| The Really Important Stuff | |
| Engine | 2.0 L I4 |
| Transmission | 3-Speed Automatic |
| Power | 90 hp @ 5600 rpm |
| Torque | 108 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm |
| Fuel Economy City/Highway | 22/29 |
| Curb Weight | 2414 lbs |
| Base Price When New | $8,860 |
| Market Value (Excellent Condition, 100K miles) | $1,633 |
“Robert” was a 1988 Cavalier wagon that my family acquired when I was 3 years old. According to my parents, I gave him that name myself. It figures then that I have always felt a strong connection to this car. We were born in the same year, and we grew up together. Robert was a part of many of the formative experiences of my life. My family drove Robert across the country from East to West when we moved to
When I got
my driver’s license at 19, I finally had the chance to drive the car that had
meant so much to me during my childhood.
By then, Robert was beginning to show his age. But I saw him through rose-colored
glasses. Instead of being frustrated by
the slow response of the pedals, I loved how it made the car accelerate and
brake so smoothly. You just couldn’t
rush the car to do anything, which made for a laid-back driving
experience. The steering was loose and
off-center, but I appreciated how light the wheel felt in my hands.
Robert soon became a symbol of my
independence. My parents let me drive
him wherever I wanted, whenever I wanted, as long as I told them where I was
going. Driving Robert to work during the
first summer after college only strengthened our bond. Every moment we spent together taught me new
lessons in car control. I found the
limits of his lateral grip and braking force (which didn’t take much effort to
reach). I practiced braking so smoothly
that I couldn’t feel the car rock back as I came to a halt. I learned to parallel park and back into
parking spaces—Robert was the perfect car for this because of his big square
windows and thin pillars.
When he finally died of a clogged
exhaust system last year, I was sad to see him go. But he left me with a valuable gift—a passion
for driving that has stuck with me my whole life.
Pros:
- Cheap to insure
- Great visibility
- Love is blind
Cons:
- Unresponsive throttle and brake
- Numb, loose steering
- Only one working speaker
- Windshield wipers turned on when using the turn signals
- Loud but weak engine
The Bottom Line: It was the cornerstone of my passion for driving.
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