1988 Vauxhall Cavalier GL 2.0 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Wonderful

Faults:

The car is wonderful. It's so good I'm still as excited as the day I first got it.

The seats are a bit old, and yes there is some rust, but you can go for miles and miles, and it's great to drive, even though it's got no power steering.

The brakes are wonderful.

I could go on forever; it's wonderful.

General Comments:

In the last five years I have had to do a fair bit of welding, but the engine has been as sweet as a nut for the last 11 years I have had it.

My dogs Dax and Twiss love it. I have had up to 4 dogs in the back at one time, and all had lots of room. My dogs are not small; Dax is a black lab and Twiss is a German Shepherd, and the other two were Rottweilers.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th June, 2007

15th Sep 2023, 18:47

It's definitely wonderful then!

1988 Vauxhall Cavalier lxi 1.8 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

The intimidator

Faults:

Nothing it's a good old battle axe.

General Comments:

For nearly 20 years old people would be surprised I hated vauxhalls till I got this car and it stands its ground ad don't get beat a lot.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th March, 2007

1988 Vauxhall Cavalier L Estate 1.6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Very unreliable and rusty

Faults:

Rust, rust, rust and more rust.

New carburettor at 30,000 miles.

Engine seized at 40,000 miles.

New choke cable at 50,000 miles.

Broken tailgate and door hinges.

Central locking and heated rear screen failed after three years.

Upholstery does not wear well.

General Comments:

This car had some serious problems with rust. I got the car as a company car in the beginning and was beginning to rust within 18 months. I kept the car as I was offered it at a bargain price, but it was an MOT failure at the age of six years and was scrapped.

Reliability was very poor.

Damp starts in particular proved problematic.

1.6 engine provided reasonable power and economy.

Reasonable comfort, but ride quality not so good.

I have since owned subsequent Vauxhalls, but I would never buy another Cavalier again.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 4th September, 2003

27th Nov 2003, 07:05

Family purchased a 1.6 cavalier estate in 1983 and I recently took possession of it, it has been an extremely reliable car and as yet has only let my family down once with an electric fault. We have had little problem with rust, and found that the 90bhp gives good performance against economy. A good car which is easy to work on.

11th Feb 2004, 07:06

Sounds like this was a real Friday night car when half of the assembly team were down the pub... or just returned from it.

Sorry to hear about the bad luck; I've owned an 1984 and 1988 Cavalier and both have been excellent - nowhere near this bad. Glad to hear that your subsequent Vauxhalls were better though.

5th Jan 2010, 05:43

I own a 1984 Cavalier 1.6 L, and although it's 26 years old, it never misses a beat!!! Look after it!!!

1988 Vauxhall Cavalier LSi 1.8i from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Top notch performance beast!

Faults:

Nothing has really gone wrong with this car, it has been extremely reliable and very good on the petrol issues.

I think that this car has done extremely low mileage, the seats are OK, but have started to wear out. I feel that I got a real bargain for the money and have got a lot of car for £1995.

I have just had the brakes changed, and had the oil and filter replaced.

General Comments:

My Cavalier has a 1.8i engine and can take on a lot of cars from stand still.

This car has a lot of HP and can leave all you in your Japanese sports cars for dust!

I have just had the seats taken out for some leather ones to go in.

The speakers in this car are top notch and I have left the sound system standard.

The cabin area is still the bomb and looks great. I think that all cars should be like the Vauxhall Cavalier.

I think that this car is ace and will leave all your cars for dust!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th March, 2003