Why do people buy vauxhalls?
Discussion
I saw one of those new Insignias in the works car park. It was presumably a rental car.
I had seen photos of them and they looked quite good. The one I saw was a weird looking thing, not helped by the horrible shade of green. The rear windscreen wiper looked like it had been taken from a Mk2 Cavalier and a hole just drilled somewhere in the tailgate for it.
The old Insignia looked quite good and wasn't bad to drive, even if the dashboard was a bit too flashy and gimmicky.
The newer Astra is an odd looking thing too in my opinion, albeit better than that Insignia.
I had seen photos of them and they looked quite good. The one I saw was a weird looking thing, not helped by the horrible shade of green. The rear windscreen wiper looked like it had been taken from a Mk2 Cavalier and a hole just drilled somewhere in the tailgate for it.
The old Insignia looked quite good and wasn't bad to drive, even if the dashboard was a bit too flashy and gimmicky.
The newer Astra is an odd looking thing too in my opinion, albeit better than that Insignia.
I've never owned a Vauxhall but have had my fair share as company cars.
They arent as able as Ford or VAG equivalents or nearly as nice to own, drive or be driven in as say a Mercedes, BMW or Audi.
That said, being honest they are not that bad, in fact as a driver's car the latest Astra is rather good with a light pointy and grippy front end and a huge improvement over it's stodgy feeling predecessor.
In basic trim the interiors are soul destroying but something like an SRI is a good bit cheerier.
Would I buy a Vauxhall? Probably not but if my fleet manager procured one and handed me the keys it wouldn't break my heart.
They arent as able as Ford or VAG equivalents or nearly as nice to own, drive or be driven in as say a Mercedes, BMW or Audi.
That said, being honest they are not that bad, in fact as a driver's car the latest Astra is rather good with a light pointy and grippy front end and a huge improvement over it's stodgy feeling predecessor.
In basic trim the interiors are soul destroying but something like an SRI is a good bit cheerier.
Would I buy a Vauxhall? Probably not but if my fleet manager procured one and handed me the keys it wouldn't break my heart.
Drive Blind said:
dieseluser07 said:
Why do people buy them? Even their hot hatches are unreliable and poorly reviewed.
here in scotland theres an arnold clark probably within 15 miles of 50% of the population - ok i've made that up but that's what it feels like.they churn out pre registered vauxhalls by the bucket load. For normal, non car enthusiast type folk who only do 6K miles a year it's the default choice.
The kids round here (Stirlin' ya bass) love em.
With Arnold chucking out delivery mile pre-regs at £8995 with crazy finance deals and free insurance you can see why.
Edited by Tannedbaldhead on Saturday 17th February 12:06
horses for courses- if you have a car mainly for getting from a to b don't really care about what you drive and how reasonably inexpensive to keep on the road then Vauxhall ok- but in my view Ive only driven corsa and last incarnation of insignia and I hated every minute in them I much prefer seat, VW, Jag, Merc and BMW in that order- seat and VW Leon & Golf for the daily and then Jag XF, Merc E class & BMW 5 for the special occasion & longer drive or holidays
The last Vauxhall I drive was a 60 plate Astra diesel in 2012, it was a hire car in about 40,000 Miles - it was perfectly good. Nice interior, good engine, drive well for my 130mile round trip I think it was. I can’t see that they would have managed to worsen much in the inbetween time so I’m sure they are still making good cars.
I’ve got a Superb as a company car, I like it, I’m sure I would like the equivalent Insignia just as much.
I’ve got a Superb as a company car, I like it, I’m sure I would like the equivalent Insignia just as much.
Vauxhall are very good at making thoroughly average cars at very attractive prices.
Why invest billions in R&D to make everything soft touch and super hard wearing when you can spend a percentage of that, make the car at a cheap price and it’s still more than good enough for the average joe who wants a new car cheap.
They will then come back in 3 years to take another PCP because vx are good value.
We have Astra pool cars at work. Would I buy one? No. But they are perfectly good tools for the job and have always been reliable.
Why invest billions in R&D to make everything soft touch and super hard wearing when you can spend a percentage of that, make the car at a cheap price and it’s still more than good enough for the average joe who wants a new car cheap.
They will then come back in 3 years to take another PCP because vx are good value.
We have Astra pool cars at work. Would I buy one? No. But they are perfectly good tools for the job and have always been reliable.
Why do people buy any car, brand,price image etc.
On Ph Vx is looked down on, I think they serve a purpose. My mum bought a 17 plate with 10 miles six months ago, dab radio, heated wheel and seats, alloys, etc 9.5k list was 13. You probably pay another 50% for a German car to match spec. Build quality is same as other cars.
On Ph Vx is looked down on, I think they serve a purpose. My mum bought a 17 plate with 10 miles six months ago, dab radio, heated wheel and seats, alloys, etc 9.5k list was 13. You probably pay another 50% for a German car to match spec. Build quality is same as other cars.
Vauxhall cars tend to be among the most adaptable to a wide range of people sizes. My wife is petite; I'm the opposite. It's rare to find a car that we can both drive comfortably but Vauxhall almost always suit both of us.
Vauxhall also make some of the better looking cars.
Reliability is not significantly different to other mainstream brands.
Due to massive depreciation arising from being plentiful and unfashionable, they're outstanding value for money.
Spares, repairs and maintenance are not expensive.
Vauxhall also make some of the better looking cars.
Reliability is not significantly different to other mainstream brands.
Due to massive depreciation arising from being plentiful and unfashionable, they're outstanding value for money.
Spares, repairs and maintenance are not expensive.
Tannedbaldhead said:
Drive Blind said:
dieseluser07 said:
Why do people buy them? Even their hot hatches are unreliable and poorly reviewed.
here in scotland theres an arnold clark probably within 15 miles of 50% of the population - ok i've made that up but that's what it feels like.they churn out pre registered vauxhalls by the bucket load. For normal, non car enthusiast type folk who only do 6K miles a year it's the default choice.
The kids round here (Stirlin' ya bass) love em.
With Arnold is chucking out delivery mile pre-regs at £8995 with crazy finance deals and free insurance you can see why.
Once the Mk1 and 2 Escorts had got too old, the cheap fun car for kids round here in the early 90s was a Nova SR and if you didn't have the 3-spoke alloys, wheel of choice was the black steelie
Cheap parts and easy to fix, plus easy to sell on as they were always in demand
Had a Nova van for work and 309Gti daily and the Nova was pretty good handling wise ( that's compared to pretty much one of the best hot hatches at the time ) and very reliable
I saw an advert for the crossland? And thought it its one of the better looking crossovers on sale.
Someone at work has a new astra, it's is a bit dull, but looks nice enough and its nice to sit in.
Much nicer interiors than equivalent Fords.
Disappointed in the new insignia, looked great in launch photos, looks long and narrow with a pointy noise in the flesh.
Someone at work has a new astra, it's is a bit dull, but looks nice enough and its nice to sit in.
Much nicer interiors than equivalent Fords.
Disappointed in the new insignia, looked great in launch photos, looks long and narrow with a pointy noise in the flesh.
Yawn..... Another unfair VX bashing 
I’ve been around Vauxhall’s for as long as i can remember, friends, family and currently got a Corsa VXR after coming from the Fiesta ST which people w**k over and shock horror they have all been reliable and trouble free!
I’ve always found them better built than the Fords, well my ones and family ones at least! and I’ve had my fair share of sporting Fords too.
As for the reviews, the VXR’s have always scored fairly respectable also and rightly so.
I’ve been around Vauxhall’s for as long as i can remember, friends, family and currently got a Corsa VXR after coming from the Fiesta ST which people w**k over and shock horror they have all been reliable and trouble free!
I’ve always found them better built than the Fords, well my ones and family ones at least! and I’ve had my fair share of sporting Fords too.
As for the reviews, the VXR’s have always scored fairly respectable also and rightly so.
Mike1990 said:
Yawn..... Another unfair VX bashing
I’ve been around Vauxhall’s for as long as i can remember, friends, family and currently got a Corsa VXR after coming from the Fiesta ST which people w**k over and shock horror they have all been reliable and trouble free!
I’ve always found them better built than the Fords, well my ones and family ones at least! and I’ve had my fair share of sporting Fords too.
As for the reviews, the VXR’s have always scored fairly respectable also and rightly so.
The OP probably drives a leased, white 116d and thinks he's a driving god.I’ve been around Vauxhall’s for as long as i can remember, friends, family and currently got a Corsa VXR after coming from the Fiesta ST which people w**k over and shock horror they have all been reliable and trouble free!
I’ve always found them better built than the Fords, well my ones and family ones at least! and I’ve had my fair share of sporting Fords too.
As for the reviews, the VXR’s have always scored fairly respectable also and rightly so.
The reason is simple.
Some have their their ideals about cars but 90% of the car buyers just want a car,
They may have an idea of what they want but when it comes down to it, it's a question of part-exchange and deals. Then it's a question of boot space and spec.
For others, it is as simple as which dealer is near them. the more dealers there are and the better the location, the more people will buy for convenience and servicing. Most can't tell the difference between a Corsa, an Ibiza or a Fiesta.
the discerning enthusiast isn't swayed in this way, hence the demise of fast big Fords and Vauxhalls. Enthusiasts seek out their dream car and it's usually not any of the mainstream brands.
Some have their their ideals about cars but 90% of the car buyers just want a car,
They may have an idea of what they want but when it comes down to it, it's a question of part-exchange and deals. Then it's a question of boot space and spec.
For others, it is as simple as which dealer is near them. the more dealers there are and the better the location, the more people will buy for convenience and servicing. Most can't tell the difference between a Corsa, an Ibiza or a Fiesta.
the discerning enthusiast isn't swayed in this way, hence the demise of fast big Fords and Vauxhalls. Enthusiasts seek out their dream car and it's usually not any of the mainstream brands.
I don’t rate Vauxhall any differently from any other mainstream manufacturer. I have them lumped in with Peugeot for cheapness, VW for blandness and Ford for quality.
The Vectra C was a dog and Corsa’s are just affordable transportation for kids.
The only thing they seem to do particularly badly is Performance orientated stuff. Anything other than a Monaro is always badly received by the press.
I actually have a My first Vauxhall on the fleet at the moment, a Vivaro. A rebadged Renault traffic for less money. In this sector it’s either a TVP (Traffic, Vivaro, Primastar), a dogged rusty old transit, an ugly agricultural Citroen Dispatch or a Crusty old Merc Vito. T5’s don’t come into because all the fanboys have doubled the price and they’re still unreliable...
The Vectra C was a dog and Corsa’s are just affordable transportation for kids.
The only thing they seem to do particularly badly is Performance orientated stuff. Anything other than a Monaro is always badly received by the press.
I actually have a My first Vauxhall on the fleet at the moment, a Vivaro. A rebadged Renault traffic for less money. In this sector it’s either a TVP (Traffic, Vivaro, Primastar), a dogged rusty old transit, an ugly agricultural Citroen Dispatch or a Crusty old Merc Vito. T5’s don’t come into because all the fanboys have doubled the price and they’re still unreliable...
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