1994 Cavalier Wagon - one of the last survivors!

Description for Chevrolet Cavalier 1994

Reluctantly selling my trusty ‘iMac’ (nicknamed due to the color). Bought as 1-owner car with 209k miles in January 2008, made it to 365,815 (at 300,000 this car received a mention on the 3.1 engine’s Wikipedia article). Well-used and well-loved, always reliable. Have driven this car in 8 states, off road and on major highways, and it's never broken down when called-upon. It’s just old now.

Plus side:

• Very desirable CHEVY 3.1-L (not B-O-P '3100’) V-6 engine = low RPM, massive torque, making a very fast car.
• Strong 3-speed automatic transmission with overdrive (locking torque converter).
• Interior (except for driver’s seat) together, no real damage (only drink holder is broken). Original radio (’90s cassette stereo) in good condition. Good bass.
• Recently redid steering-wheel cover; in good condition.
• All glass original and in excellent condition (one small ding near bottom of windshield).
• Cruise control works perfectly.
• Tilt wheel works perfectly.
• Gauges all work properly. Mileage is accurate.
• All bulbs and lights work (but see below). Third-eye brake light is disconnected but works and is included.
• Delay wipers work very well, better than many newer cars’.
• Changed within last 2-3 years: front rotors and pads, radiator, alternator, water pump, ignition coil packs, wiper switch stalk, hard-to-find heater-core bypass tube (rumored to have the last-available such part in the US, worth about $125 by itself).
• Oil is clean and clear; just applied high-mileage oil treatment.
• Roof rack is strong, secure, with no leaks; have carried canoes, boats, plywood, everything on it.
• Most of exhaust system is solid, no rust or gaps (but see below).
• Frame and floor pans are very solid; no structural rust underneath.
  
• NO problems with knocks, pings, blue smoke, worn rings, worn crank bearings, valve taps, valve-stem-seal leaks, misfires, ignition or starting issues, steering shimmying, transmission slipping, oil in water, water in oil, oil leaks on pavement, body rattles, or anything else that makes old cars feel like junk. Fires right up, tears away from green lights, pulls like a hot rod 35-70, cruises 72 MPH at 2500 RPM, stable at speed, handles very well, has comfortable seating position and pleasant, predictable road manners.
• Car bears very-difficult-to-obtain New Jersey emissions-inspection sticker good through January 2018 (yes; it passed!).

Minus side:

• Blown head gasket and/or manifold gasket. Will not hold coolant.
• Clogged heater core (no cabin heat), undoubtedly due to dastardly Dex-Cool coolant (‘brown antifreeze syndrome’).
• Tires are sound but from 2013; one leaks very slightly but can be kept topped up (30-33 lbs).
• Back brakes are down to nothing; but car stops very well, no fishtailing or skidding.
• Hand brake does not hold (probably due to worn back shoes but may be adjustable; just never did it).
• Driver’s seat worn/torn. Rest are fine.
• Headliner droops all over; most of foam inside is dried-out.
  
• Wiper blades are shot.
  
• Turn-signal flasher doesn’t work (wiggle it by hand); must remove whole cowl around column to change it (the part’s included). Also two dash bulbs (tach and heater controls) are out.
  
• Plastic headlights are typically yellowed, but only a little. High-intensity bulbs recently changed.
• Left taillight assembly is loose, slightly cracked; bumped a fence only last week (only damage I ever did to car).
• Tailgate closes hard, due to PO’s dent in the face of it. Shimmed this to make it a little better.
• Both front-window motors need replacement. Back ones are slow but reliable.
  
• Driver's door needs door strap, top hinge, and opening latch-- meaning you have to open it from the right side (don’t lock your keys in!). Latch is included if you ask.
• Electric door-opener servos (bellows type) are all tired, work intermittently.
• In-dash drink holder is broken. Made a cool wooden one (included if you ask).
• AC does not blow cold, probably needs charge (never checked it). All parts are there; no evident leaks.
• Electric fan is questionable; but till head gasket went this was never an issue.
• Dash air vents seem to be misaligned; blower works well but little air comes out (common cheap-GM problem).
• Stereo speakers are blown (front) or missing (rear; used aftermarket speaker box from pickup).
• One bolt in transmission pan had a head sheared off when PO had it. Slight fluid leak; keep it topped off and it's fine.
• CV joints click but only when turned very tightly and experience with other cars suggests they might have many miles left in them.
• Plastic hubcaps are gone; they were ugly anyway.
• Rocker panels are very rusty, both sides. Parts are under $40 each; needs 4 for full job. These are not structural - rest of body may not be pretty but is sound.
• Front tube of catalytic converter is rusted through; mended this with adapters but the putty/patch work is incomplete (so it’s loud). Tube of putty included if you ask. Will include brand-new Summit Racing 2-1/4" cat and clamps for extra $85 (my cost); otherwise I sell these parts on eBay.
• Steering wheel went soft due to sun when PO had it; installed a nice wrapped cover and filled some of the gaps with foam tape, so it’s smooth and soft.

Note: dashboard pic shows temp gauge on 270 degrees; don’t know why. Engine was NOT running in pic; may be stuck now due to head-gasket problem but has always worked properly.

Note: trucker-style dashboard fan is NOT included in sale.

Summary:

True (car-based) station wagons are very rare and this is one of the last ‘compact’ wagons produced. It is an inherently practical design, having much useful space inside and on top, and is very aerodynamic - yielding good performance, handling safety, and good fuel economy. Kept full of coolant this car will still do highway speeds with ease.

Someone who can replace the gaskets on this car will have a really nice compact wagon that came from the factory with all available options including the 3.1-liter V6. This motor, properly rebuilt, is worth the whole car.

I have enjoyed this car immensely (see Panoramio pics featuring car in various places) and meant to restore it as a kind of surf car or ‘woody wagon’ and, given the time and space to do so, would not be selling it now. But due to relocation plans I will not be able to take it with me so it’s time for my little buddy to have a new home. Show the ‘iMac’ some needed TLC and you’ll know why I love it so much.

I have described this car as far as I know and can remember. Bidders are to be aware that this is a complete car but one in need of major work. While it can be driven onto a trailer or rollback, and can be towed on its rear wheels, it should not be driven home.

The car is parked in my back yard and is available for sale locally. The successful buyer will remit via PayPal or cash and have a strategy for getting the car home promptly. All questions are welcome.

All reasonable offers considered!

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