Faults:

Alternator packed up after driving through a deceptive puddle.

Disc's and pads after a 14hour round trip to Glasgow.

Rear number plate bulb.

Welding on sills after approx 120,000.

Head Gasket at 138,000.

General Comments:

This was my first car after passing my test, I had decided on getting a largish car so I could get used to driving something bigger.

I had been driving it for 5yrs with no great respect for looking after it. (I only changed the oil twice). It however never really let me down and continued to plod on in all weather.

My main problems have been how it got repeatedly targeted by people cutting my fuel line and breaking in to try and steal anything inside.

My head gasket finally went at 138,000 miles and I was just waiting for my next pay day when someone kindly decided to try and hot-wire it, because it wouldn't run, they decided to trash the inside entirely. I had to scrap it at this point which left me devastated.

I am now searching for another one to buy and would fully recommend the indestructible Cavalier.

PS. I will look after my next one better.

Faults:

One month after buying the car, the idle speed control valve stopped working.

Drivers seat has worn after getting in and out.

Both rear arches rusted out.

Problems with the cars computer

General Comments:

I'm a 19year old male and this has been my dream car since I can remember.

The performance is absolutely superb.

The interior is spotless for the year of the vehicle, and compared to the new vauxhall's it has not seemed to age.

I had the car off the road for a month and spent around a thousand pound on restoring it.

People that do not know these cars think I have done all sorts of mods to it and they can't believe it's a standard car.

I have had many races with boy racers around my age and they're all shocked at how quick it is.

Standard the car is 150 break horse power.

Performance wise all I have done is removed the catalyst and changed the exhaust.

I love these cars and seriously think vauxhall should build a new version.

Faults:

Absolutely nothing has gone wrong with this car.

General Comments:

At first glance the Cav hatchback is ugly- fair enough. People don't buy Cavaliers because they look nice. They buy them because they're cheap to buy, cheap to run and cheap to fix. In other words my 1.6 Cav has cost me next to nothing in petrol and repairs.

Handling is not too bad-- Understeer under acceleration, but nice, slow, correctable oversteer if you push it too hard 'round corners.

My 1.6 is a cracking engine. 'Reliable' does not do it justice. It starts every time and delivers smooth power when it's warmed-up. (bit spluttery when cold). Obviously it's only a 1.6, so it's a pretty gutless, but due to inordinately long gears it'll cruise at well over 100mph for as long as you like. (And use very little fuel). Never gets hot, doesn't use oil or water, nothing. It's just brilliant!

On the down side; they are ugly, boring sheds, But if you want a cheap runabout there is nothing on this planet that will touch it.

Faults:

This car cost me £720.

The fuel tank needed replacing, but I knew this when I bought it. It was only £50 and I fitted it myself.

I also fitted a new rocker gasket (about £4) which took 20 minutes.

The electric windows tend to get a bit slow over time.

Other than that this was the most reliable car I have ever owned.

The only time I needed to put oil in it was when I changed it.

General Comments:

Service parts for this car are cheap, spark plugs, air filter, leads etc.

The car performs well (130bhp) but the handling can be a bit unpredictable. Mine was lowered 30mm by the previous owner, but I still managed to spin it 180 degrees once..

I bought a Seat Toledo after I owned this car and regret not keeping the Cavalier.

If you're buying one make sure you get a good one. If cared for properly seats shouldn't wear at high mileage. Look for service history and watch for ex-fleet cars. Too many have been boy-raced these days.

I've just bought a Cavalier 4x4 Turbo :)