1991 Vauxhall Nova SR 1.4 petrol from UK and Ireland
Summary:
A great little car at the time, but they're most;y all knackered now!
Faults:
Considering I had it when I was 17 and drove it hard, not too much:
CV boots split and threw grease everywhere.
Both front calipers seized within months of each other.
Water pump went (after chasing an SRi on the M1 for 30 minutes at no more than 70 mph of course)
Starter motor went.
Head gasket (coolant vanishing from expansion bottle - no visible leaks)
The usual discs/pads/shoes, tyres, exhaust and many dash bulbs.
General Comments:
I haven't owned this car for over 4 years now, and it was in mint condition when I sold it, but I saw it in Bournemouth recently and it was dented, faded and smokey. I was gutted!
I modded it with alloys, stereo system, spotlights, K&N filter, Janspeed exhaust and PI lowering springs, but kept it in showroom condition - in fact it was cleaner when I sold it than the day I picked it up from the dealer!
Started to bubble on the rear arches 2 months out of the Vauxhall 6 year corrosion guarantee - I think all novas/astras and cavs so the same!
With a Haynes manual you can keep them going, but I took mine to the main dealer for services to continue the stamps in the book. It made selling it very easy.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 14th February, 2003
28th Mar 2003, 06:32
A very good review, I myself am a young man (18) and have just passed recently, I was about to buy a Nova Gsi but I don't want to get hasseled buy the police. I think it is pathetic that people think every young lad is "a boy racer" especially old people and the police.