Faults:

Battery + alternator replaced.

Fuel lines corroded, repaired at MOT.

Electric windows in rear were very slow to move.

Central locking worked only sometimes.

Wear and tear, new brakes, suspension, exhaust, oil changes and timing belt etc when required.

Cosmetically there was some rust on rear arches, but I repaired it early to stop it getting worse, still was passing MOT's easily in its final years.

General Comments:

This car was abut 10 years old when I bought it, and would go on to serve me well for another 10 years. The Carlton was always a car I liked, and was looking for a CDX with lots of equipment or a GSi for performance. Being younger at the time and could not afford the faster ones, I settled for this nice GL model that came up for sale in the Auto Trader in 2002.

Bought for a nice price, this low mileage car in wine red metallic was tidy inside and out. GL model was low/mid range, but it still had electric windows and mirrors, good enough for me, as my previous Audi 80 which although a nice car was not as well equipped. Interior was the best thing about this car, beige velour with dark grey dash, well laid out controls and very quiet and smooth. I purchased the multi spoke alloy wheels from the CD/CDX models and it looked much better.

To drive the 2.0 engine was a good all rounder, mid 30's MPG and reasonable performance. Avoid the 1.8's in these cars - they were unbearably slow. The gear-change was a little vague but the handling was very nicely weighted. Being rear wheel drive you had to be careful on roundabouts in the wet!

I sold it back in 2012. At 20 years old and with over 160K miles I could no longer keep it as an everyday car, it was still reliable enough but it was getting to the stage where a full restoration was needed and it was the type of car you keep as a second car for weekend fun. Would love another to do just that, but they rarely come up for sale these days, I do miss these cars.

Faults:

Fuel Pump stopped working.

Leaking Rear quarter light window.

Front Suspension bush for MOT.

General Comments:

Every time I drive the Carlton I smile. Its just such a powerful and stimulating car and despite its size it drives and handles like a smaller car. I also love it being rare and there are no others like it in my area.

Faults:

Rear arches are starting to rust (common problem).

ABS warning light flickers on and off at random.

Brake pad warning light has a mind of its own.

Aerial has snapped off!

Stitching on leather steering wheel is starting to come undone.

Drivers side heated seat does not work.

Cruise control does not work.

General Comments:

Despite the common faults on these cars, they can still be fixed and you get so much car for the money and what a performer!

It is a secret sports car and is also becoming a rare beast as most are finding their way into the scrap yard now. It has proved quite a task to find one in good nick at the right price - most of the good ones either aren't for sale or are far too expensive as they are a collectors item now.

I was looking for one for about 6 months that had the following criteria:

1) A post face-lift model. (1992 on, with smoked tail lights, updated half leather seats, colour coded door handles to name a few of the diffences)

2) Was the right colour. (They were only available in four colours I think - white, red, grey and black. Vauxhall's famous flame red was a popular colour for the GSi, but fades terribly in the sun and white just looks wrong on anything that isn't a van!)

3) Not too many miles. (Although the larger Vauxhall engines do have a reputation for going on for ever)

4) Not been modified in any way. (I wanted a decent standard model so I can make my own, non-drastic modifications)

I managed to find the right one for me, and I am very happy, even though a few things have gone wrong with it, they are common problems and can be fixed without too much of a dent to my wallet.

A word of warning - you do not buy these cars for economy. Expect as little as 10-15mpg around town, but if you drive sensibly you can squeeze about 32mpg on the motorways.

The performance of these cars is quite literally breathtaking. It has made me almost have to change my pants when from a T-junction (even in the dry) the back end has stepped out and even spun the wheels in second gear! It boasts 204bhp standard and a top speed of almost 150mph!

These are not common cars on the road which makes them rather special. However, that does mean that parts (especially performance parts) are not readily available and are rather expensive. I was hoping to get a K&N 57i induction kit like I did on my previous 2.0i Carlton, but found that I can only get a panel filter, which doesn't make it look any better than it does already. I will probably be looking at universal fitments for most of the modifications, such as the air filter and silicon hoses. I will be having a custom made stainless exhaust fitted soon, which will replace the cats. (On a J plate (1992) the cats aren't a legal requirement.)

I seem to have developed a passion for these cars. I have always said that one day I will own a Lotus Carlton and also an HS/HSR Chevette. One day...