Cavalier Mk2 Memories
Discussion
Ok, inspired by this particular topic, this is my first post after watching from afar for some time now! I began an Motor Vehicle Apprenticeship at a Vauxhall dealer in 1988, so became very familiar indeed with the Mk2 Cavalier. The workshop was always full of them, not because they were particularly unreliable, but due to the sheer number of them around as the reps darling of it's time. They earned this reputation mainly by being particularly attractive to fleets, not just due to purchase price, but also due to lower cost of maintenance. Service times were lower than it's predecessor and also most of it's rivals. Cavaliers from Mk2 onwards had maintenance saving features such as electronic ignition and hydraulic tappets, plus an innovative method of clutch replacement which could be completed in about 45 minutes without needing to remove the gearbox. They did have their problems, the earlier ones suffered from problems with chocolate camshafts and hardened valve stem oil seals, so cylinder head removal was really common on relatively young cars. I got to drive every model available from the 1.3 and the 1.6 diesel with all of 54 bhp, up to the SRi 130. They were all seemed so much better then the equivalent Sierras, Montegos, etc.
I myself owned 5 of them. The first being an 'A'reg CDi 1.8 in an extremely chintzy gold colour, but I was 19 when i got it and it had fuel injection and front foglamps, so I didn't care! I just thought it was streets ahead of my mates' Escorts and Talbot Sunbeams. It was not particularly sporty, but very well equipped, 'leccy windows, power steering and a sliding sunroof was standard, as were rusty rear wheel arches... I also had two 1.6's (including a Commander), plus two SRi's, including a 130. Even today after having owned nearly 50 cars, I still remember my SRi 130 as one of the best cars I've ever owned. The engine was just so torquey and had a quite a boy racer exhaust note. Ok, the chassis wasn't the best, but the car looked good and went well, I loved it!
I ended up working on Vauxhalls for 19 years, but I don't remember any of them quite as fondly as the Mk2 Cav.
I myself owned 5 of them. The first being an 'A'reg CDi 1.8 in an extremely chintzy gold colour, but I was 19 when i got it and it had fuel injection and front foglamps, so I didn't care! I just thought it was streets ahead of my mates' Escorts and Talbot Sunbeams. It was not particularly sporty, but very well equipped, 'leccy windows, power steering and a sliding sunroof was standard, as were rusty rear wheel arches... I also had two 1.6's (including a Commander), plus two SRi's, including a 130. Even today after having owned nearly 50 cars, I still remember my SRi 130 as one of the best cars I've ever owned. The engine was just so torquey and had a quite a boy racer exhaust note. Ok, the chassis wasn't the best, but the car looked good and went well, I loved it!
I ended up working on Vauxhalls for 19 years, but I don't remember any of them quite as fondly as the Mk2 Cav.
LeighW said:
Here's a photo of my SRi, I'd bought it back as salvage from the insurance company after it was written off in the above shunt. Having mates in the trade, I managed to get it fixed pretty cheaply (new front panel, wings, bonnet, bumper, lights), and added the facelift grill and spoiler. I sold it a short while later and bought a Mk 2 Astra GTE.
Realising that this was over 22 years ago has just made me feel very old!
Ah, the good old SRI alloysRealising that this was over 22 years ago has just made me feel very old!
I reckon they only made half as many of the plastic center pieces as they did the wheels. Back in the day it was unusual to still see a car with a set fitted, normally as they'd been pinched by someone else.
gareth_r said:
Progress... they replaced the "red top" XE with the Ecotec. 
Yeah, we were quite perplexed at the dealer I worked at when these came along 
. It just seemed such a backward step launching an engine with less power than the one it replaced. We had a customer who had bought one of the last red top engined SRi 16v Cavaliers, then had a number of problems with it so it had to be exchanged. Unfortunately, by this point the Ecotec model had been launched, so it was an uphill struggle to convince them that it was the equal of their original car.I had three Mk2's all new company cars . A 1.6L , 1.8Gli and a 2.0 Sri . Great cars in their day, comfortable over long distances and well equipped. I did 3000 , 98000 and 102000 in them respectivly. I never had any trouble with them except the 1.6L which was destroyed when I got caught out travelling too fast on a wet bend and hit a lamp post , bus shelter , traffic monitoring station and several concrete fence posts .......Strong cars I can tell you.
I actually prefered the Mk2's to the three Mk3's I had.
I actually prefered the Mk2's to the three Mk3's I had.
steely dan said:
I had three Mk2's all new company cars . A 1.6L , 1.8Gli and a 2.0 Sri . Great cars in their day, comfortable over long distances and well equipped. I did 3000 , 98000 and 102000 in them respectivly. I never had any trouble with them except the 1.6L which was destroyed when I got caught out travelling too fast on a wet bend and hit a lamp post , bus shelter , traffic monitoring station and several concrete fence posts .......Strong cars I can tell you.
I actually prefered the Mk2's to the three Mk3's I had.
Should polish out.....I actually prefered the Mk2's to the three Mk3's I had.
spanner348 said:
Yeah, we were quite perplexed at the dealer I worked at when these came along . It just seemed such a backward step launching an engine with less power than the one it replaced. We had a customer who had bought one of the last red top engined SRi 16v Cavaliers,
The 16Valve SRis were quite a sleeper at that time - didn't look as purposeful as the GSi with more bodykit on.. It just seemed such a backward step launching an engine with less power than the one it replaced. We had a customer who had bought one of the last red top engined SRi 16v Cavaliers, s m said:
The 16Valve SRis were quite a sleeper at that time - didn't look as purposeful as the GSi with more bodykit on.
They were indeed, I don't suppose there are many of the original red top ones left now. They also just somehow seemed a lot more refined than the GSi, but still with that rorty edge when you wanted it. I really liked them. The later Ecotec version just seemed rather watered down in comparison, plus the engine was more troublesome in service. The Cavalier Turbo model however, that was a beast, if a touch fragile. I still don't remember any of the sporty Mk3's with the same regard as the last of the Mk2 SRi's however. Rose tinted perhaps....spanner348 said:
They were indeed, I don't suppose there are many of the original red top ones left now. They also just somehow seemed a lot more refined than the GSi, but still with that rorty edge when you wanted it. I really liked them. The later Ecotec version just seemed rather watered down in comparison, plus the engine was more troublesome in service. The Cavalier Turbo model however, that was a beast, if a touch fragile. I still don't remember any of the sporty Mk3's with the same regard as the last of the Mk2 SRi's however. Rose tinted perhaps....
None of the Mk3 SRi 16v for sale on Ebay.....but there are 2 convertibles and a Mk2 Sri 130C146 SRY
Light metallic blue 1.8 CDi owned by my father from 85 to 88. It was actually in the company car list below his manager grade, but he didn't fancy an SDI 2000/820e or a GL spec Granny or Carlton. If I recall he also test drove the Sierra 2.O Ghia and Montego VP. 110bhp was a lot back in those days and I'm sure it could do 100 in 3rd. Fogs, cool alloys and electric rear windows (which he always turned off
He traded up for a Carlton CD in 88 before heading down the 5 series route
Light metallic blue 1.8 CDi owned by my father from 85 to 88. It was actually in the company car list below his manager grade, but he didn't fancy an SDI 2000/820e or a GL spec Granny or Carlton. If I recall he also test drove the Sierra 2.O Ghia and Montego VP. 110bhp was a lot back in those days and I'm sure it could do 100 in 3rd. Fogs, cool alloys and electric rear windows (which he always turned off
He traded up for a Carlton CD in 88 before heading down the 5 series route
s m said:
None of the Mk3 SRi 16v for sale on Ebay.....but there are 2 convertibles and a Mk2 Sri 130
There's something about the SRi 130 on eBay that doesn't ring true to me. It looks like a non SRi tarted up with SRi bits. The paint below the bump strips looks wrong; the wheels are wrong, the pinstripe looks s
t. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1988-VAUXHALL-CAVALIER-S...I might be mistaken as it does look a lot like this one http://www.flickr.com/photos/53726403@N06/53370737....
It could be that it doesn't look right just because it has aged and the bumpers have lost their colour and he's stuck some different wheels on it.
This thread is interesting in that is shows that there was a lot of affection for the Mk2 Cavalier from those that have had one. I have always had a soft spot for Vauxhall following my experience with the Cavalier and a subsequent good experience with an Omega 2.5V6 CDX. However they have seriously trashed all this goodwill since they started turning out mediocrity in the shape of Vectras and other unremarkable Astras.
I've no experience of the Insignia and the latest Astra though. Even if they are getting better they have a long way to go (can they ever do it?) before they repair the damage to their reputation of the rubbish cars of more recent past.
Edited by jdcampbell on Wednesday 15th January 10:55
Some great pics being posted of the "Cavs" - keep them coming and the stories 
Another thing you can say about the Cavalier that you couldnt say about its competitors is this - I have never heard anybody referring to the Sierra other than "Sierra" (unless it was a Cosworth which meant most knew it was a Sierra anyway) and the Montego as anything other than a "Montego". Did anybody refer to them as "Si's" or "Monties"? Doubt it.
I quite the like the abreviation that quickly developed ie; "Cav"
Many a camping trip was made in the early 1990s and the question came up whose car we taking? Lets take the "Cav".
Another thing you can say about the Cavalier that you couldnt say about its competitors is this - I have never heard anybody referring to the Sierra other than "Sierra" (unless it was a Cosworth which meant most knew it was a Sierra anyway) and the Montego as anything other than a "Montego". Did anybody refer to them as "Si's" or "Monties"? Doubt it.
I quite the like the abreviation that quickly developed ie; "Cav"
Many a camping trip was made in the early 1990s and the question came up whose car we taking? Lets take the "Cav".
jdcampbell said:
This thread is interesting in that is shows that there was a lot of affection for the Mk2 Cavalier from those that have had one. I have always had a soft spot for Vauxhall following my experience with the Cavalier and a subsequent good experience with an Omega 2.5V6 CDX. However they have seriously trashed all this goodwill since they started turning out mediocrity in the shape of Vectras and other unremarkable Astras.
I've no experience of the Insignia and the latest Astra though. Even if they are getting better they have a long way to go (can they ever do it?) before they repair the damage to their reputation of the rubbish cars of more recent past.
It is interesting that although Vauxhalls are probably now better cars than they have ever been, the perceived image is still a problem. I just wonder if the halo effect from Vauxhalls in the '80's and '90's such as the Senator, Lotus Carlton and the like just made the rest of the range seem that much better?I've no experience of the Insignia and the latest Astra though. Even if they are getting better they have a long way to go (can they ever do it?) before they repair the damage to their reputation of the rubbish cars of more recent past.
Edited by jdcampbell on Wednesday 15th January 10:55
spanner348 said:
It is interesting that although Vauxhalls are probably now better cars than they have ever been, the perceived image is still a problem. I just wonder if the halo effect from Vauxhalls in the '80's and '90's such as the Senator, Lotus Carlton and the like just made the rest of the range seem that much better?
Perhaps it is also that competitors at the time were very poor (subjectively). Now, most rep mobiles aren't Cavaliers but BMWs (again, sweeping statements!). I, personally, like that my Vauxhall has oily bits I can fix; that it's cheap to run and (to me) looks good. The badge gets a lot of flack though.
I really liked these back in the day.
I vaguely knew a couple of guys who used to hang about the north of Glasgow who fitted the later 2.0ltr red top engines to theirs. They went well. They used to thrash them round knockhill about 20 years ago
I remember a mod folk used to do to them back in the day, where they'd drilled holes in the bottom of the induction box. When you were a daft 17 year old, it sounded great!
I vaguely knew a couple of guys who used to hang about the north of Glasgow who fitted the later 2.0ltr red top engines to theirs. They went well. They used to thrash them round knockhill about 20 years ago
I remember a mod folk used to do to them back in the day, where they'd drilled holes in the bottom of the induction box. When you were a daft 17 year old, it sounded great!
A 1984 (A reg) Mk2 saloon in a very fetching light metallic green was my first car, bought by emptying my Post Office savings account. It was a 1.6 basic ‘L’ model, but being my first car I was completely smitten with it.
I put an upgraded headunit and speakers in it, a pair of rectangular spotlights below the bumper and painted the lower valance black, as I couldn’t afford an SRi but wanted it to look a bit like one (sad I know). I had some problems with the carburettor (remember those), so bought a Weber twin choke replacement which to my mind at least turned it into a rocketship (unlikely)! Fond memories.
I put an upgraded headunit and speakers in it, a pair of rectangular spotlights below the bumper and painted the lower valance black, as I couldn’t afford an SRi but wanted it to look a bit like one (sad I know). I had some problems with the carburettor (remember those), so bought a Weber twin choke replacement which to my mind at least turned it into a rocketship (unlikely)! Fond memories.
Terzo123 said:
I really liked these back in the day.
I vaguely knew a couple of guys who used to hang about the north of Glasgow who fitted the later 2.0ltr red top engines to theirs. They went well. They used to thrash them round knockhill about 20 years ago
I remember a mod folk used to do to them back in the day, where they'd drilled holes in the bottom of the induction box. When you were a daft 17 year old, it sounded great!
I think the first thing i bought for mine was a K&N 57i kit! ha ha! Sounded brilliant with the standard exhaust left on.I vaguely knew a couple of guys who used to hang about the north of Glasgow who fitted the later 2.0ltr red top engines to theirs. They went well. They used to thrash them round knockhill about 20 years ago
I remember a mod folk used to do to them back in the day, where they'd drilled holes in the bottom of the induction box. When you were a daft 17 year old, it sounded great!
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