General Comments:
I bought the Nova a few months before I passed my driving test, the fact that there were so many modifications that could be done to the car and that it is relatively cheap to run attracted me to it.
After repairing the initial faults after buying the car (which cost about £200), the only money I spent was on plugs and oil changes! If you can find a low mileage Nova, I can guarantee you it'll start everyday without fail and never let you down.
As for performance, the 1200 doesn't exactly pack a huge punch. I got 102mph out of it though (with 4 of us in the car!), which is quite impressive for a 62bhp motor. Handling wise, again it's a bit wallowy because of the ride hide. But I'm sure if you dropped it down and added some 15 inch wheels it'd be pretty good.
Inside its pretty tight, leg room front and back is restrictive. Standard seats provide little support and you knock the person in the passenger seats hand every time you change gear. Those irritations apart, the boots not a bad size and you can fold the rear seat flat and it becomes a Nova-van!
Overall I give this car 10/10 for what it is. A really cheap car to get you from A to B practically and cheaply.
Its never going to win any races and its not that comfortable, but it is reliable and great value for money.
7th Apr 2005, 04:45
The 2.2 vectra engine has 145 bhp as standard, not 220. I've got to agree with you about the nova though, it is a fun car.