Following the sale of the Impreza i had been completely car-less through the fortnight or so that followed. With the purchase of my first house under my belt and a stint of office work (including the dreaded 9-5 commute) looming i had to get mobile again.

My search for a 205 GTi had proved fruitless with the most suitable car being in London. The owner however was dragging his heels getting it MOT'd so when a Cavalier 4x4 Turbo came up locally for a good price i had to have it.

With 204bhp and 4wd it may not sound a world apart from an Impreza but in truth it lags sorely behind in the handling department. However, the car is mechanically solid and has a good functioning 4wd system, quite rare for any Vauxhall 4x4! With leather, a 6-speed box and a quick-spooling KKK16 turbo it'll keep me amused until another Impreza comes along.

The only real sore point of the Cavalier is the bodywork which is showing the signs of being 12 years old, particularly the arches. Although with 103,000 miles it's done a good 13,000 less than the Impreza had when i sold it - still on it's first engine too!