Lots of people die cause the cava doors suck.

care to elaborate on that

Theres no reasoning with import lovers, they're going to tell you nothing else is even half as good, its like a cult.

KBB and Edmunds don't help the issue either. they are just as bad about it.

The third-generation Cavalier earned several low scores in crash tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Also, IIHS fatality risks statistics rated the Cavalier among the "Highest rates of driver deaths," with 150 (4 door) to 171 (2 door) driver deaths per million registered vehicle years. Average for the Cavalier class (small) was 103 (4 door) to 134 (2 door) driver deaths per million registered vehicle years.[9]

The IIHS gave the 1995-2005 Cavalier a "Poor" overall score in their frontal offset collision test.[10]

A lot of steering issues with Cavaliers from what I remember. Camaro's are built really well, and to grab a '96 with only 88k miles is great. The insurance shouldn't be a problem with it being an RS.

Outside of the very easy to fix problems you have stated, it looks like the Camaro is the clear cut Geno Smith of the two. The Cavalier is more like Alex Smith, probably will get the job for a year or 2 but will eventually burn in a ditch somewhere.

Well I won't argue the fact that they tend to be more reliable, I just don't think they're worth the premium you have to pay for them when they're 10+ years old.

Oh dont i know it, its a bunch of garbage.

Dont get me wrong, the japanese make some damn nice vehicles, but too many people think that everything they put out squashes any competing model... part of the problem is that import people are very proud of the conscious decision they make to go that route and therefore make a much bigger stink about it than other car buyers who are equally satisfied.

I gotta get me one of dose. mmmhmmmm

It is the 219k miles I have an issue with. That car has been driven hard in my book.

Just checked, liability insurance is the exact same for both vehicles as I expected.

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You are going to have a lot of problems witheither one. All ancillary costs being equal, no question the camaro. V8, easier to work on, better parts availability by far, plus its cooler.