A case of heart VS head

"G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3" (gbodyman)
06/29/2015 at 18:46 • Filed to: Oldsmoboat Gutbus Extreme

So as you guys know, my Cutlass is in dire need of restoration. However, my heart is at war with my head. You see, this car has so far cost me $1450 or so, and if I sold it now, it would be worth $1200. However, I have found another GM car that is 18 years younger, has 67,000 fewer kms (almost 42,000 fewer miles), needs less than $150 in parts to be roadworthy, and costs $850. So what’s the catch?

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

This is the catch. It’s a base-model, automatic 2002 Cavalier. Now at this point, you might be feeling like this.

Why would I sell my beloved Cutlass for a piece of crap like this? Well, I’m not sure I want to sink any more money into the car. Couple that with the fact that these cars show up in junkyards everywhere, and the fact that this car is way cleaner than my Cutlass, and you can see why I’m tempted. What do you think? Should I sell the interesting money pit for a boring car, or should I keep the interesting car so that I don’t have to drive around a Cavalier?

DISCUSSION (22)

jkm7680 > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
06/29/2015 at 18:54

No Crapalier

Uug > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
06/29/2015 at 18:56

I don’t know if you should keep the Cutlass or get the Cavalier, but if you’re looking at Cavaliers you may as well get a similarly priced Civic/Golf/Corolla/626/Accord of the same vintage

lone_liberal > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
06/29/2015 at 18:58

The normal reaction when you get sick of one thing is to seek out the exact opposite. I think that’s what’s at work here. There has to be a middle ground somewhere between Cutlass and zzzzzzzzzz. Even a V6 powered 4th gen Camaro/Firebird would be better.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > lone_liberal
06/29/2015 at 18:59

Not a 4th gen. Anything but a 4th gen. Have you seen the engine bay on a 4th gen?

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Uug
06/29/2015 at 19:06

Not a Civic, as they’re expensive to insure.

Not a Golf, because german unreliability.

Not a Corolla, I don’t fit comfortably in those.

Not a 626, rust.

Accords of the same vintage are too pricey.

lone_liberal > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
06/29/2015 at 19:06

You mean the “why is the engine under the windshield?” engine bay? Yes, yes I have. At least it would keep you awake.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > jkm7680
06/29/2015 at 19:06

Why not? It’s a functional car for $850.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > lone_liberal
06/29/2015 at 19:08

Hell no. I’d rather keep my money pit than work on a 4th gen, let alone own one.

lone_liberal > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
06/29/2015 at 19:12

I didn’t say it was better than your Cutlass (or many other cars). Just better than a Cavalier.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > lone_liberal
06/29/2015 at 19:15

From an ease of working on and insurance standpoint, it’s not better.

lone_liberal > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
06/29/2015 at 19:21

Sorry, I forget that you’re on the younger side. For me a V6 Camaro wouldn’t bump my insurance at all. I doubt if a V8 one would either. If you’re going to get a beater there are no finer beaters than ones from GM. They will rattle and shake and pieces will fall off but their wheels will keep turning.

Under_Score > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
06/29/2015 at 19:22

Why are Civics expensive to insure? I know they’re stolen a lot, and the older ones are usually riced out, but that just seems like silly excuses to raise the premiums.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Under_Score
06/29/2015 at 19:23

Commonly stolen, commonly riced out, boy racer image.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Under_Score
06/30/2015 at 07:48

Because Ontario. Anything semi-modern is a fortune up here, esp. for a 16yo.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
06/30/2015 at 07:50

You’ve asked this before...

I think we all know the heart will win out, based on the last one. If you do decide to ditch it, don’t go for the crapalier. Find a 90’s Caprice and become The_B-Body_man.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
06/30/2015 at 08:59

I'm probably selling the g-body. I don't want to put in $1000 in parts alone.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
06/30/2015 at 09:02

Do it fast, before it hurts more, then.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
06/30/2015 at 09:10

Sounds like a plan. Then I can become J_Body_man.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
06/30/2015 at 09:12

Well, at least promise to turn it into a sleeper.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
06/30/2015 at 09:20

Probably. If a 2.2 ecotec will fit, then an SS/SC motor should fit fine.

BigBlock440 > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
06/30/2015 at 11:09

Tough to beat an $800 beater on value. Even if it only lasts for 20,000 miles before you replace it, it’s still cheaper than buying anything newer.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
06/30/2015 at 11:13

Let me come in as an expert. I had a 2001 Cavalier. Nearly base model. Only options were CD player and power windows. Sedan, automatic. I paid a heck of a lot more than that, and it was a horrible car. Just awful. Broke down regularly. For $850, it probably isn’t a bad deal, but there’s a passion you had for your G body. There is no passion when it comes to a Cavalier. They’re just completely unremarkable. I mean, parts are cheap and easily available, but there’s just not much potential involved.

Take it from the owner of one, avoid it, please. You’ll save yourself many headaches.