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Overview of the Chevrolet Cavalier
Back during the early 1980s, GM was facing a dilemma: how to counter the rising tide of Japanese imports which was eating into its profits as well as stealing market share? In 1979, GM released its "X body" cars, a series of compact models sold by Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick and Olds. Two years later it was the "J body" line that was released, subcompacts sold by all five GM car brands of that time including Cadillac. Together, both body lines made a dent against Toyota, Honda, Datsun (Nissan) and others, but not enough to stem market decline.
Unlike the other GM brands, the five passenger Chevrolet Cavalier was the only J-body to last from the time it was introduced as a 1982 model until production was discontinued in 2005. Several generation models came and went while Cadillac dropped its forgettable Cimarron and Olds went out of business. Buick kept its J-body throughout the 1980s, while Pontiac's entry changed named several times from the J2000 to the 2000 before becoming the Sunbird and ending with the Sunfire.
Three Generations, Numerous Changes
Because the Chevy Cavalier was on the market for so long, the car went through a number of body changes and updates over its 24 model year run including three complete overhauls.
The first generation Cavalier lasted from the 1982 to 1987 model years. The second generation Cavalier rolled out for the 1988 model year and continued through 1994 while the final model was introduced in 1995 and ceased production with the 2005 model year.
Body Styles Galore
So, what sort of body styles have sported Cavalier badges? Perhaps the right question would be: what body style wasn't used by GM?
The first generation Cavalier had it all: a two door coupe, convertible, three door hatchback, four door sedan and a station wagon. The hatchback didn't survive after the first generation while wagon was discontinued after the second generation. Midway through the third generation, the convertible disappeared, leaving buyers with just two model choices.
Cavalier Popularity
Exactly what kept the Cavalier popular down through the years? After all, it was one of the best selling models sold by Chevrolet for more than two decades.
That would be a number of things including: its competitive price, low operating cost, decent insurance rates, easy to get parts, customization, you name it. A lot of young drivers owned a Cavalier as their first car for these same reasons. And with GM supporting the model with a number of different engine, transmission and performance packages, the Cavalier could easily be configured the way you wanted.
Chevrolet Today
After the Cavalier was discontinued, the Cobalt replaced the car to the dismay of Cavalier enthusiasts who felt that the Cavalier name should be continued. GM, for its wisdom, thought that the Cavalier name was played out, hence the change. Cavalier fans will have the last laugh because the Cobalt is being phased out for the Cruze, a model that will trump anything GM has built in this category to date, an excellent model that should appeal to current Cavalier enthusiasts.
Unlike the other GM brands, the five passenger Chevrolet Cavalier was the only J-body to last from the time it was introduced as a 1982 model until production was discontinued in 2005. Several generation models came and went while Cadillac dropped its forgettable Cimarron and Olds went out of business. Buick kept its J-body throughout the 1980s, while Pontiac's entry changed named several times from the J2000 to the 2000 before becoming the Sunbird and ending with the Sunfire.
Three Generations, Numerous Changes
Because the Chevy Cavalier was on the market for so long, the car went through a number of body changes and updates over its 24 model year run including three complete overhauls.
The first generation Cavalier lasted from the 1982 to 1987 model years. The second generation Cavalier rolled out for the 1988 model year and continued through 1994 while the final model was introduced in 1995 and ceased production with the 2005 model year.
Body Styles Galore
So, what sort of body styles have sported Cavalier badges? Perhaps the right question would be: what body style wasn't used by GM?
The first generation Cavalier had it all: a two door coupe, convertible, three door hatchback, four door sedan and a station wagon. The hatchback didn't survive after the first generation while wagon was discontinued after the second generation. Midway through the third generation, the convertible disappeared, leaving buyers with just two model choices.
Cavalier Popularity
Exactly what kept the Cavalier popular down through the years? After all, it was one of the best selling models sold by Chevrolet for more than two decades.
That would be a number of things including: its competitive price, low operating cost, decent insurance rates, easy to get parts, customization, you name it. A lot of young drivers owned a Cavalier as their first car for these same reasons. And with GM supporting the model with a number of different engine, transmission and performance packages, the Cavalier could easily be configured the way you wanted.
Chevrolet Today
After the Cavalier was discontinued, the Cobalt replaced the car to the dismay of Cavalier enthusiasts who felt that the Cavalier name should be continued. GM, for its wisdom, thought that the Cavalier name was played out, hence the change. Cavalier fans will have the last laugh because the Cobalt is being phased out for the Cruze, a model that will trump anything GM has built in this category to date, an excellent model that should appeal to current Cavalier enthusiasts.
