TWO Mk3 Vauxhall Cavaliers LS & SRi Go for a drive

[@matt697n]

I love how in every Vauxhall/Opel from the '90s the clutch pedal squeaks in exactly the same way.

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

matt697n spray some white grease on the spring and it goes away and makes of easier to press down ☺

[@EdgyNumber1]

Have you ever noticed how GM clutches very subtly kick back through the clutch pedal as you engage it? And also the rather gruff sounds the GM engines make under acceleration?

[@TheOne18263]

Even today it's a thing 🤣 my mums Astra J and my GTC have a squeaky clutch pedal 😂 but hey it adds more character 😂

[@glennrodwell7349]

yes.......mine did too!!

[@billylewis2426]

matt697n so did the 1979 viva off my Dads did it

[@Victor-DOOM]

One of the greatest cars of all time in my opinion I've had 3 mk3 Cavaliers and two calibras. greatest Vauxhalls live in the 1990s nice video thank you.

[@jezedwards3858]

I bought a beautiful red Sri Saloon in 1990, it was 11 months old with 11,000 miles on the clock. As soon as I drove it, I fell in love with it. They were only 8 valve, no turbo, there was a little switch over you could change if you wanted to use four star or the new unleaded. The only time I used that was when there was a shortage of unleaded one year (very handy) but, it didn’t really make any difference. That car was super quick from a standing start and went right up to 135mph (on the clock) quickly too. Everything about it was good, the suspension, the steering, economy, comfort. I bought a 2..0 litre, 16 valve Vectra GLS next. Not in the same class, not as fast, not as nice to drive and, the engine fault light used to come on all the time. I wish I’d kept the old Sri, best car I ever had sorts wise. Having said that, I sold the Vectra in 2008 and bought a 2004 VW 1.9 Passat TDi Highline which had 61,000 on the clock at the time. That has 130 bhp too, not quite as quick of the mark as my old Cavalier but for diesel pretty amazing, drives just as well as it did when I bought it, never let me down, no warning lights 267,000 miles and still going. That SRi was the last great car Vauxhall made...in my humble opinion.

[@terrortorn]

The 90's had just the right amount of technology and society in balance.

[@furiousdriving]

It was the perfect decade!

[@EgoShredder]

I still drive a 1990s car..............just! Peugeot 306 2.0 XSi on a 1999 plate. I would not say no to a top of the range Vauxhall Cavalier though!

[@626malik]

and the 80s too hun

[@whatevernevermind5960]

And the best music

[@EdgyNumber1]

Thats true that, particularly '95-'98.

[@veritasvincit2745]

A girlfriend's dad had a new SRI. The first new car I ever drove. Before that I'd only driven clapped out old shitters limping along on their last MoT. When I first hit the brakes with the family in it I thought I was just brushing the pedal. I'd got so conditioned to weak brakes that I threw the family forward on their belts like we'd hit a wall and got a flea in my ear. A couple of years later he got a new GSi. He went on holiday and left it in the custody of a regular from his pub knowing full well that I needed a car for a few weeks. The guy he trusted it to cracked the screen, kerbed it enough to wollop the tracking out, put a dent in the cill and left the interior like a bin. I was quite pleased about that because I would have cherished the vehicle as if it were my own.

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

Veritas Vincit I had a gsi cavalier 4x4 I loved it to death ☺

[@RexWaldron]

Really enjoyed this back to back review. I'm old enough to remember the 60s and the 90s and I have to agree - the 90s had a similar upbeat feel to the 60's, something that has largely disappeared from the current day. I've heard it said that early 90s car design is actually a high point for many of the reasons you have given - just enough tech, but not too much, functional and efficient styling amongst other things. As you say, the SRi in this review is now pretty much 30 years old, yet still feels capable and quite modern. Wind back to 1990 and compare the SRi with a 30 year old car then - that would be1960. We would be talking Victor FA, Austin A55 Farina, Hillman Minx series 3. All of those cars would have felt very old fashioned by 1990, so car development in that 30 years was pretty impressive.

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

Great video, thanks. I had a Mk3 Cavalier SRi in the 90s. Really, liked that car and only parted with it to get a diesel as I was clocking up a lot of miles. The gearing meant it was not very fast off the mark but at mid speeds it would accelerate up to 70 and beyond very nicely. Very reliable also. Clocked up about 100,000 miles and only serious breakdown was a timing belt slip. Luckily no valve damage, new timing belt on next day and back on the road. Very comfortable and pleasant cabin. You could also carry ladders or long planks of wood by sticking the end through the sunroof. Really liked the handling which seemed to be well suited to motorways and twisty roads. Can't say I remembered clutch being heavy on mine or any gear change problems (although it was 25 years ago). BTW get what you mean about the 90s being a kind of golden era when cars were pretty much as good as modern ones but you could still do most maintenance yourself with basic tools.

[@darrenmeears4667]

I absolutely luv the Cavalier had 3 best one was a GLS gutted when they replaced them with the horrible vectra 👀👌👍💕

[@Trundle24]

Brilliant! The nostalgia, reminds me of mam and dads 1993 K Reg Cavalier, they both were blown away when they purchased it in 1993 as it was so modern compared to what they had before! The squeaky clutch, how thT come straight back to me 😂 What has happened to Vauxhall they build nothing like the old ones!

[@LGaragem]

Outside the UK, those were the first Opel Vectra, it cause some confusion when the Opel and Vauxhall names became the same. Astra and Kadett, Cavalier and Vectra, Carlton and Omega, Nova and Corsa, etc.

[@64bakes]

The internal designation for the mk3 Cavalier was a Vectra A, and the first Vectra we had in the UK was a Vectra B - even more confusing!

[@keijak1]

Another good video. 1980 - 1995 Vauxhall's (GM's) best era. I recall the 1988 launch ad for the Mk3 'A Car Of The Future' along the lines of a 50s Sci Fi movie. It would seem that not only do they not make cars like they used to, you could say the same for car ads as well 'Once Driven Forever Smitten...' It would be good if you could get your hands on a Mk1 or 2 Astra to test, more lowly versions other than the GTEs, the bread and butter cars. Keep up the good work!

[@chrisrichmond403]

Over on the Isle of Man my dad owns the only running Mk 3 Cavalier . It’s a 1995 LS Hatchback but has Alloy Wheels & the 2.0 16V Ecotec engine mated with the Auto Gearbox . Earlier this year it’s had quite a bit of work on it to get it back in the Road such as new fuel tank ( old one had some small rust holes) new brake pipes both rubber ones and underbody ones , New calipers , new struts .. Also it was under sealed to protect it . Cambelt etc with a service and cam sensor was done last year. Good motor indeed.

[@ianhadfield65]

The best gearbox in the early Cavaliers, you could change the clutch without gearbox removal. Took around 2 hours to change half bell housing came off and main shaft pulled out the side.

[@russcattell955i]

Yes, my mk2 1.6 LS estate had the same. My brother who is a mechanic did a clutch change in 20 mins on a 4 post ramp, well it was lunchtime.

[@stuartleckie]

I was a Vauxhall mechanic back then. If it took us more than an hour to change a clutch we would get pelters from the other mechanics. We did have a couple of tools and tricks to speed it up though.

[@AndyK.1]

The early SRi had 130bhp. Don’t forget the red top 150bhp, V6 170bhp and turbo 201bhp.

[@JDM_Southwest]

Great video, I have a cavalier SRi on a G plate, mine is a 130bhp 8v as the early ones were, the one you featured had a gsi grille fitted too, originally it would have had a black, slatted grille in case you didn't know 👌 loving the videos mate

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

Just saw a 30 min yt about vauxhall. Timely to see your review; it adds to my knowledge of a car company that started well over 100 yrs ago. Subs keeping their steady climb. Nice work.

[@brianaustin8989]

Drove 2 of these as a rep in the 90's. The 1.6l saloon, covered 135,000 miles and only let me down once on a weekend, when the rotor arm failed , a common faulty the AA man told me, as they always carried a spare for that problem. The second one, was a 1.8 auto hatchback, which was the best of the two. Unfortunately it was an unlucky car, being hit twice, the second one being write off. The management claimed it was ti heavy on fuel, being an auto and would not let me have another one, even though I was covering 48,000 miles a year!!!! So they got me a 1.6 manual Vectra next, which was awful. Described as the car designed in some ones lunch hour. As a protest used to drive it in 4th gear as much as possible, instead of using fifth gear, so as the consumption, was no better then the previous auto model. It blew up with oil pump failure, good riddance. Firm closed soon after.

[@1972dsrai]

I had a Cavalier for a few months in the late 90’s. Overall not a bad car, but wasnt happy with the Vauxhall dealership I took to once due to the engine cutting out at random times which is obviously dangerous. They charged me hundreds without ever knowing what the fault was and then driving it afterwards the issue occurred again. I called the AA and the guy found the fault within minutes. It was the fuel relay plug which had corroded. He gave it a quick clean with a wire brush and told me to replace it, which I did and I never had an issue again. How the mechanics couldn’t find this with their diagnostics I’ll never know, but shows either how poor their knowledge was or how stupid I was for taking the car to them to start with. It was the first and last Vauxhall I ever owned. Its been Alfa Romeo and Audi for me ever since.

[@chantlern]

My Dad had a 1990 1.6L in dark blue, it wasn't metallic just a standard off the shelf blue! It was our first and only brand new car and I loved it, felt so modern and sleek compared to everything else! We had it for 11 years and it didn't let us down once, great car.

[@lewisf1705]

I always love the noise of older Vauxhall engines, they have a nice grunt to them

[@knkjkjn]

Yeah they sure do. Too bad they are a bit under powered tho. I had 2 astras f automatics with 1,8i, 90hp and 1,6i 75hp and they really sounded nice. Especially the 1,8.

[@225M3RCR]

Pre ecotec was for the win to be fair they just strangled there engines after these Emissions laws and shit.

[@mark-1rc502]

Gruff

[@davespooney8472]

That Squeeky clutch pedal brings back so many memories of the MK3. Wd40 works but the mice will return!

[@Sprasonator]

I had the pleasure of owning a K plate cavalier 2.0i diplomat in metallic gun metal grey with full leathers, A/C etc etc. It was an absolute beauty. My dad had a white G plate 1.6 LS, it went on and on, it had covered nearly 200k miles when he got rid, and it was still running well and pretty tidy. Great cars.

[@jonobaywindow]

I enjoyed your review. I had a brace of Cavs; both did over 200k miles. Easy to work on, comfy, reliable and economical. Vauxhall was making good cars in this era.

[@TK42138]

Interesting review as always. These Cavs were capable of big mileage so long as the oil change intervals were adhered to. Not the widest cabin in its class but not an unpleasant place to be on a long drive. Damn sight better than being in a low spec Ford Escort of the time. Ford only caught up when the Mondeo hit the market.

[@richardgregory8964]

The squeek from the clutch pedal spring brings back old vauxhall memories!! I can also smell the interior wothout even being in the car 👍

[@lleifior2]

Loved these at the time. My 1989 Sri was a "nearly new" one from Vauxhall. I then bought an 1991Sri as a mileage hack which had a 169000 on the clock, everything still worked and drove like a new one, this was replaced by a 92hack. Both cars paid for themselves at around 45p a mile mileage I was getting from work. Great cars.

[@BobM925]

I’ve owned several, many 1.8s. Glad to hear the clutch pedal squeak is present and correct in your video! I’ve never owned a car more comfortable than a Cavalier. I have a current shape Astra for my company car now, and it ain’t a patch on any Cav 👍

[@mrbenn747]

Fantastic video, loved it! Some great shots there, and the rather lovely & slightly gruff note of the 90s Vauxhall 8v engine was captured very well. Couple of nods to “A to B: Tales of Modern Motoring” did not go unnoticed or unappreciated. Great work 👍

[@davidyoung9561]

I can easily see why many taxi drivers loved the mk3 Cavalier. My brother had two mk3 Cavaliers. The first was a 1.8GSi and then a 2.0 Diplomat. Both had the Family engine. I love that engine and the 1.8 is the same in my mk1 Astra GTE but with 115bhp instead of 95.

[@UKAngryAthiest]

I had a 1.6L which had seats designed by the Spanish inquisition. After spending two weeks off work with a bad back I sourced some Ricarro's from an SRi and it was transformed. It gave incredible economy and just ran and ran to over 150k with no money spent.

[@version736ha2]

Funny

[@SA-zoom1]

Where is the GSi? That was the ultimate cavalier second only to the Turbo although they shared the same tasty bodykit. But shame there wasn't an actual GSi to review it was a very decent performance car with the fantastic 16v cosworth head.

[@Rapscallion2009]

I remember how tedious the company car drivers ethos was back then. It was actually important whether you got a LS,CD, SRi or whatever. Because one had electric windows, one had air conditioning, one sports seats and a CD player. and which the company gave you was definitely a symbol of how well-regarded you were. It was so so tedious and petty because the whacking discounts the company got meant they could have given everyone a CDX for the cost of about a Mars bar each every other day. Only they didn't, because they need to maintain a pecking order in the sales team at nominal cost. The cars were a fine way to get a suit to a business meeting. But they also told every potential client of the stolid, unimaginative, arbitrary nature of the company - even if the Burton's suit driving the thing didn't. Not everyone liked their assigned cars and it could cause real resentment if you got a LS and someone else the following month was given a CDX. The you also had the problem of people simply not getting on with the car (we've all had cars like that). So drivers are better off now it's all user-chooser in the company car world, but it's done Vauxhall (the kings of volume) absolutely no good at all.

[@mikebutler6308]

Back in the day, used to work at a main dealer body repair shop. We used to see a Cavalier 130 SRi on a regular basis, every two or three months. It was a company car that kept getting knicked to go ram raiding. We would see it and replace the door locks, steering lock, etc., etc. Used to keep us stocked up with plastic dustbins though..

[@64bakes]

Takes me back to when my Mum had a '90 G 1.6 GL. Thinking back it was pretty well equipped, with electric front windows (auto lift with NO anti-trap!), electric mirrors, adjustable steering column and 6 speaker stereo. The most nostalgic noise is the squeaky clutch...

[@Edvard.Munchkin]

Vauxhall's always beautiful. Even today, the insignia is beautiful

[@leightondavies6867]

Haha I have a 66plate insignia and you are correct, it's lovely

[@Edvard.Munchkin]

@@leightondavies6867 I had two of them, currently driving Passat

[@nickbitten6037]

Wow!- brings back memories. I fondly recall the prwvious Cav SRi with the Recarro's- they stood out. Later Cavs were great workhorses. Feeling v.nostalgic now.

[@awooly77]

I watched this a year ago, and it inspired me to get one. I've got the LS model. low mileage 66k on the clock and I absolutely love it !!! Love this video. Thank you 😊

[@furiousdriving]

Brilliant! They are great cars

[@elizabethcherry920]

The Australian version was the Holden Camira, the GM J cars was my favorite. I owned for a short while an 85 Chevrolet Cavalier type 10 CL 2d coupe, it was a nice car before my foster mother left the keys in the car and it was stolen, I believe it was intentional but could not prove it, but was a nice car while I owned it.

[@robtt997]

Friend was a traffic cop and he gave me a run out in his North Yorkshire SRI traffic car . To me , it felt really quick or it was just the way he drove it . Anyway, I was sold on SRI and bought a new G reg bright red. Had it for three years and many miles.Totally reliable . But it was subject to someone trying to nick it. But, I had a fuel cut out switch fitted in the fuse box and that saved it ! The Sierra (next to it in the car park) was nicked instead and used in a ram raid on a Harrogate jeweller . So a lucky escape for my SRI.Agree 90’s cars were the best .

[@furiousdriving]

Lucky escape!

[@histriamagna1014]

I miss those sincere and tastefull cars. Those were the last simple cars. Today everything is over designed and over engineered and sometimes even over complicated...

[@MajorKlanga]

Car nerd here to make some corrections and clarifications.The G reg car has the facelift grille which is why it's hard to tell the difference. The Mondeo was launched in 93 and was the first European market car to have an airbag as standard. Their competitors wanted to fit them too but Ford initially exhausted all supplies. Vauxhall used full sized US spec airbags designed for people not wearing safety belts whereas Ford and others used a smaller airbag designed to protect people wearing safety belts. See through head restraints had been a thing on European GM cars since the mid 80s before they took over Saab. I drove a mk3 Cavalier briefly, one without power steering and it handled like a truck. Thanks for another interesting video.

[@AndyK.1]

Mark McMarkface It’s got a preface lift GSi grill actually. 🤓

[@NicholasSadlier]

My brother had a 1993 Cavalier SRI 130 bhp up to the end of 2000. He finally let me drive it in December 2000 and up to that point was the nicest thing I'd ever driven.

[@86SVA]

That clutch pedal squeak lol oh the memories

[@davidsomething4867]

I had a 1987 MK3 CDi then swapped it for a 1993 MK3 SRi 16v Red Top (designed by Cosworth, I think some were built with Cosworth). Both mine were saloons, both lovely cars and so much better than the Vectra they were replaced with. The only issue with the 16v Red Top was a common issue of porous water ways which could seep through to the oil. I think the CosCast (Cosworth built) engines did not suffer so much from this. The Cavalier V6 was very nippy even faster than the standard Cavalier Turbo 4X4 from what I could remember. Bring on the Cavalier V6 and Turbo models :-)

[@CraigPerry]

The clutch pedal noise at 12 mins-odd, i’d know that sound anywhere lol weird how distinctive it is and how the noise has stuck with me

[@hamstirrer6882]

Craig Perry remember that from my Corsa B days too, love old Vauxhalls

[@nysun6293]

Same noise on my E reg mark II and K reg mark III back in the day

[@aston-martin-internationalist]

Early burgundy version is the GL and the blue is the LS. Neither are GSi. Had a number of them over the years including a GSi. Fantastic car in any trim level or engine spec.

[@furiousdriving]

Its a DIY GSi now!

[@aston-martin-internationalist]

GL/GSi/SRi combo. GL is what the original car was. GSi grille, SRi rear spoiler possibly a Diplomat interior. Great video as always though. 🙂

[@aston-martin-internationalist]

To add, the 2.0 8v in the GL was a 115hp 20NE engine and the SRi 8v (early version) had a 20SEH with 130hp which was the same engine used in the 8v Astra GTE. The SEH engine was dropped in 92/93 when the 20NE became the C20NE and was used in 8v Cavalier SRis from that time. For a short period of time, the 16v Cavalier SRi came with a C20XE prior to the introduction of the Ecotec 2.0 16v which had a slight drop in power. 20SEH bizarrely was never available in the Calibra.

[@andymartin86]

Simon Parsons hope you are well remember you from the cavweb days!

[@aston-martin-internationalist]

Thanks Andy! Yes, my long days of Vauxhall ownership sadly now a distant memory. Following a long spat with powerful RWD Japanese cars, I'm now an Aston Martin owner. Hope all is well with yourself. Whatever happened to Rebecca Robertson!? 🤣

[@Batesandrw]

Nice to see Cavaliers driven and nice that you mentioned the grill upgrade twice. 😊

[@Trundle24]

I have a 2016 insignia which i bought at 1 year old and funny enough i was only talking about how comfortable Vauxhalls of yesteryear used to be, paticulary my parents Cavalier which was the same model as tested. My Insignia has firm seats and i wish Vauxhall would go back to those comfy seats!

[@danilecooley1252]

Miss my insignia lovely comfy car like Cavaliers

[@owensteele1274]

'There ain't no way somebody goes past in a Base,....not if they're going the same place as me.' Quoted from 'A to B Tales of Modern Motoring', 1994. That always goes through my head every time I see any mid-high spec Cavalier in deep blue.

[@furiousdriving]

That was an incredible documentary, probably the most accurate and honest depiction of that life at that time you'll ever see

[@fergy1442]

Only owned 3 Vauxhall's F Cavalier 2.0 CD, G Cavalier 2000 GSi 16v without Cat and W Vectra 2.5 V6. But I worked for a company owened by GM and got to drive various models of Nova, Astra, Belmont, Cavalier, Carlton and Senator, what I always liked was it didn't matter whether it was Nova or a Senator the basic controls where the same.

[@poledark]

Ive had a SRi, SRI130, GSi, GL, & better still the 2.0 4x4i, the 4x4i from new (only made to order in Germany) - was an SRI in everything but the badge (same insurance group), held the road amazingly, without the SRI badge & the extra traction it confused lots of hot hatch drivers. As an employee I had lots of free extras & got it at over a third off the new price with employee discount & GM Card points, lasted me over 10 years/100K - less than £1000 per year. A couple of minor problems in all that time & a crankshaft position sensor that I replaced myself - best car I had access to in its day & far better than any of the vectra's I had as company cars later.

[@billybellend1155]

My favourite Cavalier was the Calibra.

[@DavidJohnston58]

I was ordering Calibra, wife (not the one in my profile) couldn't lift pram into boot 😕. Had to settle on the SRi. Same with my 1980 Capri which was in the end a 1.6L Cortina😕

[@DavidJohnston58]

@Gavin Townsley 😂😂😂

[@jamesstones2634]

I suppose you mean the cavalier calibre not calibra. It was basically an sri 130 with bodykit. I liked the look of it.. There was one in Barton on Humber when i was younger, my Dad had the 1.8 sri gold and black 1984 model with the cream recaros and the alloys that kept getting its caps pinched

[@josephtaylor3769]

My first car when I passed my test was a 1995 mk3 cavalier Sri which I still have now. I’m now doing a Saab 9-3 running gear conversion b204 on her. With Astra gte digi dash remote locking etc. She will be pushing around 380bph when done👍

[@RetroLindsay]

I grew up in these aswell as the vectra and seeing this brings me back so many memories, i just got my first car which is a 2003 astra bertone coupe , making more memories with vauxhall 😊

[@MrSteamywindows]

Great video. I had a 1995 1.6LS in the Silk Cut-esque purple back in 2001. The 75hp lump was stunningly slow and there were a few oil leak and suspension and brake issues (the front discs were a real sod to remove). First car I took round 100,000 miles though and I know it kept going for quite a while afterwards.

[@Mr_Cholmondley_Warner]

These used to be everywhere but I can’t remember last time I saw one.

[@harleyrobertson73]

Last time I saw one was a year ago

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

Rust RIP Cavalier 😮

[@alphatrion100]

Except for nostalgia there is no real reason to own a car from last century when a car from say 2003 costs almost nothing.

[@Mr_Cholmondley_Warner]

@@alphatrion100 if you only value a vehicle because of its running costs then your right.

[@turnip5359]

They seemed to disappear at the time when the scrappage scheme was introduced

[@neilsheppard6673]

I always had Fords in my misspent youth, more by chance than choice, and also drove many Vauxhall cars through work. I always felt that the GM cars had a much better and more comfortable ride, and also had better engines. Great review, many thanks!

[@colingumbs1386]

You sure that was the Sri because it looks more like 2litr GLI .i used to own both models and don’t remember the SRI in that colour

[@furiousdriving]

We did say in the video its a home made sri

[@SteveM000100]

@@furiousdriving I had a 92 SRi in that colour. The interior has been changed for the Leather variant A) because they didn't change the main dash (still has the grey, actual leather has entire black dash) original interior would have been more similar to the blue one, but with cloth bucket seats) and B) Because those gauges are from a Calibra Turbo lol Also, that's a Cavalier GSi grill, the original would have been 3 black slats.

[@jamesstones2634]

@@SteveM000100 also the front fogs are missing, the headlamps should have wipers on, the chrome bumper inserts should be red, the fake wood on the doors belong to the CD/CDX model and diplomat, door mirrors should be body coloured too and it should say SRi in big white letters on the front doors.

[@SteveM000100]

@@jamesstones2634 Exactly haha

[@skorpius752]

I lived in England in the latter half of the '90s. I learned to drive in a Mk3 GL, with the 16v 2 l motor. I remember it being a rather nice car to drive, even with only 130 HP. It was nice driving back then, when people weren't so distracted. It is worth noting, the Mk3 chassis is basically that of a SAAB 9000.

[@artoodiitoo]

Was a Vauxhall Vectra as crappy as an Opel? We had a 1989 Opel Vectra that broke down about once a week, really hated that car. It was nice when it was running tho, which was rarely

[@daftbugger2011]

I had a 1991 H 1.6L, keep fit everything, even the steering, Still it was an interesting car right up to the point where the brakes failed & I crashed it... (Whilst on the way to the garage to get the brakes sorted)

[@hideouslyugly]

Now that's funny! Well, not really, you smashed it up. I'm glad you're here to tell the story though.Thats important. Cars : replaceable, Human lives: irreplaceable.

[@danbruno5945]

My biggest regret was selling my 1995 black Cavalier SRi 16v mint condition with leather seats. Sold in 2008 havnt seen a single 1 for sale since lol,why so RARE

[@JohnnyPaton]

I hear what you’re saying about 90s cars. I think we all want to drive something that means more to us than a mere vehicle. Something that reminds us of a certain time and place. I’m currently chasing down a MK2 Mondeo Ghia X 2.5 V6 although I’ll take the ultimate ST24 if one was available at the right price. For me that car takes me right back to the late 90s.

[@admiralalcatraz6080]

My Dad had a 1995 M reg GLS 1.8 M783DGK had it for years until it got stolen, they then tried to burn it out with the windows closed. Which went about as well as you would think.It also had the same squeak on the clutch pedal.

[@paulmoore6345]

I bought a Cavalier mk3 1.8i Colorado in 2000 for a family car. Very good car still have it 19 years later! It’s now used as a second car but it’s still a useful car. In 2016 it was used at short notice for a holiday. 1000 miles in a week no problem. Doubt I will sell it.

[@Pmjs]

I had a Vxl Cavalier 1.6L 92K never liked the ride&handling so traded it in for a nearly new Peugeot 405 1.6GR 93K.

[@AliMackMechanical]

The caviler a great car had 7 of them lol. When I worked for Vauxhall. They are really nice driver's car. Miles better than the follow on vectra.😎👍

[@gman4360]

Yeah I had 5 of them and I’m still driving Vauxhall’s 31years and counting working at the Luton plant

[@BeDevil79]

My dad my brother in law both had a GSi at the same time, white one and gold one... mainly I remember the squeaky clutch pedal! 😂👍

[@mark-1rc502]

The Sri 8 valve is a Soldier, up some immense thrashing .! The 16valve weren’t a bad car either but I think the 8 valve can handle more high rpm thrashing . IMO

[@mark-1rc502]

Michael Flitter My Friend Had an 8valve Chav it went like the Clappers to be fair 🧐. It’s leave my Orion 1.6i ghia for dust . He knew someone with a G reg Astra Gte , OH boy, I never see the going of that thing it was quick.! I bought an Early Calibra 16v with the first Ecotech engine . What a pile 💩. Many many years later after writing off my then car, I bought a Cavalier 16v sri as a do for now, it’d done 100,000 it was clean , just electric sunroof and windows & central locking didn’t work , and the heater blew luke warm, the electrics turned out to be a fuse , I did a coolant change, and an oil change it went alright and only paid £600!

[@michaelpegasiou4531]

I had the Sri,it was good not great but the handling had no finesse it turned flat but would skip across bumps on corners so you could tell it wasn’t great just stiff but poor body control.For the money it was alright.

[@sulky9466]

my h reg sri had front fog and h/light wipers, was there an update within 1 year?

[@furiousdriving]

possibly, to outdo Ford

[@HoLeeSheett]

This isn't an SRi that's why it's a GLi

[@christiangrey3645]

My parents had a Red g-reg Cavalier LS when I was a kid. That gearstick creek takes me back...

[@markholder6851]

I use to own a 2litre GLS cavalier automatic. I think it was a 94 Model? Very nice car. Very responsive, smooth and quiet to drive. Think it was one of my favourite cars I ever owned

[@colwyn9]

The preface grill isn't there, its just slatted like the carlton.

[@barryroach1980]

Nice Nice Nice.......and your crew neck Christmas Jumper complimented those 90's seats even nicer!

[@lmm]

The i is definitely for important 😉 The blue cav certainly is squeaky! I thought you had a trapped bird in there!

[@furiousdriving]

I didnt know I was treading on it every time I changed gear!

[@grahamt33]

I found you via Hub Nut and I am glad I did- you really know what you are talking about even though you speak at 2x the speed of Ian ! [but I am getting used to it !!!!]

[@HoLeeSheett]

The red ones a GLi not GSi or even SRi.

[@Luckyjo21]

you're right GLI

[@Everything_Evan]

Yeah first thing I noticed, someone has added a few features on the car. Plus the GSI was only a saloon.

[@Darknight2011X]

I think max power for a GLi was 115 bhp.

[@Everything_Evan]

@@Darknight2011X I thought all pre cat 2.0 were 130bhp

[@alextegg3838]

Evan W The 8v 2litre in the GLi was 115bhp. Couldn’t have it upstaging the SRi!

[@Butlerbob]

Vauxhall Cavalier is known here in mainland Europe as the Opel Vectra, I once went to load parts for the former GM warehouse at Hazeldonk, Breda, the Netherlands, at a Vauxhall factory in Luton.

[@fursteveferret3771]

Cool memories. I owned an ex rep 1989 20Li 115bhp hatch in solid black back in 1993 with 149 thousand miles on the clock. I colour matched the bumpers, slammed it, fitted a twin upswept exuast, front splitter and a huge set of wheels. "Come on" I was only 19 at the time Lol. 5 reliable years later and i sold it with 196 thousand on the clock. LEGEND..

[@robinforrest7680]

A true rep's special! I had a mk2 E344 MAJ. I loved it... And yes, I was a rep doing 2500 miles per week. Fully agree about 90's cars. Just found a 1992 Renault 21 2.1 turbo diesel Alizé for my son's first car. I guess this was the French compétition for the Cavalier/Vectra.

[@lazycalm41]

I really miss glass sunroofs. Last car I owned that had one was a 97 Vectra. Since then its been AC only. I want both!!!

[@Rapscallion2009]

True. Sunroofs now are massive panoramic things that often don't even open.

[@youngoldboy3430]

I had a H reg 2.0GLS, really liked that car. must have, I kept it 8 years. Only criticism was it could have done with a reach adjustable steering wheel.

[@andrewfarrow4699]

Loved my K reg SRi saloon company car. I had it from new and put huge miles on it (company petrol card). All us field engineers selected the Cavalier SRi over various other alternatives. The cool took off the plastic wheel covers and had a new car looking filthy and worn out as soon as poss. That was the badge of office.

[@tomwilliams7391]

I saw one of these recently in 2023! It was from 1993, 30 years is pretty good for a car

[@andrewlaw]

I has a burgundy 2.0Gli MkIII. Most reliable car I ever owned, sold it to a friend who tooled around in it for another 4 years to almost 200k. He never serviced or maintained it and it still kept going regardless.

[@BigDave1965]

The 1.8 used single point injection (1 injector serving 4 cylinders unlike the 2.0 Sri which was multi point injection) the clutch was heavy as it was a cable (a replacement cable operated hydraulic came in on vectra b) they also did a 1.7 turbo diesel which used an Isuzu lump which had loads of turbo lag then went like a rocket, 2.0 16v engines and the 2.5 V6. On a safety matter it was the 1st vauxhall with side impact beams.

[@andylaauk]

20 SEH was 130bhp, same engine as you'd have found in the mk2 SRI 130. C20NE was the later cat strangled 115bhp. Pre facelift you could have a 1.4, 1.6 or the short lived 1.8 all non injection.

[@mlh4711]

love that you report on these classic cars..............but drop the sweaters p-lease!

[@ericgeorge5483]

These were very good cars indeed. A mate of mine had a 1.6 Cavalier that was both fast, and pretty frugal too. He sold it to my brother in law who kept it for years afterwards.

[@robdixon3953]

I could be wrong. But another way of telling if the SRI has the 130bhp SEH engine is the shape of the top of the plastic cam cover. The 130bhp engine had a rounded top and the 115bhp a squared off top.

[@furiousdriving]

I’ll let the owner know, he can have a look!

[@andysalter4473]

I owned 4 Mk2 Cavs but never bought a Mk3 as I got a Golf instead. Always thought the Mk2 was better looks wise and the 2.0 litre I had would do wee wees all over a mates Sierra. Good review!

[@greiglogan5823]

I've had a Cavalier SRi 16v with the red top engine for years. I'll never get rid of it. Only comes out in good weather so it only dose a couple of hundred miles a year.

[@matthewking5612]

The best Cav's, pre face 2.0 SRI 130, Post 2.0 8v GLS and up, and of course the Gregarious 2.5 V6.

[@UnusSedLeo-w5l]

Wonderful! Owned a Vectra 1.8S GL, which I transformed into a CD-version. Later I bought a 1.8iGT. Both were great cars to drive.

[@andybrook1585]

The red one is only a GLi with bits and pieces from higher spec cars. SRis didn’t get leather either, plus it’s missing fogs and headlamp wipers.

[@furiousdriving]

yes, as said in the film was put together by the last owner

[@owengoodspeed5763]

I had the 115 bhp engine in a 1992 Astra CD. It was a torquey engine and packed quite a decent punch when pressed.

[@jamiem3765]

Just watched this.. fyi the Sri had a 128 bhp 2.0 8v before the 92/93 red top. You can tell by the sri rear badge as to what engine it has normally. That car also has the wrong door cards which made me suspicious as to it even being an Sri... I later found it up for sale.. it's only an LS. Great video either way! Love the old Vauxhalls.

[@jamesstones2634]

And fyi the sri 2.0 8v was replaced by the 115bhp version when cats had to be fitted by law. There was a red top version when the gsi got replaced by the turbo 4x4 although this eventually got downgraded too and got replaced by the 136bhp ecotec engine. The cav here is no sri that you are right about most definitely

[@russcattell955i]

A woman at work has one (Opel Vectra), bought it new from the dealer next door to her house. It has been serviced by them ever since. OK, it has a few battle scars but it never lets her down.

[@steveberridge4648]

Just caught up with this video and you’re right it is the last great Vauxhall. Sadly the Vectra and Insignia and various Astras which followed were never much more than average - the Cav mk3 was ahead of its time - still looks fresh 33 years after launch