... 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 ... Read review
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, ... ...enough, 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. ... more
Okay, the title is a little optimistic, this is a seven 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 bred contentment; keep the engine on-boost and its quick enough, 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 had the rear tyres changed at 85,000 miles. These were the original fitments and were starting to perish. Wow!
Okay, so onto my year and a half with the car. A radiator hose sprung a leak last Autumn, causing it to get a little hot (i.e. somebody tow me to the nearest garage!). I can forgive that, rubber hoses perish after six years. Anything else? Well, it gets a little warm if you use the turbo or are stuck in traffic in hot weather (for example a spirited drive through the peak district or complete gridlock in mid-France - happy days).
Okay, I've talked about reliability, what about the car's features? 1.7 litre Isuzu turbo diesel engine making about 75 horsepower and lots of lovely torque. Like most diesels, it will pull cleanly from tickover in any gear but is noticably quieter and more powerful than a TD Mondeo that I drove a couple of years ago. I tend to get about 45-50mpg with a mix of motorway and 'oh look, Coventry's busy at rush hour' driving.
Inside is quite nice, without many toys. There is a driver's airbag, which I do not intend to use, it seats five comfortably (bigger than a Mondeo in the back), has a large boot and has height adjustment on the driver's seat (useful for us lanky people). There's also a clock and an outside temperature gauge. That's about it, but what more do you need?
So what does the future hold? Well, I've spotted early signs of rust at the bottom of the front doors and it needs some new front shock absorbers. The trade price guides value this car at about £1500-2000. Bearing in mind that depreciation is no longer an issue, I cannot justify buying ANY other car. The only costs are routine replacement parts and fuel. If you are not concerned with image and style or the badge on the bonnet, this car will do everything you ask of it (except go around corners) and it will do it cheaply and reliably. I'm impressed.
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
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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
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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
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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)
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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
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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
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Vauxhall Cavalier Mk III
