[OverAllComa]

Its NOT the same exact car at all. I mean, basically, it is, but there are some important differences that someone going from a 2nd gen to a 3rd gen will notice.

If you get a newer Z24, you will be able to get up there a bit faster, but it just won't FEEL like it. All that torque you have from the 3.1 is gone. All the power will come out around the 4k mark instead of around the 2k mark. It just feels weaker.

The handling is a bit better, but the steering isn't as sharp.

To be quite honest, the 3rd gens will feel like more of a toy than the beefy feeling you got out of the 2nd gen. Oh, and if your tranny's got some wear on it, the 3rd gen tranny (if in good condition) will feel like a luxury car's tranny. Electronically controlled = WEIRD.

You will, however, enjoy not having to tear the living hell out of your hands to replace spark plugs on the rear three cylinders.

Sunfire or Cavalier = doesn't matter. I prefer cav's, but that's me.

As far as 2.2 eco vs 2.4 Twn Cam. I've driven both, and the one that makes me miss my 3.1 a bit less is the Twin Cam.