1990 Vauxhall Cavalier L 1.6 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A good all round workhorse

Faults:

In the two years or so I have owned the car I have only had 2 problems with it.

The first occurred about a year ago when the distributor cap cracked and the coil spark was earthing straight to the engine block. This took minutes to fix at low cost (about £5.00).

The most recent problem was this week when the starter motor packed up. Again this is easy to fix although slightly more pricey.

This is the third Vauxhall I have owned and the third to have a starter motor fail, mind you they are all old cars now so this is to be expected.

General Comments:

I enjoy driving the car, it is comfortable and easy, except parking without power streering but even that is bearable. It gives fairly good mileage and has plenty of room for carrying my band equipment round in. It is reliable (most of the time) although I do often get mistaken for a taxi driver.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 18th July, 2000

1990 Vauxhall Cavalier GSi 2000 4x4 16v 2.0 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

The dogs bollocks

Faults:

CV boot.

Rear bushes.

General Comments:

Extremely nice car to look at and to drive, poor on petrol only if driven hard. Do not recommend as a first car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th July, 2000

1990 Vauxhall Cavalier L 2.0i from UK and Ireland

Faults:

My father was the original owner and from about 55,000 miles the engine management system began switching off the engine at any moment it chose.

Vauxhall always stated that it was a problem with the fuel pump relay but the problem persisted, always occurring in frosty weather.

General Comments:

Despite this electrical fault, which I could have repaired with the necessary funds, I found this Vauxhall refreshingly reliable and well built.

As of 160,000 miles and 6 years old, the clutch was original as was the entire exhaust system.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 23rd February, 2000

1990 Vauxhall Cavalier Mk3 L 1.8 from UK and Ireland

Faults:

The heater is poor in winter.

The radiator loses coolant, not in great amounts but more than average.

General Comments:

Spares are reasonably priced but the car does not have the comfort or refinement that my Toyota Carina had. All in all it has been a good car for the 4 years I've had it. It has now done 110,000 miles.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th February, 2000

1990 Vauxhall Cavalier GSi 2.0 16v from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Brake disks warped. Bottom ball joint and CV joint have gone and been replaced.

General Comments:

Best car I have ever owned. Starts first time every time and goes like stink.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd November, 1999

1990 Vauxhall Cavalier GSi 2000 4x4 2.0 16V petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Fragile 4x4 system has had the pressure switch fail 3 times in a year at £90 a time.

General Comments:

A fast car that won't easily be beaten. This car has awesome grip and cornering ability, and an outstanding equipment specification. It's running fine with 110,000 miles and still turns heads after 10 years.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th October, 1999

7th Jun 2001, 05:37

Looking to buy one of these, but are they 4x4 all the time?

Thanks

SD.

8th Jul 2001, 15:05

Not all the time.

9th Jul 2001, 03:57

Can you easily change the 4wd Cav's to 2WD's by taking a fuse out?

30th Aug 2001, 04:40

Do you know where I can get a cav 4x4 workshop manual from as it would be a great help.

1990 Vauxhall Cavalier SRi 2.0i 8 valve petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

The sump gasket has gone.

The speedo reads wrong.

2 wheel bearings.

Exhaust was rotten, it was welded but it still gives a lot of rattly noises.

General Comments:

Good cars for cruisin in and they are comfy, especially the back seat if you know what I mean.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st May, 1999

7th Feb 2001, 19:56

How did your speedo read wrong? And how did you fix it?

31st May 2001, 15:51

Did you ever have problems with the power steering?

1990 Vauxhall Cavalier SRi 2.0 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Clutch, clutch cable, handbrake cable, electrics, emissions, rust on wheel arches, heater controls sticking, rear demister, wheezing power-steering, broken tilt adjust on passenger seat.

General Comments:

Very powerful and very quick. Handles incredibly well and holds on to the last around corners. Sadly though the car needs to be properly looked after from when it is brand new otherwise a massive series of problems occur when it goes over 100k miles.

A car with performance which can comfortably embarrass all of its rivals from its introduction over a decade ago and is still class leading now. Basically it can skin GTi's, XR's, GSi's GTE's and a few turbos too.

Good family hatch with outrageous performance.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th January, 1999

8th Jan 2002, 12:43

1990 CAV SRI 8V

Clutch cable, bonnet cable, two control arms, head gasket valve seals, two outer c.v. joints, waterpump, rear discs and pads.

All this in the last few months phew!

It's done 153,000 miles.

Owned it 6 years, but wouldn't change it for the world.

16th Jan 2002, 21:56

These problems:

"...Clutch, clutch cable, handbrake cable, electrics, emissions, rust on wheel arches, heater controls sticking, rear demister, wheezing power-steering, broken tilt adjust on passenger seat..."

Are common on all Cav SRi's which have had below average maintenance during their life. My dad had a Cav SRi of the same age with IDENTICAL problems.