Vectra - Brand snobbery or truly awful?
Discussion
I owned an 08 plate Vectra estate from the beginning of 2009 till last week. As a self employed drummer the 1850 ltr load space was brilliant. I bought the car with 11k miles and sold it at 170k. This was the most reliable and tough car that I have ever owned. In all that time the only fault was a leaking AC condenser. I had routing services carried out on the button. I only had new discs and pads changed once. The clutch was the original and nothing was touched on the suspension. One of the wheel bearings was well and truely humming when I sold the car last week. It has to be said it was a very dull car to drive but because of this I never ragged it and that's probably why the wear rate of all the mechanicals was so low:-)
The 2.8 turbo (basically a VXR with a tiptonic box) that I had was and also felt bloody quick.
As it was an Elite and looked bog standard like a 1.8, it made a good sleeper.
Slammed you back in your seat quite nicely on take off!
I actually quite miss that car; it was built as well as any premium German brand too.
As it was an Elite and looked bog standard like a 1.8, it made a good sleeper.
Slammed you back in your seat quite nicely on take off!
I actually quite miss that car; it was built as well as any premium German brand too.
I own a Vectra,08 reg 1.8 SRi hatch..... and 6.0l V8 Monaro.
You would probably expect me to hate the Vectra, but I don't, its a good car I don't care what anyone says, if i want to drive flat out for an adrenaline rush obviously i take the Monaro and it is always my first choice when i grab the car keys, but the Vectra is safe, its dependable and its never let me down and its always done what ive asked of it.
The Vectra is a workhorse, you don't buy it because its exciting, you buy it to do a job... that's to get you and your kit from A-B in comfort. You wouldn't expect a Shirehorse to excel in the world of a racehorse, so im not sure why people expect the Vectra to act and handle like a sports car.
People need to realise the Vectra is a family car.... and forfills that role very well.
I will be selling my Vectra soon as i can't justify having two cars, but i will be very sorry to see it go.
You would probably expect me to hate the Vectra, but I don't, its a good car I don't care what anyone says, if i want to drive flat out for an adrenaline rush obviously i take the Monaro and it is always my first choice when i grab the car keys, but the Vectra is safe, its dependable and its never let me down and its always done what ive asked of it.
The Vectra is a workhorse, you don't buy it because its exciting, you buy it to do a job... that's to get you and your kit from A-B in comfort. You wouldn't expect a Shirehorse to excel in the world of a racehorse, so im not sure why people expect the Vectra to act and handle like a sports car.
People need to realise the Vectra is a family car.... and forfills that role very well.
I will be selling my Vectra soon as i can't justify having two cars, but i will be very sorry to see it go.
I had a 1.9cdti AP07 YCG Sri from new. 58000 miles of pure trouble from the word go.
About a week in and huge water pump failure. Get it back and fuel leak from a return pipe at the tank.
Rear discs eat themselves as hand brake was semi stuck. I didn't know and cooked them.
Electrical issues galore, ac crap, water leaked into the boot and couldn't be fixed.
It was s
te. Glad to see it go.
About a week in and huge water pump failure. Get it back and fuel leak from a return pipe at the tank.
Rear discs eat themselves as hand brake was semi stuck. I didn't know and cooked them.
Electrical issues galore, ac crap, water leaked into the boot and couldn't be fixed.
It was s
te. Glad to see it go.Edited by BFG TERRANO on Thursday 6th November 20:10
Me and my partner have owned 7 different Vauxhall Vectras B over the years with the engines 1.8 115bhp, 1.8 125bhp, 2.2 145bhp in manual and automatic versions from reg R until 02 and in Arctic, Club, CD and CDX versions. Now I am on my 8th sample of it, this time a Vectra C on a 55 reg in Design trim with the 1.8 VVT 140bhp engine. We never on any of them had any issues other than wear and tear items and on one of then a timing belt failure after a poor servicing by the previous owner. This cars are cheap as chips and very reliable. It is a German product despite the "Vauxhall" name. It is an Opel after all.
The trims are well equipped on both the B and C models. SRI is not that poor equiped either and if you get up the ladder to Elegance on the earlier C models or Design on the face lifted C models you get a lot of gadgets for the nearly free used models. Elite is even better equiped than a 3 series BMW. A VW Golf SE has got nearly nothing compared to this Vauxhals and on a 1999 one of then you used have to pay as an option even for steering wheel controls or cruise control which 99% of the Vectras B did come with and all of the C models got it.
We never had any problems with the driving either. Even the earlier 1.8 115bbh engine did pull like a train and reached speeds of over 125mph (210 km/h). It's not a sports car, so don't expect miracles.
The trims are well equipped on both the B and C models. SRI is not that poor equiped either and if you get up the ladder to Elegance on the earlier C models or Design on the face lifted C models you get a lot of gadgets for the nearly free used models. Elite is even better equiped than a 3 series BMW. A VW Golf SE has got nearly nothing compared to this Vauxhals and on a 1999 one of then you used have to pay as an option even for steering wheel controls or cruise control which 99% of the Vectras B did come with and all of the C models got it.
We never had any problems with the driving either. Even the earlier 1.8 115bbh engine did pull like a train and reached speeds of over 125mph (210 km/h). It's not a sports car, so don't expect miracles.
GEARJAMMER said:
I own a Vectra,08 reg 1.8 SRi hatch..... and 6.0l V8 Monaro.
You would probably expect me to hate the Vectra, but I don't, its a good car I don't care what anyone says, if i want to drive flat out for an adrenaline rush obviously i take the Monaro and it is always my first choice when i grab the car keys, but the Vectra is safe, its dependable and its never let me down and its always done what ive asked of it.
The Vectra is a workhorse, you don't buy it because its exciting, you buy it to do a job... that's to get you and your kit from A-B in comfort. You wouldn't expect a Shirehorse to excel in the world of a racehorse, so im not sure why people expect the Vectra to act and handle like a sports car.
People need to realise the Vectra is a family car.... and forfills that role very well.
I will be selling my Vectra soon as i can't justify having two cars, but i will be very sorry to see it go.
Well said..You would probably expect me to hate the Vectra, but I don't, its a good car I don't care what anyone says, if i want to drive flat out for an adrenaline rush obviously i take the Monaro and it is always my first choice when i grab the car keys, but the Vectra is safe, its dependable and its never let me down and its always done what ive asked of it.
The Vectra is a workhorse, you don't buy it because its exciting, you buy it to do a job... that's to get you and your kit from A-B in comfort. You wouldn't expect a Shirehorse to excel in the world of a racehorse, so im not sure why people expect the Vectra to act and handle like a sports car.
People need to realise the Vectra is a family car.... and forfills that role very well.
I will be selling my Vectra soon as i can't justify having two cars, but i will be very sorry to see it go.
GSX said:
GEARJAMMER said:
I own a Vectra,08 reg 1.8 SRi hatch..... and 6.0l V8 Monaro.
You would probably expect me to hate the Vectra, but I don't, its a good car I don't care what anyone says, if i want to drive flat out for an adrenaline rush obviously i take the Monaro and it is always my first choice when i grab the car keys, but the Vectra is safe, its dependable and its never let me down and its always done what ive asked of it.
The Vectra is a workhorse, you don't buy it because its exciting, you buy it to do a job... that's to get you and your kit from A-B in comfort. You wouldn't expect a Shirehorse to excel in the world of a racehorse, so im not sure why people expect the Vectra to act and handle like a sports car.
People need to realise the Vectra is a family car.... and forfills that role very well.
I will be selling my Vectra soon as i can't justify having two cars, but i will be very sorry to see it go.
Well said..You would probably expect me to hate the Vectra, but I don't, its a good car I don't care what anyone says, if i want to drive flat out for an adrenaline rush obviously i take the Monaro and it is always my first choice when i grab the car keys, but the Vectra is safe, its dependable and its never let me down and its always done what ive asked of it.
The Vectra is a workhorse, you don't buy it because its exciting, you buy it to do a job... that's to get you and your kit from A-B in comfort. You wouldn't expect a Shirehorse to excel in the world of a racehorse, so im not sure why people expect the Vectra to act and handle like a sports car.
People need to realise the Vectra is a family car.... and forfills that role very well.
I will be selling my Vectra soon as i can't justify having two cars, but i will be very sorry to see it go.
2008 1.8 VVT Vectra, bought for £1000 (126,000 miles) some may have seen my readers ride...
1 Big (Yes, actually massive!)
2 Great family car (Yes, actually 2nd family car to the E91)
3 Not a diesel (Yes)
4 Safe (Yes)
5 Anonymous (Yes, why do I want people to notice me?)
6 Economical (Yes, great for a big petrol)
7 Well built (Yes, no rattles on this one)
8 ULEZ Free (Yes, handy when I work in and out of cities occasionally)
Completely bland some people think, but it's such a great A-B tool, and very underated, and I own and have owned many BMW's as a direct comparison if people think these are the pinnacle manufacturer (some do I know), it's a bloody good car and ticks many many boxes.
Good no-one likes them, as they remain stupidly cheap and horrendously under the radar, make great sheds or bangernomics.
1 Big (Yes, actually massive!)
2 Great family car (Yes, actually 2nd family car to the E91)
3 Not a diesel (Yes)
4 Safe (Yes)
5 Anonymous (Yes, why do I want people to notice me?)
6 Economical (Yes, great for a big petrol)
7 Well built (Yes, no rattles on this one)
8 ULEZ Free (Yes, handy when I work in and out of cities occasionally)
Completely bland some people think, but it's such a great A-B tool, and very underated, and I own and have owned many BMW's as a direct comparison if people think these are the pinnacle manufacturer (some do I know), it's a bloody good car and ticks many many boxes.
Good no-one likes them, as they remain stupidly cheap and horrendously under the radar, make great sheds or bangernomics.
Does anyone still run a Vectra as a daily? Don't tend to see alot about really, but they are about.
I've been running mine for a good 3 months now, with around 4,000 miles added, and it is such a "Ronseal" car.
Been pummeling the motorway networks over that mileage and it's not missed a beat in all honesty, not bad for the £1000 I paid - it is mainly a stop gap vehicle for maybe a year or so, but can't fault it really, run a 318d E91 (wife uses this now for child duties, while the Vec is my work a - b car) and it's much more practical than even that!
I've been running mine for a good 3 months now, with around 4,000 miles added, and it is such a "Ronseal" car.
Been pummeling the motorway networks over that mileage and it's not missed a beat in all honesty, not bad for the £1000 I paid - it is mainly a stop gap vehicle for maybe a year or so, but can't fault it really, run a 318d E91 (wife uses this now for child duties, while the Vec is my work a - b car) and it's much more practical than even that!
Edited by 757 on Sunday 3rd July 08:37
I had a facelift Vectra B 2.5 SRi Estate with towbar (strangely with a Mk1 GSI front bumper)
I suppose your opinion varies on your expectations.
Now in my case, I wanted something that was fast, munched motorway / A roads effortlessly and could hold a lot of stuff, and tow a trailer.
I wasn't disappointed, toys seemed about right for the era, can't remember if it had manual winders in the rear or not, but didn't bother me as I only ever sat in the driving seat anyway. Plus other cars I'd had in the past with all round electric, tended to have issues in the rear due to not being used ever.
Sure economy around town was a bit... st, but it ate up motorway miles effortlessly in comfort. Which was what I wanted, plus I could get mid 40's on a run. It also felt very solid and planted, very reassuring at ahem ... higher speeds.
For me, it worked, overall the experience was positive, far as I remember in the 6 yrs or so I had it, it just needed a new exhaust and new tyres, I don't recall any problems with reliability or breakdowns.
I suppose your opinion varies on your expectations.
Now in my case, I wanted something that was fast, munched motorway / A roads effortlessly and could hold a lot of stuff, and tow a trailer.
I wasn't disappointed, toys seemed about right for the era, can't remember if it had manual winders in the rear or not, but didn't bother me as I only ever sat in the driving seat anyway. Plus other cars I'd had in the past with all round electric, tended to have issues in the rear due to not being used ever.
Sure economy around town was a bit... s
t, but it ate up motorway miles effortlessly in comfort. Which was what I wanted, plus I could get mid 40's on a run. It also felt very solid and planted, very reassuring at ahem ... higher speeds.For me, it worked, overall the experience was positive, far as I remember in the 6 yrs or so I had it, it just needed a new exhaust and new tyres, I don't recall any problems with reliability or breakdowns.
Edited by techguyone on Sunday 3rd July 15:40
I had a Vectra A hatch (1.6 petrol GL?) as a company car. Without going into all the details if ever a car qualified as a Friday afternoon job that was. It was the only vehicle I've ever had that in three years managed to fail to proceed needing a tow on three occasions, and additional two journeys which had to be abandoned but the car could actually be driven back to base or garage. Various low lights there, including the memorable Friday evening where the AA towed it into the dealer yellow beacons flashing away right in the middle of a customer evening. Salesmen heads dropped.
Having said that after three years and just a few miles short of 100k and after we'd fixed all the faults it felt like a set of dampers and some polybushes it would go for another 100k. Never very quick though it was loosening up by then.
Later got Vectra B Estate, (2.0 Diesel CDX?) again 3 years, 100k or close and not a thing went wrong with it, but by Christ did it drink oil. Only vehicle ever had where on a massively long road trip during a really busy time got a low oil warning message. In summary they weren't as bad as Clarkson made out.
We had a 2.5?V6 estate on the job fleet, that was a relative flyer but it drank petrol like nothing else. I once got it into low teens mpg. Apparently they were one of the rarest production Vauxhalls ever acc to wiki.
Having said that after three years and just a few miles short of 100k and after we'd fixed all the faults it felt like a set of dampers and some polybushes it would go for another 100k. Never very quick though it was loosening up by then.
Later got Vectra B Estate, (2.0 Diesel CDX?) again 3 years, 100k or close and not a thing went wrong with it, but by Christ did it drink oil. Only vehicle ever had where on a massively long road trip during a really busy time got a low oil warning message. In summary they weren't as bad as Clarkson made out.
We had a 2.5?V6 estate on the job fleet, that was a relative flyer but it drank petrol like nothing else. I once got it into low teens mpg. Apparently they were one of the rarest production Vauxhalls ever acc to wiki.
Still liking mine, has humongous boot for the pram and kids stuff, so the wife is happy and it's so much easier getting the kid in out of child seat compared to our other car the BMW E91, not as family friendly that BMW in comparison to the Vectra.
For a 2nd work beater/back up family car it's doing fine service, hoping to hang on to it for at least a year or so, for the £1000 I paid - it will be value for money if I keep it any longer!!
For a 2nd work beater/back up family car it's doing fine service, hoping to hang on to it for at least a year or so, for the £1000 I paid - it will be value for money if I keep it any longer!!
The Vectra was absolutely lambasted by Clarkson but it was for reasons which basically don't matter to most buyers in that segment. He criticised it for being boring to look at and boring to drive, saying that the Mondeo and 3-series are better. Clarkson's hatred of Vauxhall and the Vectra in particular is well documented by his journalistic output over the years. I remember one particular hatchet job he did on the Vectra D where he demonstrated its 'catastrophic understeer', as if Vectra buyers care about that.
I don't think anybody claimed the Vectra wasn't an effective machine for moving people and things from place to place. They weren't unreliable or anything. At the same time I wouldn't buy one. Mondeos and 3-series are better to drive, albeit almost certainly less reliable!
I don't think anybody claimed the Vectra wasn't an effective machine for moving people and things from place to place. They weren't unreliable or anything. At the same time I wouldn't buy one. Mondeos and 3-series are better to drive, albeit almost certainly less reliable!
HustleRussell said:
Mondeos and 3-series are better to drive, albeit almost certainly less reliable!
Between the two Vectras mentioned earlier I had a couple of Pug 405s. Both much nicer to drive, both were a pita due to the legendary XUD engine coolant issues. First one had a porous cylinder head. Second one finally discovered the hack to bleeding the system and it was ok after that. The Mondeo that followed the second Vectra was a pain in the rear end, ran like a bag of nails, though that was more a combination of a hopeless dealer and the tightest of tight arse leasing companies that would never pay for proper servicing, as I found out at the end of the 3 years.Went Volvo afterwards, and you wouldn't have thought it was the same engine as in the Ford, totally better experience.
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