My Dad had 3x mk3 Cavaliers. First generation Saloon in Metallic blue in 1989. Then a light gold hatchback in 1992 and then a maroon red 2nd generation in 1994. Brilliant cars. Never let Dad down, never broke down, always good economically and very comfortable. As a 9 year old kid surrounded by kids dads who drove older Mk2 Cortina's, Granada's, Escort's & Orion's, Maestros, Talbots, Datsun's and Skoda's, this was very much a new design for cars, which was similar for the new Sierra. Pretty much every car for the next decade copied their design. Once he moved back to Ford with an Orion Ghia saloon which was great looking and rapid, but very unreliable. Then switched to a Peugeot 306 in 1997 and the difference was huge, as was the hole in his wallet. That was the last car he ever owned.
my dad had two cavaliers one saloon and one hatchback which didn't have the black trim on the back boot lid great childhood memories shame vauxhall don't make this car anymore
my mk3 cav m reg just made it 200 miles without stopping yesterday :) she was good as gold a smooth ride too, it was 35 degrees out and fookin boiling, the engine never made a peep ran at 90 degrees all the way like she should thats giving her some and driving normal down motorways and thru towns :) shes done me proud, just gotta get her back. i prey she makes it lol she is amazing on petrol i still have way over half a tank of petrol she is the 1.8i 8valve for anyone that wants to know
I admit that the handling is probably its worst point but it isn't that bad. It's got a great rack and pinion steering setup actually and it provides much better driver feel of the road than most of its modern day equivalents.
Just ran it through an inflation calculator and it's £24,500 in today's money, so almost exactly the same price as it's modern-day equivalent Insignia SRi.
Yes, but the Insignia SRi has climate control, bluetooth, digital radio, airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction control and stability control. Features than in the days of the Cavalier were the stuff of science fiction.
Hi Allan, Thanks subscribing to my channel. I used to know a Allan Clark back in Surrey where I used to live. He also liked cars like you ? All the best Duncan
Different modes on the auto box? Advanced for the time. Despite its good drag coefficient, it looks like a car; jury's still out on the Sierra. I'd go so far as to say that the mk3 Cavalier was a milestone in the evolution towards the modern car, albeit a subtle one.
Superior to the MKII Cavvie in every way except: Just doesn't look as good. From 1985 onwards, the MKII hatchback somehow a style about them. I'm not sure so many people will have a soft spot for the MKIII. But boy did the MKII ever rust!
@SaucyBegger25 My B reg MK2 Cavalier made 250 miles from Stoke to Glasgow non stop, 75-80mph most of the way without one problem. I also have a 1973 Morris Marina which I drove home 450 miles from Llanelli in the Rhondda Valley and it too ran non stop without one single problem!
IMO This is when cars reach their peak of "Greatness" ... Cars made from 2000 onwards are 💩 and have only been designed to last the warranty. This third-generation Vauxhall Cavalier was superb.
