Why do people buy vauxhalls?
Discussion
rainmakerraw said:
Haha. I've heard good things about that particular car. My wife finally got herself a family wagon, so I'm free to get what I want next time around... Everything considered from an Astra or 2 series through to a Porsche 997 or Mustang GT. I just want something to hoon around in that has some shove, good driving dynamics and relative comfort. The 200ps Astra caught my eye, and I had a 2.0 from the previous series. How are they for getting the power down, being FWD? Do you get much front tyre slip / have to be very careful accelerating away? Any other comments? Shame they don't do it with the Insignia's adaptive dampers and AWD, while keeping the manual box...
In the dry it puts the power down fine with minimal torque steer. I hardly ever use 1st gear as it’s got enough torque to pull away quickly in 2nd. In the wet it will spin up fairly easily, I’ve even had it break traction in 3rd gear on a motorway slip road while accelerating hard.Just to add the Astra replaced a 2014 Fiesta ST which I believe the OP owns. The Astra is equally as quick and feels a much more premium product inside. The ST had a shockingly cheap feeling interior with numerous rattles. I hated it.
In answer to the OP's question the reason people buy Vauxhalls is they are better cars than the competition.
https://youtu.be/T4QAs1ggfFc
https://youtu.be/T4QAs1ggfFc
As a Vauxhall owner when I saw this thread I groaned inwardly at what I thought would be yet another Vauxhall bashing thread, so its nice to see some posts on here giving a positive view!
why did I buy a Vauxhall? Let me explain. My commute was 140 miles round trip on motorway, so I wanted a mile eater. I also didn't want to spend loads of money on something which would depreciate with the mileage. My Insignia last year on an 11 plate cost me £5500. Its got all the kit I need and in terms of size, performance, toys etc is equivalent to an Audi A5 TDI, the cheapest of which in 5 door form when I looked was around £10K...
The Insignia is built like a tank, nothing rattles, it starts, goes, sits at 80MPH without fuss and demolishes my commute with ease....
Do you get it now OP? Not everyone needs a flash badge and some of us still like to feel we've got value from our cars.......
As for the OPs statement about poor reliability, my friend you are mis-informed. In last years JD power report, Vauxhall came 7th, above VW, BMW, AUDI, Ford, in fact pretty much every non Asian brand - Skoda may have beaten them and that's another no nonsense brand that's come a long way. The Insignia was the for the second year running the highest rated large family car....
..I've never really understood the hate that Vauxhall attracts, compared with, say Ford. Yeah, I get that Fords probably steer a little sweeter (although the difference now is probably small), but they're both pretty comparable. My wife drives a Ford Fiesta ST150, I drive a Vauxhall and honestly you cant tell me the Fiesta is better screwed together. Neither is it more reliable....I like both of them TBH as I don't align myself to a badge. I just buy whatever takes my fancy when I come to change cars, regardless of who makes it.
why did I buy a Vauxhall? Let me explain. My commute was 140 miles round trip on motorway, so I wanted a mile eater. I also didn't want to spend loads of money on something which would depreciate with the mileage. My Insignia last year on an 11 plate cost me £5500. Its got all the kit I need and in terms of size, performance, toys etc is equivalent to an Audi A5 TDI, the cheapest of which in 5 door form when I looked was around £10K...
The Insignia is built like a tank, nothing rattles, it starts, goes, sits at 80MPH without fuss and demolishes my commute with ease....
Do you get it now OP? Not everyone needs a flash badge and some of us still like to feel we've got value from our cars.......
As for the OPs statement about poor reliability, my friend you are mis-informed. In last years JD power report, Vauxhall came 7th, above VW, BMW, AUDI, Ford, in fact pretty much every non Asian brand - Skoda may have beaten them and that's another no nonsense brand that's come a long way. The Insignia was the for the second year running the highest rated large family car....
..I've never really understood the hate that Vauxhall attracts, compared with, say Ford. Yeah, I get that Fords probably steer a little sweeter (although the difference now is probably small), but they're both pretty comparable. My wife drives a Ford Fiesta ST150, I drive a Vauxhall and honestly you cant tell me the Fiesta is better screwed together. Neither is it more reliable....I like both of them TBH as I don't align myself to a badge. I just buy whatever takes my fancy when I come to change cars, regardless of who makes it.
Had a couple of VXRs (Astra and Corsa), Astra Coupe, Mrs has had a raft of various Costa’s incl. a VXR previously - never had a problem with any of them, all drove very well and served their purpose without unnecessary cost or issue at all
I’d happily have another VX if one presented i itself at the right time etc...
Most who lambast them are either short sighted in terms of the appeal of a cheap and cheerful motor or an unnecessary badgew
e who hasn’t really experienced what they can offer.
I’d happily have another VX if one presented i itself at the right time etc...
Most who lambast them are either short sighted in terms of the appeal of a cheap and cheerful motor or an unnecessary badgew
e who hasn’t really experienced what they can offer. Because there are Vauxhall dealers everywhere and because there are already tons of Vauxhalls on the road.
Car fans might hate them but make up a tiny percentage of the buying public.
They do a bunch of limited editions and know their audience. They have decent deals for monthly payments for people that don't wanna shop around and just get the most convenient thing.
Plus they're British which seemingly counts for something to people too.
It's really not hard to see why they sell so many cars. They're as white goods as they get and people buy a lot of white goods.
Car fans might hate them but make up a tiny percentage of the buying public.
They do a bunch of limited editions and know their audience. They have decent deals for monthly payments for people that don't wanna shop around and just get the most convenient thing.
Plus they're British which seemingly counts for something to people too.
It's really not hard to see why they sell so many cars. They're as white goods as they get and people buy a lot of white goods.
F1GTRUeno said:
Because there are Vauxhall dealers everywhere and because there are already tons of Vauxhalls on the road.
Car fans might hate them but make up a tiny percentage of the buying public.
They do a bunch of limited editions and know their audience. They have decent deals for monthly payments for people that don't wanna shop around and just get the most convenient thing.
Plus they're British which seemingly counts for something to people too.
It's really not hard to see why they sell so many cars. They're as white goods as they get and people buy a lot of white goods.
Good points but only the Astra and Vivaro are made in the UK and I can't see that lasting much longer, once Brexit kicks in and Peugeot streamline their production to maximise profits, something Vauxhall-Opel couldn't manage.Car fans might hate them but make up a tiny percentage of the buying public.
They do a bunch of limited editions and know their audience. They have decent deals for monthly payments for people that don't wanna shop around and just get the most convenient thing.
Plus they're British which seemingly counts for something to people too.
It's really not hard to see why they sell so many cars. They're as white goods as they get and people buy a lot of white goods.
Of course, the name Vaux may be French originally, there being a town of that name.
LuS1fer said:
Good points but only the Astra and Vivaro are made in the UK and I can't see that lasting much longer, once Brexit kicks in and Peugeot streamline their production to maximise profits, something Vauxhall-Opel couldn't manage.
Of course, the name Vaux may be French originally, there being a town of that name.
I thought a significant part of Vauxhall's failure to make a profit is that the parent company (GM) wouldn't let them be sold under the VX-Opel badge outside of Europe, and in many cases just re-badged VX-O designs as Buick, Holden etc.Of course, the name Vaux may be French originally, there being a town of that name.
Ron99 said:
I thought a significant part of Vauxhall's failure to make a profit is that the parent company (GM) wouldn't let them be sold under the VX-Opel badge outside of Europe, and in many cases just re-badged VX-O designs as Buick, Holden etc.
That may be part of it, but Opel and Vauxhall have more problems than just that. Vauxhall in essence does well, but only sells to one market. Opel struggles to reach the market share it needs. It’s a large operation which has struggled to deal with very significant challenges
Ron99 said:
I thought a significant part of Vauxhall's failure to make a profit is that the parent company (GM) wouldn't let them be sold under the VX-Opel badge outside of Europe, and in many cases just re-badged VX-O designs as Buick, Holden etc.
I don't know, it's all very confusing. For example, Vectra, Corsa and Astra were all sold as Chevrolets, in India up to 2006 and then India seemed to get a pile of old Daewoos and Suzukis, badged as Chevrolets but they have now stopped production in 2017.It does make you wonder what Buick are going to sell or whether GM plan to kill Buick like they did Pontiac and Oldsmobile.
I’ve nothing against Vauxhall’s they provide a basic cheap product to the masses and are certainly still above the likes of Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat and Renault in terms of styling and value for money imo but I would never ever buy one for the simple fact that Ford always have a better alternative for the same price. The Fiesta has always been better than the Corsa, Same with the Focus over the Astra and the Mondeo over the Vectra and Insignia over the last 15 years. I would go for Ford all the time due to the fact they are always the better drivers car.
ST Ford said:
I’ve nothing against Vauxhall’s they provide a basic cheap product to the masses and are certainly still above the likes of Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat and Renault in terms of styling and value for money imo but I would never ever buy one for the simple fact that Ford always have a better alternative for the same price. The Fiesta has always been better than the Corsa, Same with the Focus over the Astra and the Mondeo over the Vectra and Insignia over the last 15 years. I would go for Ford all the time due to the fact they are always the better drivers car.
Current Astra is better than current Focus. Insignia has always puzzles me in that previous models although inferior to the Modeo seemed far more common tramping up and down our motorways. Always wondered if it was due to cheaper fleet deals or better looks attracting user choosers. Apparently latest Corsa has its dynamic act in order and can give the Fiesta a run for its money.What I'm not sure of is how the new SUVs compare. The way the market's gone this is important.
ST Ford said:
I’ve nothing against Vauxhall’s they provide a basic cheap product to the masses and are certainly still above the likes of Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat and Renault in terms of styling and value for money imo but I would never ever buy one for the simple fact that Ford always have a better alternative for the same price. The Fiesta has always been better than the Corsa, Same with the Focus over the Astra and the Mondeo over the Vectra and Insignia over the last 15 years. I would go for Ford all the time due to the fact they are always the better drivers car.
Certainly some hire Citroens I've had have been deadly dull but quality is about par.I imagine some have issues with the Peugeot dash and some people still distrust "French cars" (Clio apart - women seem to love those) and Renaults are a good drive, in general, like Fords. the general populace are probably still suspicious of odd makes like Seat and Skoda.
I think Vauxhall and Ford are both perceived as "blue collar" makes, that a lot of people still put their faith in and, of course, the more they see, on the road, the more they think it can't be a bad idea.
OP, did someone in a Vauxhall say a naughty word to you? Did you get over taken by an Astra? Did your girlfriend/boyfriend/husband/wife/dog/postman leave you for someone with a Zafira?
Another day, another 'Why are *** crap?', 'why do people buy ***' or any other variation of benign, thoroughly pointless thread. General Gassing is turning into mumsnet, but with more whining and people looking for self confirmation about something they obviously think or feel, yet need complete strangers on a motoring forum to confirm that it's acceptable for them to do so. Here's an idea if you're insecure and/or thick, form an opinion and then Google some facts and figures if you really need to know if it's 'true'. Search the Vauxhall forums, ask some vauxhall owners why they buy them.
Another day, another 'Why are *** crap?', 'why do people buy ***' or any other variation of benign, thoroughly pointless thread. General Gassing is turning into mumsnet, but with more whining and people looking for self confirmation about something they obviously think or feel, yet need complete strangers on a motoring forum to confirm that it's acceptable for them to do so. Here's an idea if you're insecure and/or thick, form an opinion and then Google some facts and figures if you really need to know if it's 'true'. Search the Vauxhall forums, ask some vauxhall owners why they buy them.
Edited by Murphy16 on Saturday 17th February 20:17
ST Ford said:
I’ve nothing against Vauxhall’s they provide a basic cheap product to the masses and are certainly still above the likes of Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat and Renault in terms of styling and value for money imo but I would never ever buy one for the simple fact that Ford always have a better alternative for the same price. The Fiesta has always been better than the Corsa, Same with the Focus over the Astra and the Mondeo over the Vectra and Insignia over the last 15 years. I would go for Ford all the time due to the fact they are always the better drivers car.
But I would always choose a Renault or Honda over a Ford so why bother with Ford? Of course that is if I wanted FWD.SidewaysSi said:
But I would always choose a Renault or Honda over a Ford so why bother with Ford? Of course that is if I wanted FWD.
So u would rather have a Honda Jizz or Clio over the superior Fiesta? Also when has a Megane ever been as good a Focus? Honda also cost a good few grand more than the Ford or Vauxhall equivalents Ah Vauxhall... The Cavalier was a good car. The Vectra was not. When I finally traded that utter contemptible piece of crap in for an Audi (yes, Ok, VAG also not much better, but we’re talking back in the 90s), after it had cost me far more than was ever sensible to invest just to keep it running, my life just improved immeasurably. I sincerely hope the latest product offerings are an improvement on the old days. I’m sorry if I offend anyone here and I really hope the latest product range / insignia’s are better quality, but I would never, never, never, never buy a Vauxhall ever, ever, ever again. Just to be clear. I wouldn’t even rent one. I truly hate the brand, with a passion, I really do. I’ve never seen a product of that level of utter, complete, contemptible crapness, since - and there are a lot to choose from. Give me a free one, I wouldn’t take it. No please god no, I’d rather take the bus. The sooner they go out of business the better in my view. Adios.
Edited by jimbo761 on Saturday 17th February 21:54
RammyMP said:
My Dads on his 6th Vauxhall in a row, he’s just bought a new Astra, he had his previous one for 10 years, it was woeful. He buys Vauxhall’s because (he believes) they are british.
I bought a Vauxhall once, back in 2007. Ended up keeping the damn thing for over nine years. That's never happened before!Mind you, I really liked its large coupe body, the hefty 6 speed manual 'box, the RWD balance and LSD, and most of all its 400hp V8. And it happened to be very reliable.
Imagine my abject disappointment when one day, while cleaning under the bonnet, I found a 'Made in Australia' tag on the bulkhead.
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