Hello everyone! I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Jen and I am from Michigan. My husband just bought me a 97 Cavalier Convertible project car and look forward to making it beautiful again. It's blue with a brand new black vinyl top and a charcoal interior with some aftermaket 15" wheels. It's got 127,000 miles on the 2.2L and has a four speed automatic. I used to have a 95 gold Cavalier coupe and am familiar with the 2.2L's quirks and head issues. I've been wanting a convertible for a long time and this one we bought for $1200. It's rust-free, but it's got the typical abused body with some bumps and bruises. We just spent yesterday getting new window motors, some new interior pieces, and a new drivers side mirror. My plan is to paint it metallic white with blue painted racing stripes. It's going to have to wait a bit because we are currently redoing a 86 Fiero GT fastback and the 'verts gotta wait its turn. I do have some pics, however I can't seem to find my camera usb cable right now. We've also got a 2003 Ford F-250 Turbo Diesel 4x4, a 2006 Chevy Trailblazer, and my 2007 Mustang Pony Package. My goal is to have the 'vert ready to be my DD when the lease on our 'Blazer is up next May because I never really drive the Mustang. As you can see, my husband and I love cars and we look forward to giving the Cavy the attention it deserves. Just a few quick questions:
1) Is ebay the best place to find replacement headlights/taillights? Mine are scuffed pretty bad and I'm thinking about getting the clear ones.
2) Is anyone's else's dash board cracked? (meaning the piece directly under the windshield). Mine is in about 8 pieces, so I just bought a dash mat for it to cover it.
3) Any common issues with the top?
Thanks and nice to meet you!
welcome to the org.. the dash crack is a well known issue with cavaliers. only way to really fix it is to replace the whole lower dash. or you can look on ebay for the cover lay which pops up from time to time.
just my opinion, dont do the racing stripes.... i like the idea of the metalic white. or mabe even pearl white. and mabe also look into the cavalier z24 front bumper and rear bumper. (look at my sig). also check your local junk yards like pick and pull for replacement used parts. you can also catch a good deal on ebay for headlights.
In my experience, a you-pull-and-pay salvage yard will save you mucho $$$ in the long run for any replacement parts (as long as you don't care if they aren't brand new). Although you can get lucky on occasion.
Thanks for the replies. I am wondering if someone can tell me what's underneath the side moldings. Is it just adhesive and can it be removed? I would like to take mine off for the time being until I get it painted.
Yes, it is just adhesive, but the paint might be a slightly different shade under it, If your paint is still original.
Welcome!
Even worse is if it was repainted with the mouldings still on. You may have a different color under there, but you should be able to tell this by looking in the trunk, door jams or under the hood/engine bay to make sure it is the factory color that is on the outside.
FOR SALE
BaggedOn20s wrote:Even worse is if it was repainted with the mouldings still on. You may have a different color under there, but you should be able to tell this by looking in the trunk, door jams or under the hood/engine bay to make sure it is the factory color that is on the outside.
Thanks for the suggestions. The door jams are all the same color and I already took the badges off the trunk with no problem. I'm repainting it soon, anyways so I guess they are going to have to come off anyways!
White verts FTW,and yes please no racing stripes if you paint it white,lol.I was one of the lucky ones to have never had the infamous dash crack.X 3 for pics
15.2@89mph 2.171 60ft. 9.830 1/8 R.I.P. "LULU"
I want to do a single, wide stripe in a medium blue metallic. The car will be pearl white. You can see a pic of the painted stripe on my 2007 Mustang here:
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2579929
I just want the stripe on the hood and maybe the trunk lid, wide with no wrapping onto the bumpers and rounded at the edges.
Here's the $1200 Convertible:
Not bad,needs the body work b4 paint, a Z24 kit,a drop, and a 2.4 if the money is available
15.2@89mph 2.171 60ft. 9.830 1/8 R.I.P. "LULU"
^ i never noticed that body damage in the other pics
