Chevrolet Cavalier

From GM Wiki

Chevrolet Cavalier
Manufacturer:	General Motors
Production:	1982–2005
Predecessor:	Chevrolet Monza
Successor:	Chevrolet Cobalt Chevrolet Astra (in Mexico) Chevrolet Optra (Canada & Mexico)
Class:	Compact
Platform:	FF J-body
Similar:	Dodge Neon Ford Escort Honda Civic Hyundai Elantra Mazda Protege Nissan Sentra

First generation
Image:1982Cavalier.jpg
Production:	1982–1987
Body style:	2-door convertible 2-door sedan 3-door hatchback 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon
Wheelbase:	101.2 in
Length:	173.5 in (coupe)
Related:	Buick Skyhawk Cadillac Cimarron Oldsmobile Firenza Pontiac Sunbird

Second generation
Image:1988 Chevrolet Cavalier.jpg
Production:	1988–1994
Body style:	2-door convertible 2-door coupe 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon
Related:	Buick Skyhawk Cadillac Cimarron Oldsmobile Firenza Pontiac Sunbird

Third generation
Image:2005ChevyCavalierMpegMan2.png
Production:	1995–2005
Body style:	2-door convertible 2-door coupe 4-door sedan
Related:	Pontiac Sunfire

The Chevrolet Cavalier was Chevrolet's version of the compact GM J platform. The Cavalier was one of the most popular cars in the United States and Canada from its introduction in early 1981 as a 1982 model. Even in the 2000s, it was GM's best selling car, trailing only the Camry, Accord, Civic, and Ford Taurus.<ref>" Little Chevy Cavalier big in entertainment", Bud Wells, Post-News Autos</ref>

The Cavalier was Chevrolet's entry-level car from 1989 to 1997 (1992 in Canada). The Cavalier is widely cited as the most successful of Chevrolet's long line of cars aimed at combatting the influx of compact imported vehicles, starting with the Corvair, Vega, Monza and the Chevette, with the Cavalier leading up to current Cobalt. The Chevrolet Vega defined the subcompact class, before being replaced by both the niche-market Monza coupe and the Chevette.<ref name="eds">"Chevrolet Small Cars: Cobalt, Cavalier, Monza and Vega", Inside Line, Edmunds.com, February 27, 2006</ref> After the exit of the Vega, the Monza and Chevette would do little to expand Chevrolet's share of small cars, but the arrival of the Cavalier would change this.

It was not the only J-car to use the Cavalier name; it was also used in the United Kingdom on the Vauxhall-badged version of the Opel Ascona C, and indeed the badge had been used by Vauxhall since 1976.

1 Predecessors
2 Criticisms
3 Production
4 United States sales figures
5 Generations
6 Engines used
7 Years used
8 Models and trim levels
9 Concepts
10 Toyota Cavalier
11 See also
12 References
13 External links

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Predecessors

The relatively short-lived three-door Accord-like hatchback replaced the stylish Monza, which was only available as a 3-door hatchback and thinly disguised Vega wagon. The small Chevette was retained even as sales declined, and was formally replaced by even smaller captive imports. But the largely successful mission of capturing the bulk of domestic compact sales would fall on the Cavalier's two-door sedan, four-door sedan and four-door wagon. The small Cavalier even helped fill in lagging sales of the mid-size Chevrolet Citation (a Chevrolet Nova replacement).

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Criticisms

The Cavalier had major restylings in 1988 and 1995. Yet despite strong sales, the car was widely panned and criticized by experts in automotive publications for its aging platform and interior design and quality. The Cavalier would have poor crash test ratings, most notably the high risk of pelvic injury in the third generation model (according to the NHTSA).

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Production

Cavaliers were built in Lordstown, Ohio, although they have also been produced in Lansing, Michigan, Janesville, Wisconsin, and Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila, Mexico.

Production of the Cavalier ended in October 2004, with the last 2005 model year Cavalier rolling off the Lordstown Assembly Plant line on October 6, and the very last Cavalier off the Ramos Arizpe Assembly Plant line on September 1. The Cavalier was replaced by the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt in the United States and Canada, Cobalt and Chevrolet Optra in Canada and Mexico, and Chevrolet Astra in Mexico.

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United States sales figures

58,904 1982
218,587 1983
462,611 1984 (Best seller in the United States)
383,752 1985 (Best seller in the United States)
432,101 1986
346,254 1987
322,939 1988
376,626 1989
310,501 1990
326,847 1991
225,633 1992
251,590 1993
254,426 1994
151,669 1995
261,686 1996
315,136 1997
238,861 1998
272,000 (est) 1999
5,210,123 ~ total known to 1999

Sources: Edmunds.com (1992-98),<ref name="eds"/> Autoworld.com (1999 estimate)<ref>"Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 - Two Times the Fun", S Osborn, Autoworld.com</ref>

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Generations

Image:IMG 0226.JPG

1992 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24

Image:AutocrossatKCBE.jpg

A modified Chevrolet Cavalier

Image:Chevrolet Cavalier.jpg

1995-1999 Chevrolet Cavalier sedan

Image:VogeysCavalier.JPG

1995 Chevrolet Cavalier

First generation (1982-1987)
Second generation (1988-1994)
Third generation (1995-2005)

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Engines used

1.8 L inline-4 OHV
2.0 L inline-4 OHV (Cavalier-specific)
2.8 L V6 MPFI (available in American Z24 models from 1986 to 1989, and in Mexican models until 1994)
2.2 L inline-4 OHV
2.2 L inline-4 OHV "2200 SFI"
2.3 L inline-4 DOHC (1995 Z24 Only)
2.4 L inline-4 DOHC (Cavalier Z24)
3.1 L V6 MPFI Available in Z24 models from 1990 to 1994.

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Years used

1991-1994 3.1 L MPFI (191 in³) V6
1992-1994 GM inline-4 OHV 2.2 L (134 in³) I4 115hp LN2
1995 Quad-4 2.3 L (138 in³) I4 LD2
1995-2001 2.2L GM inline-4 OHV "2200 SFI" 120hp LN2
1996-2002 LD9 2.4 L (146 in³) I4 LD9
2002-2005 Ecotec 2.2 L (134 in³) I4 L61

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Models and trim levels

Cavalier Cadet available as coupe, sedan or wagon
Cavalier Base available as coupe, sedan, hatchback or wagon
Cavalier VL (Value Leader) as coupe, sedan or wagon
Cavalier Type-10 available as coupe, convertible and hatchback
Cavalier RS (Rally Sport) available as coupe, sedan, convertible, hatchback and wagon
Cavalier Z24 available as hatchback (1986 & 1987), coupe, convertible, and sedan (2002)
Cavalier LS available as coupe, sedan and convertible, until the convertible was discontinued
Cavalier LS Sport available as coupe or sedan

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Concepts

General Motors has produced a handful of concept cars based on the J platform which were first seen at the 2001 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) auto show. These include the Cavalier 220 Sport Turbo Coupe, the Cavalier 263 Super Sport, the Cavalier Z24R, the Cavalier Maui 155, the Cavalier 425 A/FX drag car, and the Pontiac Sunfire HO (High Output) 2.4. These concept cars were produced by GM to show off the flexibility and performance of the J platform and to show that Cavaliers and Sunfires have greater potential than just hauling groceries. The concept cars at the 2001 SEMA show boasted supercharged engines, customized interiors, aggressive exterior styling, and high end audio/video systems.

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Toyota Cavalier

Image:Toyota Cavalier Rearlights.jpg

1996 Toyota Cavalier coupé (Japanese export model with amber rear turn signals)

The third generation model was briefly sold in Japan by Toyota, under a company agreement with GM, badged as the Toyota Cavalier, with some notable differences. Besides the fact that it was right hand drive, the Toyota Cavalier also featured a leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel, wider front fenders, Japanese legal taillights (with amber turn signals, per Japanese regulations), power folding rear mirrors, side turn signal repeater lights on the front fenders, and carpeting on the inside of the trunk lid. Interior seats were often flecked with color. Rear seat was folding. The Toyota Cavalier was entirely produced by GM in the USA and delivered fair sales from 1995 to 2000.

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