Faults:

Alternator failed twice, seem to last around 70k miles, otherwise totally reliable.

Air con needed re-gassing every 3 years.

Clutch went at 160k miles.

General Comments:

Very underrated car, had mine for 7 years. Found the seating to be excellent. Performance very good, handled significantly better than standard Cavaliers.

Fuel economy was not bad considering the performance and weight of the car (27 mpg round town, 33 - 40 mpg on a run).

Very few minor problems, have spent more on my current car (Punto JTD) in 6 months in repairs, than I did in 7 years and 140+K miles on my Cav.

Only used the main dealer for cambelt and alternator replacement, but found them efficient and fairly priced.

The only reason I sold car is because I do over 400 miles a week travelling to work and back, hence the TD Punto. In the 7 years and 140+K miles I did in it, it never once let me down.

Next car will be another Vauxhall... not the most exciting cars, but built to last!

Faults:

Shims replaced to allow valve clearance.

New cam-belt and fan belts.

New glow plugs.

New water-pump.

New ABS Sensor and front pads. New rear drums, shoes, cylinders and solid and flexi brake pipes.

General Comments:

All the above problems aside, believe it or not this is a very nice car. Most were done or replace as a cautionary measure.

The engine is a strong one, however it isn't the fastest diesel money can buy. It does enough to satisfy my driving requirements (having owned a modified Saab Turbo previously).

The engine likes to kept in the power-band which is from 2K rpm onwards. However when driving around town, it struggles a little.

Faults:

Crank Sensor. Times 3 in it's life. And the light is on. Again.

Handbrake adjustment, although I think this is a Vauxhall-with-rear-disc thing.

Both front seats have lost their upper and lower Lumbar adjustment, stuck in the full support setting too. Ouch.

General Comments:

I will keep buying the Cavalier Gls Ecotec until the Vectra Gls Ecotec enters my budget because the car is everything a car should be.

It is fast, not fast enough to stop the Earth turning, but it will launch you off the lights in front of the boyracer in his XR3i. Even had my last Cavalier round Brands Hatch. It's got far more under its bonnet than it needs for the motorway.

It is a comforting ride, very smooth and quiet. The difference is astonishing from when you have the music turned up (which through the original stereo and speakers is loud enough) and the windows open, all that road and wind noise gushing in. You shut windows and turn the stereo off and it's a peaceful haven in there.

Faults:

Only work I have had to do to the car is replacing parts like pendulum bushes through general wear and tear.

General Comments:

This is my third Cavalier and I'm still as impressed.

They might not be the best looking or fastest car in the world, but for reliability and running costs they certainly are the best.

I purchased my current cavalier from my father when he got his vectra and by his own admission the cavalier is a much better and more reliable car.

My only real criticism's of the car the seats aren't particularly comfortable and the cabin layout is uninspiring.

Overall I think the Cavalier is a brilliant car with a bombproof engine and gearbox. An excellent used car buy.

Faults:

The turbo does not work anymore.

There is some wear and tear.

The central locking and remote have failed.

There is some rust.

General Comments:

The performance lacks because of no turbo, this makes the car struggle when climbing hills. Make sure it has a turbo.

The handling is great, even though it has a big heavy steering wheel.

You can get nearly all the features like a new car. It has power steering, anti lock brakes, remote central locking, and airbag as standard.

Although the insurance group is 8, it is still cheap to run. It can do up to about 55 miles per gallon, and if you have the turbo, it is quick as well.

The quality is satisfactory.

The noise from inside the cabin is okay. This is because it is a diesel, however, diesels are always noisy.