RE: Vauxhall Vectra VXR estate | The Brave Pill

[ballans]

I’ve got nothing against Vauxhall but Vectras (and Cavaliers) of this era remind me of being a bottom rung sales rep schlepping up and down motorways.
I’m sure this VXR is a significant step up from the Basic versions I was driving but that dash is enough to sap the soul from anyone.

[blade7]

I expect the selling dealer gave buttons for it. And advertising it as a "great investment" twice in one sentence, suggests to me they are full of something.

[griffin dai]

Ive been looking at the VXR, fancied a nice Arden but I just can’t get past the bland dash so I’m getting another v6 Saab. Prefer the VXR from the outside but the interiors a bit gash

Edited by griffin dai on Sunday 13th June 19:48

[milu]

Much better
I’d have another if a big cheap brisk estate was required

[Court_S]

Those wheels are bloody awful, but not a patch on that interior. Vauxhall interiors of this era are grim.

Seems quite strong money, but that applies to lots of cars at the moment.

[donkmeister]

benzinbob said:

citizensm1th said:

benzinbob said:

There’s a lot of hate for a lot of brands on here, but it’s starts out like this then turns into something else 5 comments later.. where you’re from, what you dress like, class..surprising considering we’re all petrolheads apparently?

And then BANG before you know it you get accused of being a self employed builder for liking a VXR

I come from a council estate and I still think its a badly built peice of tat, I wish I had bought a Ford instead of the vectra

Don’t get me wrong, I’d have any Ford over a Vectra.

Having driven (and had regular access to) an ST220, an ST225 and a Vectra Elite (retirement-spec VXR)... I'd actually have the Vectra VXR.

None of them are bad cars, far from it. But I genuinely have never found Fords feel any more special or better than their equivalent Vauxhall, despite the protestations of the Ford fanboys. The spec is very similar, indeed some might point at the active dampers on the Vauxhalls and the availability of an auto as areas the Vauxhall wins on spec. So I'd go with the fastest of the three, the Vectra VXR.

I always thought it was a shame Ford stopped doing fast cars in the large hatchback segment after the ST220 (and possibly the 2.5T - I never tried that Mondeo); I tested a Mondeo 2.0T and found it felt anaemic compared to my memory of the ST220 despite having more 20bhp more.

[Deranged Rover]

I seem to be one of the few lone voices on here who will happily own up to not only liking Vauxhalls, but also having owned and loved three of them!

However, even I’d put this VXR estate straight into the ‘you’re having a laugh’ box. It’s hardly a “Brave” Pill, either - just a dull one!

[Smint]

I'd run it but prefer the proper wheels, however this being a country when its usually raining not so sure about such an engine driving the front wheels only, its calling out for a Subaru drive train.

Brilliant estate car, many didn't know the wheelbase is longer than the saloon version by around a foot, a long car in its day.
Colour wouldn't put me off, in black all you need is to sport a top hat for the full funereal look.

[blade7]

Smint said:

I'd run it but prefer the proper wheels, however this being a country when its usually raining not so sure about such an engine driving the front wheels only, its calling out for a Subaru drive train.

Or quattro.

[anonymous-user]

Odd car the Vectra D, I don't remember them ever being new but they seemed to suddenly appear everywhere when they were 7 years old and looked dog eared as hell.

One for the Vauxhall enthusiasts only, it's hard to see any rational reason to buy this over the RWD/AWD alternatives, and it's also hard not to be drawn over to a diesel if all you want is 280bhp; the poor tax/fuel cost vs performance of this car really illustrates why big diesels completely took over this market. I personally dislike diesel but I'd have a 535d or E350d estate over this all day long, or any of the other AWD/RWD alternatives.

If you really must have a FWD scrabble wagon then Volvo sold a T6 V70. The interior is a bit dated but compared to this it's amazing

[SimonTheSailor]

Oddly enough I'd just watched a YouTube clip from a retired cop, he was asked what his best cop car was - he said, drum rolls please -

Vectra VXR.

[RumbleOfThunder]

SimonTheSailor said:

Oddly enough I'd just watched a YouTube clip from a retired cop, he was asked what his best cop car was - he said, drum rolls please -

Vectra VXR.

My first speeding fine was from one of these with a radar gun. I made small talk about his V6 turbo hoping it would help me out but still got the fine.

[Davie]

Vectra Super Tourings and Vectra ST200s are similar, but significantly different. The two shouldn't be confused with each other. I had a Super Touring years ago... it was crap. A mate had an ST200... it wasn't.

As for the VXR estate, definitely a product of its time and hasn't aged well at all. Even as an ex Vauxhall man, I can't find any enthusiasm for this at £6k regardless of the wheels. Just looks like a really bad example.

If you really wanted one, there are far better out there that present much better but I couldn't... even if it's got a good engine it's just so dated but not in a good way and it looks so cheap, more so in red.

[AngryPartsBloke]

alorotom said:

Augustus Windsock said:

s m said:

helix402 said:

s m said:

Always fancied an ST200 Vectra with the APs and LSD - always pick that over the Mondeo

I thought the ST200 was a Mondeo?

Most people do

The car enthusiasts will know though!

Super Touring, 2.5V6, 200bhp, Irmsher stuff on it, Speedline wheels, AP brakes, LSD, Recaros etc.
Those that know, know..

My dad had a SuperTouring (traded a Sapphy cosworth for it) and was quite into car shows and the “scene” and I’ve never once heard it referred to as an “ST”

That's because a Supertouring and an St200 were very different vehicles.

32 ST200's were made with AP racing calipers, koni adjustable suspension, speedline wheels GSI engine.

Supertourings are just white SRIs with the GSI interior.

[SweptVolume]

Think I'll take a Saab 9-3 Aero V6 Estate for half the money, thanks.

[1974foggy]

Quite like it on the standard wheels, but I would have thought the ludicrous tax would have killed the inflated price here like it did on Mazda RX-8s for example..
Think id save for an Insignia VXR instead though.

[Deranged Rover]

SimonTheSailor said:

Oddly enough I'd just watched a YouTube clip from a retired cop, he was asked what his best cop car was - he said, drum rolls please -

Vectra VXR.

What a muppet. Everyone knows the correct answer is the Senator.

[martin12345]

Not brave and not sensible either, in fact just not desirable

When new hardly anyone chose them, preferring BMW 330, Audi S4 or similar and to honest for the same money you can still chose a BMW or an S4 or similar age and I certainly would given the choice

[DaveyBoyWonder]

(very) weirdly I really quite like these. An old boss had a basic oil burner Vectra of a similar age and it seemed to hold up to his abuse pretty well and remember it handling half decent compared to my similar aged Mondeo. But 6.5k for a basic one with those horrific wheels on it in that colour? Not for me...

[British Beef]

I am in the minority, but I think these are great things, V6, manual, inconspicuous and super practical. If ever there was a great 1 car does all bases on small budget, this would be high on my list.