Vauxhall Cavalier Estate 1983-
  • Economy

    Value

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Good all-round load-lugger.

    Costs

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Cost £400 to buy, kept 2 years, minimal servicing and parts needed, but gave it away eventually due to quoted £600 of welding (this was nothing too major, but I didn't have time to do it myself).

  • On the road

    Driving

    5 out of 5 5.0

    Comfortable drive for its age.

    Performance

    5 out of 5 5.0

    Goes a lot better than a 1.6 should in such a big car. More go than the equivalent Ford 1.6.

  • Living with it

    Reliability

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Once I had sorted out the previous owner's lack of attention to the car, it caused no problems.

    Image

    1 out of 5 1.0

    Practical, not for the image conscious!

    Comfort

    5 out of 5 5.0

    Nice driving environment for the era.

  • Security and Service

    Security

    1 out of 5 1.0

    Poor security on Vauxhalls from the mid 80s. The car got broken into several times, until I fitted a flashing LED on the dash... seems they can work!

    Service

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Some parts are getting a bit rare, although scrapyards can still have parts.

  • Problems and Ownership

    Problems

    Engine

    Other

    Replaced all service items, brake pads and discs, noisy windscreen blower motor.

    Ownership

    Did you buy the car new?

    Used

    Would you buy the same model again?

    No

    Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?

    Yes