IDRIVEACLASSIC reviews: Vauxhall Cavalier MK3 ~ Opel Vectra A
Вставка
- Опубліковано 25 чер 2024
- IDRIVEACLASSIC is sponsored and insured by Adrian Flux - check them out for your insurance quote on the link below: www.adrianflux.co.uk/influenc...
________________
Vauxhall MK3 Cavalier
The MK3 Cavalier when it came to market was headed up in the sales brochure with the leading strap line
One of Britain’s favourite cars is now even better than ever…
And a favourite it was, because not only was it well liked by fleet drivers, the medium sized family car buyer and various other drivers, it was one of the best sellers of the 90s.
The 1993 range extended the qualities and buying reasons and the car sported new styling in the rounded shape which was the fashion of the time, new features, new power choices and heaps of reasons to keep buying into the Cavalier.
First off the bat was the economy pull for the long distance driver, after all, this was the car which had at the time of the 1993 range launch, won Fleet Car of the Year an incredible 7 times. The car was said to a better minimum service routine and lower running costs than competitors, in addition to the economy, the space inside the car was touted as a leading sales feature and said to carry 5 adults comfortably.
Due to the popularity of the car on the used car sales market, the resale and reliability of the car were also touted as reasons to buy into the MK3.
The range for 1993 was thoroughly well thought through and not only were the new cloth trim interiors a new addition, but most importantly safety, whereby the cars were fitted with Vauxhall’s body-lock front seat restraint system and dual side impact bars in heavy duty steel built into all 4 side doors. The deadlock central locking system was extended throughout the range too.
In fact, you got plenty as standard on these including electric head lamp levelling, security coded radio for anti theft purposes, heated rear window with auto cut off, height adjustable seat belts. Lots of finer details which were missed off the competition and made it a really usable, attractive prospect.
The new range did away with the old naming convention and introduced exciting new models.
You now had the Envoy 1.6i, the LS, GLS, CD and Diplomat. Then the more sporting end of the range which had the 2.0i 4X4, 2.0i Sri and the 20i 16v turbo 4x4 models.
In fact, for 1993, the Cavalier range had an impressive EIGHT engine choices - adding two to the line up - the choices ranged from the 75PS 1.6i through to the 204PS 2.0i 16v turbo and 2.5 24v Ecotec-V6.
The new 16 valve engine in the SRi was a new low noise version of the existing engine with no loss to performance - a real win for Vauxhall.
All the engines ran on either unleaded fuel or diesel, with 1993 being the year the EEC as it was known at the time set new legislation for car emissions and made catalytic converters essential by October 1993.
In addition to the new range line up, every car was fitted with power assisted steering, which as you’ll see when we go driving is just perfect for a smooth, pleasurable drive and Vauxhall proudly declared it a car which was unmatched in its class, and as we discover the car today, I’m sure you’ll agree they’re not wrong! - Авто та транспорт
My Dad had a brand new GL in platinum as a company car in 1989 right when they were launched. When he got made redundant a year or two later us kids were more upset about the car going back than anything else.
Great video, and thanks for taking on the gatekeepers!
My dad had cavalier's as company cars back in the 90s. Everything from a GLi to an SRi. Great cars!
Thank you for this! 27 years after my last company Cavalier 2.0GLi and having owned a few ‘prestige’ marques, I still miss that car more than any. Quality, performance (for the time) - would cruise the M25 at 130 mph (allegedly) when conditions allowed, it was a furniture van when we moved house. Rose tinted retrospectacles? Maybe, I need to drive another - like you - to find out.
cruise on M25 at 130 mph? not a chance. A Vauxhall Astra Mk2 GTE will get to 135mph
Correct! But I wouldn't have tried cruising it at 130mph, more like 80-90mph.
I had a 91 115bhp 2.0L Cdi, and my mate an 89/90 115bhp 2.0L Gli.
Driving to meet him at a PC World, I saw him in my mirror on the M5 approaching fast in the 3rd lane. I floored it to top speed of 115mph and he just flew passed me!
Puzzled, how this could be, we consulted a Haynes manual and found his Gli had the very same engine, but Vauxhall fitted the Sri gearbox for some reason, which took him onto 132mph!
I drove, then sold mine in good condition with 142,00 miles and my mate scrapped his with 220,000 miles on the clock, only because he bought another car 2 years previous and never used the Cav. The engine was still strong.
He could hardly believe the mileage compared to what his previous Fords were doing before blowing engines from 50,000+ miles!
His last Ford Orion did reach 78,000 before its design flaw ended the life of its engine! His Nephew less less lucky with the same engine blowing at 53,000 miles on a 4 year old car!
Vauxhall spent more time and money engineering their engines to a much better standard during the 80's 90's.
There's no way a GLI would cruise at 130 or the speedometer was clearly way out. I have a 2 litre passat that barely touches 130
Quiet engines were a Vauxhall thing. I had a 1960 Victor and was waiting in the works car park for someone to move their car with my engine running. A guy who was emptying trash into a skip came over to talk to me, and after a few minutes leaned on the front wing. Only then did he realise my engine was running when he felt the vibration, and it had 90,000 on the clock. Security was not a strong point. My Victor key worked on 2 mates' Victors. Years later I had a Viva, and 3 times I opened the doors with my key for people who had accidentally locked their keys in the car.
Had a 2.0L CDi that a friend bought for me at a car auction. It was the most comfortable car I have ever owned. The driver's seat was so comfortable that it fitted like a glove as if it was tailored for me. I had it for ten years. It was a dream to drive (auto) and incredibly reliable. I miss it dearly.
I had a 2.0 CDi auto…the most luxurious car I’ve ever owned, and a great car to drive. Built really well, was quiet and comfortable, and handled well, and fast as f***! My partner was driving us down the M1, and nearly had a heart attack when I told her she was doing over a ton! The colour was great too, dark metallic red, or burgundy, whatever it was called, with those nice 4 spoke alloy wheels, that really suited it, classy rather than brash, like the sporty models had…I couldn’t believe it when I booked it in with a main dealer for a cam belt change, as I didn’t know its history, and picked it up later that day, with a bill for £80!
Nice review! The stiff gearshift is a common problem. Lift the bottom of the gaiter up and spray the linkage with WD40/spray grease/silicone spray depending upon your preference. Good engines until you need to change the thermostat!
Not my cup of tea, but in automotive history terms, one of those cars I’d class as ‘peak car’ - it did everything well, it was roomy, easy to repair, not too expensive to maintain, aerodynamic, fuel efficient and well built. Everything else after this era of cars, in my opinion, got way too complex, too many electronic aids which, frankly weren’t needed, and by the mid 2010s, everything was just too complex, too expensive to run, and too big.
You are exposing your age lol
@@strictlyyoutube6881 So are you lol
Too big indeed! Why are modern cars so wide?!
What's your cup of tea?
Your connotations of this car were so on point. Before you mentioned "friendly neighbour" I was already remembering back to the neighbour at my old house Don who had a red Cavalier that never moved. It's probably still there now.
Oh wow. A Vauxhall Cavalier mk3 1.8i LS 5 door hatchback. About as middle of the road and as unimaginative as you can get. Which is probably why I love them so much!
Can't beat a MK3 Cavalier, once a common sight on the roads, sadly now all but gone. Definitely a future classic, it's part of 90s British car culture.
British?
What about Vectra?
😂😂😂
Actually came here to watch this video because i just saw one today out in the wild. Not completely gone, but no many left i would imagine.
Nice vehicle. I wish the North American versions were as well built. The J-Car, of which the US had multiple versions, all five NA GM divisions had their own "take" on the vehicle. I like what Vauxhall did better. Most of our Js had the 1.8L when the vehicle was first released in 1982, but the Pontiac had an OHC 2.0L. All were based on Opel designs, even our imported Japanese and Korean versions of this design. Our 1.8L lasted maybe two years, and had been replaced with a 2.2L engine by 1993. I think it is the American passion for V-8 engines and automatic transmission that seems to push all vehicles here to larger and less efficient drivetrains. General Motors was known for great HVAC systems here dating back to the 1960s. Being a veteran of of Opel Kadett A, and later models based on the Kadett B, it is nice to know this engineering finally translated to later Opel designs. Too bad it is not a vehicle of interest for you, as I know you would have provided this vehicle with a nice home.
This video has a warm charm. I have fond memories of Cavaliers'. My friend's dad was a great guy and had a Mk2 SRi company car and we had some adventures in it with him driving us places with the stereo blasting out. One time after getting back their house he stopped, rewound a song on the stereo and hammered it around the estate listening to it again, then when we got back to the house he did it again, and again and again; he was a character. I myself owned a MK3 Cavalier 2.0 SRi for many years. It was a very comfortable car, once drove 6 hours down to the South West coast, did a job and drove 6 hours back again the same day. I wish i had never traded that car in.
I had 3 of these in 4 years as company cars. We had a company policy to change the cars after 60,000 or 2 years, none of mine made it to 2 years. They were all 100% reliable, fast, I was a rep driving 50,000 mile per year so they had to be, and, most importantly with that mileage, comfortable.
And that’s why SRi stood for Sales Rep inside 😂
This brings back some memories. We had a couple of these as pool cars at work back in the early 90s. A blue hatch and a red saloon. Those poor cars had such a hard life, they got treated like absolute dirt!
Company cars...The only cars that can shift directly from 5th gear into reverse :)
These along with the Astra of the 90’s were the high point for Opel/Vauxhall. They only went downhill after that as GM’s cost cutting kicked in
I agree, this was by far the best and cheapest vauxhall in terms of repair related costs.
Every single Vauxhall i have owned since then has been more expensive to keep running that the previous, up until 1 year ago when i sold my Astra K, that Vauxhall will be the last one i ever own, i completely lost faith in the brand and have changed to a different brand, i could not continue to drive these cars, they were simply to expensive to keep running.
The Astra K developed a chain rattle after only 2½ year and since we only have 2 year warranty vauxhall quoted me a price of "More than £2000" to have this fault repaired. I read a bit online and found it was a common manufacturing defect, that they had found a solution for, but if i wanted it fixed, i would have to pay out of pocket, they would not cover any costs.
My Dad had 4 of these between 1989 & 2002, as company cars - all red, all diesel (3 turbo). 2 L spec & 2 GLS. Absolutely loved them! 35k per year, all round Northern Ireland. I’d love to have a go in one now! Great review, as always.
This is exactly right! Classics are becoming "newer". I saw the potential of a 90's car recently and I scooped it up as quickly as I could. It's a 1991 Honda Accord Estate with a manual transmission, fully loaded trim. Just $500. It's rough cosmetically, but I intend to restore it. While Honda's last forever, you see less and less of them. And the wagons were rare when they were new, especially when paired to the manual!
Another "boring" 90's car I would like to own is a 1995 Toyota Camry. My mom owned one basically throughout my childhood. I'd love to have one just for that reason alone. Trying to find a nice one anymore is impossible. They're all beat with 300k miles.
I also owned a 2006 Saab 9-3 Aero for a few years recently and drove it like a classic. Stayed in the garage during bad weather, constantly washed and waxed. It was second car that I just 'wanted'.
It's so funny you mention maybe your Grandad had one of these. My Grandad, who was by far one of the most important and influential people in my life, had a brand new G-reg Cavalier GL (G602 KUG, I still remember the registration) back in 1989 when I was 8 years old. Many of my early trips around the North Yorkshire Moors and Yorkshire coast were in that car; I still remember the car and those days with my grandparents with great fondness, and those places are still some of my favourite and most visited places in the world 34 years later. Every time I see a mk3 Cavalier I'm reminded of those days and of my Grandad who passed away a few years ago and who I miss enormously.
I now drive a 2018 Insignia which I know my Grandad would have loved. Thanks for this video and thanks for rekindling some wonderful memories. :)
Had one of those early 90’s, a 1.8GL non injection! Was a very reliable car.
I had new 1.8i and 2.0i company cavaliers in 1990 and 1992 - great cars, mine were totally reliable and the service intervals were 9k & 18k miles which were longer than most makes which were 6k and 12k miles from memory.
Having minicabbed one of those about 23 years ago, a nice touch I remember is pulling the headlight switch, operates the interior light.
The downside of my Deptford Auctions purchase was engine failure after 3 weeks, a recon lump from Redjep's snapping a cambelt a week later, then the auto box giving up another week after that.
Then I scrapped it.
The 2 litre 8 valve doesn't do valve damage if the belt snaps fortunately.
My first ever car was a 93 LSi Cavalier. Metallic burgundy, done over 150,000 miles with very few issues. Very economical and comfy long distance cruiser, although I often got a bad back from those seats after a long drive! The 8 valve 2.0 was pretty torquey, it was my first step on the Vauxhall ladder (always had Vauxhalls since). It probably would have kept going, but it did begin leaking a lot of oil from the head gasket.
The 8valve 2.0 is a cracking engine. We've sadly had to scrap plenty over the years due to bad rot, but the engines were absolutely fine. They have loads of low down grunt plus they sound awesome close to the redline too!
Had loads of mk3s, loved them. A couple of months ago I ran a Calibra for 2 months as a daily! Was wonderful
I had 5 Cavaliers , and many Vauxhall’s before and since but the Mk3 2.0GLi I had in 1994 is still one of my favourites, did everything well , fast, quiet, economical and extremely reliable !
Had a couple of company-issued Cavaliers of this era. They worked well enough, but were hardly exciting, but that was probably the point. Much preferred my Citroen BX 1.9 diesel, which I had passed on to my dad. It handled better and shifted fast enough for me. The SRi went quicker, but the suspension and steering didn't get improved any.
I'm 41, 90s cars are absolutely classics as far as I'm concerned, and my favorite ones
Yeah! More Vauxhalls, PLEASE!
Had one of these as a hire car on a visit to the UK. It was very fit for purpose and I really enjoyed driving it, particularly the nice manual change.
The kind of people who say it's not a classic are struggling to accept that the 90s were over 20 years ago.
Just because it's old, doesn't make it a classic.
These were mind-numbingly dull when they were new and they're still mind-numbingly dull now.
I think people gatekeep the term Classic. Does my head in.
What old car _isn't_ a classic then ?
@@lewis72 Not everyone could afford the exotic and to many of us these were practical family cars with the bonus of being quick and a pretty good drive.
@@jb3222
I never suggested that classic cars _were_ the reserve of the exotic. I was comparing these cars of the mid '90s to their '80s predecessors.
I smile on the odd occasion I see one these days, so many on the road when I was little.
In the 90s I worked at a GM subsidiary. All managers drove Cavalier company cars, and all non-managers got Astras (senior) or Novas (junior). As a new grad I got to walk. That sea of car park conformity means I will never see 90s Vauxhalls as classics but that's a personal hang up. Beautiful colour, nice car and great review! Thanks Steph!
My father was a engineer at Opel when these were designed engineered and manufactured.
@William Egler. In 1989, my first Vauxhall Cavalier Mk3 here in the U.K. was really an Opel. There were Opel badges/insignias all over the 2.0 litre 8 valve engine. Excellent finish on the rest of the car too. Seemed like the Opel production workers built the cars with real pride in their work. Stay safe and well.
@@markmiwurdz202 All Vauxhall's since 1980 have been rebadged Opel's or vehicles from other GM subsidiaries.
Vauxhall's last car developed independently of Opel was the Viva.
@@williamegler8771 Not a rebadged Opel… Cavaliers and Astras were jointly designed with British markets (and production) in mind which is why they were so successful here, certainly compared to European countries (including Germany). I lived there in the mid / late 80s and Opel were not big, and the improvements through the versions were on the back of British popularity. It could even be that Irish Opels were rebadged Vauxhalls from GM UK…. Opel did sponsor the Irish football team.
@johnmoruzzi7236 It most definitely was a rebadged Opel.
It was almost wholly developed by Opel in Germany and Vauxhall's input was largely limited to chassis and steering tuning and specification levels.
Vauxhall production facilities just assembled Opel designs.
How is Opel not big?
Vauxhall is only relevant in the UK as that is the only market it is sold in.
Opel sells in exponentially higher numbers throughout Europe and the world.
Outside of the UK right-hand drive versions are sold as Opels, not Vauxhalls.
Vauxhall is just a marketing division!
It is a classic. Once seen everywhere, now almost vanished. And the memories makes it a classic to an adult remembering them as a child. There is no fixed age for a classic.
Great review Steph, my dad had a mk3 cavalier saloon, I hated it, until he managed to get up Sutton bank in it (near flamingo land) towing a 70s caravan with all our stuff, plus 4 people and dog! In spite of the signs saying caravans prohibited on a 1 in 4 hill!
It gained my respect that day
Good thing the local Plod weren't about!! I've been up Sutton Bank myself, but certainly wouldn't pull a caravan up it!
Hi Steph as always amazing review took me well back to my days when I worked for a publishing company and had daily use of a pool cavalier which when I took on had already come of the rep fleet having already covered 85000miles I used this vehicle daily and took it up to 240000miles before it was written off it was always a good drive with no rattles or serious breakdowns I often wonder how much life it would have had left in it, had it of not been written off.
This brings back so many memories, had a pre facelift 1.8L about 20 years ago & it truly was a great car. Probably better than the Vectra that replaced it!
One of Vauxhalls best ever models, da had couple of these in early/mid 90s from his company, good workhorse cars, never see them now, in early 2000s loads at auctions.
Lovely to see another video Steph x
Saw you guys filiming this near me in Saddleworth as I drove past, remember thinking "hey a Cavalier". Hope to see more of it in the local area. Keep up the good work.
Thank you and enjoyable review. In the 90's Vauxhall upped thier build quality a lot and improved refinement. I used to have an 80's Astra and it rattled and was noisy. In teh late 80's a lot of work was going on to make thier cars deel solid and quality. I used to drive Astras in the 90s and only drove one of these once and was impressed, I still remember driving it it felt so refined.
Nice one Steph. At launch interest for this was mega being far ahead of the Sierra which felt heavier and slower. The leasing company I worked at even had a waiting list!
I always find these profiles interesting for a couple reasons. I've always followed the new cars in magazines, and the old ones in books, but as a Yankee, I never was particularly familiar with newer classics like this Cavalier, while of course the old ones like the recent Humber Lancaster or a Hillman Imp are just absolute nostalgic fun. And even if a rare American like the Plymouth or the Dodge pickup, I enjoy getting a British perspective on these vehicles. There is never a dull moment on this channel. I love the mix up of vehicles.
Great Video Steph really a modern classic. Can't believe how long it is since I last saw a cavalier
Last of the line Cavalier the Mk 3 remember when it was launched in 1988 this one the facelift 1993 model a well kept car Steph 👍👍👍👍👍👍
Great review, Steph. I had a Mk3 2.0 SRi hatchback in white (G730 SBM) back in the early '90's happy memories of that car. Cheap to run too, as I worked in the parts dept of the local Vauxhall main dealers, so all parts were bought at cost price.
Nice model and review. I had one of those. Drove up and down the motorway without any problems for a number of years. Very comfortable for long-range motoring.
I have a 94 Ls 1.8. I absolutely love it. I've had over 2 years now and it's still, even now a working progress 😄
That car is in real good nick, i had the calibra in the 90's, what a car I loved it, a guy i work with has still got his calibra uses it everyday and has owned it for 25 years.
A nice retro/classic car that has completely vanished from our roads in the last 15 years or so. Having driven both, the Mk1 Mondeo absolutely runs rings around it though, far better handling and road manners in general and I find the interior much more spacious, higher-quality, airy and generally more pleasant. The Cav was a lot more modern than the ‘cooking’ Sierras though and would’ve looked like a spaceship in 1988 but by the 1993 facelift there were much better options in this class.
I'm, a cavalier owner and I absolutely love it!! what you say is 100% correct. The gearbox was typical of the mk3's with the rubbery changing 😂
I was working for Vauxhall between 94 and 2000 and remember these cars in the garage, there's a 2.5 v6 is really nice. The Calibra was based on the same chassis.
The "red top" engine where bullet proof.
Thank you steph. Your video brought back so many memories I remember my dad having a red gl, g plate as his first company car. I was probably about 12/13 It was the first car we had with electric windows (front only) and it even had heated wing mirrors.
That just takes me back - I had one of every model of the mk3 cav at various times ! My #1 car of all time ! They just worked and worked well ! I really want another one now after seeing this review ! My wife is very glad I seen this !!
Very smart I like that’s such a shame you don’t see more of these old cavalier about👌
I have so many memories sitting in the vauxhall caviler and old rovers as a kid. I would love to drive both so for the nostalgia of it.
Hi Steph! Very good review! Here in Argentina we used to received Vectras (similar to Mk 3 and 4 Cavaliers) from GM Brazil, named as Chevrolet Vectra, except the Turbodiesels, they came from Germany and were actually Opels with a Chevrolet logo change. Lovely comfort and handling in all versions. Greetings from the very very south!
I’m always liked the Cavalier, I remember when the mark 3 came out it was like something from a science fiction movie, it was so different from what has gone before, the adverts would be on TV every night saying, this is the future and the future is here now introducing the Vauxhall Cavalier, i’ve always had a soft spot for Vauxhall, my driving school car which I passed my test inwas a Vauxhall Viva, my first car which my dad gave me was a Vauxhall Victor 101 and I’ve Cavaliers victors and Astros over the years, i’m a bit disappointed that GM sold Vauxhall off but they’re still making good cars
I sold my 1.8i mk3 Cavalier Colorado last year, I had owned it for 20 years … it was a very good capable car that did us well for the 20 years
Was it white and the reg ended in PPX?
@@recall2880 no it was a spectral blue one L131XDX
@@paulmoore6345 May I asked what you sold it for? I just bought a white Colorado in mint condition. Unbelievable for its age and it runs superb! Only takes 30 minutes to change the clutch on it!
@@recall2880 I sold it for just over a grand a year back
This is one of those cars that disappeared so slowly most don't even notice it's absence on the road
Yep!
I really loved this video, and really loved what you said about the nostalgia.. remember seeing these all the time when I was a child.
Totally agree with 90s cars being classic, my parents had a Ford dealership until the mid 90s, dad was always bringing random stuff home that had tax left on it! I passed my driving test in a Mondeo, we went on holiday in Orions, Sierras, Granadas, mum loved a Sierra so will always always look back on 90s cars with great fondness!
I had a 2.0l in blue in the 90’s. Great car to drive and comfortable too. Thanks for the memories.. 👍
Thank you Steph, my aunt's ex husband had one of these on a L Plate 1.8 Club special edition, as a then 12 or 13 year old back in 1996 he used to hoon this around bends and chicanes and was a hoot!
My parents over the last 30 or so years have went through about 12-14 different cars. The Cavalier is the one that is fondly remembered the most.
I had a 1994 2.0 GLS and loved it. It was a very pleasant looking car and the 8v engine was a gem. The problems I had was some brittle plastic interior fittings and the radio buttons failed, eventually I parted with it after a transmission fault occured, but by that time the car had done approx 90,000 miles. My Mk3 1.8LX Mondeo that I had afterwards never felt as fun to drive although it was excellent in every other way. For me the Cavalier still looks good today.
Very interesting car. The USA didn't get the mk 3, we soldiered on with versions of the early 80's Cavalier just with sheet metal changes for 20 years.
When I had my first job, the senior managers mostly had Cavalier SRIs, which seemed like the best cars ever! Funny when you think back to the early 90s, when literally every other car on the motorway as a Cavalier, Mondeo or maybe a Rover
Had 2 of these CDI as a cab taxi.great car great vid.
Absolutely love these cars I had 7 of these in a row , nice one Steph x
brings back all the memories of my Mk3 SRi 130
Excellent video Steph. Those things were so common as to be almost invisible for years. I've had some experience with both extremes of the range. One friend had a base model 1.6 while another had the top spec GSi 16V. Both very good at what they did.
I would argue that a classic is any car that represents a particular point in history but for many different reasons. I think our Lexus LS400 from 2000 was a classic. Looking at the values now, it seems the market agrees.
Great review. I'm pretty old and I can tell you that one of my favourite cars was the predecessor to this car - a Mk2 Cavalier on a 1987 "D" Plate. I replaced a Sierra with that car and I felt the Vauxhall was a step change in terms of modernity. Unfortunately I only had it for about 18 months. It got stolen and written off from outside Newton Le Willows train station. I still think about that car.
Nice review. My first car was a hand me down 1990 SRi. Loved it and kept it until the chassis rusted and wasn't worth repairing.
Gorgeous day up in the hills! New microphone Steph? It sounded pretty crisp and clear. Extra points (as always) for the colour co-ordination.
For me, possibly the last really good Vauxhall. The Vectra, Insignia etc just somehow didn't keep up with the times, not least their styling. At the time of this car, Ford were still selling the last Sierras, and the Mondeo wasn't yet officially out. With due deference to Kev, the Mondeo and it's Duratec engines moved things on quite a lot, but we are all allowed our preference!
My Dad had new F-reg then a slightly higher spec (GLS!) M-reg mk3 Cavalier hatchbacks as his 1st and 3rd company cars with a mk3 Astra estate in between and a Vectra SRi after. Not sure I’m awfully misty eyed about them but they do bring back a lot of memories from our first family holidays to France etc. I always wished he had a BMW e36, which I later bought myself, but alas company cars were VERY hierarchical back then and he just wasn’t a high enough level at work.
Yesss steph I’m glad you’ve come to the 90s.
Loved the shout-out to the Corsa B! I had one and I absolutely loved it.
I have one coming up on test 😊
Another great review Steph , Love a MK3 Cavalier i grew up with my dad having SRI's as company cars i even used to follow John Clelland in his Cavalier Touring cars . I have a huge hankering for a MK3 1.7 TD dont ask me why haha
I hade the very same K reg model in 1993 in metallic maroon. I got it up to 130 mph on a German autobahn, no problem.
Thank you for making these videos. I really enjoy wathing these. You seem like you are acctually passionate about making these videos.
Ps. Please make a video of a Seat Malaga/Kredos if you can find one😂
My dad ran company cars from 70s till early 90s and I think half of every meeting he had was comparing each others cars.He used to come home with tales how someone said they used to tow their caravan at 90mph with their 1.6 cavalier.I doubt that but they did seem very fast on the motorway.
That colour is gorgeous! My mum had a red diesel cavalier when I was young followed by a mk1 tigra
Good review Steph, these vauxhall cavaliers made great taxis
Had a few Cavaliers from 1.6 , 1.8 and 2.0 from an earlier one to the last one I had was a 1995 mk3 some years ago, adored them, they were superb cars, my last one was sold with almost 200k on the clock, it then went on to be a taxi after i sold it. It was a very reliable car especially the 2.0i, I even moved house twice using my Cavalier.
I recall hiring one from Hertz in London at the beginning of the 1990s. I can remember the Cavalier as a great auto for the motorway with little wind noise at speed.
Thanks for choosing a 'regular' Cavalier, the kind of one that used to be everywhere, I agree it is therefore absolutely a classic. On my last Cavalier I thought the gearshift was sticky but then I discovered that the mat was catching on the clutch pedal. Once I found that extra bit of travel the gearshift was great!
Had a few of them myself from the 1.6 right up to the 2.0 16v it was a good practical car. In my eye's it is s future classic there pretty thin on the ground now due to scrapage schemes. 👍
Cars from the 50's/60's/70's don't make me feel old, but now you're doing 80's/90's cars, I feel very old. I had one 24 years ago.
Had an F reg one, 2.0L. Was very comfortable, plenty quick enough, loved pulling onto a motorway in 3rd, upto 90 in no time. Gearing was long so it was economical if you didn't thrash it. Sold at about 98,000 miles and only non service item from new was a faulty relay for injection system. Great cars.
90s cars were the last of the best cars. Love Mk3 Cavaliers, and the interior looks fantastic even today. I hste the aggressive, depressing indentikit piano black/black interiors. This is as you say - has enough luxury for a nice drive but none of the useless crap that plagues new cars. Cars of this era was so much better made then modern cars. Brilliant video Steph
Nice video. They did offer this in a 1.4 early on BTW. Learned to drive in my dad's 1.6 L was a decent motor for an 18 year old!
I miss my Chavalier, had to sell it a couple years ago. Had the 1.8 petrol and a previous owner had decatted it so sounded proper yobbo.
Ahhh the MK3 Cav, i remember when they were absolutely everywhere, now you dont see any! Infact Vectras are rare now too. Great vid 👍
Colour matching your outfit with that Cavalier was a nice touch
I had the same car in white for 3 years between 2000 to 2003. It was long geared, so on the motorway the engine didn't work hard. Just before I sold it, I replaced the water pump and cambelt. The serpentine belt was more involved. That belt went through the engine mount, so the engine mount had to be removed, then split in two, before swapping the belt! Such an easy job. I still have the Haynes manual. Overall a great practical car with good fuel economy. Replaced it with a '98 Toyota Avensis Mk1 GLS 1.8, that was more loaded, reliable for most of my ownership, and really economical. Sold that 7 years ago. Medium sized hatchbacks are rare these days, replaced by SUV's. Great piece on the Cavalier.
awesome video, my uncle had one of these
I had a 1991 2.0 GLi 5-door for four years and nearly 110,000 miles. Really well built, totally reliable and a great motorway car: long-legged and good on fuel. Gearchange was stiff, but never really bothered me. Handling wasn't as crisp as the Mondeo though: I was lucky enough to have a Mondeo 24v after the Cavalier, which was the best company car I ever had.
It's interesting to see that there are modern vauxhall cars around in the UK. I think New Zealand stopped importing them back in the 1980s, because modern ones just don't exist here. My dad had owned a yellow hatchback chevette back in the early 80s. Jeremy Clarkson had driven a 4WD SUV Vauxhall in his last Top Gear episode. Thanks again for another informative video Steph.
Weren't some Vauxhalls/Opels branded as Holden in NZ? I think Ian HubNut mentioned it when he was there.
@@caw25sha quite possible. Holden and Vauxhall were both part of General Motors.
A good, reliable car, easy to work on and doesn't cost too much to run. What's not to like? Once so common, now you rarely see one. How many classic cars have been lost due to ill-advised scrappage schemes? Such a wicked waste of resources! A lovely car in remarkable condition for its mileage! Definitely a classic car! Thanks Steph for another great video!🙂
Nice review Steph. Looks a nice car for a young classic car owner to start off with.