The General Motors got tremendous value out of the J Platform, which remained in production from 1981 until 2005 and had models on four continents during that time. However, entering the 21st century, the J-Body family was limited to just two vehicles: the Pontiac Sunfire and the Chevy Cavalier. While we previously found a discarded example of one of the very last Cavalier Z24s, featuring un-Z-ish four-doors, today’s Junkyard Gem is a 2002 Cavalier LS Sport Coupe, showcasing a genuine coupe with nearly as much power as its Z24 siblings.
For the 2002 model year, the LS Sport was the second-highest trim level for the Cavalier, with the MSRP for the coupe with a five-speed manual reaching $16,430 ($28,486 in 2024 dollars).
Throughout most of the Cavalier’s extended production life, its engines belonged to either the pushrod 122 family or the pushrod 60° V6 family. However, in 1995, when the third and final generation of the Cavalier was introduced, the V6 was replaced by the DOHC Oldsmobile Quad 4. 2002 marks an important year for Cavalier engines, as it was the final year for the 122 and Quad 4, and the first year for Cavaliers powered by the modern Ecotec, which is still used in the GM Empire today.
The 2002 Cavalier LS Sport is equipped with a 2.2-liter Ecotec engine, producing 140 horsepower and 150 pound-feet, while the Z24 variant is powered by a 2.4-liter Quad 4, rated at 150 horsepower and 155 pound-feet.
Despite the decline in the popularity of manual transmissions in the U.S., this car was originally purchased with a five-speed manual transmission.
Additionally, the 2002 Cavalier was notable for including a CD player as standard equipment in every model. This specific car has the premium audio system with cassette capability, six speakers, and Radio Data System, which was a $330 option ($572 in today’s money).
While the car has seen better days, with worn sheet metal, a driver’s door from a 2005 Cavalier, and a faded interior, it still retains the LS Sport aluminum wheels.
Overall, the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier LS Sport Coupe represents an important point in the model’s evolution, offering a blend of performance, features, and value that appeals to automotive enthusiasts.
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