I had both. Infact I had a few of both. The Fiesta always seemed more comfy, softer riding and quieter - more like the outside was outside. Performance wise though the Nova was ahead in every spec I drove. I even did two 20XE conversions back in the days when it was popular and for the time they were absolute rockets. The largest I ever did with the Fiesta (mk2) was a 1.7 conversion on the XR2 (with cam, twin 34's and so on) which made a good case for itself but couldn't hope to get near the XE'd Nova. I was into different things by the time the 2.0 Focus and Mondeo engines became cheap but I would have loved to have done one in the Fiesta from an ST170 or equivalent just to see how close they were. Strangely form all of the I have fondest memories of a standard 1.6d Fiesta. It couldn't get out of its own way but that thing took me everywhere while using almost no fuel and not really caring what you filled it with in the first place. I think the diesel may have got more sound deadening too because on a motorway it was great for such a small car. It finally died at just under 170k miles when it went for an MOT and failed on pretty much the whole car. It still drove to the scrapyard and I got £20 more than I paid for it in the first place.
@@TrickyDicky2006 Well the ones I used were out of Astra GTE's but its pretty much the same engine that went in the Calibra and Cavalier later. Later ones had a catalyst, slightly different exhaust manifold and were called a C20XE rather than just a 20XE. Standard ones were rare even back then. Everyone wanted a modified Nova because it was easy, cheap speed. I later went on to Corsa b's and did another few 2.0 conversions then a couple of turbo'd ones. Then I got into BMW's later doing M3 conversions in compacts and so on.
I drove my mothers 87 Fiesta 1.1 L a lot during my first years with a drivers license, back in the early 90's. It was a great little car. Especially the fuel economy was important since I only had a weekend job.
I had the same 1.1 Ghia Fiesta, B reg as in this video for my first car, but it was in silver. Of course I had to fit the XR2 wheels and spotlights to it which made it look great, I loved it. One thing I remember it had was the little joystick style fader for the stereo, in between the steering column and the heater control. Being 17-18, I would always blast the stereo out loud, and when the passenger wanted to talk I would tap that little joystick down, sending all the music to the rear speakers, I used to think that was so cool 😎 ! Happy memories.
As a student I had both. 1.4 Fiesta from 1985 - 1989 and 1.5 diesel Corsa from1989-1990. Both were young person's great choice. Then, in 1990, I bought Suzuki Swift GTi, and european cars disapeard from my point of wiew. But I kept dad's X81 XJ40 and I proudly drive it today.
In about '84 I worked at a car rental company driving and delivering cars. We had Opel Kadett (Vauxhall Astra in the uk?) that were a class up, VW Polo and Fiesta mkII in the small class. The Fiesta was by far and away everyones favourite. Such great handling and nippy for a 1 litre. Loved them.
In 1983 I traded in my 1980 1.0 Metro for a 1.1 Escort. Although not classed as a supermini, the Escort in 1.1 guise was actually a good competitor. For example, economy. The best I ever got from the Metro was 49 mpg. Normal was low 40s. The Escort often returned 55 mpg, and my record was 60.5 mpg (and that was when the car had done 115,000 miles). I have just recently bought a low mileage 83 1.1 Escort as my retirement car. I am really enjoying it. In a recent drive from Airdrie (near Glasgow) to Estepona (Costa del Sol, Spain) it averaged 48 mpg (I went through France and over the high Pyrenees). Not quite so good as my original one, but that was an economy model with very high gearing. The 1.1 Escort is usually overlooked in favour of the bigger engined cars. So they can be bought at very good prices. OK the 1.6 is a much better car. However, if you compare the 1.1 Escort with the supermini cars of the day it wins hands down.
3:22 - I remember that in the 1990s the Vauxhall Nova was always popular as a 'pratmobile'. With outlandish spoilers and wheels and a stereo that could be heard half a mile away but a knackered engine. They certainly kept Halfords in business!
I learned to drive in my instructors Mk2 fiesta and passed in it too. Then had an S reg mk1 1300s festa as a 1st car , they were great fun to drive. I had a few mk2s after that, one was D plate mk2 ghia in dark blue . I've still got a mk1 Fiesta Finesse . So, my choice would be that mk2 Ghia 😎
@@zedfender9423 My MG Metro looked good, but was hopeless on the motorway with no 5th gear. The Nova was actually a much better car even with much less horsepower.
There really is something charming about cars that used to be everywhere but have completely disappeared off the radar... I recently bought a K10 Micra 😅. 1992 5dr 1.2LX. 5spd. The toys list stretched to a sunroof and a rear wiper. It has central locking... well, you can reach all the locks from the driver's seat! It's tiny, basic, the non PAS is alarmingly light at speed and it puts a massive smile on my face when I walk down the yard and see it parked up next to my modern. On a 4000 mile policy and I've done 500 in 2 months!
I had an E reg Fiesta 1.4S that I had to scrap at 7 years old due to terminal rampant rust. It was a relief as the CVH engine was unreliable, course, lacked power and wouldn't rev. I got a Peugeot 205XS after this and this was light years ahead of the Fiesta.
Nova for me. Had a Nova GTE in calypso red back in the day when I was 19. Loved it. Kept standard apart from wheels, suspension and a few engine mods. Outrun XR2's all day long. Love that car. Built to drive
I owned a gsi nova for a while,I liked that car a lot...too many tealeafs wanted it so sold it on and got a really nice mk2 xr2....your right the gte was quicker( as I found out on a few occasions) so I modded it...twin 40 webbers,high lift cam and janspeed etc etc....it was a different car after that and the the way it should have came from the factory....looks wise for me it's a tough call,the nova is arguably the better looker,I always wanted a 1.3 supersport nova but rare as a wage rise..
No contest, Fiesta all day long. I had a mk1 950 Popular many years ago, couldn't believe you could have so much fun with so little power. But then again I was 18!
I just bought a 1985 (Irish) opel corsa A tr 2 door with only 18500 miles…loving it so far….not the coolest car on the block but still gets a lot of attention
Was last in the UK 🇬🇧 in 1995, had three Ford Fiesta's whilst on holiday, red petrol one mainland UK, a blue diesel one in Guernsey 🇬🇬 💙 and red efi petrol ⛽ from Gatwick to East Sussex visiting extended family 👪 very impressed with the last one. The first one was from Kennings, which I think was from Holland Park. Getting a bit rusty from memory from yesteryear, a few moons ago now. Greetings from New Zealand.👍👌💚🍺🍻🥃🌎🗽
Never had the MK2 Fiesta. Bought an Escort instead. Had one of the last Novas though, the facelift, bright red, with the 1.2 engine. It was quick, and fun. Fond memories of that car. Only car I ever had nicked. Got it back and changed the locks for £25.
Nova I had one ..and have driven a fiesta...could do a clutch change on a Nova without disturbing either engine or gearbox..it had an access plate on the bell housing.
I owned both and the fiesta had far better handling and more leg room, the nova was so uncomfortable that I actually gave mine away to a mate, he liked it so chucked the keys at him and told him keep it
The 205 was by a country mile a better car than either.... Even in poverty spec had a peppy fizzy engine and smooth gearbox.... Wonderful ride and comfortable interior.....
@@TheSoupdragon1968 Yeah, I remember the Visas back in the mid-80s in Portugal. Even though the AX had already been launched, there were still many Visas on the road at that time, and it was still being sold alongside the AX. They were a cheap yet reliable alternative to the 205 and the Super 5. Interestingly, back then my neighbour had an Austin Metro for many years. He liked the car, it was reliable.
What I loved about 80s cars especially superminis is each had its own character. I would be immediately able to tell what car had driven past from the soundtrack. Even the noise of one starting up. At the time we had the VW polo mark 2 breadvan. In basic 1.0 prince spec. Didn't even have a clock. Quick it was not but it'd do 65 no problem. Didn't really like hills. VW is famous for build quality but it didn't feel that much more solid than the Ford or Vauxhall. Still hard plastic. Again very distinctive sound. Miss it. Nostalgia is a funny thing is because today's superminis are vastly superior. But not as characterful. It was reliable starting 1st time in conditions which would cause neighborhood Uno's and metros to struggle to get going. But it was noisy with almost zero sound deadening.
Fiesta, all day long. I had 2 MK2 auto Ghia's, White on black...v nice, and a MK3 1.1 blue manual in the early naughties gr8 fun. Never drove a nova, though I always want to. Thank u guys, gr8 vid, took me bak, but u missed a trick. Shoulda raced em head to head
I,ve owned both, A 1985 Fiesta 1.1ghia with a 5 speed a german import but right hand drive, and a 1986 nova 1.2L 4 door saloon, i prefered the Fiesta but the engine in the Nova was bloody fantastic.
Love both of them. Great era . The Ford was comfy , soft and great ride quality. Vauxhall solid chunkier, more thrashable. Long journeys- fiesta- ram raid- nova
I looked at both as teen! A reg 1.1 MK2 Fiesta and a Nova 1.2L. In the end I found a Belmont 1.3L that needed a bit of work, but very fond of both Fiesta and Nova. I found the Nova had better underpinnings, the 1.2 OHC Vauxhall engine was much more smooth and eager than Ford's 1.1 CVH.
Ford did make a 1.1 version of the CVH, but as far as I know they didn't put it in the Fiesta. (The only time I saw one was in a Mk3 Escort Van). Both the 950 and the 1.1 were the Valencia OHV engine as see in this video. And if you mean the 1.2 Vauxhall OHC engine was better than the 1.1 Valencia OHV engine, I would have to agree. The Vauxhall OHC engines of that era were great.
@@nealeburgess6756 ah yes you're right. Vauxhall OHC engines were great. I went on to have a number of them from 1.3 to 2.0. they all sounded good and were pretty refined and developed good power. The 20NE and 20SEH were more refined than the 20XE was.
@@aston-martin-internationalist it was a great engine. I had a mk2 Astra with the 1.3 engine. It had 250,000 miles on the clock when I scrapped it due to rust, and I had even used it to tow a small caravan!
Had a silver nova GSi H445 CJR absolutely loved it, but it was a rot box, had the steering wheel nicked aswell when someone tried snapping the steering lock while trying to nick it, drove it to the garage the next day with a pair of mole grips on the steering column, good times 😂
ROFL I'm 42 now but back in the days 90s I did a weeks works experience with a vauxhall dealership and I remember the chief technician asking me and the others if we came here to learn to steal these cars we need to leave and not come back 🤣, we all knew short scaff bar and the pin made out of youre gf's or sisters hair pin and you could have any vauxhall away 🤣.sounds like youres was butchered amazing cars back then Cavs, calibra, astra gte with Digi clocks, Nova gte was better than the Sri,and the younger mechanics back then had series 2 rs turbos read into that what you will
Nova also available in Saloon unlike the Fiesta. In fact a 2 door 1984 leaf green Nova Saloon was my first ever car. Never let me down, wanted something cooler at the time, but wish I had kept it!
Wow, this brings back memories, I also had examples of both!. First car I had after passing my test was a 1977 MK1 Fiesta (1.1), though TBH, it wasn't very nice at all. But this was due to the car I bought being an absolute bucket rather than a problem with the car, I think there was more filler than metal!. The next was a 1984 MK2 Fiesta 1.6 diesel which, while looking decidedly dog eared with flat red paint and patches of surface rust, actually drove brilliant!. It was in that car I drove from Wigan to Aberdeen in 4.5 hours (back in the days before speed cameras were everywhere) going pretty much flat out the whole way, not bad for 54bhp!. The Nova's I had were both 2 door saloon's, first a 1985 1.0, then a 1987 1.2. They were both fine though the 1.0 was hard work on motorways or dual carriageways. I'd certainly have another given the opportunity, but neither Nova held my affections in the same way as my diesel Fiesta, so that is what I'd have. Re the video, I'd also argue a 2 door saloon is cooler than a 3 door hatchback Nova. Also had a 1983 MK2 Polo saloon (1.1) which I bought at auction, really liked that too. Seemed of a higher quality than either Nova or Fiesta, but I'd still take a MK2 Fiesta diesel over it given the choice!
Had an 83 mk1 1.1L and an 84 mk2 1.3 ghia. Much preferred the mk1. Passed my test in an 86 Nova 1.2. Hazy memory of that. I think I preferred that to drive, but might be thinking of the couple of Astra mk1s I had. Never got on with my mk2 fiesta though. Got rid quite quickly.
I remember reading about the Nova in the 80’s, by all accounts a good little car. In the states we had the German built Gen 1 Fiesta from ‘78-‘80. We had an ‘80 Fiesta S in our family. All US spec Fiesta’s were 1.6 Kent motors with a Weber 2bbl carb. A genuinely fun and quick car that was also very rugged as we all learned how to drive manual in it. Regularly warped front rotors were the only real issue. A good looking reliable car, that was part in parcel to my life long affinity to the blue oval. The US also had the Gen 5 (?) Mexican built Fiesta from ‘12-‘18. A veritable sports car in ST form with exceptional steering, and very disappointing to those owners that are deprived of the current Gen.
My first car was a 1988 Nova 1.2 in white. Very reliable even if bits of trim came off and I managed to snap the handbrake. Still miss that car 👍 Nova forever for me!!
Great video , had a few mk1 and mk 2 fiestas , including mk 1 1.3 ghia and a mk 2 1.4s loved them, then in 1992 bought a 1.4 Sri nova, nice new car back then and although loved my fiestas I preferred my nova
Always the Nova had two of them, B reg 1.2 base in red and K reg 1.2 Snap in White. Fun to drive and in three door format great to look at too. My Nova was always quicker than my mates 1.1 MK2 Fiesta. My first car was a MK1 Fiesta in Blue, the Nova was a major upgrade when I got it.
In ' 87 , I traded a ' 68 Austin 998 Mini- Cooper for a ' 83 Fiesta Mk 11 1.3 to go ' modern ' .I can recall parting with another £1500 for the deal and immediately thinking on the first drive what the hell have i done ? !.There was nothing really wrong with the Fiesta but it was just so dull and soulless and immediately sensed what was going to happen with the kudos of the original Mini.
Nova. I always liked it and my parents even had a 2 dr saloon variant which my dad always says was a brilliant car. The maxed power versions were terrible but a standard SR looks pretty cool. I like the boxier square styling
Had a 1984 Nova 1.2L, and a 1987 Fiesta 1.4 Ghia. Got through two 1.4 engines, and then eventually blew up the third engine (a 1.6). The 1.2 Nova never blew up!!! The nova was way better mechanically, though I did like the Fiesta.
I drove both, one after the other. Personally I preferred the Nova. My biggest issue with our 88 Fiesta 1.1 was the dated and relatively very noisy and underpowered pushrod engine. OHC was already well established at that stage like in our Nova from around the same time.
Good video. Vauxhall chose the Nova name and there is some truth in them choosing the name at her than Corsa initially. But also, Opel wouldn’t use the name and a because in Spain, where the car was built, Nova is actually No Va and in Spanish it means “doesn’t go”.
My first car was a nova. It was stolen in Belfast one night. Luckily, the police recovered it with no damage appart from the door lock and the hot wiring, obviously. I couldn't believe how easy it was to steal.
I knew a few scaff pros in the 80s 90s at one point told they were by far the most prolific two gang in all western Europe a few died doing it to. I would come home from my panel beater yts job to a street full of xr2s n9vas astra goes rs turbos cossys the lot cops to scared to come in and awaiting the chase they all stole um I bought mine I had a xr3 followed by xr2 many many others my fav was fiat uno turbo. I today lucky to ow a i20N
Like the mk2 Fiesta, the Renault 5 in the 80's was another aged design of a car from the 70's given a facelift. And then the same again in the 90's when Austin was taken over by Rover ( I e the Rover Metro ). And so on. My sister had a Nova as her first car. They were decent like.
I had several Novas, an E reg 1.3L saloon, which had the same engine as the SR with the twin Pierburg Carbs, was pretty quick for what it was. I then had the later model J Reg 1.5TD diesel merit+ from new, surprisingly quick for a Nova and 65 MPG,.Downside, the Isuzu engine needed servicing every 3000 miles. Then had a J Reg 1.4i Luxe in Miami blue, electric windows and central locking, smart car but relatively gutless performance from the 1.4i engine compared to the older 1.3. Sad to see that they are so rare now.
We were making that choice in 1987. The Fiesta was dismissed early on for being an old design and frankly having a very rough ride.. I don't get the "Uncool" bit, regarding the Nova, because Vauxhalls had good engines then. Sportier than the asthmatic Ford units and Looked sharp. So we bought a Fiat Uno. (45S) It went back about a year later with ongoing gearbox trouble .
I did the same, although it was the Uno 55. Great little car, although it did like to snap clutch cables - never had that problem with any other car before or after. However, it meant that I had to learn the art of the clutchless gearchange.
I always thought that the Nova was called a Corsa on the continent as No Va is Spanish for “ not going “ and Opel thought it would harm the sales figures.
I've always been a Ford fan, especially if it's the Ghia trim level with plush velour seats, so I wouldn't be able to decide objectively. Fiesta all the way. I've owned nothing but Fords in my 23 years of driving, so I can't see myself being swayed by the Nova even if it was the better car.
I'm kind of with you...I've owned lots of Vauxhalls and even more Ford's.. but in the sportier guise..I.e. fiesta xr2 vs nova 1.3 supersport( not sr) it's imho a tough call...the slightly off centre driving position in the nova isn't great but it's arguably the better looking,especially in poverty spec..
Was all about fords until i owned a 1.0 ecoboost focus now i despise them and wont buy another ford had coolant leak fixed and now recently the oil light came on while on holiday but its got full oil suspect the stupid timing belt in oil has blocked the oil pickup stupid design flaws with that engine and i cant afford expensive repairs for new belt etc 1k+ to fix it rather I just got a different car now sick of that car too many problems and only a 7 year old car
@@raftonpounder6696 had a e36 325i.....good fun but far from bombproof.a friend has a 335d that's one quality product and deceivingly fast however it's had its fair share of electrical gremlins.i also had a 730i...that was one pampered car yet the auto box called it a day on a fairly low mileage despite sympathetic servicing..maybe was just bad luck......wouldn't say no to a 1m or csl but alas my arse isn't lined with diamonds...
I had the Ford Fiesta 950 Pop Plus (plus being a rear wiper and some side strips) B455YJX I think you're long since scrapped.. but I soo wish I'd had a Nova, how cool are those box wheel arches???
Which is best isn’t the same as which one would you have! The nova was the better car, hands down. It had better engines, a better chassis and arguably better styling. But the fiesta was more accessible to people like myself because the Nova held its value. I wanted a Nova GTE. I eventually had a MK1 XR2!
I would have a 1989 Fiesta XR2, preferably in Graphite, with Pepperpot alloys. Or a 1.4 Ghia as a second choice, with a 5spd box. The 1.1 was asthmatic, so I would steer clear of that completely.
Never a fan of the nova, liked the Fiesta due to the vast range of models. But..... The 205, the Uno, the R5. It was a great time for European superminins
The Nova is by far the more sexy and clever car in terms of exterior and interior design. Technically and for spoare parts, the Ford may be the better option - but then many parts of the german sister model Opel Corsa will fit the Nova.
On Saturday 16th June 1984 I got myself a new wife! On Monday 25th June 1984 I collected a brand new Fiesta 1.1 Popular Plus in Sunburst Red; £3,850 on the road. I haven’t got the Fiesta anymore but I’ve still got the same wife; £3,850 was a bargain!! 😂
I had both. Infact I had a few of both. The Fiesta always seemed more comfy, softer riding and quieter - more like the outside was outside. Performance wise though the Nova was ahead in every spec I drove. I even did two 20XE conversions back in the days when it was popular and for the time they were absolute rockets.
The largest I ever did with the Fiesta (mk2) was a 1.7 conversion on the XR2 (with cam, twin 34's and so on) which made a good case for itself but couldn't hope to get near the XE'd Nova.
I was into different things by the time the 2.0 Focus and Mondeo engines became cheap but I would have loved to have done one in the Fiesta from an ST170 or equivalent just to see how close they were.
Strangely form all of the I have fondest memories of a standard 1.6d Fiesta. It couldn't get out of its own way but that thing took me everywhere while using almost no fuel and not really caring what you filled it with in the first place. I think the diesel may have got more sound deadening too because on a motorway it was great for such a small car.
It finally died at just under 170k miles when it went for an MOT and failed on pretty much the whole car.
It still drove to the scrapyard and I got £20 more than I paid for it in the first place.
@@TrickyDicky2006 Well the ones I used were out of Astra GTE's but its pretty much the same engine that went in the Calibra and Cavalier later. Later ones had a catalyst, slightly different exhaust manifold and were called a C20XE rather than just a 20XE.
Standard ones were rare even back then. Everyone wanted a modified Nova because it was easy, cheap speed.
I later went on to Corsa b's and did another few 2.0 conversions then a couple of turbo'd ones. Then I got into BMW's later doing M3 conversions in compacts and so on.
I drove my mothers 87 Fiesta 1.1 L a lot during my first years with a drivers license, back in the early 90's. It was a great little car. Especially the fuel economy was important since I only had a weekend job.
I had the same 1.1 Ghia Fiesta, B reg as in this video for my first car, but it was in silver. Of course I had to fit the XR2 wheels and spotlights to it which made it look great, I loved it. One thing I remember it had was the little joystick style fader for the stereo, in between the steering column and the heater control. Being 17-18, I would always blast the stereo out loud, and when the passenger wanted to talk I would tap that little joystick down, sending all the music to the rear speakers, I used to think that was so cool 😎 !
Happy memories.
1989 XR2 = first car I ever drove (I was 7 years old!!)
1988 nova 1.2 = first car I ever owned at 16 before I did my test!
Thank you for this!
Definetly the Opel Corsa A/ Vauxhall Nova!!!
As a student I had both. 1.4 Fiesta from 1985 - 1989 and 1.5 diesel Corsa from1989-1990. Both were young person's great choice. Then, in 1990, I bought Suzuki Swift GTi, and european cars disapeard from my point of wiew. But I kept dad's X81 XJ40 and I proudly drive it today.
In about '84 I worked at a car rental company driving and delivering cars. We had Opel Kadett (Vauxhall Astra in the uk?) that were a class up, VW Polo and Fiesta mkII in the small class. The Fiesta was by far and away everyones favourite. Such great handling and nippy for a 1 litre. Loved them.
I had a few Novas, they were absolutely splendid!
In 1983 I traded in my 1980 1.0 Metro for a 1.1 Escort. Although not classed as a supermini, the Escort in 1.1 guise was actually a good competitor. For example, economy. The best I ever got from the Metro was 49 mpg. Normal was low 40s. The Escort often returned 55 mpg, and my record was 60.5 mpg (and that was when the car had done 115,000 miles). I have just recently bought a low mileage 83 1.1 Escort as my retirement car. I am really enjoying it. In a recent drive from Airdrie (near Glasgow) to Estepona (Costa del Sol, Spain) it averaged 48 mpg (I went through France and over the high Pyrenees). Not quite so good as my original one, but that was an economy model with very high gearing. The 1.1 Escort is usually overlooked in favour of the bigger engined cars. So they can be bought at very good prices. OK the 1.6 is a much better car. However, if you compare the 1.1 Escort with the supermini cars of the day it wins hands down.
Had a Nova Sport absolutely loved it, twin carbs soundtrack was awesome!
First car was a Mk1 Fiesta Bravo then an '89 1.3SR. Couldn't get insured on a Nova GTE but I loved that little SR!
3:22 - I remember that in the 1990s the Vauxhall Nova was always popular as a 'pratmobile'. With outlandish spoilers and wheels and a stereo that could be heard half a mile away but a knackered engine. They certainly kept Halfords in business!
I had a Nova in Yellow SR many years ago loved it and had a number of Vauxhall cars over the years, I nowadays have a 3rd Gen Mondeo .
I learned to drive in my instructors Mk2 fiesta and passed in it too.
Then had an S reg mk1 1300s festa as a 1st car , they were great fun to drive.
I had a few mk2s after that, one was D plate mk2 ghia in dark blue .
I've still got a mk1 Fiesta Finesse .
So, my choice would be that mk2 Ghia 😎
After writing off my MG Metro, I got a white Nova 1.2 Antibes 3 door. I had it for many years and really liked the car.
My MG Metro gearbox lasted 3 days.
Was a good three days though.
@@zedfender9423 My MG Metro looked good, but was hopeless on the motorway with no 5th gear. The Nova was actually a much better car even with much less horsepower.
@@SimonEllwood I give £150 for mine and it was a fill in for my broken clio 16v but I did like the engine in the mg I bet yours was red.
@@zedfender9423 It was white with red seatbelts!
@@SimonEllwood mine was red seat belts to i think it was an F plate.
Best thing was the steering angle it almost felt like being in a mini.
There really is something charming about cars that used to be everywhere but have completely disappeared off the radar...
I recently bought a K10 Micra 😅. 1992 5dr 1.2LX. 5spd. The toys list stretched to a sunroof and a rear wiper. It has central locking... well, you can reach all the locks from the driver's seat! It's tiny, basic, the non PAS is alarmingly light at speed and it puts a massive smile on my face when I walk down the yard and see it parked up next to my modern. On a 4000 mile policy and I've done 500 in 2 months!
This was the Fiesta my parents had when I was born, the first car I ever travelled in! A B-reg Popular Plus in beige.
I had an E reg Fiesta 1.4S that I had to scrap at 7 years old due to terminal rampant rust. It was a relief as the CVH engine was unreliable, course, lacked power and wouldn't rev.
I got a Peugeot 205XS after this and this was light years ahead of the Fiesta.
Nova for me. Had a Nova GTE in calypso red back in the day when I was 19. Loved it. Kept standard apart from wheels, suspension and a few engine mods. Outrun XR2's all day long. Love that car. Built to drive
I owned a gsi nova for a while,I liked that car a lot...too many tealeafs wanted it so sold it on and got a really nice mk2 xr2....your right the gte was quicker( as I found out on a few occasions) so I modded it...twin 40 webbers,high lift cam and janspeed etc etc....it was a different car after that and the the way it should have came from the factory....looks wise for me it's a tough call,the nova is arguably the better looker,I always wanted a 1.3 supersport nova but rare as a wage rise..
Definitely fiesta for me.. My first car after passing my test was a mk2 XR2 and a fair few fords later, i still own a Mk2 XR2..
Stay tuned for an XR2 road test in January 👀
The authenticity of that Nova, it even has its steering column smashed off
No contest, Fiesta all day long. I had a mk1 950 Popular many years ago, couldn't believe you could have so much fun with so little power. But then again I was 18!
I just bought a 1985 (Irish) opel corsa A tr 2 door with only 18500 miles…loving it so far….not the coolest car on the block but still gets a lot of attention
Was last in the UK 🇬🇧 in 1995, had three Ford Fiesta's whilst on holiday, red petrol one mainland UK, a blue diesel one in Guernsey 🇬🇬 💙 and red efi petrol ⛽ from Gatwick to East Sussex visiting extended family 👪 very impressed with the last one.
The first one was from Kennings, which I think was from Holland Park.
Getting a bit rusty from memory from yesteryear, a few moons ago now.
Greetings from New Zealand.👍👌💚🍺🍻🥃🌎🗽
Never had the MK2 Fiesta. Bought an Escort instead. Had one of the last Novas though, the facelift, bright red, with the 1.2 engine. It was quick, and fun. Fond memories of that car. Only car I ever had nicked. Got it back and changed the locks for £25.
Nova I had one ..and have driven a fiesta...could do a clutch change on a Nova without disturbing either engine or gearbox..it had an access plate on the bell housing.
A great touch!
Ford and vauxhall products of the 80s and 90s are my favourite cars, I'll have both please 😀
I owned both and the fiesta had far better handling and more leg room, the nova was so uncomfortable that I actually gave mine away to a mate, he liked it so chucked the keys at him and told him keep it
Everyone wants the Nova hatch but its the saloon for me, nostalgia. Wish i could also replace my old Manta GTE's from back in the day.
The 205 was by a country mile a better car than either.... Even in poverty spec had a peppy fizzy engine and smooth gearbox.... Wonderful ride and comfortable interior.....
The Renault Super 5 as well.
@@tugatomskanimation6370 the later Citroen Visas were a left field choice and very underrated hear in the UK.
@@TheSoupdragon1968 Yeah, I remember the Visas back in the mid-80s in Portugal. Even though the AX had already been launched, there were still many Visas on the road at that time, and it was still being sold alongside the AX. They were a cheap yet reliable alternative to the 205 and the Super 5.
Interestingly, back then my neighbour had an Austin Metro for many years. He liked the car, it was reliable.
@@tugatomskanimation6370 I had a Visa GTi. No looker but show it an A road! Just awesome..... 😎
@@TheSoupdragon1968 Now that's a rarity! 👍 How did it go?
What I loved about 80s cars especially superminis is each had its own character. I would be immediately able to tell what car had driven past from the soundtrack. Even the noise of one starting up. At the time we had the VW polo mark 2 breadvan. In basic 1.0 prince spec. Didn't even have a clock. Quick it was not but it'd do 65 no problem. Didn't really like hills. VW is famous for build quality but it didn't feel that much more solid than the Ford or Vauxhall. Still hard plastic. Again very distinctive sound. Miss it. Nostalgia is a funny thing is because today's superminis are vastly superior. But not as characterful. It was reliable starting 1st time in conditions which would cause neighborhood Uno's and metros to struggle to get going. But it was noisy with almost zero sound deadening.
Love 80s cars so much I'm a ford man but love the nova too
Luckily own a 1.4s with a zetec turbo , such a fun little thing 👍
I remember the nova days. G414 ARD and G98 ADG. five door and a 3 door. That was 20 years ago 😳
The Citroen AxGT was another pocket rocket that was fun back then
Fiesta, all day long. I had 2 MK2 auto Ghia's, White on black...v nice, and a MK3 1.1 blue manual in the early naughties gr8 fun. Never drove a nova, though I always want to. Thank u guys, gr8 vid, took me bak, but u missed a trick. Shoulda raced em head to head
I,ve owned both, A 1985 Fiesta 1.1ghia with a 5 speed a german import but right hand drive, and a 1986 nova 1.2L 4 door saloon, i prefered the Fiesta but the engine in the Nova was bloody fantastic.
Love both of them. Great era . The Ford was comfy , soft and great ride quality. Vauxhall solid chunkier, more thrashable. Long journeys- fiesta- ram raid- nova
I looked at both as teen! A reg 1.1 MK2 Fiesta and a Nova 1.2L. In the end I found a Belmont 1.3L that needed a bit of work, but very fond of both Fiesta and Nova. I found the Nova had better underpinnings, the 1.2 OHC Vauxhall engine was much more smooth and eager than Ford's 1.1 CVH.
Ford did make a 1.1 version of the CVH, but as far as I know they didn't put it in the Fiesta. (The only time I saw one was in a Mk3 Escort Van). Both the 950 and the 1.1 were the Valencia OHV engine as see in this video. And if you mean the 1.2 Vauxhall OHC engine was better than the 1.1 Valencia OHV engine, I would have to agree. The Vauxhall OHC engines of that era were great.
@@nealeburgess6756 ah yes you're right.
Vauxhall OHC engines were great. I went on to have a number of them from 1.3 to 2.0. they all sounded good and were pretty refined and developed good power. The 20NE and 20SEH were more refined than the 20XE was.
@@aston-martin-internationalist it was a great engine. I had a mk2 Astra with the 1.3 engine. It had 250,000 miles on the clock when I scrapped it due to rust, and I had even used it to tow a small caravan!
Had a silver nova GSi H445 CJR absolutely loved it, but it was a rot box, had the steering wheel nicked aswell when someone tried snapping the steering lock while trying to nick it, drove it to the garage the next day with a pair of mole grips on the steering column, good times 😂
ROFL I'm 42 now but back in the days 90s I did a weeks works experience with a vauxhall dealership and I remember the chief technician asking me and the others if we came here to learn to steal these cars we need to leave and not come back 🤣, we all knew short scaff bar and the pin made out of youre gf's or sisters hair pin and you could have any vauxhall away 🤣.sounds like youres was butchered amazing cars back then Cavs, calibra, astra gte with Digi clocks, Nova gte was better than the Sri,and the younger mechanics back then had series 2 rs turbos read into that what you will
Nova also available in Saloon unlike the Fiesta. In fact a 2 door 1984 leaf green Nova Saloon was my first ever car. Never let me down, wanted something cooler at the time, but wish I had kept it!
Wow, this brings back memories, I also had examples of both!. First car I had after passing my test was a 1977 MK1 Fiesta (1.1), though TBH, it wasn't very nice at all. But this was due to the car I bought being an absolute bucket rather than a problem with the car, I think there was more filler than metal!. The next was a 1984 MK2 Fiesta 1.6 diesel which, while looking decidedly dog eared with flat red paint and patches of surface rust, actually drove brilliant!. It was in that car I drove from Wigan to Aberdeen in 4.5 hours (back in the days before speed cameras were everywhere) going pretty much flat out the whole way, not bad for 54bhp!.
The Nova's I had were both 2 door saloon's, first a 1985 1.0, then a 1987 1.2. They were both fine though the 1.0 was hard work on motorways or dual carriageways. I'd certainly have another given the opportunity, but neither Nova held my affections in the same way as my diesel Fiesta, so that is what I'd have.
Re the video, I'd also argue a 2 door saloon is cooler than a 3 door hatchback Nova.
Also had a 1983 MK2 Polo saloon (1.1) which I bought at auction, really liked that too. Seemed of a higher quality than either Nova or Fiesta, but I'd still take a MK2 Fiesta diesel over it given the choice!
Had an 83 mk1 1.1L and an 84 mk2 1.3 ghia. Much preferred the mk1. Passed my test in an 86 Nova 1.2. Hazy memory of that. I think I preferred that to drive, but might be thinking of the couple of Astra mk1s I had. Never got on with my mk2 fiesta though. Got rid quite quickly.
I remember reading about the Nova in the 80’s, by all accounts a good little car. In the states we had the German built Gen 1 Fiesta from ‘78-‘80. We had an ‘80 Fiesta S in our family. All US spec Fiesta’s were 1.6 Kent motors with a Weber 2bbl carb. A genuinely fun and quick car that was also very rugged as we all learned how to drive manual in it. Regularly warped front rotors were the only real issue. A good looking reliable car, that was part in parcel to my life long affinity to the blue oval. The US also had the Gen 5 (?) Mexican built Fiesta from ‘12-‘18. A veritable sports car in ST form with exceptional steering, and very disappointing to those owners that are deprived of the current Gen.
My first car was a 1988 Nova 1.2 in white. Very reliable even if bits of trim came off and I managed to snap the handbrake. Still miss that car 👍 Nova forever for me!!
Owned both back in the day, the OHC engine and slightly better build of the Vauxhall wins it for me.
Great video , had a few mk1 and mk 2 fiestas , including mk 1 1.3 ghia and a mk 2 1.4s loved them, then in 1992 bought a 1.4 Sri nova, nice new car back then and although loved my fiestas I preferred my nova
That’s my Fiesta! It didn’t go to auction - I bought it earlier this year before the auction.
Had both back in the day loved them both but nova 1.2ohc was a revelation after fiesta 1.1ohv and GTE was an absolute hoot!
For me I cannot not go past the Ford,so engaging when driven with enthusiasm, have owned three over the Yeats and loved them all.
This is more interesting than a comparison between a new lamborghini and a new ferrari.
What I like about all these cars,they have proper bumper's.
Always the Nova had two of them, B reg 1.2 base in red and K reg 1.2 Snap in White. Fun to drive and in three door format great to look at too. My Nova was always quicker than my mates 1.1 MK2 Fiesta. My first car was a MK1 Fiesta in Blue, the Nova was a major upgrade when I got it.
That fiesta is beautiful. Almost identical to my first car apart from mine was red. I wish I still owned it now.
Absolutely loved my 2.0 Nova Gsi with speed lines 👌
Nova more modern car but Fiesta for me, preferably an XR2!!
In ' 87 , I traded a ' 68 Austin 998 Mini- Cooper for a ' 83 Fiesta Mk 11 1.3 to go ' modern ' .I can recall parting with another £1500 for the deal and immediately thinking on the first drive what the hell have i done ? !.There was nothing really wrong with the Fiesta but it was just so dull and soulless and immediately sensed what was going to happen with the kudos of the original Mini.
I would definitely take the fiesta!
Had both mk1 fiestas including a supersport mk2 1.3 ghia xr2 and early nova 1.3 Sr rally car all brilliant fun cars took loads abuse.
Nova. I always liked it and my parents even had a 2 dr saloon variant which my dad always says was a brilliant car. The maxed power versions were terrible but a standard SR looks pretty cool. I like the boxier square styling
Amazng there are two of these in such lovely condition.
Haynes actually published a manual dedicated to souping up your Vauxhall Nova.
We need a copy!
Had a 1984 Nova 1.2L, and a 1987 Fiesta 1.4 Ghia. Got through two 1.4 engines, and then eventually blew up the third engine (a 1.6). The 1.2 Nova never blew up!!! The nova was way better mechanically, though I did like the Fiesta.
I’d have the Nova - I had a Nova SR back in the day before owning a Astra GTE!
I drove both, one after the other. Personally I preferred the Nova. My biggest issue with our 88 Fiesta 1.1 was the dated and relatively very noisy and underpowered pushrod engine. OHC was already well established at that stage like in our Nova from around the same time.
Good video. Vauxhall chose the Nova name and there is some truth in them choosing the name at her than Corsa initially. But also, Opel wouldn’t use the name and a because in Spain, where the car was built, Nova is actually No Va and in Spanish it means “doesn’t go”.
Mk2 fiesta 1.4S had sweet wheel trims i banged them on my pop.
Looking at the exposed wires around the steering column I thought you might have stolen the Nova & got it going with a scaffold bar & screwdriver🤣🤣🤣
My first car was a nova. It was stolen in Belfast one night. Luckily, the police recovered it with no damage appart from the door lock and the hot wiring, obviously.
I couldn't believe how easy it was to steal.
I knew a few scaff pros in the 80s 90s at one point told they were by far the most prolific two gang in all western Europe a few died doing it to. I would come home from my panel beater yts job to a street full of xr2s n9vas astra goes rs turbos cossys the lot cops to scared to come in and awaiting the chase they all stole um I bought mine I had a xr3 followed by xr2 many many others my fav was fiat uno turbo. I today lucky to ow a i20N
Never needed a scaff bar for nova or any Vauxhall of the time .you did for the fords Capri cortina Sierra of the time
Lovely nova
Like the mk2 Fiesta, the Renault 5 in the 80's was another aged design of a car from the 70's given a facelift. And then the same again in the 90's when Austin was taken over by Rover ( I e the Rover Metro ). And so on. My sister had a Nova as her first car. They were decent like.
My dad had a Nova in the late 80's/ Early 90's
Lovely retro review :) for me it would still be Phil's Fiesta as it just had that certain timelessness
I had a a 1.3 Escort estate in that colour 4 speed cvh reg B238DOB
Lovely colour!
I had several Novas, an E reg 1.3L saloon, which had the same engine as the SR with the twin Pierburg Carbs, was pretty quick for what it was. I then had the later model J Reg 1.5TD diesel merit+ from new, surprisingly quick for a Nova and 65 MPG,.Downside, the Isuzu engine needed servicing every 3000 miles. Then had a J Reg 1.4i Luxe in Miami blue, electric windows and central locking, smart car but relatively gutless performance from the 1.4i engine compared to the older 1.3. Sad to see that they are so rare now.
I bought B222BPU - Fiesta 1.3 Ghia, new in Feb 85. Looks like the Fiesta in this video came from Candor Motors Colchester at about the same time.
Doe Motors, Not Candor, so Witham or Maldon.
My first car a beige 84 fiesta memories
We were making that choice in 1987. The Fiesta was dismissed early on for being an old design and frankly having a very rough ride.. I don't get the "Uncool" bit, regarding the Nova, because Vauxhalls had good engines then. Sportier than the asthmatic Ford units and Looked sharp.
So we bought a Fiat Uno. (45S)
It went back about a year later with ongoing gearbox trouble .
I did the same, although it was the Uno 55. Great little car, although it did like to snap clutch cables - never had that problem with any other car before or after. However, it meant that I had to learn the art of the clutchless gearchange.
owned a couple of Novas great cars! friend had a Fiesta, i for sure had the best car
I think the Corsa A/Nova was the only supermini to come with other bodies than a 3 door hatchback in 1983
so cool then and still now.
Which would you choose, Gavin?
Was a Nova guy
I always thought that the Nova was called a Corsa on the continent as No Va is Spanish for “ not going “ and Opel thought it would harm the sales figures.
I'd heard that plus the Vauxhall name was too English and didn't go down too well, particularly in Southern Ireland
I've always been a Ford fan, especially if it's the Ghia trim level with plush velour seats, so I wouldn't be able to decide objectively. Fiesta all the way. I've owned nothing but Fords in my 23 years of driving, so I can't see myself being swayed by the Nova even if it was the better car.
You poor bastard
I'm kind of with you...I've owned lots of Vauxhalls and even more Ford's.. but in the sportier guise..I.e. fiesta xr2 vs nova 1.3 supersport( not sr) it's imho a tough call...the slightly off centre driving position in the nova isn't great but it's arguably the better looking,especially in poverty spec..
Was all about fords until i owned a 1.0 ecoboost focus now i despise them and wont buy another ford had coolant leak fixed and now recently the oil light came on while on holiday but its got full oil suspect the stupid timing belt in oil has blocked the oil pickup stupid design flaws with that engine and i cant afford expensive repairs for new belt etc 1k+ to fix it rather I just got a different car now sick of that car too many problems and only a 7 year old car
Oh God. Please buy a German car. I used to be a Ford man. I wouldn’t touch one now after discovering the Germans. Especially BMW. 😊
@@raftonpounder6696 had a e36 325i.....good fun but far from bombproof.a friend has a 335d that's one quality product and deceivingly fast however it's had its fair share of electrical gremlins.i also had a 730i...that was one pampered car yet the auto box called it a day on a fairly low mileage despite sympathetic servicing..maybe was just bad luck......wouldn't say no to a 1m or csl but alas my arse isn't lined with diamonds...
Fiesta out of the two, however I had an 84 Polo S Coupe and would still have that over both.
I had the Ford Fiesta 950 Pop Plus (plus being a rear wiper and some side strips) B455YJX I think you're long since scrapped.. but I soo wish I'd had a Nova, how cool are those box wheel arches???
Gotta love 'em!
Both cars are fitted with "Kinby" headlights as i noticed. What happened to Kinby? I can't find any informations, not even on Wikipedia.
I drove brand new nova's back in 90s but I'm a ford man at heart so the fiesta for me as I own 6 fords Currently but not a fiesta yet! Lol
Which is best isn’t the same as which one would you have! The nova was the better car, hands down. It had better engines, a better chassis and arguably better styling. But the fiesta was more accessible to people like myself because the Nova held its value. I wanted a Nova GTE. I eventually had a MK1 XR2!
Used to drive a 2 door Nova saloon. It really did need power steering
🤣 We had one as a very cheap 2nd car not long after we married. Dear God was it basic! Nicknamed the Red Shed. You ended up with arms like Popeye.
I would have a 1989 Fiesta XR2, preferably in Graphite, with Pepperpot alloys.
Or a 1.4 Ghia as a second choice, with a 5spd box.
The 1.1 was asthmatic, so I would steer clear of that completely.
Never a fan of the nova, liked the Fiesta due to the vast range of models. But..... The 205, the Uno, the R5. It was a great time for European superminins
The Nova is by far the more sexy and clever car in terms of exterior and interior design. Technically and for spoare parts, the Ford may be the better option - but then many parts of the german sister model Opel Corsa will fit the Nova.
Hard. Had three MK2 fiestas. My first car was one. I do love the nova though. Always disliked the Corsa B but the nova design is awesome.
Facelifted nova had much nicer interior. Hired one on holiday and it was a pleasant little car.
I had a 950cc one the same colour as that one your driving
Had a mk2 fiesta for many years it was ok but something best left in the 80s...
Always liked mk2 and mk3 fiestas
On Saturday 16th June 1984 I got myself a new wife! On Monday 25th June 1984 I collected a brand new Fiesta 1.1 Popular Plus in Sunburst Red; £3,850 on the road. I haven’t got the Fiesta anymore but I’ve still got the same wife; £3,850 was a bargain!! 😂
Go for the nova👍 though I prefer the fiesta.
Nova all day long!
Yes I would have the Nover
I’ll buck the trend…….I’d take the ‘Festa over the Nova - I always liked the mk2 facelift - especially the 1.4S.