TEST DRIVE _

THE COMPACT Chevrolet Cavalier has been the best- selling car in Canada for a number of years.

Though its basic design dates back more than 10 years, it re- mains popular primarily because it offers good value-for-money when compared with other cars in its category. Base Cavalier models start under $10,000, and include such standard equipment as a 110-horsepower 2.2-litre four- cylinder engine, anti-lock brakes, power steering and a five- passenger interior.

Cavaliers are available in four tbody styles: two-door coupe, four-door sedan, four-door wagon, and two-door convertible. With summer just around the corner, I decided to test drive a drop-top, and experience the ele- ments first hand.

Cavalier convertibles are av ail- able in mid-level RS and sporty Z24. trim, starting at $18,098 for the RS. That compares with a base price of $11,298 for the RS coupe.

Why is a convertible so much more expensive than a hardtop? There are three basic reasons.

First of all, convertibles require extra strengthening of the body structure to prevent body shake and flexing, and to compensate for the loss of the roof. This ad- -ditional strengthening adds to the cost of the vehicle and also in- creases the weight. The 224 con- vertible is actually 62 kilograms {137 Ibs.) heavier than the Z24 coupe.

Secondly, convertibles are pro- duced in very limited numbers, driving up the price of produc- tion.

And thirdly, the 224 convertible has some additional standard equipment, such as power win- dows,

The sporty styling of my test vehicle, a Z24 (son of Z28), em- phasizes performance; however, it is mostly cosmetic.

The Z24 comes with the same V6 powertrain available on other Cavaliers. The Z24’s sport look is enhanced by a bolt-on rear deck- lid spoiler and lower rear ‘‘skirt,”’ front air-dam and body-side rocker panels, and a non-func- tional ‘‘cow! iaduction’’ hood.

Wide 205/60 R-15 Goodyear performance all-season radials mounted on polished alloy wheels are standard equipment. A slightly stiffer ‘sport suspension’? im- proves handling (but not ride) slightly. :

Like most other GM _ vehicles, the Cavalier coavertible comes standard with anti-lock brakes, a

THE Z24’s sport look is enhanced by a bolt-on rear deck-lid spoiler and lower rear ‘‘skirt,'’ front air-dam and body.

couver.

very importaut safety feature, particularly in our datnp climate. The ability to brake and steer around obstacles on slippery sur- faces can be a lifesaver, and even if used only once during your life, it is certainly worth having. The Cavalier’s brakes are discs in front and drums in rear. Four-wheel disc brakes are not available.

The Cavalier is net available with driver- or passenger-side airbags, but it does offer. GM’s innovative . self-aligning steering wheel. In a severe frontal impact, the steering wheel is designed to bend and conform to the driver’s body position if the driver’s torso strikes it, lessening the chance of injury.

RS convertibles offer a standard 2.2-litre four-cylinder engine with 110 horsepower, or optional 140-horsepower V6. Z24s get the V6 as standard equipment. The V6 is a spirited, sporty-sounding powerful engine with lots of punch in the low range and a nice, quiet, relaxed highway cruising feel.

Equipped with an automatic transmission, the Z24 Cavalier convertible averages 10.1 litres per 100 km (30 mpg) in combined city and highway driving (with the top up). For comparison, the four- cylinder-engined convertible averages 8.5 litres per 100 km (34 mpg).

My test car was fitted with the optional three-speed automatic whose only drawback was a not- quite-so-good-as-a-four-speed fuel economy rating on the high- way. (A four-speed automatic is not offered.) Otherwise, this is an easy transmission to live with, with smooth gear transitions and responsive change-downs during acceleration.

There’s too much shiny plastic in the interior and the cowl is high by today’s standards, but other-

t i j i 4 i i I d

wise the Cavalier’s interior is comfortable and sensibly design- ed,

Velour-covered bucket seats with cloth inserts are comfortable, the steering wheel tilts and the round gauges, including tachome- ter, are easy to read. Two pull- out cup holders are located on the dash in front of the passenger. Power windows are standard on the Z24 with the buttons located on the centre console. Another standard feature is doors that !ock automatically about 10 seconds after getting under way.

A Delco AM/FM radio with four speakers is standard equip- ment, while cassette and CD players are available as options. Both side windows and rear quarter ‘vindows retract in the

See Power-operated page 22

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NI S photos Silko Waketietd -side rocker panels, and a non-functional ‘‘cow! induction’ hood. inquire about the Z24 at Dick Irwin Chevrelet Oldsmobile, 845 Marine Dr.,- North Van-

THE 224 has a fuel-injected 3.1-litre V6 engine with 140 horse-

power.

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