Car Memories: 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier

Heidi Walczak
October 3, 2009

What kind of car is it?

1997 Chevrolet Cavalier, purple with a dark grey interiror

Why did you buy it?

It was so so so much better than the POS Renault Alliance that I had for the six months prior. I had just gotten my first real job (working in an office instead of at a fast food joint), was earning a real paycheck and was able to afford the $124 a month car payment. Perfect way to start my senior year in high school.

What did you think of the car when you had it?  Likes and dislikes?

It was such a cute car, loved the sparkly purple paint. Being a true car of the 90s, it was rounded where every corner should be, so we called it a grape Jelly Bean, just Jelly for short. I liked the dark grey interior, couldn't see any spills. I also really liked that it was a sedan instead of a two-door, very convient for hauling high school friends around. It had a CD player, was reliable and new, that is really all that mattered to me at the time.

Was there anything you found really interesting about the car?

Not particularly, I don't think I found much interesting about cars at the time, was pretty preoccupied with other stuff.

Did you have any problems with the car?

Nope, not until I was in a car accident had the air bags deploy and all around squished the Jelly Bean.

Why did you get rid of the car?

After the accident I was affraid to drive it, I was affraid to drive period. I ended up trading Jelly in for my Neon.

What do you think of the car now?

Still think it's a cute car, wouldn't suit my needs though anymore. However, I wouldn't be opposed to something larger in the same sparkly purple paint.