This small family car has a distinctive shape and proved very popular in the UK while in production between 1988-1993. Since then it has become sought after as a bargain second hand vehicle.
The Nova was a very popular vehicle with driving schools and also with younger and first time drivers, as indicated by many of our reviews.
Review Centre reviewers have generally been satisfied with the Novas performance and more than one it seems has followed the popular trend for modification.
The front-wheel drive Nova was launched in 1983 to replace the Vauxhall Chevette. The first Novas were three-door hatchback and two-door saloon saloon models with four-door and five-door versions arriving later. Although in other markets the Nova was known as the Corsa - in Britain this was felt to sound too much like coarser at the time and so Nova was chosen as the name. Ironically it was later replaced by the superior Corsa in 1993.
Power came from economical 1.0 L, 1.2 L, 1.3 L, and 1.4 L petrol engines. The engines and most of the mechanical components were derived from those used in the Astra/Kadett.
The steering is low-geared and the suspension is soft so it is not compatible with 1990 superminis however Novas provide good buys. A Nova appears to offers a good cheaper alternative to other second hand mini cars on the market. Buying one second hand is easy and there are plenty of reliable models available. However, obviously many have been modified and over driven - the latter 1.6-litres in particular so care should be taken.
Channel Four Cars says:
Now a retro choice - and perhaps even a classic of sorts, an icon of an era.
Yahoo Cars said:
The Vauxhall Nova was a handy little car that serves equally well as either a first car (the GSe and GSi are great starter hot hatches), practical runabout or sensible down-size for older buyers who no longer want something big and new.
The Vauxhall Nova 1.2 Merit is cheap to run, easy for spares and very reliable.
The best thing is the speed and acceleration, the worst is the manual steering. If this car had power steering, everyone would want it. Nice comfortable drive with smooth gear changing.
Even though theyve stopped being manufactured. It will be a classic.
