1989 Vauxhall Nova Merit - SR lookalike 1.2 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Great little fast car

Faults:

Needed a major service on the engine, new distributer.

New CV boot joint, new front brake sliders.

General Comments:

Although I've spent a bomb on my Nova, I'm pleased with it now after all the work that's been done on it.

Great fast little car that easily wastes newer cars of the same engine, including the new shape Nova 1.2.

Looks great with GTE alloys, GTE front grille, dark blue de-badged body (like mine).

Always getting raced as people assume it's a 1600 injection GTE... and I win sometimes (as long as it's not a Renault 5 Turbo you're racing).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st January, 2001

28th Feb 2001, 03:35

Really - if I were you I would consider the 1.4SR next (if you like the performance of the 1.2) as it's only group 7 to insure and, in my opinion, offers the best package all round for value for money. With a little bit of work they go like the clappers!!! Unfortunately I have just attacked the front end of a V-reg Subaru in mine and am now driving around in a 954cc 106!! So please be careful!! (it wasn't my fault)

In reply to 28th Feb 2001, 03:35

17th Apr 2015, 17:18

What the F? Seriously, you think a 1.2 Nova is a fast car? Even the 1.6 GTE ain't all that if you have the cash. My last car was a 2008 Fiesta 2.0 16v; now they are a hot hatch, with totally amazing road holding.

1989 Vauxhall Nova Merit 1.2 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

No words can describe

Faults:

Nothing at all.

General Comments:

Really nippy - looks great, just like me - I can pull all the lads in it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th December, 2000

1989 Vauxhall Nova SR 1.3 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A good stepping stone to higher performance cars

Faults:

Arcing HT lead.

General Comments:

Nice little car mechanically. Good performance and value but poor bodywork especially arches/crossmembers/bootfloor etc.

Not the most comfortable car on longer runs, but a good laugh round town.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th December, 2000

1989 Vauxhall Nova Merit 1.2 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Fantastic

Faults:

I haven't had the car for long, but so far nothing has gone wrong, I find it to be a very nice car.

General Comments:

Great all round car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th November, 2000

1989 Vauxhall Nova GTE 1.6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Cheap to buy and run = lots of fun

Faults:

On a long journey, my HT leads were torn by the radiator which resulted in a call out for the RAC. Otherwise nothing.

General Comments:

This is a great little car if you can forgive the rattles and squeaks. It is generally very reliable and quite fast.

There are also a wide variety of styling modifications, to make each car individual.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th November, 2000

1989 Vauxhall Nova SR 1.3 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Buy one, cheap high performance car

Faults:

Slow puncture on the rear offside, no fault in the car though.

General Comments:

Brilliant car, great looks which will never date.

Excellent performance and cost effective, wonderful car. Definitely would have another Nova, maybe a GSi or GTE.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th November, 2000

1989 Vauxhall Nova SR 1.4 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Very nice first car!!!

Faults:

Front brake pads and discs.

General Comments:

Very nice car to drive and with a twin DTM tuned engine and 18 inch wheels which were difficult to get on, it looks and sounds fantastic.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th September, 2000

3rd Aug 2001, 20:40

Whats a DTM tuned engine?? I have heard of DTM exhausts, but not engines!!

Please enlighten me on this one.

1989 Vauxhall Nova SR 1.3 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Fantastic

Faults:

Wheel bearings rear needed changing.

Rear brake pads.

General Comments:

They're brilliant little cars. I'm very happy with it, and very impressed with Vauxhall engineering.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th August, 2000

1989 Vauxhall Nova SR 1.3 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Gonna get a 1.6 GTE

Faults:

Nothing yet.

General Comments:

It is only my second car (previously a 1.0 Nova) and it is fast. Can do at least 115 on the motorway. Good on corners but the ride is quite hard. A small price to pay for the performance though.

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

Review Date: 16th June, 2000

3rd Jan 2004, 14:27

Not a bad ad I Thought. saying that you have done 115mph in a 1000cc nova that that is not wot it is all about. think what you could do in a real nova gte the handling is quite good on the little old nova.s.But they do have there problems. They do tend to rust quite a lot. under the boot the inner wings like to go as well.and that little computer part under the heater that is a pain, but its too much fun you have just got to just carry on and just do the job 147mph.