.