1994 Vauxhall Cavalier Reviews - Page 2 of 11

29th Apr 2008, 16:09

Think you just got a lemon.

This car is as comfortable and reliable as any decent car really.

Mind you, your car is 14 years old and nearly done 200,000 miles, so don't expect it to be perfect. It amazes me the amount of people on here that complain about the condition of very old and VERY used cars!

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1994 Vauxhall Cavalier LSI 1.8i from UK and Ireland

Year of manufacture	1994
First year of ownership	2006
Most recent year of ownership	2007
Engine and transmission	1.8i Manual
Performance marks	8 / 10
Reliability marks	10 / 10
Comfort marks	10 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	6 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	8.5 / 10
Distance when acquired	113000 miles
Most recent distance	115000 miles
Previous car	Ford Mondeo

Summary:

Excellent

Faults:

Fuel filter were leaking when I first purchased the car. £9, which I fitted myself.

Centre section exhaust blowing at 113,000 miles; got it done for £23, including fitting.

Mot due April 2nd 2007 failed on 1 front brake pipe and 2 front bushes; cost me £142 including the MOT fee.

Rocker cover gasket changed at 113,000 miles.

Ignition leads and spark plugs changed at 113,000 miles.

Replaced exhaust back box at 114,000 miles.

Automatic drive belt tensioner started to become noisy; still apparent.

Radiator leaking still apparent.

General Comments:

A very good reliable car for 13 year olds, and the 1.8 8 valve fuel injected engine is still quick.

I bought mine in December 2006 for only £180, and it had a full service history with it, which was a bargain.

However the inside of the car is very modern than for a car which was released in 1988. There is a lot of legroom in both front and back, and it has decent safety kit. The one I have has electric front windows, drivers airbag, outside temperature display and digital time.

However on lots of Cavaliers, when the car is cold, the gears can be a little heavy, and if you're not careful, they can sometimes crunch.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st November, 2007

5th Nov 2007, 16:19

I'm sure your car was very reliable and you rightly feel that it was £180 well spent, but I'm sorry, how can you describe a Cavalier 1.8 LSi as quick and use words like excellent?

These cars were slow in their day, with 0-60 in around 12 seconds, handled like barges and by around '93/'94 had a dated interior.

And just because it has an airbag doesn't mean its safe, a '97 Vectra only scores 2.5 out of 5 stars on Euroncap, your Cavalier's so old it doesn't even have an NCAP rating, a modern car hitting your Cavalier would annihilate it!!

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1994 Vauxhall Cavalier CDX 2.5 V6 from UK and Ireland

Model year	1994
Year of manufacture	1994
First year of ownership	2001
Most recent year of ownership	2002
Engine and transmission	2.5 V6 Automatic
Performance marks	9 / 10
Reliability marks	3 / 10
Comfort marks	6 / 10
Dealer Service marks	2 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	3 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	4.6 / 10
Distance when acquired	49000 miles
Most recent distance	52000 miles
Previous car	Volvo 760

Summary:

Brilliant engine, but potentially costly repair bills

Faults:

Four blown coolant hoses, all within a week. Replaced all hoses as a precaution.

Thermostat was nearly £50 from dealers and they omitted to mention that the recently fitted cam belt would have to be removed to change it.

Needed new shock absorbers, external temp sensor (apparently a known problem).

Washer motor failed.

Car used to cut out often when turning a corner leaving no PAS...

Cooling system marginal, used to border the temperature gauge red zone in any traffic, despite a new radiator and flushing. Became paranoid in Summer or traffic jams!

General Comments:

Excellent acceleration, reasonable economy, but handling was not up to the power.

Seats very supportive, good trim.

A lot of consumables in the engine were awkward to get at, involving costly and involved dismantling, IE, thermostat and plugs. Changing the coolant hoses was a nightmare.

Parts availability mainly dealer only, and then you had to wait. Not cheap either.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 2nd May, 2007

1994 Vauxhall Cavalier LSi 1.8 from UK and Ireland

Year of manufacture	1994
First year of ownership	2004
Most recent year of ownership	2006
Engine and transmission	1.8 Manual
Performance marks	4 / 10
Reliability marks	7 / 10
Comfort marks	4 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	6 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	5.3 / 10
Distance when acquired	128000 miles
Most recent distance	144000 miles
Previous car	Nissan Bluebird

Summary:

Only if you find a good one and can live with the old fashioned image

Faults:

Worst problem was brake judder. It broke 2 clutch cables in 2 years and it went through brake light bulbs like sweets. Every MOT it needed CV gaiters.

It leaked oil on the rocker cover and filler cap. It leaked water in the front foot-well.

General Comments:

Despite the mechanical niggles it (one flat battery aside) always started and never actually broke down. A reasonably torquey engine means that you do not have to rev it hard and its quite good on petrol.

Quite tough, but has an old fashioned image.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th November, 2006