Vauxhall Vectra help

[TSR2]

Hi Guys,

Does anyone drive a Vauxhall Vectra 02 - 55 plate. If so, what do you think of it. I'm looking a buying a petrol 2.2, 2.0T or maybe 1.8. I'd appreciate the opinions of anyone whos owned or owns one.

Many thanks

[VEGAS]

Hi Ben,

An interesting choice. Quite a varied range of petrol engines there.

Cars have been a bit of a hobby of mine over the years and I always do a little trawling on the net before making any final decisions.

If your in a position, I would test drive as many of the cars as you can. Get a feel for them and understand the different performance capabilities of each engine. Interiors are going to be similar so I would'nt worry too much on that aspect.

A car of that age should have depreciated nicely so you will benefit from someone elses loss.

Checks Parkers for current valutions. Make sure the seller (private or dealer) are pricing their car sensibly.

I always find Honest John a good source of impartial advice on all used cars.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=526

My personal choice would be an SRi 2.0T or similar.

If money was no object then the 2.8 VXR boasts fantastic value as no-one wants them. Well over £20k new and can be bought at a snippet now. Obviously to do with the 2.8 V6 turbo fuel consumption no doubt.

Finally, I know of two friends that have 06 and 55 plate vectras and they have been good sound cars. Both 1800's. No issues at all.

[TSR2]

Cheers mate, thats a good site, and backs up the general concensus. 2.2 is my favoured option at the moment although the SAAB derived turbo is also an option. Don't have a huge amount of cash to spend and need something thats easy to service, hence the Vectra (and its very very good value in this sort of age / price bracket) The V6's fall into the kill tax bracket, so its not just the MPG that puts folk off. The 2.2 and 1.8 are both J tax group, with the 2.0T in the K bracket.

[DaveB]

Don't know the detail Ben but have always liked the later Vectra's. Seen enough of em come past me on the motorway

ATB

DaveB

[TSR2]

Well Rovina has served me well, but I can't justify getting a replacement Diff. Given my limited budget and that I want to be able to do some of the servicing myself the options are pretty limited. Everything astra sized and smaller thats under 10 years old is stupidly over valued at the moment. I always swore I'd never by a Ford (unless its a Seira Cosworth RS500, Mk2 RS2000 or a Lotus Cortina ) Don't want anything Diesel or French. so came to the Vectra / Signum conclussion. I've had Vauxhalls in the past, and so had my Dad and found them generally good.

Other options were / are the SAAB 9-3 or Volvo S40 but servicing is a bit more expensive and at the money I'm looking at the mileage is typical 30k more than the same Vauxhall or they are 2 years older. The only downside on the Vectra / Signum is I always fancied leather trim and it seems rarer than rocking horse poo on the 2.2 at sensible money. I must admit I hate the fact that you can't get a sunroof these days for love nor money, Always prefered it to aircon which is just something else I never use and something else to go wrong. Ah well.

[Techy111]

Ben...i have a lovely Vectra N reg sitting outside...needs a steering gromit or something....

way better than those new fandangled jobs....lovely engine body and gearbox....you know you want it.....

Tony

[TSR2]

What i realy want is another Rover 620 Ti with no mileage and imaculate condition... I hate modern cars, anything that turns the lights / wipers etc on for you should be banned, if you don't know when to opperate these controls yourself you shouldn't have a license... its just my pet rant

[VEGAS]

Ben...i have a lovely Vectra N reg sitting outside...needs a steering gromit or something....

way better than those new fandangled jobs....lovely engine body and gearbox....you know you want it.....

Tony

[Techy111]

You met me Eddie...?

Also got a R reg mondeo estate...?

This is more like me.....



Tony

[DaveB]

Both the SAAB 93 and 94 are blinding motors.. especially the 94 Aero and were I several brackets above where I am now, I'd consider buying one. Likewise (and I hate to admit this).. the later Volvo's are also attractive motors. Unfortunately, parts for both types are prohibitive (although there is a good UK network for cheaper spares) but oddly.. spares for Vauxhall's have remained competitive. As you've found, prices of Astra's and below remain too buoyant (I looked at getting rid of the 406 a few years ago and all but the crappy models were far too expensive) but the larger marks are neither here nor there. You can, at the right place, pick up a decent SAAB for the same price as you'll pay for a Ford KA because they're too expensive to run That wouldn't make me buy a KA though

A word of caution on any reasonably new car though.. they are not as user friendly to service as the old Rovers. More electrics generally means more problems long term and most modern cars need putting onto a pc to fault find Good luck with your search though. Vectra's are built to take a lot of punishment hence their popularity with the 'fleets'. Drop on a good one and I'm sure you'll be happy with it

ATB

DaveB