a GREAT first car (Vauxhall Nova)

Member Name: muffet_king

Product:	Vauxhall Nova
Date:	24/01/03 (630 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: good runner, cheap to buy, petrol, parts, tax, parking

Disadvantages: rust, liklihood of things to go wrong!, choke

On passing my driving test, on 30th September 2002, my mum finally let me have her old Vauxhall Nova merit. Its a kinda mint green, 5 door, F reg (1989),1.4 My mum had it due to economy of petrol, cheaper tax, generally cheaper to run. My mum brought the car for £500, and gave it to me for free, fully MOT'd.

So, after finally getting my tax (cheaper due to being a 1.4), and insurance (£600, third party) I went out in my car. Its a very good runner. My car had only 4 gears and a choke, which takes a while to get used to. However, once you get used to it, its not problem. Accelleration is great, you put your foot on the gas, and it goes pretty well. I've raced 2 litre cars off traffic lights and won (i know you're not supposed to, but hey, what can i say!) On the motorway, i have easily reached 90mph, and have also done 100mph (just testing, only done it once, honestly!)

The interior of the car is beige-y. It goes well with the car. The car seat covers were quite dirty, but its on its 3rd owner, so they havent done bad!! It got car seat covers for chrismas anyway!Its not overly comfortable, but is ok for short journeys. Sitting in it for hours would probably get a bit uncomfortable. The exterior is light, minty green. I have a silver wing, due to a little accident with a post!! I didnt think it was worth getting a wing the same colour, as it would have cost more than the car is worth!!!! There are amber repeators on the side.

Anyway, after starting the car in the mornings, bit more difficult in the cold, it warms up quite quickly, and runs well. It doesnt like cold or wet weather, as is common with old cars. A bit of dampstart on it does the trick.

HUGE advantages to this car are that it is very cheap and economical, a full tank of petrol is about £25, and that lasts me personally just over a week, doing a 12 mile round trip to work every day, and other l

ittle journeys in between. It is very, very easy to park. It always amazes me how small it is in the space!!

Disadvantages however are rusting. Novas are well known for how much they rust, i dont have too much on my car at the moment, but its starting on the wheel arches, and around the petrol cap. Having a choke is a disadvantage also, because getting used to it is a quite tricky, especially if you, or no-one you know has had one before to help you on your way!! There are no extras such as central locking or a sunroof, but considering its age, i wasnt surprised. Its also quite loud, especially when going fast. Again, its expected from an old car. Nova's also have a tendancy to drink a lot of oil. so be aware of this and remember to check it regularly.

I really love my car, and wish i didnt have a accident with a post, so it was still all the same colour, but never mind, at least it wasnt an expensive car. I would definately recommend this as a first car to anybody, even the prospective boy racers, as it is easy to add too, especially if you can get hold of the sportier models, that do have spoilers, sun roofs, and possibly central locking. The speed is there, but can also be used as a little car to run around in, as its cheap on petrol.

So far, touch wood, nothing has gone wrong. When my mum was the owner of the car, she had to get the brake pads replaced, which wasnt expensive, due to parts being very easy to get hold of. I had to replace my tyre, when i had a disagreement with a post, costing me £20, as they are tiny!! A new wing, and fitting cost me just under £100, in case anyone ever needs to know. Unfortunately my car isnt a common colour, so i had to get a different colour wing from a scrapyard!!

06/02/03 - My car was due to go in for a service at 2.30pm, after work. Worked 6am-2pm. Been having a little problem starting my car in the mornings. When I went to leave work at 2pm, my car wouldnt start at
all, wouldnt jump start or push start.Had to call out the RAC (definately worth getting!!) and I managed to get my car to the garage, for its service. Found out that my car will cost too much to fix, and its not worth it, so RIP to my car, and I am now looking for a new one. If anyone has any suggestions for a small, economical car, I would really appreciate it. X

Summary: