Are Vauxhall Insignia's great value or just poor?

[jjr1]

I am looking for a cheap car to do all my motorway mileage leaving me a decent car for the weekend that won't suffer huge depreciation, through intergalactic mileage.

Looking through all the mid size saloons around the £5k price bracket I have noticed the Vauxhalls appear better value (newer) with less mileage than the Passats, Audi A4, BMW 3 series and even the Skoda Octavias

I need to get rid of my current mileage muncher a Skoda Octavia as it is a DSG and I am convinced I am going to be blown to smithereens when it gives up the ghost.

So what have I missed?

Are Insignia's unreliable pieces of ste or just cheap because they are unfashionable with the cognoscenti.

[AClownsPocket]

I've been wondering this too as Insignia VXR's are becoming cheap ways into a decent performance car.

[Jazoli]

After having had Vauxhall company vehicles in the house for the last 10 years I wouldn't, they are ok to drive and look good (for what they are) but as far as running and maintaining one myself, no thanks, I have been fortunate* to drive every one of the Vauxhall range, mainly because of the amount of courtesy cars we (myself and the wife) have had to use.

An Avensis would be a better choice, or an Accord, or even a Mondeo.

[Wacky Racer]

Now't wrong with Insignias, we have had two from new. No problems at all

Whether a Mondeo is a better car, I wouldn't know.....never driven one.

[damon80]

They are an underrated car in my opinion. I don't own one myself, but have covered quite a few miles in them over the last few years. The quality of the interiors is right up there with the likes of Audi.

The 1.8 petrol is gutless. They even do a 1.6 petrol, usually badged as Opel's. Defo one to avoid! I think these tend to find their way to our shores via Ireland.

The diesels have their problems, with DPF's, and quite a few instances of low oil warning on the dash a few moments before the engine proceeds to lunch itself. They also chew through DMF's. If your heart is set on a diesel, go for the 160 with an auto box.

There's also a 2.8V6 twin turbo petrol. These things shift. But, top-whack road tax bracket.

Pick of the bunch, and also the rarest, is the 2.0 turbo petrol. Worth taking the time to track one down. That is the one I'll be going for in the next few months.

[Northernchimp]

Low rent, poor ride on bigger wheels and poor visibility on the hatch but they are very good value for money. The post 2013ish face lifts are a massive improvement. All round great car for what they cost.

[damon80]

Wacky Racer said:

Whether a Mondeo is a better car, I wouldn't know.....never driven one.

I have, and was left underwhelmed sadly. Nice looking motors, but the interiors feel a bit on the cheap side compared to the Insignia...

[f1nn]

Hmm, I ran an insignia for over 100k a few years ago, and I'd say an early one with sensible miles for as cheap as possible would make a good used buy.

There is a lot to like about them.

[damon80]

Northernchimp said:

Low rent, poor ride on bigger wheels and poor visibility on the hatch but they are very good value for money. The post 2013ish face lifts are a massive improvement. All round great car for what they cost.

Low rent? How? :-/

[JimmyConwayNW]

They are a good seller for us a car dealer but I would never reccomend one to a friend or family member.

[f1nn]

damon80 said:

Low rent? How? :-/

He has a point, the quality of the plastics definately are more easily marked than say, a BMW IMO.

That is the main difference really, the Insignia that I ran looked decidedly secondhand after three years and 100k, the 3 series that replaced it looked almost new after the same time and mileage.

[jjr1]

Was considering the diesel models but they might need further research if the DPF problems above are common?

[Cerberaherts]

Paid £5k for CDTI sx model not long ago.It has 19" wheels but drives very well despite of them. It's very economical, comfortable and nice to drive. I've covered just over 8,000 miles in three months, no issues so far. It's a great work bus.

[Northernchimp]

f1nn said:

damon80 said:

Low rent? How? :-/

He has a point, the quality of the plastics definately are more easily marked than say, a BMW IMO.

That is the main difference really, the Insignia that I ran looked decidedly secondhand after three years and 100k, the 3 series that replaced it looked almost new after the same time and mileage.

Material quality is pretty poor. I've done maybe 5k across three of them as hire or courtesy cars and they felt a bit plasticky and poorly assembled.

[f1nn]

jjr1 said:

Was considering the diesel models but they might need further research if the DPF problems above are common?

You'll probabably reconsider right up until the point you drive the 1.8 petrol, then it'll be the CDTI all the way.

The 158bhp Derv isn't a bad motor.

[P1H]

I've only experienced one as a hire car for 3 days, but my observations over this period were:

- Steering - felt unresponsive and as if it required large amounts of lock
- Engine - fairly horrendous agricultural diesel
- Body Control - what body control?
- Interior - not great but workable
- Overall feel - very loose - I recognise it was a hire car, but it had only done 8,000 miles

In summary, a very poor vehicle, but I suppose the above isn't really relevant if it is only for motorway miles.

[Greg-]

If you want a cheap motorway car go Hyundai i40, looks better than an Insignia if you ask me and it's got a decent warranty so no worries. I've only driven both as hire cars but the Insignia was ste, i40 was quite nice.

Also, with the i40 you can moonlight as a minicab driver if you want some extra cash

[HTP99]

Don't know much about Insignia's, never driven one or even looked closely at one.

Mondeos of the age I guess you would be looking at are great drivers cars but that is where it stops; IMO, so so build and poor interiors, very overated car.

Laguna could be an alternative, great 2.0 dCi engine, very reliable car overall, no DPF issues, solidly put together, great interior and great value; very underated, however I'm sure there will be someone along soon with mis-informed information about how all French cars are crap and it won't make it off the drive.

Edited by HTP99 on Thursday 28th January 20:39

[Quhet]

I think if you took away the Vauxhall badge and replaced it with Volvo or Skoda, they'd be a lot more inviting.
There's something about Vauxhalls which really doesn't appeal. Maybe it's because there's fking millions of them about or that they're mostly driven by tts, but I wouldn't consider one even if they are a great car.

Probably says a lot about me tbh

[jjr1]

Greg- said:

If you want a cheap motorway car go Hyundai i40, looks better than an Insignia if you ask me and it's got a decent warranty so no worries. I've only driven both as hire cars but the Insignia was ste, i40 was quite nice.

I also drove an i40 recently as a hire car and was also impressed but no chance of getting one for 5k.

The problem is I could just keep adding to my budget of 5k but at some point I might as well just drive an expensive car and sod the depreciation.