1988 Vauxhall Nova Reviews - Page 5 of 5

Fuel pipes, shocks, lots of brake pads, discs too, rocker cover gasket.

Not a bad car, mine was from a vicar so very few miles but when I started driving it, all the weaknesses became apparent.

Nothing.

A cracking little car, it's fast for a 1 litre and the handling is brilliant, it's a lot better than a crappy Fiesta.

It starts first time even when it's cold and the choke isn't on, you could do a lot worse.

Most parts of the car gave me some trouble, not very well made.

The trouble with GTE's are that they have all been thrashed as only boy-racers own them. Car thief's dream so get it well bolted down! I live in a good area but the amount of time I had someone set the alarm off was a joke.

It's OK to drive and is quite quick when it works, just buy a good one (good luck).

Alternator started to go on me and now the wheel bearing is on its way out.

I think the car is good for the size of engine, and very quick.

New exhaust (my fault), head gasket, rocker cover.

Quick cheap car, inexpensive to fix if things go wrong - I bought it for my girlfriend, but it's so fun, I've kept it. Suspension is slightly jarring and the engine struggles on hills with 4 passengers, but a great little car.

Have broken the driveshafts.

Completely mental performance!!!

It's quite funny pulling up next to a BMW at the lights and leaving them for dead.

The engine block has a very thin crack in it, so I sealed it with WonderWeld.

It has been a very good buy. I bought it in 1992 with 2000 miles on the clock. It now has 48,000 miles on the clock which is still fairly low.

Nothing that can't easily be fixed.

Quicker than a Ferrari 355 on a race track (with witnesses!!). This is a flying machine.

Lost 2nd gear, electrics went haywire due to wire wearing through.

Definitely a good little car which has a lot more potential than most others. Faster than most away from the lights, and will pull 120 mph fairly happily.

CV joint wasted.

Steering rack worn.

Speedo cable broke.

Front wiper push rod became disconnected.

Rust under the rear wheel arch and beginning under the bonnet but easily treatable.

Automatic choke stays on and needs reving making you look like a Kev. Generally quick car regularly hammers Metro GTA's and 1.3 SR's. Cheap to insure if you do not crash.

Head gasket.

Rocker gasket.

Offside front wing disintegrated spectacularly! (rusted)

Exhaust centre pipe.

The Nova 1.3 Sports Refined is the best, most reliable small car ever, I love Novas, especially my SR. The factory 70bhp makes it go like a rocket off the mark making it one of THE quickest 1.3's ever made, add a couple of twin 40 carbs, performance cam and flowed cylinder head, you're talking 100bhp!! out of Vauxhall's finest 1.3.

I'd definitely recommend the Nova SR as the best looking, cheapest performance hatch around!

Long live the Nova!!

Clutch.

Fan Belt.

Standard Cassette/Radio player.

Passenger window regulator.

External aerial.

Indicators don't automatically cancel!

Nice first car.

Reliable.

Fairly comfortable.

Good ride quality.

Easy to get parts for!

Usual rust on rear arches. Failed MOT this year on steering rack, exhaust system, needed welding. At 109,000 miles things that have gone wrong - front bearings, sender unit, dash lights, cv joints, spark plugs but well worth fixing.

This is my second Nova and the SR is a great car. It's got its problems now but at 110,000 miles it's understandable. Great looking car with GSi front end and alloys. 115mph on the flat (on a lower mileage).

Definitely a car worth buying. The new engine is next.

Back brake locked up when braking hard in wet, so back end went out.

Very fast 126mph between Yeovil, Somerset and Sherborne, Dorset, and it still has a bit more to give. Has been handling well recently now the tracking has been sorted and a decent set of tyres being used.