Cavalier Turbo As A Daily, Am I Mad?

[The Turbonator]

So I've had my eye on a Focus ST for a while, however, I'm a bit underwhelmed of how boring and predictable cars have become recently. It's difficult to explain but I just feel like a lot of new cars these days are missing something. So even though the Focus remains at the top of my list, I still keep looking at Golf GTIs, the i30N and all the over hot hatches that compete with the ST. I was even thinking of waiting a year or so for prices to come down and look at getting an Alfa Gulia Veloce. They all feel like their missing that certain spark though and as a result I still browse the classifieds hoping that something will really ignite my interest.

Well I think I may have found it, I came across a Cavalier Turbo 4x4 and I immediately loved the idea of owning one. I never even knew they existed but I love how they look a little like a baby Lotus Carlton. Here's the catch though, it needs to be daily and it needs to be reliable. I know older cars are inevitably going to need looking after more than anything modern but as long as I can depend on it then that's all that matters.

I'm aware of the transfer issues but that doesn't seem to be an issue as long as you get one with the modified, updated transfer box that locked the transfer at a constant split, rather than constantly adjusting like the original. Are these still easy to find if I get an original car and decide to replace it for peace of mind? Rust I suppose would be the biggest problem (I don't have a garage) but I would get it undersealed immediately after buying it.

Are parts easily accessible or is it going to be a right PITA sourcing them when something needs replacing?

So am I mad or should I just accept that I need something newer, if I need it to be dependable?

[The Turbonator]

Thanks everyone,

Just to answer a few questions: my usual mileage is a 7 mile commute to work, 4 days a week, a few trips to the shops and usually once a month I do a 100 mile trip to Leicester and a 2 hour drive to the Peak District.

I'm aware of the awful reputation Motorhub has, so although it was their advert that educated me to this Cavalier's existence, I will not be getting one from them lol.

It seems the issues with rust is the biggest issue, just as I feared. Maybe I need to forget the idea until we get a garage and then look at getting one as a 2nd car. I suppose then I'd maybe have a Focus ST for my main car and a Cavalier Turbo for weekends, not a bad combination me thinks

Thanks again for all your input everyone!