Faults:

Rusty rear arches, cam belt snapped just after I bought the car second hand 90,000 miles, the cam belt had just been replaced but was not a Vauxhall original, this did £450 of damage in engine smashing exhaust valves. I only swear by Vauxhall original even if it does cost more. Thermostat needed changing at 100,000 miles as it always seemed to be running with the choke on. At 104,000 miles the rear drums where completly nackered and it needed a new handbrake cable along with new rear springs and shocks.

General Comments:

This is my second Nova and I have had the car about a year now and I hammered it every day. It has 105,000 miles on the clock and doesn't use any oil. I have just put 14 x 185, 5 spoke alloys on it and it looks smart. I have had 115 out of it and has no extra mods on it. My next mod to it will be the air filter and full exhaust system. Great car and there is loads of mods available for it. My next car will most likely be a 1.6 GSi.

Faults:

Battery at 145,000 miles.

Clutch cable replaced at 150,000 miles, had gone stiff.

Number plate bulb blows about once a month.

Panel light bulbs.

Panel which bolts onto the front panel totally rotten, replaced at 185,000 miles.

Handbrake cable snapped on MOT.

Centre section of exhaust replaced, rest of system original.

** Nothing Major Has Ever Gone Wrong With This Car **

General Comments:

This has been the best car I have ever owned, I bought it in December 1996, 125,000 Miles on the clock but with a full dealer service history, paintwork is in very good shape still, the car has now done 186,000 miles.

As I am a mechanic I do all my own servicing and repair work.

It still drives like new and has similar performance to a Peugeot 205 1.6 GTI.

No matter how easy or hard I drive the car it returns a steady 55 mpg.

Engine still starts first time, runs as smooth as a nut and does not burn a drop of oil.

Faults:

I bought this wee car at an auction with 52,000 gen miles with fsh. in mint cond. So far the only thing is the most minor of niggles which is the clock light. Not bad really for an eight year old car.

General Comments:

As I said, I bought this car at an auction, some people say that it is very risky but if you and a mechanic mate get a good look at it before the bidding starts you can save a packet, ie my car, if bought in a showroom, it would have cost me between two and two and a half thousand, at the auction it cost me Fifteen hundred!! Not bad for a car in mint condition and very cheap on the insurance, especially for the first time driver..

Faults:

Due to a hefty stereo installation it doesn't have much spare electrical power, only partially rectified by a newer, fatter battery. Possibly an alternator fault, but it wasn't meant to take that drain to be fair. Also usual rust on wheel arches (only a small amount) and an intermittent fault on the intermittent wiper setting, and I haven't fixed the washer system yet.

General Comments:

Considering how I beat S**t out of it on a daily basis it has held up incredibly well. As it is a cheap car it isn't worth the extortionate price "approved" dealers charge for any services they provide, go to a local garage and save cash.

Put 185 tyres on it and experience a new dimension in cornering. (N.B. carry a spatula to remove passengers from the side of the car after extreme corners)

Faults:

Wiring in alternator, nothing else really.

General Comments:

Extremely fast and economical, can match the GTE off the mark til around 60. Great car.

Faults:

Automatic choke a bit dodgy when very cold, at low revs. Few small oil leaks and minor problems, e.g. jammed seat belt etc.

General Comments:

SR interior is excellent, and very sporty. Performance off the mark is impressive to say the least. Top end not too bad either. Lots of fun to drive, and very involving!