Yep, had a Cavalier 2.0 SRi stolen visiting relatives in Manchester, mid 1990s. Twice.
The first time they had it away during the night, I got a call from GMP early the next morning to say my car had been used in a burglary and had been recovered. When I got it back it was a wreck, several panels done for, one wheel hanging off, suspension wrecked, engine trashed.
My Mum's husband was a great mechanic and he took it into his garage and did the work himself, replaced all the damaged parts over about a week, and had it looking and driving as good as new.
Then at the same address just weeks later I parked it up and this time kept my eye on it, lo and behold, within minutes, 3 scrotes were busy breaking into it. I chased outside armed with a golf club but they were already pulling away towards the end of the cul-de-sac. They got it jammed between two concrete bollards and legged it, leaving me with a stranded / stuck Cavalier that had two damaged panels and wheels, broken steering column, door locks etc.
I lost heart after that and resolved not to have higher performance cars ever again. Or to ever visit Manchester with a half decent car. I hate thieves.