Well that just about wraps it up for Vauxhall !
Discussion
Loose Chippings said:
Never understood why people are anti Vauxhall. I've got the last shape astra and over last 3years its never broken down. Both myself and my dad have owned various vauxhalls over the years (with other makes of car in between) and I don't remember either of us having any major problems with the Vauxhalls. I racked some serious commuting mileage in some of mine with no complaint. Never really been a Ford fan. When looking for a car I've always visited the Ford dealers but always felt the Focus or Mondeo overpriced for what they are and come away without finding anything. Have also used various VAG cars at work and found them to be adequate but no different or better in quality than any other mainstream models and couldn't see me buying one with my own cash. Would be a shame if they disappeared, but wouldn't mind if it was renamed as Opel.
Also re above posts about French cars, i've owned both a Clio and a Laguna, and think I was extremely lucky with both. No major problems with either over 4years each of ownership. Decided I wouldn't buy another French car as I had probably used a lifetime of good luck with them, and if I bought another it would be a horror!
My experience is broadly in line with yours. In the past we've had loads of Vauxhalls in the family. We had one with a couple of engine management issues and a couple of minor faults here and there but overall they were no less reliable than the BMW / VAG cars owned by acquaintances.Also re above posts about French cars, i've owned both a Clio and a Laguna, and think I was extremely lucky with both. No major problems with either over 4years each of ownership. Decided I wouldn't buy another French car as I had probably used a lifetime of good luck with them, and if I bought another it would be a horror!
I currently drive a BMW and a Citroen. Yes: The C4 has a couple of squeaks / rattles, and some of the trim could be better but it's been no less reliable than the BMW and I've had minor problems with both. I admit that I've probably been lucky with the C4 though - the dealer service and attitude to faults / warranty is appalling.
If I was in the market for a small family car, the Astra would be the first I'd look at. I couldn't bring myself to own a Golf - they're even more dull and generic than necessary. The Focus may be a nice drive but I can't stand the looks and Citroen have well and truly dropped the ball with the latest C4. The Astra in comparison looks good, drives nicely (according to Car and Evo magazines) and in reality Vauxhalls are pretty well built.
See here
Just a chip in from a newbie on here. Vauxhall was my favoured vehicle for a long part of my formative and not so formative driving career, I was privvy to driving a very varied amount of other makes and models throughout this journey. Varied compay and privately owned versions, from a 1.2 Nova (suprisingly 'nippy' for a 4 speed 1.2!) through to various Astras a few Mk3 2.0 GLi/Sri's. A few Fords thrown into the mix, always found the Ford's harsh compared to the VX's.
Left company car 'ownership' and went private, stuck with VX (and Opel) Couple of Cavalier Sri's again, a Carlton or 2, a Monza a Manta, and and an Omega. Loved every one with minimal trouble. All had character. Then went back to company cars, Ford Probe 24v, diablical, but would probably entertain again for the right price
A Modeo of some variation 2.0 Si (?). Then was handed a Focus 1.6 not base, but not a kick in the ass off it, due to a job change. Loved it. A gnats off 150k in two years, faultless, comfortable and was never in the garage for anything other than a service or consumables. Lease up, got given the New Astra, what a pile compared to the Focus, did 8k in it and went to car allowance.
Not a definitive scribe on the nature of the thread, but just a personal account ... If any of you got this far??
Oh and just for info, since going back to running my own, had a MB E270 CDi (05) as a desperate stop gap, cheap, relatively economical, seeing I get a poor ppm and now a MB C250 CDi Sport estate, ridiculously cheap personal lease price, 50 plus MPG on a run, fully laden. No brainer.
Would be sorry to see VX in trouble, I'm still hoping they can come out with something, just that bit different, to sway the masses that are going to other manufacturers. And a diseasel engine over 2 litres that's economical.
Left company car 'ownership' and went private, stuck with VX (and Opel) Couple of Cavalier Sri's again, a Carlton or 2, a Monza a Manta, and and an Omega. Loved every one with minimal trouble. All had character. Then went back to company cars, Ford Probe 24v, diablical, but would probably entertain again for the right price
A Modeo of some variation 2.0 Si (?). Then was handed a Focus 1.6 not base, but not a kick in the ass off it, due to a job change. Loved it. A gnats off 150k in two years, faultless, comfortable and was never in the garage for anything other than a service or consumables. Lease up, got given the New Astra, what a pile compared to the Focus, did 8k in it and went to car allowance. Not a definitive scribe on the nature of the thread, but just a personal account ... If any of you got this far??
Oh and just for info, since going back to running my own, had a MB E270 CDi (05) as a desperate stop gap, cheap, relatively economical, seeing I get a poor ppm and now a MB C250 CDi Sport estate, ridiculously cheap personal lease price, 50 plus MPG on a run, fully laden. No brainer.
Would be sorry to see VX in trouble, I'm still hoping they can come out with something, just that bit different, to sway the masses that are going to other manufacturers. And a diseasel engine over 2 litres that's economical.
Funk said:
Vauxhall are getting beaten even in the 'rep car' market as it's actually better value to have the BMW than a Vauxhall thanks to emissions and residual values. As a company car driver, a 320d is cheaper than a Mondeo. You might sacrifice a few toys, but the BMW has the greater prestige.
Where Vauxhall and Ford do better is in the small-car market. If I were in the market for a cheap runabout, the Fiesta would be right at the top of my list. There are reasons why the Granada and Signum were sales flops (actually lump all big French barges in there too).
Nail struck firmly on the head here. In my dim and distant past I have come close to purchasing BMs but the expense and austere spec led me to bodyswerve the marque and choose better equipped and more powerful alternatives from bread and butter manufacturers. (MKII Golf GTI over a base 316, A Corrado over a base 3 Coupe, A Sierra 4x4 Ghia Estate over a 320 and a SAAB 9-3 Vector Sport over a 318d). Much older and Uglier am more drawn to Mercs than Beemers and have been pleasantly surprised to find the C Class as a choice over mid-range Mondeos, Vectras, Passats and Avenisisisisis.Where Vauxhall and Ford do better is in the small-car market. If I were in the market for a cheap runabout, the Fiesta would be right at the top of my list. There are reasons why the Granada and Signum were sales flops (actually lump all big French barges in there too).
It's all about leasing costs. It's fair enough arguing that "the badge" aint worth the money and by previous car choices you can see I buy (and have literally bought into this arguement). BUT, and it's a big but, when the run-out prefacelift E Class Merc could be leased cheaper than an Insignia or Mondeo the writing is on the wall coz no-one's going to be posting on PH "is it worth putting your hand in your pocket for the cachet of a Ford/Vauxhall badge.
Had a v6 2.6 omega a few years ago, perfect in every way , bit thirsty maybe but comfy quick well equipped and safe, perfect when I moved it on as well but somehow never grabbed your heart in the way that various old Rover, MG, land rovers etc did. Both my children got corsas on their 17th birthdays, issues arose but were sorted out as they arose for little cost.
Come to vauxhall today, rubbish cars, rubbish after sales service, robbing main dealer repair network... Good riddance vauxhall, you did it yourselves.
Come to vauxhall today, rubbish cars, rubbish after sales service, robbing main dealer repair network... Good riddance vauxhall, you did it yourselves.
Clivey said:
See, I don't get the Vauxhall-chav connection. Maybe because I was brought up on a diet of large Vauxhall Saloons (Senator, Carlton, Omega) and my Dad having a succession of Vauxhalls as company cars.
Looking at the products themselves, I fail to see how these:
are seen as chav-mobiles, whereas this:
Complete with fairly lights and a dozen S-line (on a 1.9TDi
) badges is seen as tasteful. 
Drive through ANY rough area or council estate in the UK and I can guarantee that 70% of the cars will be ten year old Vauxhalls. Vauxhalls are usually driven by dLooking at the products themselves, I fail to see how these:
are seen as chav-mobiles, whereas this:
Complete with fairly lights and a dozen S-line (on a 1.9TDi
) badges is seen as tasteful. 
heads, people who think they are a lot more intelligent/attractive/cool than they really are, Chavs, hard lads from the local gym, council estate women with false tan and lots of Argos jewelry, and generally clueless, non-car oriented people. I my town (which is quite rough) there are AT LEAST 80% Vauxhalls in it (mostly Astra Gs and Hs) with a liberal sprinkling of tired, ten year old Vectras with stupid "Irmsher" grilles (is that all Irmsher make?!), never ending Corse Cs (usually 3 door, black, 1.2 SXIs with blacked out rear lights and Monster logos in the back window (another Chav/idiot brand). I seldom see a chavved up Audi, Nissan, Mazda or any other brand on the roads apart from Vauxhalls nowadays...stemac76 said:
Drive through ANY rough area or council estate in the UK and I can guarantee that 70% of the cars will be ten year old Vauxhalls. Vauxhalls are usually driven by dheads, people who think they are a lot more intelligent/attractive/cool than they really are, Chavs, hard lads from the local gym, council estate women with false tan and lots of Argos jewelry, and generally clueless, non-car oriented people. I my town (which is quite rough) there are AT LEAST 80% Vauxhalls in it (mostly Astra Gs and Hs) with a liberal sprinkling of tired, ten year old Vectras with stupid "Irmsher" grilles (is that all Irmsher make?!), never ending Corse Cs (usually 3 door, black, 1.2 SXIs with blacked out rear lights and Monster logos in the back window (another Chav/idiot brand). I seldom see a chavved up Audi, Nissan, Mazda or any other brand on the roads apart from Vauxhalls nowadays...
ANY Pistonheader of worth should aim to get AT LEAST 70 (or80%) of made up stats into a thread before it has died of natural causes.heads, people who think they are a lot more intelligent/attractive/cool than they really are, Chavs, hard lads from the local gym, council estate women with false tan and lots of Argos jewelry, and generally clueless, non-car oriented people. I my town (which is quite rough) there are AT LEAST 80% Vauxhalls in it (mostly Astra Gs and Hs) with a liberal sprinkling of tired, ten year old Vectras with stupid "Irmsher" grilles (is that all Irmsher make?!), never ending Corse Cs (usually 3 door, black, 1.2 SXIs with blacked out rear lights and Monster logos in the back window (another Chav/idiot brand). I seldom see a chavved up Audi, Nissan, Mazda or any other brand on the roads apart from Vauxhalls nowadays...
stemac76 said:
Drive through ANY rough area or council estate in the UK and I can guarantee that 70% of the cars will be ten year old Vauxhalls. Vauxhalls are usually driven by dheads, people who think they are a lot more intelligent/attractive/cool than they really are, Chavs, hard lads from the local gym, council estate women with false tan and lots of Argos jewelry, and generally clueless, non-car oriented people. I my town (which is quite rough) there are AT LEAST 80% Vauxhalls in it (mostly Astra Gs and Hs) with a liberal sprinkling of tired, ten year old Vectras with stupid "Irmsher" grilles (is that all Irmsher make?!), never ending Corse Cs (usually 3 door, black, 1.2 SXIs with blacked out rear lights and Monster logos in the back window (another Chav/idiot brand). I seldom see a chavved up Audi, Nissan, Mazda or any other brand on the roads apart from Vauxhalls nowadays...
Odd, because you've just described old BMW's to a tee. Black E46 M Sports (innit) with owners sporting a heavily tattooed arm rested on the door of their sheads, people who think they are a lot more intelligent/attractive/cool than they really are, Chavs, hard lads from the local gym, council estate women with false tan and lots of Argos jewelry, and generally clueless, non-car oriented people. I my town (which is quite rough) there are AT LEAST 80% Vauxhalls in it (mostly Astra Gs and Hs) with a liberal sprinkling of tired, ten year old Vectras with stupid "Irmsher" grilles (is that all Irmsher make?!), never ending Corse Cs (usually 3 door, black, 1.2 SXIs with blacked out rear lights and Monster logos in the back window (another Chav/idiot brand). I seldom see a chavved up Audi, Nissan, Mazda or any other brand on the roads apart from Vauxhalls nowadays...theap with M POWAAR badging, fake MV rims ans carbon BMW roundels, Asian Rude Boiz wid thumping tunez and the Gangsta driving position driving badly modified E90 and E60 heaps. That's not to mention the same sort of individuals in unsavoury VAG scrap.Old cars are old cars. When they're worth 500 quid, lots of scummers buy them - including me!
stemac76 said:
Drive through ANY rough area or council estate in the UK and I can guarantee that 70% of the cars will be ten year old Vauxhalls. Vauxhalls are usually driven by dheads, people who think they are a lot more intelligent/attractive/cool than they really are, Chavs, hard lads from the local gym, council estate women with false tan and lots of Argos jewelry, and generally clueless, non-car oriented people. I my town (which is quite rough) there are AT LEAST 80% Vauxhalls in it (mostly Astra Gs and Hs) with a liberal sprinkling of tired, ten year old Vectras with stupid "Irmsher" grilles (is that all Irmsher make?!), never ending Corse Cs (usually 3 door, black, 1.2 SXIs with blacked out rear lights and Monster logos in the back window (another Chav/idiot brand). I seldom see a chavved up Audi, Nissan, Mazda or any other brand on the roads apart from Vauxhalls nowadays...
Good to see you have resurrected this from a year ago - I'm pleased this sums up your estate, and town. However I can assure you, this is not the case everywhere. heads, people who think they are a lot more intelligent/attractive/cool than they really are, Chavs, hard lads from the local gym, council estate women with false tan and lots of Argos jewelry, and generally clueless, non-car oriented people. I my town (which is quite rough) there are AT LEAST 80% Vauxhalls in it (mostly Astra Gs and Hs) with a liberal sprinkling of tired, ten year old Vectras with stupid "Irmsher" grilles (is that all Irmsher make?!), never ending Corse Cs (usually 3 door, black, 1.2 SXIs with blacked out rear lights and Monster logos in the back window (another Chav/idiot brand). I seldom see a chavved up Audi, Nissan, Mazda or any other brand on the roads apart from Vauxhalls nowadays...Sadly, the majority of the population have very poor taste, and choose to modify cars in such a way, that they actually look worse - a prime example is a 2000~ mondeo, with additional chrome, and lexarse lights. People who choose to add Monster stickers are also pretty useless, but I can assure you these are on NISSAN micras, MAZDA 323s and even a selection of Audi A3's - a typical chav car as although the engine makes a measily 150bhp - it has a turbo, which of course is most important.
I myself own a corsa C which has been magazine featured and my wife an astra G, a limited edition Linea Rossa edition convertible and both have 'Irmscher' grilles yet I live in a nice peaceful village and can assure you, both cars have been modified tastefully.
Edited by NathanD on Thursday 1st May 13:04
NathanD said:
I myself own a corsa C which has been magazine featured and my wife an astra G, a limited edition Linea Rossa edition convertible and both have 'Irmscher' grilles yet I live in a nice peaceful village and can assure you, both cars have been modified tastefully.
Nothing with an Irmscher grill is tasteful. Fastdruid said:
NathanD said:
Fastdruid said:
Nothing with an Irmscher grill is tasteful.
Your opinion - many will disagree 
Why Stereotype? Maybe if you look more closely at this thread you will notice that not only does your example get a mention but several other vehicles too. http://www.pistonheads.com/Gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
stemac76 said:
Clivey said:
See, I don't get the Vauxhall-chav connection. Maybe because I was brought up on a diet of large Vauxhall Saloons (Senator, Carlton, Omega) and my Dad having a succession of Vauxhalls as company cars.
Looking at the products themselves, I fail to see how these:
are seen as chav-mobiles, whereas this:
Complete with fairly lights and a dozen S-line (on a 1.9TDi) badges is seen as tasteful.
Drive through ANY rough area or council estate in the UK and I can guarantee that 70% of the cars will be ten year old Vauxhalls. Vauxhalls are usually driven by dLooking at the products themselves, I fail to see how these:
are seen as chav-mobiles, whereas this:
Complete with fairly lights and a dozen S-line (on a 1.9TDi
) badges is seen as tasteful. heads, people who think they are a lot more intelligent/attractive/cool than they really are, Chavs, hard lads from the local gym, council estate women with false tan and lots of Argos jewelry, and generally clueless, non-car oriented people. I my town (which is quite rough) there are AT LEAST 80% Vauxhalls in it (mostly Astra Gs and Hs) with a liberal sprinkling of tired, ten year old Vectras with stupid "Irmsher" grilles (is that all Irmsher make?!), never ending Corse Cs (usually 3 door, black, 1.2 SXIs with blacked out rear lights and Monster logos in the back window (another Chav/idiot brand). I seldom see a chavved up Audi, Nissan, Mazda or any other brand on the roads apart from Vauxhalls nowadays...H100S said:
I can assure you that I find it extremely distasteful even though I did go through the modifying phase although in better taste then your example you choose to illustrate. Pictures below were my efforts, owned from new in 1999 eventually converting to a red top. I like to think that my effort was in good taste.
Why Stereotype? Maybe if you look more closely at this thread you will notice that not only does your example get a mention but several other vehicles too. http://www.pistonheads.com/Gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Very nice! here's mine - coplete with Irmscher grille:Why Stereotype? Maybe if you look more closely at this thread you will notice that not only does your example get a mention but several other vehicles too. http://www.pistonheads.com/Gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Ah yes just not the finese of:
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT0G54t4hr...
https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:AN...
https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:AN...
To be fair each to there own and i am sure there would be plenty who would not like the cars i like / drive. That being said I have never understood the desire to own a BMW, I guess they make some interesting models? and are probably reliable although I am unsure how much better than other makes but are also far too common and in most cases pretty bland - but then just my view
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT0G54t4hr...
https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:AN...
https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:AN...
To be fair each to there own and i am sure there would be plenty who would not like the cars i like / drive. That being said I have never understood the desire to own a BMW, I guess they make some interesting models? and are probably reliable although I am unsure how much better than other makes but are also far too common and in most cases pretty bland - but then just my view
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