Faults:

Exhaust rattle, faulty fuel computer reading, rear electric aerial faulty, steering rack whine, rear brakes non existent, right hand side handbrake cable snapped, clutch gone - all sorted. Recently, hydraulic tappets sounded like a sewing machine, cylinder head porous, suspension whining and squeaking (shocks needed replacing).

A trip to Regal Autosport is in order as shown in the General Comments.

General Comments:

I was thinking about upgrading to a Cavalier Turbo but was warned about the very fragile 4x4 running gear so opted for a trip to Regal Autosport and listed Regal Engine Conversion full rebuild, Koni Suspension, Scorpion Exhaust Full System, Turbo Rear Lights and Panel, Regal Air Filter, Boost Valve, Blue Dial kit, Twin level rear spoiler, Lotus Carlton Front Bumper, Laguna splitter and Astra GSi bonnet vents along with the usual necessities such as mudflaps and the like. I also fancy some new alloys. Total cost around £3500. Could have put towards a new car but with the work done its' like a new car anyway, and I never really wanted to sell it because it's such a superb car.

The power is always there, no lag at all, awesome stance and built to cruise and destroy. Its the best looking Cavalier around, it may have its doubters but when it comes down to it, there aren't many cars in its league that could knock it down. It might not have turbo power, but is has more than enough to take on turbo cars.

Faults:

One front wheel bearing failed, starter motor failed (at 200,000 plus), radiator replaced - leak from cracked mount, driver's seat mounts collapsed, head removed at 200,000 because of rough tickover (no problems found, cleaned & valves re-seated), head gasket failed at about 255,000 (pattern gasket used at 200,000, replaced with GM part), one ABS wheel sensor failed, dodgy central locking operated when hatch slammed (never bothered to fix it).

Breakdown recovery required for a broken alternator earth wire, the starter motor, and the head gasket.

Water pump failure at about 90,000.

General Comments:

Other than the above; serviced every 9,000 miles (non-franchised garage), discs/pads replaced at about 50,000 mile intervals, rear shocks replaced twice, windscreen cracked twice by stones, entire exhaust system replaced once (piece by piece) - except back box which was replaced twice, cambelt replaced every 36,000 miles, drive shaft gaiters replaced once.

About 36 mpg average - motorway commuting 150 miles a day, not driven gently :-)

Original clutch, gearbox, front shock absorbers, engine.

The car is still in use, I sold it when I bought a cheap Astra diesel (33,000 miles) - good economy (50+ mpg), but horrible in every other respect. If I could find a low-mileage, FSH SRi 8V, I'd buy it. (The mechanic who serviced the car HAS bought an SRi, so has his son!)