8th Nov 2007, 11:59
Obviously in his opinion he thinks its quick, but my original statement stands, it isn't!
Also, Cavalier's since 1981 at least have had crumple zones, they're not limited to new cars, but modern cars are made from much higher tensile steel, and have rigid safety cages, a new Vauxhall Corsa would weigh a similiar amount to a '93 Cavalier. You obviously didn't watch 5th gear when a 3 yr old Renault Modus destroyed the front end of a '92 Volvo 940 Estate weighing 1500kgs!?
If you're going to make comments like that, at least know what you're talking about!
8th Nov 2007, 14:31
I think he's right, you should calm down. If the 1.8 LSI had the Vauxhall multipoint injection it would have been fairly quick compared to other cars of the time, Ford 1.8's for example wouldn't have been as quick, Vauxhalls of that era were quick for what they were, and the engines were stronger too.
13th Nov 2007, 12:38
My favourite Vauxhall was my old Cav mk2 1.8 GLi--it was on a C-plate and bearing in mind I was 19 when I had it, it felt like a rocketship! (I had just come out of a Citroen BX 17RD). It was 115 hp and quick enough to put the frighteners on all sorts of stuff like BM 3-series drivers for example. If you want a laugh have a look at my report on it on '86 Cavalier GLI, mines the one with about 46 comments!!
20th Nov 2008, 18:18
I own a 1994 Cavalier 1.8i LS, and it's an Automatic.
The top speed I have had out of it was 105MPH on the car's speedo or 101MPH on my TomTom sat nav so there was an error or 4 - 5 MPH inaccuracy on the speedo - there always is. This speed was achieved with the Overdrive off - ie in position 3 instead of D which disables 4th gear (Overdrive)
It does 0 - 60 in just a shade over 15 seconds.
I use it mainly for day to day urban driving and very rarely use it on a long run because I prefer Automatics when stuck in urban traffic. I use my other car for longer journeys which is manual and has a lot more oomph (167BHP).
It has single point injection and develops 90BHP.
I don't know why Vauxhall took the step backwards from the MK2 Cav where the 1.8 had Multipoint injection and 115 BHP, but the fact does remain that this car is painfully slow, and I knew this when I bought it for £250 on Ebay. It suits what I bought it for - slow town driving, and its damn good at it and reliable.
In 1993, I did own a 1985 Mk2 Cav 1.8 CDi Hatch - this was a great car, it did 120 MPH and had a respectable 0-60 time of about 10 secs so in effect - Vauxhall has gone backwards slightly, but then, they did have to start strangling their engines with Catalytic Converters and emission control systems in 1992 to keep the Green campaigners happy, and Cats as you know, reduce power and performance substantially - that's why boy racers de-cat their cars nowadays - illegal, but boosts the BHP nicely thank you, and stuff the environment!
24th Oct 2009, 06:05
I have a Vauxhall Cavalier 1.8 LSI 1993 model. I am so much in love with my car, that after it had been stolen about ten years ago and recovered, having been stripped of everything that could be taken off it, I wouldn't let the insurance company write it off. I actually rescued it on its way to the breakers yard, had it all fixed up with the small payout from the insurance company, and it still serves me well!
The body is a bit rusty in parts, but I have never had any trouble with starting it or its power - OK, the acceleration could be better, but it doesn't need to be on the country roads around here. It cruises comfortably at any given speed, as it is a hatchback hence it is a good, reliable workhorse and it came with me to France where I live. I know it won't last forever, but I couldn't consider changing it until it drops to bits!
27th Feb 2013, 07:24
A 97 Vectra is the same underneath as a Cavalier; just the body panels are different. The NCAP rating is pretty much the same. The Cavalier is very strong; its weak point is side impact, but it does have impact bars, however no car is safe in a side impact realistically. If someone hits your driver's door at 40, you would probably be stone dead in any car. Head on, the Cavalier is not bad at all for an old car.
8th Mar 2013, 08:21
In an old car without torso and head airbags? Yes, you would, but in a modern car like the Insignia, you would come out alive.
27th Oct 2013, 05:57
You clearly believe everything you see on TV. No doubt the old model Volvo was picked to create the desired publicity effect - the newer model 900's had many chassis changes and were far safer.
Also, was there any corrosion in the car? No doubt you missed the Modus being flung backwards by the impact.
Most serious injury and death is caused by internal organ damage from violent movement. We never see the whole story, only selected information...
7th Nov 2007, 12:25
Calm down, It was his opinion that it is quick, and he didn't compare it to other cars. I also doubt a modern car would destroy a cav if it got hit, as new cars are designed to crumple.