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In 1988 my second car was a 1984 Buick Skyhawk with 2 doors, not the hatchback, 2.0L OHV engine, 4 speed manual, AC, and no power steering. The one problem I had was the thermostat got stuck shut. When the temperature light came on I pulled over and stopped the car. Too many idiots would keep driving then later complain about the engine breaking. The four speed manual made it much more fuel efficient and faster depending on when and how you shifted than the 3 speed automatic. The one time I drove on the highway I got around 40 mpg. In town it depended on my teenage mood. If soft I could get close to 30. Many times I liked to pop the clutch, chirp the tires, and take off in a roar of four choked off cylinders. Changing the tires to some Bridgestone performance tires improved the handling over the factory garbage tires. Plenty of room in the front seats. Trunk had good enough room for a single teenager. Tinted windows improved the look. Seat fabric wasn’t sturdy but most cars in those days didn’t have seat fabric that lasted more than 4 years. That’s why many discount department stores and auto stores carried seat covers. For the Cavalier the optional engine was the 2.8L V6. For the Sunbird of 85 the base engine was 1.8L SOHC and the optional engine was a turbo charged version of that same 1.8L. The V6 was the better of the two because of the smooth power delivery. The turbo 4 may have been a bit faster but it suffered from turbo lag before snapping your neck and trying to rip the steering wheel out of your hand from torque steer. The Chevy 2.0L OHV engine was easier to do your own maintenance and if cared for ran practically forever.
In 1988 my second car was a 1984 Buick Skyhawk with 2 doors, not the hatchback, 2.0L OHV engine, 4 speed manual, AC, and no power steering. The one problem I had was the thermostat got stuck shut. When the temperature light came on I pulled over and stopped the car. Too many idiots would keep driving then later complain about the engine breaking. The four speed manual made it much more fuel efficient and faster depending on when and how you shifted than the 3 speed automatic. The one time I drove on the highway I got around 40 mpg. In town it depended on my teenage mood. If soft I could get close to 30. Many times I liked to pop the clutch, chirp the tires, and take off in a roar of four choked off cylinders. Changing the tires to some Bridgestone performance tires improved the handling over the factory garbage tires. Plenty of room in the front seats. Trunk had good enough room for a single teenager. Tinted windows improved the look. Seat fabric wasn’t sturdy but most cars in those days didn’t have seat fabric that lasted more than 4 years. That’s why many discount department stores and auto stores carried seat covers. For the Cavalier the optional engine was the 2.8L V6. For the Sunbird of 85 the base engine was 1.8L SOHC and the optional engine was a turbo charged version of that same 1.8L. The V6 was the better of the two because of the smooth power delivery. The turbo 4 may have been a bit faster but it suffered from turbo lag before snapping your neck and trying to rip the steering wheel out of your hand from torque steer. The Chevy 2.0L OHV engine was easier to do your own maintenance and if cared for ran practically forever.
I had an ‘89 Sunbird with the 2.0 OHC and three speed automatic. I never really had any problems with it, but that engine was sure rough and noisy. The thermostat was super easy to change, you just take the cap off and pull it out.
I never did understand why GM used different engines for the Cavalier and Sunbird. Most customers never knew the difference.
Plymouth , I think it had the most room.
The faults of this year are minor if I recall .
Cooling fan, carb goofy, and that pesky head gasket.
The 2.2 motor was prone to the valve cover gasket leaking. I had the Dodge Aries same car as the Plymouth. I worked at the Chrysler plant in Newark Delaware were the 2 door and wagon were built we were putting out 75 cars an hour.
Funny thing is many threads on this site have people that say they prefer vehicles like these P.O.S. because they were inexpensive to buy and fix. Thank god the car market has evolved.
Funny thing is many threads on this site have people that say they prefer vehicles like these P.O.S. because they were inexpensive to buy and fix. Thank god the car market has evolved.
The K-car is a pita to work on the engine and transmission are put in from underneath like all FWD vehicles of today. Any FWD vehicle is a pita to work on because you’re on your back allot to work on the engine and transmission unless you have a hoist.
The K-car is a pita to work on the engine and transmission are put in from underneath like all FWD vehicles of today. Any FWD vehicle is a pita to work on because you’re on your back allot to work on the engine and transmission unless you have a hoist.
I have the 82 Scirocco and 87 Camry that are both FWD, and most all service can be done under the hood, no harder than a RWD car from Detroit. In some ways easier.
I have the 82 Scirocco and 87 Camry that are both FWD, and most all service can be done under the hood, no harder than a RWD car from Detroit. In some ways easier.
Maybe for you but I’ve seen many FWD vehicles that have to be worked on from underneath. I’ve seen water pumps and alternators having to be replaced from underneath.
I had a Ford Tempo. It caught on fire. Stay away from those.
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