£1000 Vectra SRI daily shed

[A500leroy]

757 said:

I thought I would after 9 months of ownership, lay down the expense this Vectra has cost me and work out my monthly costs over the 9 months I've had it.

Saw this done on another forum, and thought it makes for an interesting read, for those interested in running a shed - as I am trying to run this car with as little expense as possible.

Costs below include labour too, either my time, or my mates independent garage it goes to for the trickier stuff.

I am not including fuel or insurance, as some of the fuel is paid for by work, so it's negligible tbh and insurance is same on every car.

Purchase price = £999
Tax (6 months) = £145
Full service - cambelt/Engine Oil + all filters = £200
VVT inlet solenoid = £30
Exhaust Replaced = £80
New wipers = £6.88
New boot struts = £14.99
Tyre puncture repair = £25
Tax (6 months) = £145
Rear brake pads= £15
Tyre leaking valve repair = £20
Wheel nut replacement(s) = £6.99
Front Wheel bearing = £150
Wiper linkage replacement = £19

= £1856.86

So, over 9 months = £206 per month it comes too.

I will keep this list going, be good if I can get it down to below £100 per month

See what the New Year brings.

Edited by 757 on Sunday 18th December 08:19

12 mths tax is cheaper, claim back the unused if it borks.

[757]

A500leroy said:

12 mths tax is cheaper, claim back the unused if it borks.

Yeah, I knew this - will probably stick 12 on it next time round tbh

[aust240378]

Hi 757,

Here's what I spent so far, on my Vec discounting the £900 purchase price.

TBH I could have saved quite a bit if I did all the spannering myself, I do the basics like oil/filter and the second time the fuel pump came off I removed and re-fitted.



Cheers!

[757]

aust240378 said:

Hi 757,

Here's what I spent so far, on my Vec discounting the £900 purchase price.

TBH I could have saved quite a bit if I did all the spannering myself, I do the basics like oil/filter and the second time the fuel pump came off I removed and re-fitted.



Cheers!

Good to see, and still good value for money cheap motoring, thanks for sharing.

I'm getting quite good at ignoring noises, definitely a few more knocks and bangs coming from the suspension on this Vec as I put more miles on it - nothing I am worried about at all, most likely some worn ARB bushes.

Yeah, I do the odd DIY if and when I can, but the days of me doing an oil change for example are over.

I now send it to my mates garage, faffing about with axle stands underneath a car and then disposing of the old oil is a pain in the arse sometimes, so for the sake of £20 more or so, I can have a coffee, wait and have a chat Only once a year, still cheap motoring and I am still winning.

[ktm200hove]

Here is my old Vectra, 2.2 petrol auto, velor upholstery.
Bought for £1900 in 2014 @ 40k.
Now @ 121k and still going strong.
Few issues along the way... Fixed gearbox after contamination by radiator water. New steering rack. Otherwise usual wear and tear....

[nismo48]

757 said:

aust240378 said:

Hi 757,

Here's what I spent so far, on my Vec discounting the £900 purchase price.

TBH I could have saved quite a bit if I did all the spannering myself, I do the basics like oil/filter and the second time the fuel pump came off I removed and re-fitted.



Cheers!

Good to see, and still good value for money cheap motoring, thanks for sharing.

I'm getting quite good at ignoring noises, definitely a few more knocks and bangs coming from the suspension on this Vec as I put more miles on it - nothing I am worried about at all, most likely some worn ARB bushes.

Yeah, I do the odd DIY if and when I can, but the days of me doing an oil change for example are over.

I now send it to my mates garage, faffing about with axle stands underneath a car and then disposing of the old oil is a pain in the arse sometimes, so for the sake of £20 more or so, I can have a coffee, wait and have a chat Only once a year, still cheap motoring and I am still winning.

Excellent

[akadk]

757 said:

So, little update.



The car has never had a timing belt!! As far as my mechanic says, it's the original belt, wow! 127,000+ miles on the original belt and tensioners.

The fuel filter was changed, again original item and was so badly rusted on it took alot longer ramp time to get it off!

Also, the oil filter was completely collapsed, and was physically stuck, again taking a bit of time to free and replace.

So, I think I have caught this car just in time, by the sounds of it.

He confirmed the cams are rattly a little, but suspected the oil filter didn't help matters, so see how it goes after it's clean bill, if it chucks an EML in the future I may look into cam phaser/solenoid replacements.

I supplied the wrong timing belt kit, so this had to be ordered AGAIN delaying the return of the car, only myself to blame for this unfortunately.

Hoping to remedy the "council blowy exhaust" tomorrow, guessing it's the flex

I know quoting a really old post, but reminded me of why a 1 lady owner car is a really bad thing !

[757]

akadk said:

I know quoting a really old post, but reminded me of why a 1 lady owner car is a really bad thing !

Ha yes, it can be.

Definitely caught this one in time I guess, but shows their robustness and "cockroach" nature, to shrug of possible neglect these cars can take and in particular this engine.

[757]

ktm200hove said:

Here is my old Vectra, 2.2 petrol auto, velor upholstery.
Bought for £1900 in 2014 @ 40k.
Now @ 121k and still going strong.
Few issues along the way... Fixed gearbox after contamination by radiator water. New steering rack. Otherwise usual wear and tear....

Interesting colour, looks like it's served you just as well and continues too.

Still can't get over how cheap these cars are to buy and run, seems people can't get over the fact it's a Vectra

But it's turning out to be one of the best "just get on with it" cars I've had, madness I know, to the masses.

I'm really quite happy with mine for now, see what this year brings, and probably another 10k miles to stick on it most likely.

[7 5 7]

Wanted an estate really...but, this hatchback swallows alot, New Year clear out, and already done lots of IKEA runs already for the little ones furniture in her room - off to the tip...in the skip!

Edited by 7 5 7 on Tuesday 10th January 12:59

[nismo48]

Owned 3 Vectra's...An SRI 140 Saloon A 2.6Gsi Saloon and a later Vectra 3.2 Gsi Hatch..All great cars and no problems with them..All were dailys too..

[7 5 7]

As you may have seen mentioned in the "joy of shedding thread" new rear tyres going on the old girl this week.

Also, got the common water leaking through the aerial gasket issue apparently Vectra C's love to do, gasket fell apart in my hand, so new one been ordered - with some sealant should hopefully solve this and the damp/mouldy smell that's accumulating.

Total shed spend this month is - £111 so far.

Edited by 7 5 7 on Monday 16th January 18:47

[7 5 7]

So another 800 miles on the old donkey since last post.

Still not washed it since I got it last April! Seems to be doing well, hides all the dents anyway.



Fixed the "leaking in the boot aerial gasket"....bit of Gorilla glue (other brands of super glue are available), sorted!

[1979Andrew]

7 5 7 said:

So another 800 miles on the old donkey since last post.

Still not washed it since I got it last April! Seems to be doing well, hides all the dents anyway.



Fixed the "leaking in the boot aerial gasket"....bit of Gorilla glue (other brands of super glue are available), sorted!

FFS, just take it through a car wash pal

[V 02]

1979Andrew said:

7 5 7 said:

So another 800 miles on the old donkey since last post.

Still not washed it since I got it last April! Seems to be doing well, hides all the dents anyway.



Fixed the "leaking in the boot aerial gasket"....bit of Gorilla glue (other brands of super glue are available), sorted!

FFS, just take it through a car wash pal

Odd post. His choice


FWIW i think it looks better like that. Proper shed stuff!

[7 5 7]

Never really been one to wash my cars only the interior is spotless - I like my cars looking like used utilitarian tools, my other car (BMW 318d) I run, is exactly the same!

I may give it a wash in September if it passes it's MOT

But, until then, I couldn't give a toss! Very liberating to not worry about it, personally.

[A500leroy]

id hate brushing my clothes against it when its that dirty for the sake of a fiver down the chinese car wash.

[whytheory]

whytheory said:

Still can't believe you picked this up for a grand, bit jealous tbh!

The jealousy got too much so I've joined the club

[7 5 7]

whytheory said:

whytheory said:

Still can't believe you picked this up for a grand, bit jealous tbh!

The jealousy got too much so I've joined the club

Oh no! The secrets out...they make great sheds

Looks good, I suspect it was below £2k too

Business as usual for mine, ticked over 135,000 miles last weekend...

Edited by 7 5 7 on Thursday 16th February 09:09

[deebs]

Great thread I hope you keep it going, love that it started with the mini and has moved on.