Vauxhall Cavalier Saloon 1.6 GL 4d (1987/E) Owner Review
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Economy
Value
You can now buy a decent MK2 Cavalier with a new MOT for a couple of hundred quid. Makes ridiculous amounts of sense at that money, and I reckon to this day, it's one of the best bangers, that money can buy.
Costs
Bought for only £70 and it is in Good shape. Taxed and Tested for more 7 Months. Very Economical: 30 Mpg around Town and 37 Mpg on Motorway.
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On the road
Driving
The Steering is very heavy due the lack of PAS. On wet/greasy roads, unpredictable onset of understeer and lack of grip from the original 185/70R13 Tires. Brakes are wooden. Seats are good, driving position is OK and visibility is good.
Performance
The 1.6 90 Bhp engine does pull well the and makes it feel nippy on the traffic and will keep up with others car on Motorway. Decent pulling power up hills and reasonably quick off the line. Gearbox is notchy and clutch is heavy though.
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Living with it
Reliability
Reliability hasn't been spot on, but then this is a Rusty Bangermobile. There are some faults, but this car is cheap and easy to maintain, just Watch out with that Rust. Common fault on MK2 Astras, Belmont's and MK2 Cavaliers.
Image
It's Not a Bad Looking Car. Mine is Metallic Silver and looks decent apart of the rust. The Saloon looks better than the Estate and Hatch. In its days, certainly was the best car in its class. Today is just another Banger on the road.
Comfort
There is plenty of luggage space in the boot and the cabin is very roomy making it very comfortable for passengers. However, the pedal arrangement is awful with the brake pedal being at least two inches higher than the accelerator.
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Security and Service
Security
No Alarm or Immobiliser. Insurance is quite Cheap. Nobody tried to nick it...So Far.
Service
Vauxhall Dealer just don't care, for old bangers. Avoid them. Go for independent garages or scrap-yards. But no one can solve, the Starting Cold Problem.
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Problems and Ownership
Problems
Engine
It has strange problem when starting from cold (not auto choke problem), it starts and runs crappy for about 10 secs then suddenly clears and is like a watch???
Other
Clutch judder - Dealer and Network Q refused to repair despite another dealer assuring me there was a problem - a well known one. Replaced the clutch for a new one at a cost of only £10 in an Independent Garage.
Ownership
Did you buy the car new?
Used
Would you buy the same model again?
No
Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?
Yes