Flying tank or reliable workhorse? (Vauxhall Cavalier)

Member Name: Jameztoo

Product:	Vauxhall Cavalier
Date:	25/03/02 (2537 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: They're like tanks, They'll run and run., Can get a cheap bargain

Disadvantages: Security, Maneuverability - wallowy, Street cred - none.

I no longer own my Cavalier, this might make it a little hard to write about, but I'll try my best. :)

The model I owned was an L reg 1.8i LS Saloon in silver grey - I don't know what colour that is called but hey!

The car has a surprising number of features:
Electric windows
Sunroof - manual :(
Drivers airbag
Radio cassette with 6 speakers (I think)
5 speed gear box
Split rear seats - a rarity in Saloon cars I think?

What it didn't include was ABS (Antilok Braking System) which it would have done had it been an M reg and hence newer.

Good features of the car
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*1.8 litre fuel injected engine gives good acceleration - impressive considering the weight of the beast. Good top speed and good fuel economy.
*Large fuel tank
*A whole acre of boot space (perhaps I exaggerate a little ;)
*4 doors, allowing 4 adults a comfortable ride, and many a time I had 5 people in the car without too many complaints. (Impossible in my Puma)

Bad features of the car
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*Maneuverability - it was a tank in more ways than one and prone to both oversteer and understeer.
*Street cred - Was never brilliant but mine looked less good when it got broken into (see below) and got itself a blue door.
*Security - Had double locking but no immobiliser and no alarm. This meant that some vandals were able to break into my car although they were too stupid to be able to drive it away they broke in by bending the tops of the doors out, one of the windows shattered - the other didn't. They stole my radio and some other odds and ends including my coat.
Cost me 200 pounds to get repaired, with a blue door for the passenger side as it was too bent to repair.

Costs
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As with any used car, prices vary. I bought my Cavalier in September '99 for about 4k minus the trade in on my Vauxhall Belmont. I traded it in last Septe
mber ('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 was only about 8 so not too bad, this also 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.
I would also recommend getting an M reg or later to guarantee ABS (the earlier models had ABS badges on the back), having said that having ABS brings its own problems.
The hatchback is hugely more popular and available than the saloon version which I had.

Overall
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I've owned two Vauxhalls and been very happy with them, I find them very reliable cars. I took my Belmont to 106000 miles before trading it in for my cavalier which I only took to 75000 miles.
The Cavalier I owned worked very well and took the battering I gave it with relative good grace. It really was my workhorse. I'm not sure I can recommend it to others as Cavaliers are getting old now and I imagine there are some examples which are not mechanically sound. If you want a cheap car that you can take up to 100,000 miles and you will be doing significant long distant mileage then yes take a look, but beware. If you want a town run about or want to spend more money - perhaps you should look elsewhere.

Summary: