Vectra or Mondeo?

[matchmaker]

I've (with regret) decided that the economics of running my Octavia no longer stack up, especially as my 17 year old son wants to learn to drive and the insurance costs would be crazy.

My employers are shortly replacing part of their fleet of company cars and I should be able to get a 4 or 5 year old turbo-diesel at a good price from them.

The choices will be Astra, Vectra or Mondeo.

Pros and cons of each?

[Chris71]

The Mondeo is a vastly better handling car IMHO and better built. Can't comment on the long term ownership experience, but I've driven factory fresh examples of the last two generations back-to-back and I'd go for the Mondeo every time.

[The real Apache]

If you are to contemplate a Vauxhall make sure it's an SRi, there really is a world of difference

[Fartgalen]

The real Apache said:

If you are to contemplate a Vauxhall make sure it's an SRi, there really is a world of difference

Did you read the bit about his 17yr old son wanting to learn to drive ?

[HellDiver]

I replaced a 2008 Vectra 1.8VVT SRI with 24k on the clock with a 2005 Mondeo 1.8 LX with 55k on the clock. The Mondeo is a far, far better car, even ignoring the Vectra's 2 engine fatalities in the first 20k.

The LX Mondeo is more comfortable, handles better, brakes better, goes as well, and uses less fuel than the Vectra.

[anonymous-user]

Not sure i would touch the Mondeo diesel TBH, too many problems with injectors and DMF. Having said that i am sure there are plenty out there with no issues, i just know the ST varient had too many isues for me to consider as a second car.

[The real Apache]

Fartgalen said:

The real Apache said:

If you are to contemplate a Vauxhall make sure it's an SRi, there really is a world of difference

Did you read the bit about his 17yr old son wanting to learn to drive ?

Yes........the oil burner is an excellent engine (when it works) and the handling is very good. What's the problem? my wife learned to drive in a Saab 900T

[arcticgoldfish]

When I bought my Mondeo (05 plate, 2nd hand), I also test drove a Vectra. I was really dissapointed with the Vectra - inside was much more plasticy and it just didn't handle or feel as comfortable as the Mondeo. 2 years and 50k miles later, I am really happy with the Mondeo (2.0TDCI 130PS), though when the clutch went it was almost £800 for new clutch, DMF and slave cylinder. Ouch!!!

[scottishninja2]

The real Apache said:

Fartgalen said:

The real Apache said:

If you are to contemplate a Vauxhall make sure it's an SRi, there really is a world of difference

Did you read the bit about his 17yr old son wanting to learn to drive ?

Yes........the oil burner is an excellent engine (when it works) and the handling is very good. What's the problem? my wife learned to drive in a Saab 900T

Insurance clearly.

Stephen.

[300bhp/ton]

matchmaker said:

I've (with regret) decided that the economics of running my Octavia no longer stack up, especially as my 17 year old son wants to learn to drive and the insurance costs would be crazy.

My employers are shortly replacing part of their fleet of company cars and I should be able to get a 4 or 5 year old turbo-diesel at a good price from them.

The choices will be Astra, Vectra or Mondeo.

Pros and cons of each?

Well two of them are Vauxhalls......

[HellDiver]

Dave_ST220 said:

Not sure i would touch the Mondeo diesel TBH, too many problems with injectors and DMF. Having said that i am sure there are plenty out there with no issues, i just know the ST varient had too many isues for me to consider as a second car.

The 150hp 1.9CDTI is a disaster too - inlet manifolds, injectors, DMF, DPF, wiring looms, EGR issues. The 120hp 8v version is much better (silver CDTI on the bootlid in the SRI).

The ST is the 2.2TDCI which doesn't seem as good as the 2.0TDCI in the Mondeo. The 2.2 has had issues since it was introduced.

[mattman]

matchmaker said:

The choices will be Astra, Vectra or Mondeo.

Pros and cons of each?

None of them? Why be limited to those when you could get something you like instead - TDI Leon or Octavia for instance - shop around and you're bound to find a good deal

[t84]

I was looking at 'normal' cars recently, and Mondeo's come with a LOT of kit as standard.

[The real Apache]

scottishninja2 said:

The real Apache said:

Fartgalen said:

The real Apache said:

If you are to contemplate a Vauxhall make sure it's an SRi, there really is a world of difference

Did you read the bit about his 17yr old son wanting to learn to drive ?

Yes........the oil burner is an excellent engine (when it works) and the handling is very good. What's the problem? my wife learned to drive in a Saab 900T

Insurance clearly.

Stephen.

would that be an issue for an oil burner?

[HellDiver]

1.8 Vectra SRI cost the same to insure as a 1.8 Mondeo LX.

SRI is now just an LS with a few silvery bits, different suspension bushes and different seats.

[The real Apache]

t84 said:

I was looking at 'normal' cars recently, and Mondeo's come with a LOT of kit as standard.

he's looking at 4/5 year old versions

[HellDiver]

The real Apache said:

t84 said:

I was looking at 'normal' cars recently, and Mondeo's come with a LOT of kit as standard.

he's looking at 4/5 year old versions

My '05 LX has Cruise, heated windscreen, heated mirrors, fuel computer, decent stereo with AUX input - more equipment than the '08 SRI.

[markcjd]

scottishninja2 said:

Insurance clearly.

Not So,
Vectra 2.2 DTi LS Insurance Group 17/8
Vectra 2.2 Dti Elegance "" "" 17/8
Vectra 2.2 Dti SRi "" "" 17/8

The newer 1.9 CDti unit shows a similar story, 1 group difference from LS to SRi.

As intoned earlier the SRi is the one to have. Depending on the age/budget the 2.0 DTi is a great engine, Mrs CJD has one with 71K and no problems.

[The real Apache]

HellDiver said:

The real Apache said:

t84 said:

I was looking at 'normal' cars recently, and Mondeo's come with a LOT of kit as standard.

he's looking at 4/5 year old versions

My '05 LX has Cruise, heated windscreen, heated mirrors, fuel computer, decent stereo with AUX input - more equipment than the '08 SRI.

Strange, my 06 SRi had all of that and satnav but not the heated windscreen......I'm not a fanboy of the Vectra btw, in fact I was a staunch Ford man till I had the SRi for 3 years, I found the seats too hard in the Mondie and liked the engine and handling of the Vectra

[Matt_N]

Ive always found Vauxhall seats, in particular the Vectra, uncomfortable, Id' also agree about the inside being a bit platicky.

In contrast, I've always found Mondeo seats to be comfy and easy to get a good driving position.

Mondeo everytime for me.