My son just picked up a 96 Cavalier with 98k. It seems like a nice little car for the money and it runs great. However, the placement of the oil filter has me befuddled! How in the world do you guys change the thing?

 

I hear your pain. It's definitely located in a very hard to reach spot. You can get to the oil filter one of two ways...

1. Put it on jackstands and crawl underneath to reach it. You'd better have small hands or be a good contortionist.
2. Access it from the top (under the hood). This is how I do it.

In either case, the oil that leaks out of the removed filter will drain directly onto other parts. Some people have rigged up ways to divert the oil (aluminum foil, plastic sheet, funnel), but I just make sure I have the driveway covered in newspaper to soak up any that doesn't drain into my drain pan.

Good luck.