Advantages: Hewn from solid, extremely reliable, cheap to run Disadvantages: Drunken rhino cornering attitude
...year old car, you see. Vauxhall Cavalier 1.7TD LS 1994 L reg. Okay? I've owned this car for about eighteen months and before that my dad owned it since it was a year old, so I've known it for almost all of its life. When my dad bought it I was rather disappointed; it seemed slow (although the turbo boost is fun), the gearbox was like stirring yoghurt and the steering wheel seemed to have a tenuous connection to the front wheels. However, familiarity ... ...the gearbox ... well, you get used to that. Corners. Ahh, yes, corners. Your best bet is to stop, turn, set off again.
Then the car passed in to my hands with 130 000 miles on the clock. That's quite a lot, but the only thing that had gone wrong with this car in six years was that the driver's electric window stuck partially open one day (it needed a new window rubber). And nothing else. At all. In six years and 130,000 miles. Incidentally, dad ...
drummingbunny 13.07.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Vauxhall Cavalier Mk III
Advantages: Plain, simple motoring. Easily and economically maintained. Disadvantages: Vauxhall's dreaded rust problems didnt by-pass this car :(
...was and still is, what vauxhall should have continued to build. The car is simple to work on and nothing more than a nice drive. It's not a sports car so it doesnt drive like one, it's a family car pure and simple. The economical maintenance, reasonable mpg and average insurance group make it a good choice for any family. ...
Wile-E 08.08.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Vauxhall Cavalier Mk III
Advantages: They're like tanks - they'll run and run. Can get a cheap bargain Disadvantages: Security, Maneuverability - wallowy, street cred - none.
...the trade in on my Vauxhall Belmont. I traded it in last September ('01) for £500, but it did have a blue door and I knew that it was starting to need some mechanical work which might veer towards an overhaul.
Service costs at Vauxhall dealerships are reasonable - 95 for minor service and 115 or so for major services - not including extra parts and labour required.
It has a larger engine which bumps up the Insurance group a little but I think it ... ...means it pays full tax and will guzzle more petrol around town.
However that same larger engine is ideal for motorway driving.
Look to glass' guide or parker's for prices, and you'd be wise to take a mechanic friend when purchasing.
Other models
------------
There are many different strains of Cavalier but I would recommend getting at least the 1.8 or the 2.0 litre as smaller engines might have trouble hauling the big bulk of the car around.
...
jamez 05.02.2002
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Vauxhall Cavalier Mk III
Advantages: Cheap, cheap motoring. Fuel Economy, Reliable Disadvantages: People won't think you're going up in the world.......
The Vauxhall Cavalier has been a mainstay of the budget used market for a few years now, up until recently they where it was seen an nearly a social faux-pas to not have one for sale on your street corner. Admittedly most of the ones had dubious remarks such as, "Good workhorse," and "price reflects bodywork," written in permanent marker, taped with brown tape to a side window, above £250 ono. I'm sure some of them has more previous owners than miles, ... ...son, do not covert the Vauxhall Cavalier, for you shall find it full of rust, and shall have the grace and agility of the common slug, choose more sprightly Mondeo instead, for you have been enlightened." Well, he might not have said it quite like a Buddhist teacher, but he did have an O-level (CSE,) in Geography, which is more than I had. I duly forgot his advice, and left the motortrade a short time after.
Fast-forward a few years, and I am now ...
benham 17.12.2006 (18.03.2008)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Vauxhall Cavalier Mk III
Advantages: Four doors, performance, reliability and the number of extras as standard Disadvantages: Lack of boot space
After owning my gsi for nearly 3 years, it still isn't time to sell up :)
The car is a 2ltr 16v (non-ecotec!) model, it comes as standard with full central locking with dead locks, electric windows front and back, electric sun roof, ABS, Power steering, electric heated mirrors, unbadged recaro seats, 6 speaker stereo system, independant rear suspension, front and rear fog lights + more!
In the time that I have had the car it has been very reliable ... ...turn of the key (faulty crank shaft sensor, replaced for £5 from the scrap yard) and a faulty lambda sensor has also been replaced.
Servicing costs are very reasonable, you can change the oil, oil filter, fuel filter, spark plugs, flush coolant for less than £40 (diy costs). I usually get the oil serviced every 3k miles to keep things tip top. The car does suffer from the lazy tappet problem that most of these engines suffer from, however within ...
lathwood 13.04.2004
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Vauxhall Cavalier Mk III
Advantages: reliable, economical, performance Disadvantages: handling at low speeds, rust
Hi there!
I've got a similar Cavalier version, only with 1,7 diesel (57hp)
Bought the car at 182.000 KM, and spent 40.000 K since!
what can I say, the car is worth every cent given!
The car is model 1992, and it still has the original exhaust pipe!
One wheel bearing has just started to noise, but after 220k SPUTNIK would brake at his way to the moon :-)
the engine, normally aspirated diesel, is one of the most economical diesel engines
ever ... ...100 KMH or subservient 55 MPG !!!
When first drove this car felt like it is impotent, and lazy!
But after few thousand Kilometres , you would change that view ,just like I did!
This baby just needs a lucrative foot, and particularly way of driving.
It wont go when you want her to go.
if you just put you foot in the gas , nothing will happen :-)
but once mastered this baby will take you to the races :-))
I've reached speeds at 185 KMH, and ...
vectra17 01.09.2005
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Vauxhall Cavalier Mk III
Advantages: Good solid car, fantastic at time Disadvantages: Not good with high mileage, now looks outdated
Over 6 years my dad had two of these cars. I have therefore split this review into two sections, one for the 1.6 L petrol model J reg, and one for the 1.7 Turbo Diesel M Reg model. My dad had both these as company cars, starting in about 1991 - 1997, so if I'm a little vague in a few places thats why. My dad chose these cars because he was given the option of a Cavalier and a Mondeo (Theres not really much of a choice, it's the cavalier and you know ... ...It had front electric windows, power steering and was very comfortable for the time it was built. This unfortunately is where the features start and end!!However it was not a particularly nice car to look at. The boot space was fantastic as is still true of the Vectra. The engine is something that remains a bit of a mystery to me, as my dad never seemed to use 5th gear, something which again transferred onto the vectra when he got one of those. The ...
biogenetics 01.09.2003
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Vauxhall Cavalier Mk III
Advantages: Capable of high mileages Disadvantages: so called "street cred": underpowered
...am currently running a 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier 2.0 litre GLS Hatchback, which I bought as a temporary runabout almost 3 years ago, following a rear end shunt which wrote off my previous car
I bought this Cavalier at British Car Auctions for the princley sum of £750, and it has proved to be absolutely wonderfull value for money. So much so, that I have hung onto it far beyond the time I intended.
The basic body condition is still above average, and ... ...I have owned several Vauxhall cars since I began driving, and have always found them reliable, despite their unfounded reputation for rust, which they earned with the 1957 Victor F, and Cresta PA range of cars, and have never seemed to shake off.
Vauxhall cars may not be everyones cup of tea, but I would certainly buy another following my experience with this Cheap old Cavalier.
I was in two minds about writing this opinion, because of the age ...
HAWK1284 26.11.2002
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Vauxhall Cavalier Mk III
Advantages: Simply excellent car for £2000. Disadvantages: Fuel economy can be a little alarming on short trips.
I have recently purchased an M-Reg (1995) Cavalier CDX 2.5 V6 (112000 miles) for £1995 and thought I'd share a few views for anyone thinking about getting one.
Firstly it really does go as quick as you'd think, it has 170 bhp and does 0-60 in 7.8 sec. Yes, it can be a bit noisy; and no, it does not cost an arm and a leg to run... well, so far(!).
This is an excellent alternative to an SRi Cavalier, no fancy graphics, or large badges... looks just ... ...all, it's quite rare and would have been a very expensive company car (read: Directors rather than Sales Rep.), so it should have a low number of previous owners and have been looked after - it will show.
Being rare, if you fancy one, try it.. a MUST is Full Service History and the later (as in after 1994) the car the better the engine. The CDX has Air-con, ABS, Traction Control, and is comfortable to drive all day. I would recomend getting an AA/RAC/Garage ...
simonhunt 28.02.2002
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Vauxhall Cavalier Mk III
Advantages: Looks, Handling Disadvantages: Has so far proven unreliable.
I bought my Cavalier in quite a rush, as a car was essential for me to get to and from work.
Unfortunately, I haven't had the best experience so far! When I first purchased the car, the brakes needed replacing - they grew worse quite quickly, to the point that I had to have the brake pads and discs changed quite urgently.
A week after this, the brake master cylinder went, which cost a fair bit, as the garage also had to bleed the brakes again.
... ...very low, to the point where the car would stall if it was in neutral or stopped. I searched the internet and found that this was due to a faulty throttle idle valve. I replaced this, and the rev problem seems to be improved for now.
I have the GLS version, and I do like the look of the car. It strikes me as a car that has a bit of attitude, despite it's age. With the right improvements, the car can be made to look quite sporty.
The handling of ...
s32bauer 18.08.2008
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Vauxhall Cavalier Mk III
Advantages: Has a certain Kudos, you look at it and go...yeah thats ok! Disadvantages: Not the fastest motor you can buy in its class
...Christ only knows what Vauxhall treated the paint work with in order to prevent corrosion. Must have been toxic waste from some nuclear reactor somewhere. What ever they done it worked.
The engine is a 1.8 injection. The only problem with this is a lack of power, the 8v engine produces about 90bhp which is not much for a large car. Excellant fuel economy however. Escpecially with the price of petrol the way it is.
Poor handling means you really ...
brisbane999 13.07.2005
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Vauxhall Cavalier Mk III
Advantages: Good value for money Disadvantages: Poor resale value
Vauxhall Cavalier Mk3
There are many second hand Cavaliers' on the market, 'K' - 'M' registrations can be picked up in around the £3K bracket. I am currently on my second Cavalier ( M-Reg ) and have the following opinions.
These cars are cheap to service, have good fuel economy, and I have found my current 'M' reg to be good on the "theft proofing" side. As standard it comes with immobiliser, on 2 occassions thieves have failed to get away with ... ...buy, look out for "Expression" models, which come with elecric windows, sunrooof, body colour bumpers / mirrors , ABS, Airbag, and alloy wheels. The 1.8i I can say, is an excellent car, smooth ride and acceleration, which does not seem to be affected even with a car full of people / goods. Do not be put off by high mileage on these cars, many will have been company owned / fleet cars, and will have been well maintained, the interior is spacious, ...
Chris_V 04.08.2000
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Vauxhall Cavalier Mk III
Advantages: very reliable and cheap to maintain and fast and comfortable Disadvantages: origional alloy wheels corrode and have problems with tyres sealing properly
...no intensions on buying a vauxhall but it was the 1st car I walked past when i went for a walk, it was cheap and looked great, no rust what so ever and just needed 2 new tyres on the back, so I handed over 350£ and came out with this cavalier with 5 months mot and tax, with only 74k, the same day i had the tyres fitted then drove 280 miles to north wales for a few days then drove back again no problem, since ive owned the car ive fitted new front ... ...pads and discs as they was a bit worn as i do a lot of mileage, it flew theough the mot, and all ive dont since then is fitted a nice set of new alloy wheels and tyres, and a couple of oil changes, and last week a new set of rear shocks as they started to leak, and today im fitting in tome new rear pads, ive checked the car over and it shouldnt need anything else, for the mot next month, ive done 19k in the car since i bought it so i think its cheap ...
mk4rhys 02.09.2008
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Vauxhall Cavalier Mk III
Advantages: Economy, easily available parts, fairly cheap insurance Disadvantages: No traction control, security
I have had this Vauxhall now for less than 3 weeks. It has been my first Vauxhall purchase though I have driven many Astras (tested 2 today), Vectra and Cavalier before.
When my old Ford began to break down more and more, I wanted a car that would be reliable so after getting the clutch replaced, I noticed this neat looking Cavalier. At £1395 for an 8 year old 2.0 16v GLS I thought it was very cheap and its condition was excellent. Its not perfect ... ...to be perfect?
I was pleasantly surprise by the economy of the car on a long journey. It managed an average of about 42 mpg. When you consider that the Oxygen/Lambda sensor failed during the journey (around 500 mile round trip), I don't think that was at all bad.
I have not been impressed with Cavalier security before and I'm not sure if it has improved on this one. At least now you need an electronically coded key to start the car. There are always ...
winstonep 03.11.2003
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Vauxhall Cavalier Mk III
Advantages: Reliable, economical, spacious, etc Disadvantages: None in comparison.
I bought my 1995, M reg, 1.6 cavalier in 1999 and I have to admit its the best car I've ever known!
Strange as this may sound for a car now at the ripe old age of 8 I have had almost no problems in the 4 years I've owned her.
She has broken down on me only once, due to a dodgy temperature sensor affecting the petrol flow to the engine and even then she struggled and spluttered trying to get me home, but I stopped her misery and called the AA! I ... ...forgetting to do the regular oil, water and tyre checks. But still she soldiers on until my brother comes to intervene and give the poor machine what she needs!
As for some general Cavalier information... Space-wise there is plenty of room for 3 chunky bottoms in the back seat and leg room for all (providing the front seat passenger hasn't skidded their seat back far enough to rest their feet on the dashboard!). There is also enough room in the ...
Nicsel 23.09.2003
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Vauxhall Cavalier Mk III
|
