What's to know about Mk2 Cavalier cabrios

[accord83]

I have an itch I need to scratch, and it seems a Mk2 Cavalier Cabrio might be the ideal scratching implement. I know very little to bog all about them and info seems in short supply. So, what's to know, look out for, and avoid. Thanks in advance, John.

[sal]

I don't have a cabrio but I currently own a mk2 hatch so some of what I know is relevant.

Engine will be 1.8 injection which is a good motor. Came in 18e and 18se variants with main difference being injection set up (e jetronic and se motronic). Both reliable but e specific parts becoming a bit scarce.

Bodywork check sills and arches. If it has plastic sill covers check behind them for rot. Also check petrol filler is still attached to outer panel. Not impossible to repair but time consuming. 2 door arches and sills available new but I'd stick a set away for future if I was buying a cavalier.

Rear chassis legs can rot at spring seats and where axle mounts are. Replacement legs are very hard to come by.

Front floor pans can rot where they meet the bulkhead. It's an are that's triple skinned so holds moisture. Again not hard to repair but time consuming.
Lower bulkhead as above and on some models a sound deadening mat was fitted which holds moisture which can cause rot.

Roofs are specific to each car so if you need to replace with one from another car it will take some adjustment to fit. Some trim is common to all mk2's and some is specific to convertible but you should be able to find anything you need.

Overall they're good cars that are easy to work on and enjoy and don't command too high a price tag.

[accord83]

Thank you for the reply, I went to look at one yesterday, it was described as excellent body and mechanics, and a long and inquisitive phone call to the vendor made it sound worth wasting 2hrs going to see with a pocket full of currency. It was a camel, the minor welding underneath which the MOT man praised, allegedly, was a badly, think dripping wax, and not continuously welded sill which was already rotting, the roof had wear holes, the autobox fluid was brown and toasty, the tyre sidewalls were badly cracked. The litany of woes, and there were many, continued. I stopped looking and left without even getting in or starting it. Hey ho.

[sal]

Thats a shame that it turned out like that but at least you walked away.

The autobox on them is a 3 speed and it's not that great tbh. I've just converted my hatch to a manual which is a fairly easy bolt in job but you really need a manual donor for all the bits so if you can try and find a good manual convertible to begin with.

Check out www.mk2cav.com and you will see some really nice convertibles. Here's a couple of links to whet your appetite

www.mk2cav.com/index.php/topic,20210.0.html

www.mk2cav.com/index.php/topic,23477.msg220390.html#msg220390

www.mk2cav.com/index.php/topic,14366.0.html

[accord83]

I was wanting an auto specifically as my left side succumbed to accident damage some years back and it is a bit lazy.

[sal]

The auto will do what it's supposed to and mine sat at motorway speeds no probs so if it's what you need then don't let me put you off.

On the owners club there is a member, Dawn, who has 4 automatic mk2 Cavaliers so they can't be too bad

Good luck and I hope you find a good one soon

[pimpmycaddy]

I know of one in Aylsham Norfolk it's auto it's a bit max power style. £300 would buy it.

[accord83]

Thank you, but I'm after total stock for this one, My mk1 Escort is my lairy/cool look car. I might, (only might), have found a mk1 Golf cabby auto which would help scratch the itch.

[oog]

Check sills, arches and rear chassis legs. Also lift the rear bench (to cord pulls and it lifts out) and check under there. Also check the window mech's as these are prone to wear and are a pig to repair. Mechanically, everything is still available it's only trim pieces that are a pain to get hold of.

Can still be found at reasonable money but there are a lot of shonky ones out there. Worth finding a good one as they are great cars to smoke about in during the summer.

[accord83]

Shonkey ones? Don't I know it, all cabrios seem to be over described, I kissed so many dogs recently I've had to have a distemper jab, be wormed, and micro chipped.

[oog]

Fair one, I totally lucked into mine tbh. Hang in there though, good ones are out there.