How much was a Chevy Chevette in 1985?
In 1985, the base Chevy Chevette carried an MSRP of roughly $5,000, with higher trims and options pushing the price into the mid-to-upper $6,000s. The exact sticker price depended on body style, trim level, and dealer incentives.
Context: the Chevette in the mid-1980s
The Chevette, Chevrolet’s small subcompact, remained a budget-friendly option in the mid-1980s. Buyers could choose between different body styles and trims, and regional dealer pricing or optional add-ons could alter the final sticker price. The following breakdown gives a sense of typical prices reported by manufacturers’ catalogs and contemporary listings.
Base price and trims
Below is a snapshot of typical starting prices for common 1985 Chevette configurations. Note that exact sticker prices varied by dealer and region.
- Chevette 2-Door Hatchback (base) — about $4,995 to $5,100
- Chevette 4-Door Hatchback — about $5,100 to $5,300
- Chevette SL (sporty, higher trim) — about $5,700 to $6,200
- Chevette Luxury/Top trim (rare, with added features) — about $6,000 to $6,700
Conclusion: The base price hovered around the $5,000 mark, with higher trims and options adding several hundred to over a thousand dollars.
Options and total price ranges
Additional features such as air conditioning, automatic transmissions, and power accessories increased the sticker price. The following options and their typical costs illustrate how a basic Chevette could edge toward the higher end of 1985 pricing.
Before this list, note that option prices varied by model year, region, and dealer package.
- Automatic transmission — around $400 to $600
- Air conditioning — about $700 to $900
- Power steering — about $150 to $250
- Radio and speaker upgrades — about $100 to $300
Conclusion: Adding options generally raised the final price by several hundred dollars, depending on the combination chosen.
Summary
For most buyers in 1985, a new Chevy Chevette started near $5,000, with the final out-the-door price climbing into the mid-$6,000s for well-equipped or higher-trim models. The exact figure depended on body style, trim level, and the options selected, and regional pricing could shift the sticker price accordingly.
