1991 Vauxhall Cavalier GSi2000 2.0 16v
Faults:
Within 3 weeks of buying it, there was an oil leak - this required a new sump gasket fitting. Whilst this was being fitted the speedo gave up the ghost and was replaced.
All then OK for 6 months, then in 3 weeks, new water pump required & new exhaust back box (though that was my fault).
All OK until 100,000 miles. At this point it required new front disks, which would have been great had the garage fitted the right pads - disks changed again inside 3 months as they'd warped - so put correct pads in at the same time.
No problems for another 12 months, but then the big ones - Clutch went at 130,000 miles and also found that the ABS needed new parts, and the sump gasket had given up the ghost again and hot oil was spraying onto a very hot catalytic converter, a good fire risk. Further investigation showed that there were only 3 bolts holding the sump on instead of the customary 10 or 12....
No more problems for 6 months, then one rear spring snapped, only 1 set in this country and that took 2 weeks to track down.
Nothing again for 6 months, but then the final straw - the head. It was either a porus head or a head gasket. As the cost was going to be prohibitive (£1000+ for a head), I decided to give up on it.
General Comments:
Bought it in 1995 with 79,000 on the clock. From the off, performance and economy was astounding. Over the whole life of the car it averaged in excess of 35mpg, which I thought to be very good.
Tyre choice was critical - Uniroyals lasted < 9000 miles. Goodyear Eagle NCT 2's lasted over double that.
Never failed to start or to impress.
I miss the sound and feel of it every day since I sold it from the head debacle. The real hurt part of the GSi was that it took me 4 dealers to find a good one - DH Davies of Tredegar in South Wales - our SRi goes there now, and the other one is that about 3 months after they told me about the head, a fix was found. Ah well, I'll just have to find another!!!!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 18th October, 1999
3rd Nov 2007, 14:54
OK this car is getting quite rare now... I can't even remember the last time I saw one on the road. Its got classic status and if you have a good one.. hold on to it and keep it maintained. Try and keep it original.
Bandit ;0)
11th Dec 2007, 07:31
Hi! I have just recently purchased a cavalier gsi. It is very good condition outside but need little work on interior. Other than that it looks good. As for fuel consumption I have no idea at the moment. As the speedo and fuel gauge are not working, I have tried a new speedo cable, but still no good. Are there any suggestions or advice? It would be greatly appreciated.
18th Oct 2003, 23:12
A pity about your (what seem to be unusual) mishaps. Do get another one. I live in Ireland, and there isn't one to be found anywhere, so consider yourselves very fortunate to live in the home of an absolutely gorgeous car in every way.
Does anybody please have any suggestions as to how I could pick up a completely genuine, preferably unmodified (I actually LOVE the genuine alloys, which don't seem to suit the Calibra at all), Cav Gsi 2wd, in pristine condition, and IS GENUINELY in good condition i.e. no clocking etc.?
P.S. I much prefer the Vauxhall badging and image (and I'm an Irishman!,-I really do love your car, congratulations), than the Opel variant, of which there are very few here as well anyway.
P.P.S 35+ mpg? Any comments anybody in the know? I really do wish...