God, I hate this pile of shite

[midden]

new rear wheel bearing (quoted by a garage as over £100 - and it's a press fit into the hub, so I can't do it).
Mark2 cavalier is has a single press fit front bearing I replace both at different times: The first I removed the hub and took it to a backstreet garage who used the the proper press (I think it was hydraulic) to push out the outer case and to pull off the inner from part.  New bearing fitted for £10


The second one I took to vauxhall garage who used a hammer and metal block (cylindrical) to remove outer case and fit new bearing and a air chisel to smash the inner part away.  cost a tenner again.
So you can do most of the work yourself  






and replacing the CV joint. All this to be done on the street parking outside my landlord's house when I need daily transport to commute to work. Yeah right.
Easily done from the kerb

The head gasket alone will need the engine bay stripping (if not an engine out job) to get at, because there's so little space in there.
Compared to a Renault 5 with  inline engine that has gear box at the front, it'll be a doddle


Then I have to get a head that's been joined to a block off 14 years off. Good luck with that!
The gasket failure has started that job for you

I'm pretty sure the list of jobs can be prioritised over the coming months  but it does sound like buying another banger with mot and tax could be a good option. You just miss out on the experience