Hey all you J-Body entusiasts out there, I'd like to hear some peoples opinions with regards to the change in body style from the 95-99 (3rd GEN) to the 4th GEN Cavaliers. Directly pertaining to Body rules and dimensions.
In my opinion, not just because I own one but... I think a 3rd GEN looks far more attractive than the 4th GEN headlight design and dimensions...
It's like the difference between sexy, cute and for '03-'04 Cavi's - MEAN.
Let me know what you guys think...
Thanks
Never really was a "4th GEN". 03-05 would more than likely be considered a 3rd GEN Phase 3.
82-87 1ST GEN
88-90 2ND GEN Phase 1
91-94 2ND GEN Phase 2
95-99 3RD GEN Phase 1
00-02 3RD GEN Phase 2
03-05 3RD GEN Phase 3
They don't really consider a "GEN" change unless the platform actually changes.
Something like that.
JASON's "AIR RIDE MAFIA" (airbagsource.com)
95-99 are the top of the line after that the fall....
DaFlyinSkwirl (PJ) - BPU++ wrote:there is no 4th gen
this post is stupid
yup yup
Im a Xbox 360 fanboy...and damn proud of it!!
This post may appear to be "Stupid" to some people in the sense that I don't appear to know what I'm talking about with regards to the Generations and phases. Don't matter, I always appreciate some constructive criticism. I appreciate the correction on that, and yes thank you. But this post was designed to ask peoples opinions on body rules, dimensions, and in particular, the head light changes through the years.
So, I'd appreciate peoples opinons on this matter for that I'm curious of what other people think.
Thanks for the corrections on the generations and phases..
Let me know what you guys think. Thanks again for your time and consideration.
Seriously people! Be nice!
His question is valid, and now he knows what the different generations are.
So now that we're all on the same page... in my opinion, the 02 Z24 with the chrome wheels and the bumper lips is the best looking stock j-body ever made.
I love the 2nd gen Z24's with the silver skirts as well, since they stood out nicely and had a great look... but the ugly wheels mean they can't be at the top of the list.
The phase 3 j-bodies are ok, but the fact is that they should never have existed. GM was picking at straws to extend the platform for another couple years when they really should have had a new car out by then. The front end change is a matter of opinion. I think the rear end change was a step backwards across the board though. There are elements of it that show they had no sense of design or flow and just tried to make something different that would still fit the quarter panels and trunk.
95-99 FTW! lol
i agree with weasel... 02 z24's had the best look of them all. than in 03... JUST YUCK
i myself... prefer the 03-05 side skirts over the 95-02 z24's tho, i think if they would have used the newer ones(03-05) on the 00-02 cars it would have looked even better because the lips have the same "squarey" shape, and the 95-02 z side skirts are like a half inch to wide to match with the 02 lips.
i think the 95-99 headlights are the best, it gives the car a more "sharky" look, the 00-02's make the cars look bug eyed IMO. and dont even get me started on the 03-05 headlights... YUCK!
95-99 tails=the hotness
00-02 tails=ok... but not my fave
03-05=PUKE... but look good with the rk sport bezel
95-99 spoiler-PUKE-it doesnt flow with the car... round 1/4 panels and a sqaure spoiler FTL
00-02 spoiler-best one, it flows with the car real well
03-05-spoiler-not a fan.. its better than the 95-99 tho
95-99 non painted door handles/mirrors for any option car was gay. when u could get them painted in the newer years with the sporty packages-that was the best.
technially the 02 z24 are z22s...., with the switch the eco..... or wait.... when did they stop making the 2.4 engine, was it the same time the swtiched to 2.2 dohc? or was it at the beginning of the year.....? now I just confused myself...
^^ Z24 is an RPO code. Z22 is a dealer rice package. The 2.4 engine stopped in the first half of the 02 model year.
Derk Eliso wrote:technially the 02 z24 are z22s...., with the switch the eco..... or wait.... when did they stop making the 2.4 engine, was it the same time the swtiched to 2.2 dohc? or was it at the beginning of the year.....? now I just confused myself...
The 2.4 motor had nothing to do with is being a Z24....remember there were 2.3, 3.1, 2.8L in the Z24.
The Z22 is a dealer rice...its nothing more than stickers and a fake name. GM never made a Z22.
Halfway through 2002, they stopped making the 2.4 and made the ecotec the engine in the z24/LS Sport car. In the US when the switch from 2.4 to ecotec it went from Z24 to LS Sport...in canada it stayed Z24 though. Hope this helps shed some light
Quote:
The 2.4 motor had nothing to do with is being a Z24....remember there were 2.3, 3.1, 2.8L in the Z24.
And some Z24 verts (at least the VIN says Z24) had 2.2's
I like the 02 LS Sports better than any! Best body lines I think.
I like the 03 and up with the turbo sport front end though....
Also like the ones with the silver at the bottom (88/89 style)
The only thing I don't like are the headlight and corner lights on the 95 - 99. They never seem to look right to me. The hood line comes down to met the headlight and then the line for the corner light and headlight is an inch to the left (or right depending on the side). That was always odd to me...like it was an after thought?
The lights on the 00 - 02 line up with the hood line...and I think it looks better.
Eh...old man with a Corvette now...it was bound to happen sooner rather than later right?
Quote:
i myself... prefer the 03-05 side skirts over the 95-02 z24's tho, i think if they would have used the newer ones(03-05) on the 00-02 cars it would have looked even better because the lips have the same "squarey" shape, and the 95-02 z side skirts are like a half inch to wide to match with the 02 lips.
You need to be more precise. The 4 door side skirt fit pretty good with the front and back lip. If you don't like how they fit, you can still buy the Rk sport front lip. Never forget there was 2 style of side skirt.
Gilles
2.3 Ho
02 Z24 sedan OWN you all.
Gilles
2.3 Ho
1987 Cavalier Z24 Hatchback = the best evah!
<~~~~PWN3D!!
Thank you, every one on here a member, or other affiliates, you have broadened my horizon on what the general outlooks are when it comes to design engineering, aerodynamics and just plain slip-ups. I'd like to thank every one again for the constructive critisicm. This site is an excellent resource for any hard core GM J enthusiast and I really appreciate the vast amount of knowledge when it comes to you people, your opinions, and mechanical knowledge.
We got alot of skilled technicians, trade workers, and skilled mechanics/ auto body people here of many different types.
From first joining to where I am today (which wasn't that long ago) I have learned alot about the car that I drive. This is truely the world's largest GM entusiast network...
Thanks again guys!
-Western Shore,
Nova Scotia, CANADA
I have to agree with the corner signal light not ligning up with the hood/fender line. Same can be said about the 00-02 corners, they dont line up with the fender/bumper line. However, I would rather have that flaw, than a headlight that is much thicker (height wise). I just find the 2000-2002 headlights are too high, and dont look as nice as the double headlight design of the 95-99. The 03+ cavalier headlights, look dimented in my opinion. Just looks like Chevrolet had its 6th cavalier, which happens to be handicapped.
02 sunfire - 2.2 eco
woul dlike to point out that while this is a valid post because he is asking the opinion of people. if he had read the FAQ and stickies he would have known the differences already.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Monday, March 26, 2007 10:41 AM
My car may run 18s, but I can do your taxes in 10 seconds flat.
JBO lube - they would never have enough in stock and we'd never see RodimusPrime again
02 LS Sport with the stock lips and chrome 16s FTW. cant say 02 Z24 because they didnt have the chrome wheels.
Adam (StealthCavalier) wrote: cant say 02 Z24 because they didnt have the chrome wheels.
yes they did....very rare....I was really close in buying a blue 02 Z24 with the chrome wheels and lip kit....but something in my mind kept telling me....ecotec... ecotec... ecotec....lol
CaviFL45
Mfk-223 wrote:Quote:
i myself... prefer the 03-05 side skirts over the 95-02 z24's tho, i think if they would have used the newer ones(03-05) on the 00-02 cars it would have looked even better because the lips have the same "squarey" shape, and the 95-02 z side skirts are like a half inch to wide to match with the 02 lips.
You need to be more precise. The 4 door side skirt fit pretty good with the front and back lip. If you don't like how they fit, you can still buy the Rk sport front lip. Never forget there was 2 style of side skirt.
huh? i know theres 2 different styles of skirts... actually theres another-the z24 convertible had different skirts (same as the older year sunfires)
95-02 z24 had the skirts that fold under the car and then come back up and have a rounded edge at the top
03-05 ls sports had the skirts that are more "square" and straight... and are less "tall"
like i said, IMO... the 02 z24 (with the lips) would have matched better with the 03-05 ls sport side skirts
and wow... ive never noticed the fact that the 00-02 headlights line up with the hood line... thats a new one on me.. cool, still perfer the 95-99's though.
Adam (StealthCavalier) wrote:02 LS Sport with the stock lips and chrome 16s FTW. cant say 02 Z24 because they didnt have the chrome wheels.
They did here in Canada.
As for the headlights... I like the 00-02 better if for nothing more than the fact that they are a more modern design, with the clear lenses on them.
GM really dropped the ball in not redesigning the Sunfire headlights at the same time. We still got the old school crappy housings until they switched them entirely in 03, so we never had any we could swap or anything without needing the hood and bumper as well.
Quote:
huh? i know theres 2 different styles of skirts... actually theres another-the z24 convertible had different skirts (same as the older year sunfires)
95-02 z24 had the skirts that fold under the car and then come back up and have a rounded edge at the top
03-05 ls sports had the skirts that are more "square" and straight... and are less "tall"
The 02 Z24 sedan don't have the 2 door Z24 skirt. They have a square skirt from the front to the back.
Gilles
2.3 Ho
