Good price, good looks and reliable
Brake and number plate bulbs do not seem to last long. Otherwise normal expectations like tyre's, exhaust.
Water pump needed replacement at 120,000.
Window motor in the rear off side needed replacing.
A very fine car with comfort and performance when required.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 27th February, 2001
The worse car I hope I will ever own
Noisy power steering - the car was supposed to have had a recall modification, but despite being supplied, serviced and resold by the original dealer I had to tell them about the mod after contacting Vauxhall. By the way, this was a Network Q car - 144 checks, but none carried out.
Clutch judder - Dealer and Network Q refused to repair despite another dealer assuring me there was a problem - a well known one.
Fuel supply problem - again dealer and Network Q refused to do anything about it despite an independent report saying it was a known carburettor problem.
Rear wiper stopped working - gave up trying to fix this.
Leaking fuel pipes within weeks of purchase. Dealer refused to show any interest and said it was not covered by warranty - I drove up there to buy the replacement pipes and went into the showroom to express my feelings. The salesman immediately arranged for it to be repaired - the fact the showroom was busy may have had an effect. THIS IS A WARNING TO ALL VAUXHALL OWNERS - These fuel pipes failed on my previous Astra (AN EXCELLENT CAR) after approx three years. I know a number of people who have had the same problem including one who's Carlton caught fire when she had three children in the car - the pipes concerned are black with a "thread" braid - Despite me writing to Vauxhall four years previously they were still using these pipes and to my knowledge never recalled them.
Which brings me to my final point - Vauxhall couldn't care less - I proved this car had not been checked properly and had items which would have failed the MOT - something issued by the dealer when I bought the car. With hindsight I also strongly believe the car had been clocked (probably by the previous owner), but the dealer should of / must have known. When presented with this Vauxhall were not interested.
The only good news is firstly I managed to stuff the dealer back with his heap of **** - albeit at a substantial loss and lastly the dealer is no longer a main dealer.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 11th February, 2001
Because at the time I didn't know - I got taken in by the 114 Network Q Hype and the VMC check - After two years I realised all this wasn't worth the paper it was written on. As they say - buyer beware.
I hope that getting this one bad car does not put you off Vauxhall's as I myself have owned, and loved many different second hand models over the years. Starting with the fantastic 1972 VX 4/90.I now own a Cavalier 2000 GL auto that goes far better than the 115 bhp would have you think, and it always starts and as never let me down. As a last remark I will say if you don't know a lot about car mechanics then next time you buy a car take someone you trust with you that does! don't trust the dealers tests!
I never had fuel line problems on mine as they were replaced the day I bought it.
The dash caught fire instead!
Never buy another vauxhall after owning a carlton.
5th Jun 2001, 13:33
Well if you knew all that, why didn't you check the car out properly and quiz the dealer about the miles before purchase?
It's also quite quick and easy to see if the car is up to MoT standard, even if all you do is look round the car, and study the service history. Any gaps?
You should do all that as a bare minimum before you buy any car. Be more careful next time.