1993 Vauxhall Cavalier TD LS from UK and Ireland - Comments

Very little other than scheduled maintenance. I did shock the neighbours one afternoon when the battery exploded as I turned the ignition key! It blew a hole through the sound insulation under the bonnet to the bare metal!

The 1.7TD engine is sluggish round town - but excellent on the motorway and is very economical - even when provoked it manages to return ~38mpg. Feels like it is good for at least another 110,000 miles. I can see why taxi drivers love 'em. Bodywork is beginning to bear battle scars however.

Paintwork (white) is very dull - I heard rumours of a dodgy batch in the 1992/3 period.

Overall - excellent value for money - servicing costs on the Isuzu supplied diesel engine can be surprisingly high though.

Only other complaint is the Vauxhall front seats which lack suppoprt for the lower back and are not comfortable on long journeys.

My '94 TD LS has now done 230,000 and the engine is still fine - it doesn't use any oil between changes and holds its water better than I can these days!

It will still cruise comfortably at 85-90. I can't understand your 38mpg quote though - mine still does 48-52 regardless of how hard it is driven.

It's had one clutch & new front discs, but everything else is original including the driveshafts, alternator etc.

Only failure has been a core-plug and temporary starting problems due to a loss of compression caused by the hydraulic tappets tightening up.

I've had a quite a few diesels, but nothing as good as this - I'm convinced it's going to go to 300k+.

Only downside is that the car's body isn't of the same quality - there's very serious rust on the doors.

1993 1.7 TF saloon (acquired at 62K.. sadly "written off" at 94k).

Big car feel for working man money..

Economy held well.. recent 500 mile trip from London-Leeds and back put me out by about £45.. two passengers, some luggage.. comfortably cruising around 90mph... stable ride.. Turbo behaving well at 2500rpm.

Clever electric windows which can be powered without the ignition key if the driver's door is opened... avoids the annoying business of placing the key back into the ignition when you've parked up - with the windows down! (Poor/awkward location of window switches though - tight alongside the handbrake!)

Manual sunroof beginning to stick at two points in its operation.

3 clutch cables replaced in less than 3 years.. fault eventually located to small plastic ring on gearbox-caused tension on the cable, then snap! This also solved the almost impossible selection of 5th gear at one stage!

Very impressive standard speakers.. did justice to my aftermarket Kenwood CD system!

Comfortable for long runs, more so for rear passengers than front - decent drivers lumbar support badly missed - oddly, rear passengers benefit from a respectable armrest - nothing in the front?!?

No complaints of rust (vehicle not garaged).

Oil change every 3000 miles important to maximise performance and economy, calms morning starts also!

Very good very nice cars mreg cavilier 1.7td.

I have a '94 1.7TD cdx with 136k on the clock - had it from 2k miles, & it has NEVER let me down. OK so things are starting to wear out, but I'm still on the original shocks & the front part of the exhaust is original. I get between 45 - 65 mpg, uses no oil, cruises quietly @ 85ish, starts first time EVERY time. Not as comfortable as it could be as seats are wearing. Can't justify replacing it, although servicing costs may force my hand.

I've had my m reg 17td ls for 18months now. Bought with 103,000 on and now done 117,000. Replaced alternator shortly after purchase, but nothing else wrong. Starts first time, every time, uses no oil or water, 45+mpg and will cruise all day at 80+mph. Had "bigger and better" cars, but none as reliable!

Just wanted to say a big thanks to the person who left a message on this notice board regarding my Airbag light flickering on when pulling away. You were correct with your idea that I should check the Alternator for overcharging. It was the problem and apparently I should have noticed the burning smell! No, never noticed it at all. New alternator fitted along with discs/pad and accelerator bushes (did not even notice they were worn, just thought the slow pull away it was one of the joys of a diesel) Still the best car I have owned, as have spent very little in the last 2 years. This is the first real large outlay.

Have an M reg TD LS. Owned since 2002, car has done just over 140k miles.

In lots of ways just what I want *but* have had big problems with alternator (I think I am just about to have to fit the third one) and starter motor (went about a year after purchase) - both expensive parts. Had the airbag light thing but but am more aware now and notice when the revs get jumpy.

Bodywork good. Just had the first little bit of welding done on a wheel arch.

Cruises happily on the motorway, comfortable on long trips, and for it's age economy is good. Tons of space.

I own a 95 cdx 1.7 176k on er now and still starts and drives like new very easy run and I love er never have de lift the hood. got er full factory re spray and I love er de bits xxxxxxx.

I own a 95 CDX 1.7 with 176k on her now, and she still starts and drives like new. Very easy to run and I love her. Have never had to lift the hood. Got her a full factory re spray and I love her to bits xxxxxxx.

93 td cavalier isuzu engine had it 11 years and has never let me down. Changed clutch at 120,000 miles and now having trouble with alternator seems common fault, airbag light on found alternator overcharging, will have to renew but it will be worth it. What a brilliant car 160,000 and still going strong.