FYI Chevette brakes are not that bad. But if you find an early model swap out the front calipers for the 80 and up units as they have bigger piston 1.93 vs 1.85 thus more front brake. Or you could swap out the master cyl to next size smaller. Steering racks tend to rot around the rubber mounts, if in road salt area. as i recall some had 3.55 rear gears some had 4.10's. 4.10 better get up and go but less mpg.
44
Omni's/Horizons are on the search list as well but Im acually surprised by that since the last time we did this with him we put him in one of the derivatives and it was a flaming piece of poo. I think because it was a derivative (cant remember what they are called but the little 2 door slant back hatch version) He hadsn't made the connection.
I'm a VW guy, no way in hell I'd put him in a watercooled VW, sorry, Im a realist.
Im generally working on the basic rule of $1000 cars right now, which is the best car you can buy for $1000 is the best car you find, all of them will have their share of problems at that price point so you just get the best thing you can find for the money.
In the Chevette's favor is that he would have over 1/2 his budget left for repair work when needed. But it will have to be a really clean car for me to consider it.
Still poking at alot of others and wishing I wasn't the "car guy" in the family right now.
I commuted in an 87 Chevette for 4 years, and almost 150 k. It was fine. The brakes were not bad, and I never had a single problem with it. They're simple cars, but they're not bad cars.
When I'm looking for a good used car, I search for the less common brands, i.e.: Search for a Plymouth Neon vs. a Dodge Neon, or a Pontiac Vibe vs. a Toyota Matrix. I think you can also get good examples of GMC trucks this way. Lots of people will search for a Chevy, but most forget about GMC. Sellers of nice vehicles can get stuck with them and may be more willing to deal.
If you really want a Chevette, also search for a Pontiac T1000.
Here's a cheap Neon that may get overlooked: http://nwct.craigslist.org/cto/1814574833.html
I think ACVW fans can be converted to Volvo guys fairly easily. I'd focus my attention there.
92 240, $300 http://nwct.craigslist.org/cto/1804023840.html
91, $800 with new brakes: http://nwct.craigslist.org/cto/1784913417.html
Does he find spark plugs too complicated? How about a Diesel 'Vette for $950?
1982 RARE CHEVY CHEVETTE DIESEL 5SPD Date: 2010-06-22, 6:17PM
Selling the Chevette. Its an '82 4dr with a diesel. You don't see these anymore. Yes its real. In 1982 there were 22,000 made. Super mileage with these. I even have a window sticker from back then and these cars sold for $8000 back then. Thats $17500. in todays money. Anyways rusty floors, brake lines etc. The engine runs great. Its tight. Not sure of the mileage because the OD stopped working. So I had put an hour meter in to keep track of the oil changes. Its a great little 4 cylinder Isuzu diesel engine and its bullet proof. Very rare car and not many around!! This year I had replaced the Battery, glow plugs, brakes. Last year I did 4 new tires. ( Car still runs and drives just took it off the road Friday for my newer car.) 518-365-6847 cell
Location: JOHNSTOWN, NY it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
Original URL: http://albany.craigslist.org/cto/1805708462.html
See what you made me do? I'm not even moved in yet and I'm cruising CL like I don't need to buy a new water heater 
I remember being 8 years old and crying when my dad brought home a 4 door 'Vette from an auction. It's level of craptasticness was that strong.
You did mention Bug: http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/1806060484.html
Since we are talking oddball, how about a Metro: http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/1816134164.html
Lookit what I just found (not remotely close to you)!
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/1788542868.html
Sentra seems to be a nice place to spend time vs. a Chevette so maybe check around on those?
I'm also confused why you wouldn't want an older watercooled VW but I've never owned one and I can understand if it's the CIS that strikes fear.
92dxman wrote: You did mention Bug: http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/1806060484.html Since we are talking oddball, how about a Metro: http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/1816134164.html
There's nothing oddball about a Metro.
It's what replaced the Chevette in the GM lineup. A 4 cyl Metro would do everything a Chevette does, only better. Can be had pretty cheap, and there's great support online.
zomby woof wrote: There's nothing oddball about a Metro.... A 4 cyl Metro would do everything a Chevette does, only better. Can be had pretty cheap, and there's great support online.
The online Chevette community is pretty thin. That alone should say something 
zomby woof wrote: A 4 cyl Metro would do everything a Chevette does, only better.
It does not drive the rear wheels better. The Chevette is attractive to me just for that...
That, and because one of my first forays into the magical world of the female anatomy happened (awkwardly) in the front seat of one.
Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:zomby woof wrote: A 4 cyl Metro would do everything a Chevette does, only better.I. The Chevette is attractive to me just for that... That, and because one of my first forays into the magical world of the female anatomy happened (awkwardly) in the front seat of one.
If that was my main criteria, I'd hold out for a Starlet or an early GLC...or Colt.
STS_ZX2 wrote:Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:If that was my main criteria, I'd hold out for a Starlet or an early GLC...or Colt...or Corolla...zomby woof wrote: A 4 cyl Metro would do everything a Chevette does, only better.I. The Chevette is attractive to me just for that... That, and because one of my first forays into the magical world of the female anatomy happened (awkwardly) in the front seat of one.
Any brake upgrade that fits a Fiero fits a Chevette, and there are plenty of those out there.
Chevette's share their basic suspension bits with the Opel Kadett C, GM's T-car, which is pretty much the same as an Isuzu Impulse. Wiki "T-car GM" and get more interchange info.
That said, a natural swap would be the SOHC Impulse turbocharged engine, which should bolt right in. Five speed cars had T-5s, and if you keep the tail housing you can mix and match parts with S-10 4-cylinder and small v-6 T-5s to get you options from the Chevy 1.8-2.2L pushrod motors, the iron duke 2.5 (or it's Mercruiser 3.0L big brother), 2.9L-3800cc v-6s, and even Jeep 4-cylinders. With the right parts the Isuzu diesel from any of a million reefer trailers can contribute it's 1.6-2.5L diesel to the project as well.
Rear suspension is the same layout as a F-body, with a tube instead of a torque arm, so handling can be had.
Biggest issue is do you want to be seen in a Chevette?
92dxman wrote: You did mention Bug: http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/1806060484.html Since we are talking oddball, how about a Metro: http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/1816134164.html
Ive seen both those and they are on my "to check" lists, just no time to get out there to look at them these days.
I looked at the Chevette last night and while Im tempted to buy it for another project for me it wont be right for him so that rules that one out at least for now.
As to the watercooled VW question, I would not put him in one because he wants reliability and while watercooleds are fun and fairly easy to work on they have never been known as reliable, at least not around my house.
JThw8 wrote: I looked at the Chevette last night and while Im tempted to buy it for another project for me it wont be right for him so that rules that one out at least for now.
How bad was it? Not that I need another project but....would it make it here?
Junkyard_Dog wrote:JThw8 wrote: I looked at the Chevette last night and while Im tempted to buy it for another project for me it wont be right for him so that rules that one out at least for now.How bad was it? Not that I need another project but....would it make it here?
Not running at the moment, said it needed a starter but then he admitted that he tried to jump start it and crossed the wires and got a nice puff of smoke...ick
Probably simple to sort out, everything else looked in good order. If I didnt have the MG waiting in the wings for Lemons I'd pick it up.
I skimmed the thread, so forgive me if I say stuff that's already been said. There seems to be some contention about how crappy the brakes are. A friend of mine had one back in high school, and maybe it varies by car, but his brakes were absolutely horrible. He also rolled it over one of the first times he ever drove it, but he live out in the country and had a near by farmer roll it back over with his tractor and drove home. It didn't break any of the glass and only put minor dents in the roof and right rear upper c pillar. Oh, and if you ever have to change the starter, I feel really, REALLY sorry for you. It sucks that bad. If I had a manual chevette that needed a starter, I would consider push starting it for the rest of it's life before enduring that torturous event again.
JThw8 wrote:Junkyard_Dog wrote:Not running at the moment, said it needed a starter but then he admitted that he tried to jump start it and crossed the wires and got a nice puff of smoke...ick Probably simple to sort out, everything else looked in good order. If I didnt have the MG waiting in the wings for Lemons I'd pick it up.JThw8 wrote: I looked at the Chevette last night and while Im tempted to buy it for another project for me it wont be right for him so that rules that one out at least for now.How bad was it? Not that I need another project but....would it make it here?
You posted this as I was typing. See my thoughts on changing the starter. It's a horrible, horrible job. Granted, I was young when I changed one, and not as skilled as I am these days, but IIRC, you have to unbolt the master cyl, unbolt the left engine mount, jack the engine up, and then the bottom bolt is still nearly impossible to get to. I think I used two swivels in a weird snake-like train of extensions to get it off. I didn't see any humanly possible way to get the bottom bolt back on. I couldn't get it started by hand, because my hand wouldn't fit, and I'm sure you know how tricky it is to get a bolt to start when you're in a tight spot with a swivel, let alone two. Luckily, the starter fits in it's hole very tightly, so I got the starter back in, but after an hour or so I gave up on the bottom bolt. Put a dab of thread-loc on the top bolt, torqued it down, and called it a day. It was still like that a year later when he sold the car.
JThw8 wrote: I drove a Chevette in DC for a few years as a teen and never had an issue. I also believe his commute is actually from the Frederick area to the rockville metro station mostly via backroads, he doesnt actually drive in the city most days.
From Frederick to Rockville on back roads = Rt. 355. Which means that the brakes are even more important. Wife did Frederick to Gaitherburg for 36 years and preferred the rolling parking lot of I-270 to the kamakize drivers on 355.
If you really want Chevette stuff, go buy an '84 Fiero. You'll get lots of Chevette parts, plus the legendary Iron Duke. As a bonus, if it's rusting, nobody will be able to see it from the outside...
Word to the wise...if you go Omni/Horizon...be careful if you ever pick the car up. When I was in high school, my parents had me attend a drivers' ed class. The instructor had an Omni. As a practical joke, a bunch of us picked up the car by the rear bumper, and turned it around facing a fence. Well, we went to put it down...the rear bumper stuck out so far it came down on my knee. Was on crutches for my senior prom.
Seriously, I'd look elsewhere. Even though it may not be unique or oddball, lots of decent choices. About 18 months ago, I helped someone find a car. She had a sub $1000 budget too. Found an '88 Camry for $800. It had 230k+ miles on it, from the original owner. Had all receipts from new. I still see her driving it around today.
they made a diesel chevette in 82, RWD, 5spd, run forever, and 40mpg.
mine got just over 200K on it, runs perfect, nope not for sale, been runnin veggie oil get for free, SOOOO.
BUT it aint no race car.
geo metro 50 mpg AC works - $800 (louisville) If my commute wasn't under 5 miles I might even consider this one!
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