1994 Vauxhall Cavalier V6 GLS 2.5 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Water pump at 37K miles. All other problems have been minor (eg bulbs failing).

General Comments:

Amazing performance especially at top end (3rd gear will give over 115mph before redline, top in 5th is quoted at 147mph). Economy not too bad (26 to 33 mpg). Servicing by Vauxhall agents is not much more than normal Cavs (e.g 2 litre). Looks smart (white with fan blade alloys and small boot spoiler).

Downsides are insurance (Grp 16) and handling which although better than "standard" Cavs is still not as good as it should be for this amount of performance.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th December, 1999

1994 Vauxhall Cavalier GLS 2.0i 16v Automatic from UK and Ireland

Faults:

The only problems I have had with the car are with the engine management system, i.e. the CO2 sensor and cam sensor, these faults prevent the car from starting.

General Comments:

Overall I am happy with the performance of the car. Although it is expensive to run; high insurance £1200 per year due to my age (22). The car does need regular servicing to preserve mpg.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st November, 1999

1994 Vauxhall Cavalier CDi 2.0 auto petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

My car (which was an ex-company car) has done 90,000 miles. Bearing this in mind, the shockers needed replacing.

Apart from that it has been very reliable. I have done 10,000 miles in 3 months - with no problems.

Heater bulbs have fused - cost £25 to repair (common problem I am told).

CV joint also needed to be done.

Apart from that (and looking at my comprehensive service history) the car has never suffered major faults (touch wood !).

Best buys for reliability appear to be 1.8 and 2.0 models - 8v engine less problematic.

General Comments:

First Vauxhall I have owned.

Very luxurious and comfortable car.

Many many thoughtful design touches in the spacious interior.

Huge boot (great for the pushchair).

Good safety features with ABS, Airbag, Impact beams.

Great 6 speaker stereo (standard).

Excellent motorway cruiser - ride a bit unsettled on normal roads.

Fuel economy surprisingly good (35-40mpg) for a 2.0ltr automatic.

Seats very comfortable (esp in the back) but brake pedal a little high compared to accelerator pedal.

Quite reasonable servicing/parts costs - no need to use expensive dealers unless tuning or engine management work required.

Engine can be a bit boomy (not as refined as jap counterparts) but compensates with good 50-70 and 70-80 acceleration.

The auto box is pretty smooth but can be made to 'clunk' if you hover around the 30mph mark. Otherwise smooth and responsive and usually in the right gear. Sport mode useful - haven't tried winter mode yet.

Make sure you change the cambelt every 36k and change the oil every 6k.

Now looking for a 95 CDX with air con !

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd September, 1998

2nd May 2001, 07:17

Cavalier heater dashboard bulbs blown? Can cost big bucks to be fixed (£25+). The job of changing the bulb (yes...just one) is quite easy. I fixed it on my car in 15 minutes and the 12v bulb will cost you no more than a £1 from most electronic shops.

If you want full instructions (for free) then send an e-mail to rhassell@btinternet.com

1994 Vauxhall Cavalier Cesaro 2.5 V6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Brake light switch failed.

Brake pads wear fairly quickly and ain't cheap for the V6.

General Comments:

Stonking performance and fairly cheap to insure. The car has covered 55000 miles and apart from servicing costs it has set me back £3.50 for the brake light switch!!!! Do NOT go to a Vauxhall Dealer, they are all ripoff merchants...

Turbo quicker...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th July, 1998

1994 Vauxhall Cavalier CDX 2.0 16v petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Engine Management decided best idle speed was 0rpm. Dealer reprogrammed and is now okay.

CD player - dealer unable or unwilling to fix despite many visits over 12 months.

Standard consumables - exhaust, tyres etc.

Aircon causes condensation in passenger footwell.

General Comments:

The best car I have ever driven. A big improvement over the 1993 2.0 8v CD. Ride and handling improved.

2.0 16v engine has lots of performance and is economical.

CD player has speed sensitive volume.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th May, 1998