1992 Vauxhall Cavalier GLS review from UK and Ireland

Had a potentially fatal failure of the Water Pump which could have cost a fortune if I hadn't stopped in time.

Fairly heavy front tyre wear if driven with a heavy right foot.

Had the front wing mirror pulled off by vandal, dealer wanted £110 for replacement unit! (excluding fitting)

Front Brake discs prone to heavy wear and warping so they need to be replaced with every other set of pads.

Generally very good reliable car although not particularly exciting or exceptionally quick.

Requires a delicate right foot to pull away briskly in the wet without spinning front tyres. Traction very limited in Snow - doesn't seem to be enough weight over the front wheels.

Gearing is good for motorway cruising (2200 RPM at 70 in 5th!) and as a result it gives fuel economy, but this blunts acceleration in 5th. The gearing is also very spaced which also affects through the gears performance.

Petrol economy is very variable depending on driving style and seems to drop quite dramatically if you average more than 90 on the motorway. At a steady 65 mph, the tank is good for around 500 miles (even 550 if you trail a lorry), but doing 100-110 results in the range dropping to around 350 miles which is quite a difference.

Handling is safe and predictable. It is fine for fairly quick progress over A roads and twisty motorway sections, but starts to become a handful if you try to hammer it on a twisty B road. Engines can safely take hard driving, but they do go through lots of front tyres and brake pads/disks.

Seats are good and supporting (even for me at 6' 4") although the lumbar support is best left 'off' as it only causes backache.

Cavaliers can take VERY high mileages without bother, but make sure the oil is religiously changed on the intervals and the cambelt should be renewed without fail. I have seen quite a few Cavaliers with over 150,000 miles and the engines drive and sound the same as new cars, so if the engine sounds at all tappety or rough don't buy it. Don't be afraid to buy anything with up to 150,000 (or higher if mint) miles as long as it has FSH.