Faults:
When I got the car, there was a grinding noise coming from the rear wheels. This proved to be the bearings, which duly snapped when I was nailing the car down the M8, taking the rear stub axle and both brake drums with them!
The handbrake jams, but that's a common problem in Nova's, as is the hazard switch breaking.
Rust on the front offside wing and on the engine bay support strut, but this shouldn't be a problem to fix.
The door lock seals have gone, but that was a good reason to have the car De-locked, which it now is!
Passenger side windscreen wiper decided to stall, and caused a bend in the wiper drive system.
General Comments:
The Nova is a great wee car, and is fun to drive, especially with the 2 liter engine in it!
My dad converted the engine before he gave me the car, and for such a small and light car, it copes well with the 150bhp it gets.
Nova's are great handling cars, you always know when it's going to hold the road, and when it's time to start spinning!
For all I've put it through, the Nova has lasted well, and since it's over ten years old, has outlasted my other car (A Volkswagen Polo which died at only 7 years notice).
Unfortunately, as a young driver in a converted Nova, you will be subject too many a roadside interview with Mr Plod, but hey, who cares when it's such a dream to drive.
Insurance for even standard Nova's is high, but still relatively low for what the alternatives offer.
There are plenty of body-kits for the wee Nova, and the QuadConversions one is what graces my car, making the looks equal the speed.
Painted in a bright Vauxhall red, with two white race stripes running over the car, it turns heads everywhere, and out runs most cars in traffic light grand prix's!