£1000 Vectra SRI daily shed
Discussion
A500leroy said:
Forgive me for I may sin next year.
Really getting an itch to swap my Panda, nothing wrong with it other than ive had it 8 years and my previous best with a car is 2 years.
So whats tempting me?
A Meriva Tech line...
I know, I know, but what appealing is the low tech engine with a chain, loads of kit as standard, and I know MPV's are not cool but I think it looks half decent.
Really sorry.
Really getting an itch to swap my Panda, nothing wrong with it other than ive had it 8 years and my previous best with a car is 2 years.
So whats tempting me?
A Meriva Tech line...
I know, I know, but what appealing is the low tech engine with a chain, loads of kit as standard, and I know MPV's are not cool but I think it looks half decent.
Really sorry.
dont worry, I too hated Vauxhall, ever since I was 17, that was 20+ years ago...and look where we are now! Don't feel too down trodden, the Meriva is probably a very good car, and I dont blame you as an MPV make great shedvans...pssst, a Zafira is just as good, but don't let anyone else hear me say that....feel dirrrrty now
daqinggregg said:
Considering that’s a large and heavy old Hector, you must have the clodhoppers of a teenage Russian ballerina, to get that mpg.
a steady (65mph) and just let cruise do its thing, didn't touch the brakes, or clutch for a good couple of hours, the beauty of 4am motorway jaunts.aust240378 said:
I reckon I'm about there on a run (Same engine) , worked out at the pump:-
Cost per litre £154.9
£67.72
Distance £468.1 miles
Real world MPG 48.68
That was at 5am on a run from Southend to Warrington.
Yeah, that's good going too - seem pretty happy on the motorway, once running local errands they aernt as good, but then running a diesel (cold) you ain't seeing 50mpg!Cost per litre £154.9
£67.72
Distance £468.1 miles
Real world MPG 48.68
That was at 5am on a run from Southend to Warrington.
Would happily run another Vec C as a tool car if this s
ts itself, still plenty about in the classifieds online, and many still under £1500! Would just swap the roofbars over 350 miles stuck on today, another 1,000+ to do before end of this month, big miles at moment with this thing.
Had a nail in the sidewall last night, not repairable, so had to stump up for a new tyre the night before I left to do the miles today...so had no choice but have what they had on the shelf - was a Kuhmo so better than all the other X3 on the car, just didn't want the expense! I now have X3 different brands on the car, proper shedding
Had a nail in the sidewall last night, not repairable, so had to stump up for a new tyre the night before I left to do the miles today...so had no choice but have what they had on the shelf - was a Kuhmo so better than all the other X3 on the car, just didn't want the expense! I now have X3 different brands on the car, proper shedding
Edited by 7 5 7 on Saturday 11th November 07:16
martin mrt said:
It’s watching you plod this old stter along that has inspired me to do the same with the Astra J I have.
Note, other than the older stuff (mk2/3 Cavalier, Astras etc) I generally don’t like Vauxhalls either
I’ve enjoyed following your journey so far
Ha! I'm glad I've inspired you, I like those Astra J's to be honest, they are creeping into shed territory, so certainly a contender for a replacement for this, petrol of course tter along that has inspired me to do the same with the Astra J I have. Note, other than the older stuff (mk2/3 Cavalier, Astras etc) I generally don’t like Vauxhalls either
I’ve enjoyed following your journey so far
This has gone over 10k now without a service now, tempted to leave it until next September and do it come MOT time, no idea what miles it will have on it then.
It is feeling very very tired though I have to admit, it's an absolute bone shaker, on anything but the motorway - being an SRI doesn't help probably, it won't get anything thrown at it though unless it needs it, droplinks maybe soon, but may wait for them too.
Challo said:
Might have mentioned before but I like this era of Vectra and Astra as cracking value for money. Had the Astra H which I loved. Need to get another shed now, and trying to find one of these for a cheap run around.
I think many have tbh, they are good solid cars just made in the wrong badge snobbery era of the mid 00's - but as you've seen they are stupidly good value, almost giveaway cars tbh if you look on A/T etc - I would happily swap it out for another if I really had too, but made sure it had A/C at least fitted ha!A500leroy said:
Breaking news there, 757 looking for a ASTRA J ESTATE.
Ha, I certainly would A500, 1.4 or 1.6 N/A petrol - many don't seem to have centre armrests though? Which is a little odd.Insignia, yeah another good shout too, but estate petrols aernt as cheap.
I'm a little invested in this Vec still at the moment, as it's doing its job as 'no s
ts given' gear hauler very well indeed, let's take it MOT at a time, that's my gauge with this.I have to at least get some wear out of this new "distress purchased" Kuhmo tyre first surely, or that's £110 down the drain immediately
Edited by 7 5 7 on Saturday 11th November 20:02
Still makes a good MTB hauler, bike is worth more than this Vectra! still can't keep this dam shed clean, unbelievable!
This time next week it's in Cornwall, doing some family errands, 3am start (600 miles + round-trip), Padstow for breakfast I am thinking.
Then it's up to Edinburgh the week after for work.
still can't keep this dam shed clean, unbelievable!This time next week it's in Cornwall, doing some family errands, 3am start (600 miles + round-trip), Padstow for breakfast I am thinking.
Then it's up to Edinburgh the week after for work.
Edited by 7 5 7 on Sunday 19th November 10:55
whytheory said:
So that's where your coolant was going?
Mine's disappearing somewhere too, will have to take a look...
Yeah, looks to be, it was pretty bad when we inspected.Mine's disappearing somewhere too, will have to take a look...
Radiators, or header tanks (these can crack) are another weak point on these, put another couple hundred on it since replacement - it seems to be a little less incontinent now, see how we go.
Thought I would update this for what it's worth.
it's been pretty uneventful in the last 600 miles or so, mileage is hovering just shy of 150,000 miles, big miles have stopped now over the Christmas period.
It seems to be holding its coolant now, which is good, and it ticks over more quietly, so that waterpump was on its way out for a while it seems.
Suspension is quiet, now that droplink was replaced £10, it's proving very good in all honesty, can't really fault it at the time being.
It's picked up a few pretty big (car park door) dents recently in the car parks, happily shrug these off, it's totally liberating to do this, as I really do not care what happens to it.
We are making use of the cavernous boot this Christmas weekend ferrying the gifts for family around, so it's the family car this year, and I left the E91 on the drive.
Looking at doing a simple oil and filter service in Jan/Feb if I can be bothered, its been 10,000+ since it's last one, I am in no rush, got the gear already - £30 for 5L Mannoil and an oil filter, can't argue at that.
See what next year brings - Merry Christmas
it's been pretty uneventful in the last 600 miles or so, mileage is hovering just shy of 150,000 miles, big miles have stopped now over the Christmas period.
It seems to be holding its coolant now, which is good, and it ticks over more quietly, so that waterpump was on its way out for a while it seems.
Suspension is quiet, now that droplink was replaced £10, it's proving very good in all honesty, can't really fault it at the time being.
It's picked up a few pretty big (car park door) dents recently in the car parks, happily shrug these off, it's totally liberating to do this, as I really do not care what happens to it.
We are making use of the cavernous boot this Christmas weekend ferrying the gifts for family around, so it's the family car this year, and I left the E91 on the drive.
Looking at doing a simple oil and filter service in Jan/Feb if I can be bothered, its been 10,000+ since it's last one, I am in no rush, got the gear already - £30 for 5L Mannoil and an oil filter, can't argue at that.
See what next year brings - Merry Christmas
1/ Headlight bulb change, OSF what an absolute pain! Airbox out, should of took minutes, but took me a good hour and a stop for a cuppa, at least I know what's what now....now legal and fixed, especially for this time of the year.
2/ We had another coolant lamp on the dash this morning, had to top it up, not massively low but not ideal it illuminated, this will need some more investigation.
3/ Car and spanner icon on the dash also, erased this with the OBD, along with the service inspection light (using the pedals), and reset battery see if this clears it, it is stubbornly staying on, which points towards an engine electrical fault...this will also need some investigation, ignoring light for now.
So, we may be in for a fun 2024 with this heap of st, I am not unduly concerned, it's running pretty good at the moment, this 1.8 is as smooth as butter in all honesty.
It's overdue a service so will get all the above checked out in a few months time too, unless my hand is forced!
It's done well to cope with these miles I've hammered it with this year - keep telling myself, it's cheaper to fix than replace...but, it's starting to niggle me being honest and I am looking on AT a fair bit....eeeekk
It's hovering around £104 per month this year end, over the past 12 months (16,000 miles) with the wear and tear items, servicing, tyres and tax - so it's still cheap motoring when you've kept track of it.
2/ We had another coolant lamp on the dash this morning, had to top it up, not massively low but not ideal it illuminated, this will need some more investigation.
3/ Car and spanner icon on the dash also, erased this with the OBD, along with the service inspection light (using the pedals), and reset battery see if this clears it, it is stubbornly staying on, which points towards an engine electrical fault...this will also need some investigation, ignoring light for now.
So, we may be in for a fun 2024 with this heap of s
t, I am not unduly concerned, it's running pretty good at the moment, this 1.8 is as smooth as butter in all honesty.It's overdue a service so will get all the above checked out in a few months time too, unless my hand is forced!
It's done well to cope with these miles I've hammered it with this year - keep telling myself, it's cheaper to fix than replace...but, it's starting to niggle me being honest and I am looking on AT a fair bit....eeeekk
It's hovering around £104 per month this year end, over the past 12 months (16,000 miles) with the wear and tear items, servicing, tyres and tax - so it's still cheap motoring when you've kept track of it.
Edited by 7 5 7 on Sunday 31st December 16:25
no worries, glad people are enjoying the the ups and downs of me running a very cheap car, for front line daily service!Its in the garage now: Oil & Filter (way overdue), EML light (be interesting what this is...), suspected wheel bearing drone and another suspected coolant leak.
Expecting a phone call later today - see if the old girl is back up to health...most likely be getting fixed after diagnosis, but lets see what's, what.
So, we now have a clean bill of health (for a while...) - was mainly a few coolant issues, old and tired parts were apparent, 150,000 miles now so things will be getting there i suppose.
Coolant temp sensor on the thermostat housing was faulty, think this was the EML (spanner light issue).
We also had a leaking coolant pipe, which was a bit of a bugger to source a new part for.
Fresh oil and filter while it was up in the air also, cheap on these in reality.
And, another rumbly wheel bearing was also replaced.
Still not worthy to scrap yet, still relatively serviceable - will pick it up in the morning, ready for front line service again, it will soldier on!
Let's see what happens in 10 months time, as when the MOT is due, I will update then
Coolant temp sensor on the thermostat housing was faulty, think this was the EML (spanner light issue).
We also had a leaking coolant pipe, which was a bit of a bugger to source a new part for.
Fresh oil and filter while it was up in the air also, cheap on these in reality.
And, another rumbly wheel bearing was also replaced.
Still not worthy to scrap yet, still relatively serviceable - will pick it up in the morning, ready for front line service again, it will soldier on!
Let's see what happens in 10 months time, as when the MOT is due, I will update then
Superchickenn said:
Another great update.
Im glad the EML wasnt something to sinister
Yeah, all going ok, just general wear n' tear - wheel bearing got honoured due to a faulty part, was within warranty at garage - shouldn't of failed in less than 20k really.Im glad the EML wasnt something to sinister
The spanner dash light, I did the pedal shuffle and odometer hold, managed to decipher a code - p0597 which looks like a Thermostat heater control error.....drives ok, no issues or symptoms just the light on, so whatever really.
Done around 200+ miles since, and all is running fine, so going to leave it until MOT time.
Trip down to Devon at the end of the month, aswell as the normal day to day so plenty more miles to stick on it - it just keeps trundling along, I think trundle is the correct word to describe it!!
Definitely got a dodgy NSF fog lamp connector, dash light illuminates, if I turn the fog light on (it works) then the dash light goes out, nothing to lose sleep about.
Did 500 miles last week, up in the North East.
Down to South Wales tomorrow and across to Berkshire the next day, then onto Somerset, looking at 1,000 miles over the next 7 days/week.
Averaging 43mpg currently, I'm driving a little quicker, and with my car fully laden with fuel and gear isn't helping, still not too bad though.
The £7 header tank cap I sourced, seems to of settled my tank venting issue.
So yeah, boring update, but putting alot of miles on the old Vectra currently.
Did 500 miles last week, up in the North East.
Down to South Wales tomorrow and across to Berkshire the next day, then onto Somerset, looking at 1,000 miles over the next 7 days/week.
Averaging 43mpg currently, I'm driving a little quicker, and with my car fully laden with fuel and gear isn't helping, still not too bad though.
The £7 header tank cap I sourced, seems to of settled my tank venting issue.
So yeah, boring update, but putting alot of miles on the old Vectra currently.
Tom4398cc said:
Great thread. With all the miles you are covering, might it be worth taking the roof bars off to see if that helps the mpg’s?
Noted, the roofbars were removed last night - 45/46mpg now according to the OBC, every little helps Little bit quieter now too, I only now hear the roar from my budget tyres
Superchickenn said:
South Wales is my neck of the woods. Enjoy
Down very close to Newport overnight, nice down here once off the M5.Oh she's a dirty girl!
1,200 miles since last Wednesday, the petrol Vec took it all in it's stride.....but
After giving it the once over for its other big trip tomorrow morning down south, I've came across another leaking coolant pipe - this was in part of the heater matrix going into the dashboard, and yes it's leaking badly as I found it all under the car.
So, that's it off the road this weekend and booked in the garage Monday, it will be getting a new thermostat too, to get rid of that spanner light for the thermostat fault.
Will be taking the leggy 3 series instead now, the Vec will be fixed and it will carry on!
1,200 miles since last Wednesday, the petrol Vec took it all in it's stride.....but
After giving it the once over for its other big trip tomorrow morning down south, I've came across another leaking coolant pipe - this was in part of the heater matrix going into the dashboard, and yes it's leaking badly as I found it all under the car.
So, that's it off the road this weekend and booked in the garage Monday, it will be getting a new thermostat too, to get rid of that spanner light for the thermostat fault.
Will be taking the leggy 3 series instead now, the Vec will be fixed and it will carry on!
Raymond Reddington said:
Looks like a proper workhorse there, excellent.
I wish the estate was a bit more pleasing to the eye as I'm in the market for a cheap estate and there are still plenty of Vectra around. The saloon looks good IMO but I couldn't live with the estate on the drive.
Yeah, its a good workhorse, that is exactly what it is to me, just a tool car, only gets what it needs, and nothing else.I wish the estate was a bit more pleasing to the eye as I'm in the market for a cheap estate and there are still plenty of Vectra around. The saloon looks good IMO but I couldn't live with the estate on the drive.
Funny, as I wished I had got an estate version, just the sheer practically and 'squareness' of one would be great.
But, this hatchback is pretty cavernous in all honesty.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff