1990 Vauxhall Cavalier L review from UK and Ireland
"A good reliable competent car"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Whining speedo. I understand the speedo broke on the next owner. It was intermittent and not too loud.
Auto-choke carburettor had a severe mixture problem. I decided to change it for £200 for an aftermarket Weber direct replacement, manual choke, which worked really well.
Top coolant hose went about 1 month after I bought it. The petrol pipe to the carburettor was sweating petrol, dripping onto the coolant hose, which perished the rubber and burst at 70 m.p.h. Petrol pipe was replaced with a proper fuel injection rubber pipe.
CV boots replaced. Some aftermarket ones only lasted 2 years. Used the proper Vauxhall ones - thicker rubber, after the first repeat failure.
Cylinder head tightened due to oil leak from head gasket, leak down front of engine. Same thing happened on next Cavalier 1994 model bought 2002.
Water pump leaked and was replaced.
Only got rid of the car because I hit an exhaust section lying in the road (early morning, dark) and damaged the drivers door.
General comments?
Very comfortable, economical, 35 m.p.g average. 1.8 litre engine.
A little excessive body roll, but could take 5th gear at 30 m.p.h.
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| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Don't Know |
| Model year | 1990 |
| Year of manufacture | 1990 |
| First year of ownership | 1996 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2001 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.8 Manual |
| Performance marks | 6 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 8 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 4 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 59000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 124000 miles |
| Previous car | Honda Civic |
| Date of Entry | 11th October, 2009 |