Back box (Irmisher) failed after 4 years. Not too bad, but would cost £346 to replace with similar part.
Corrosion around rear door strike plates.
Very reliable car. Servicing costs reasonable, and if the right dealer is used, a pleasure to deal with, if the wrong one is used then it becomes an expensive chore.
Not that fast, but certainly above average. Takes roundabouts and corners with confidence. Very easy to drive, but not a fantastic motorway mile chomper. The ride is quite noisy. Very stable in high winds and passing tucks.
The standard cassette deck/radio is nowhere near as good as the later model Cavaliers. An upgrade revealed it is the speakers that are the weak link.
Economy wise, on a normal work commute 32-34 mpg is average. If driven hard, 28-30 mg is about right.
Seats are comfy and supportive.
The hatchback is very practical for trips to the tip and DIY centre. Loads of just 3m can be carried and the boot still closed.
Corrosion around the rear door striker plates is a known problem, and Vauxhall customer service paid for mine to be treated on four occasions. Final fix involved completely stripping back the panels and re-fixing the striker plates - they tend to wobble and eventually rub the surrounding metal, allowing it to rust.
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