Discussion
Never thought i'd catch myself looking at Vauxhalls, now my second post in less than two days 
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Hmm, a mate had one of these back in the early '90's. It was a real minter but it did nothing for me. 
The engine was quite willing but it was boring to drive. The steering and gearchange was disappointing for a hot-hatch. It was severely outclassed by its rivals as an over all package imo.
The engine was quite willing but it was boring to drive. The steering and gearchange was disappointing for a hot-hatch. It was severely outclassed by its rivals as an over all package imo.
ALfooy said:
Never thought i'd catch myself looking at Vauxhalls, now my second post in less than two days
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Stay where you are - help is on the way. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
£2000? Jesus that's steep. I thought Novas were bloody awful to be honest including the "GTE".
It's rivals really did thrash it. Would you really rather have this than a 16V Golf Mk2 GTI? I struggle to think of anything the Nova excels at over the GTI.
It was archaic even 21 years ago.
It's rivals really did thrash it. Would you really rather have this than a 16V Golf Mk2 GTI? I struggle to think of anything the Nova excels at over the GTI.
It was archaic even 21 years ago.
Aree with the above really... They were crap back in the day compared to rival 'hot hatches'.
Especially the mk1 or whatever you want to call it... Really ugly with the bad wheels and huge square headlights, looked dated even in the 90's.
The facelift versions with the narrow lights and the GSi looked a fair bit better but they still weren't brilliant.
I knew someone who owned an SR and a GSi and to drive they felt cramped, flimsy and badly made.
The pedals always creaked and groaned, the gearbox was like stirring warm rubber with a stick and the steering felt loose and detached.
I had a big bumper Mk2 Golf 16v in oak green at the time, and it was just better in every way.
Having said that I recently saw an immaculate late model GSi in silver which was standard apart from being lowered with the Courtney Speedlines on it, and for a brief minute I thought it looked quite good...
Especially the mk1 or whatever you want to call it... Really ugly with the bad wheels and huge square headlights, looked dated even in the 90's.
The facelift versions with the narrow lights and the GSi looked a fair bit better but they still weren't brilliant.
I knew someone who owned an SR and a GSi and to drive they felt cramped, flimsy and badly made.
The pedals always creaked and groaned, the gearbox was like stirring warm rubber with a stick and the steering felt loose and detached.
I had a big bumper Mk2 Golf 16v in oak green at the time, and it was just better in every way.
Having said that I recently saw an immaculate late model GSi in silver which was standard apart from being lowered with the Courtney Speedlines on it, and for a brief minute I thought it looked quite good...
well to be quiet frank, no i don't want a Nova GTE or any Nova for that matter, i was merely browsing cars on autotrader and just so happened to notice 4 novas when looking at vauxhalls and found it.I agree its steep, just thought i'd share my findings its not even actually 'mint' if you look at the pictures (good nick of course)
Certainly hasn't aged well, especially the interior and if that car in the ad has really done <60k miles I would be very surprised.
Always were said to have go-kart handling, problem was they lacked power hence the often used solution of sticking a red top engine in, quite a rapid little car then.
Always were said to have go-kart handling, problem was they lacked power hence the often used solution of sticking a red top engine in, quite a rapid little car then.
ALfooy said:
Never thought i'd catch myself looking at Vauxhalls, now my second post in less than two days
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Buy it. Any nova with standard steel wheels is RARE. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Note I have a set of Gsi 14 inch 8 spoke alloys in my shed. If you buy that you can have them !!!
I grew up driving Novas, from the B reg SR that I bought with a blown head gasket and rebuilt at 17 through
this GTe that I used as a road rally / play car and eventually sold
To buy this GSi
with low miles and only a couple of owners I eventually sold it to a girl who wanted to do a Courtensy Turbo conversion.
I just can't see the comparison with Mk2 Golfs I'm afraid, the Nova was a decent looking, light nimble hot hatch that handled reasonably well, had willing engines and a decent gearchange and brakes whereas the Mk2 Golf was an overweight tub that looked like a standard shopping trolley and drove like one too.... and Yes, I've been unlucky enough to drive several.
(the Mk1 Golf GTi however was none of those things, and I'd have another of those in a heartbeat.)
this GTe that I used as a road rally / play car and eventually sold
To buy this GSi
with low miles and only a couple of owners I eventually sold it to a girl who wanted to do a Courtensy Turbo conversion.
I just can't see the comparison with Mk2 Golfs I'm afraid, the Nova was a decent looking, light nimble hot hatch that handled reasonably well, had willing engines and a decent gearchange and brakes whereas the Mk2 Golf was an overweight tub that looked like a standard shopping trolley and drove like one too.... and Yes, I've been unlucky enough to drive several.
(the Mk1 Golf GTi however was none of those things, and I'd have another of those in a heartbeat.)
G819 SJR, where are you now?
I had a silver one identical to the one in that advert, for a short while in '93-94, mine had manual windows though!
TBH, moving from a MK111 Cavalier 2.0 to a Nova GTE was a forward step as far as performance was concerned. I liked the whole lightweight nimbleness of the thing. I thought the seats were comfortable and the seating position ok for my 6'2" height, and it certainly handled well and was entertaining enough for me. Managed to put 12k miles on it in about 6 months commuting up and down to Plymouth, and never missed a beat.
Remember seeing it years later and it was in a right old state, driver looked like a right chav
I had a silver one identical to the one in that advert, for a short while in '93-94, mine had manual windows though!
TBH, moving from a MK111 Cavalier 2.0 to a Nova GTE was a forward step as far as performance was concerned. I liked the whole lightweight nimbleness of the thing. I thought the seats were comfortable and the seating position ok for my 6'2" height, and it certainly handled well and was entertaining enough for me. Managed to put 12k miles on it in about 6 months commuting up and down to Plymouth, and never missed a beat.
Remember seeing it years later and it was in a right old state, driver looked like a right chav
K50 DEL said:
I just can't see the comparison with Mk2 Golfs I'm afraid, the Nova was a decent looking, light nimble hot hatch that handled reasonably well, had willing engines and a decent gearchange and brakes whereas the Mk2 Golf was an overweight tub that looked like a standard shopping trolley and drove like one too .... and Yes, I've been unlucky enough to drive several.
(the Mk1 Golf GTi however was none of those things, and I'd have another of those in a heartbeat.)
What complete b(the Mk1 Golf GTi however was none of those things, and I'd have another of those in a heartbeat.)
ks 
And you think a Mk 1 Golf GTi has decent brakes? Get a grip!
K50 DEL said:
I just can't see the comparison with Mk2 Golfs I'm afraid, the Nova was a decent looking, light nimble hot hatch that handled reasonably well, had willing engines and a decent gearchange and brakes whereas the Mk2 Golf was an overweight tub that looked like a standard shopping trolley and drove like one too.... and Yes, I've been unlucky enough to drive several.
(the Mk1 Golf GTi however was none of those things, and I'd have another of those in a heartbeat.)
I happen to owned both as well... (the Mk1 Golf GTi however was none of those things, and I'd have another of those in a heartbeat.)
Well the mk1 isn't a fair comparison as it pre-dates the Nova however I would think it's still regarded as dynamically superior. The MK2 is the same era hot hatch and there's only 100 kilos in it (depending on who you believe).
It's you versus the world if you think the gear change, handling, engines and brakes (the Nova GTE never even had rear discs did it?) out did the Germans.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff