Vectra B 2.5 V6 .. daily driver

[SystemParanoia]

So after the untimely death of my beloved metro, I have used the insurance payout to get myself a gleaming* Vectra B SRI! ( *after a cheeky polish and wax )







After changing the spark plugs and the oil + filter.. the first job was to fit a shrouded cone filter from Halfords

the noise is and everything i could have hoped for.. but at the same time its quiet and very OEM sounding when im driving around normally great

Edited by SystemParanoia on Tuesday 13th August 20:34

[MJK 24]

Is it a decent drive? I imagine it'll roll along at 90 quite happily all day long.

[SystemParanoia]

its effortless at 90 .. really quiet and refined and only revs to about 3k rpm

it surprised me at being able to pull 43mpg @ 60 too

I did find that the steering was exceptionally heavy compared to my metro but ive gotten used to that now, and it seems to grip really really well in the twisty bits.

you can feel the weight of it though. yes its in every way faster than the metro, but it doesn't have the immediate urgency of the lightweight cars on and off the throttle and on initial turn-in. but once its settled into the corner boy oh boy does it grip

one thing it is very good at is lift off overseer and trailing brake applications. its really eager to step out of line and as its sooo long you have all the time in the world to respond to the rotation

Edited by SystemParanoia on Wednesday 14th August 07:53

[Rumple]

I have a soft spot for these, I actually like the look of them they do sound very nice as well, I will follow this with interest.

[AmitG]

I do love these. Really elegant design. The styling of the door mirrors is a nice touch IMHO. Shame that Vauxhall did not carry it onto any other models.

Is it manual or auto? Leather and wood inside? In fact, any chance of some interior pics?

[SystemParanoia]

Ill take some pic's when its light again..

but unfortunately I dont have leather or wood
but the seats are reaaaaaaly comfy and supportive with the deep bolsters

and for the first time.. i have airbags.. hurrah!! lol

and yes, its a Manual.. i just cant get excited about auto's.. the last time i drove one i nearly went through the windscreen when i tried to change gear.. lol oops

[Tc24]

These always appear to be a cheapish way of getting into something with a V6 that's reliable. Good choice, and looks to be well cared for.

[4star]

They get more stick than they deserve, but that's because of Clarkson I'd say, nice car op

[4star]

They get more stick than they deserve, but that's because of Clarkson I'd say, nice car op

[DanielSan]

Don't feel too bad about lacking the leather/wood combo. The leather just makes the seats slippery rather than comfortable and the wood is bloody hideous IMO.

[AmitG]

SystemParanoia said:

and yes, its a Manual..

Interesting, I didn't realise you could get the V6s with a manual gearbox.

[0llie]

Always had a slight soft-spot for these, my parents purchased a '96 Vectra at a year old and ran it until 2002, so spent many an hour in them. Under-rated cars IMO (know a handful of people that still own them), enjoy

[SystemParanoia]

Some interior pics





The kids have complained that the head rests make it hard for them to see out of the rear window when im reversing lol

Edited by SystemParanoia on Thursday 15th August 23:03

[KieronGSi]

Do you play the brake check light game? Furtherst I got was 70 miles with it on.

[KieronGSi]

AmitG said:

I do love these. Really elegant design. The styling of the door mirrors is a nice touch IMHO. Shame that Vauxhall did not carry it onto any other models.

Is it manual or auto? Leather and wood inside? In fact, any chance of some interior pics?

Full leather was a very rare option on these and they only put half leather very near the end of the cars life, SRis also never had a wood interior.

[Scottman]

Good looking car!

I had a 2000 'W' Plate Vectra GSI Estate from new as a company car. It was great fun to drive and pretty quick after giving up a Vectra 1.8 LS estate!!

Although I was glad it was a company car as had numerous issues with it, the main dealer that serviced it always maintained that the more robust SRI was the one to go for.....

Hope you enjoy it!

[therealpigdog]

Am currently looking for a shed, and having read this just seen an ad for an estate with half leather, 114k up near me for £790. Seems like a lot of car for the cash - may have to take a closer look!

[KieronGSi]

therealpigdog said:

Am currently looking for a shed, and having read this just seen an ad for an estate with half leather, 114k up near me for £790. Seems like a lot of car for the cash - may have to take a closer look!

Doesn't look too bad that one. It's also the 2.6 with same horsepower just a little more torque.

[SystemParanoia]

KieronGSi said:

Do you play the brake check light game? Furtherst I got was 70 miles with it on.

i may have to play that one soon

Scottman said:

Good looking car!

I had a 2000 'W' Plate Vectra GSI Estate from new as a company car. It was great fun to drive and pretty quick after giving up a Vectra 1.8 LS estate!!

Although I was glad it was a company car as had numerous issues with it, the main dealer that serviced it always maintained that the more robust SRI was the one to go for.....

Hope you enjoy it!

there are definately some bushes gone on this one.. so ill have to be on the look out for a polybush kit and change all of em

other than that.. i hope the dealer sorted all the problems this one had many many years ago lol

[skyrover]

Decent little cars.

Better screwed together than most give them credit for.