Dull Vectra for the price of a Hire Car?
Dull Vectra for the price of a Hire Car?
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Welsh Pirate

Original Poster:

191 posts

143 months

Tuesday 22nd July
quotequote all
We've been car-less since I sold my Jag XJ back in November, just hiring when needed, which has worked well for us.

But we are off to France on holiday this year and I was wondering if I could buy a car for the same price (or close to) as hiring.

One Saturday morning, sitting on the thunderbox, I was idly scrolling through Autotrader, and spotted this just posted advert:



I thought it's MOT history was pretty decent, so it was worth taking a look:



Sunday morning, I took my son to view the car. It was decent, drove with no rattles or knocks, the air con worked and it came with stacks of paperwork. Very quickly (with a bit of light haggling) a deal was done. I'd bought a Vectra for (very roughly) how much we'd spend on car hire for the month of August.

Obviously, to comply with the Pistonheads Terms & Conditions, I've now handed back my car enthusiast badge.

The next day, I got it home and started the post purchase close inspection (you know, the one where you find all the faults that you miss prior to buying?), but I wasn't disappointed. No rust and the underside looks very, very clean. The downside is that the paintwork a bit flaky with lacquer peel on the bootlid and a few other areas, but I didn't mind - I can practice my rattle-canning techniques with no fear of screwing it up. Hidden in the boot was an assorted collection of tools, jump leads, bulbs and a tyre inflator. The CD player was full of Elvis/Dusty Springfield CDs and It even came with it's own picnic mat/dogging blanket:



Now, I'm rubbish at shedding. I can't leave anything alone, even a Vectra. So I've had two budget rear tyres fitted (existing ones were 10 years old and cracking), had the air con re-gassed, replaced the number plates because they looked terrible:





Polished the lights:



Fitted new mats,





After having it up on the ramp at my local mechanic to check I hadn't missed anything, I replaced the coilpack and sparkplugs on his recommendation (I'll also need to replace the cam cover if I decide to keep it), replaced the power steering fluid, fixed the rear screen washer and treated it to some new Bosch wiper blades.

As others have said, it's not particularly exciting to drive and it's crying out for a 6th gear. Some of the spec is also a bit odd - it's got an early DAB radio, but no onboard computer. Compared to my old Jag, it's about as complicated as a bucket (which is a good thing), the boot is huge, parts are cheap, the kids like it and if it gets a knock/scrape in France, I'll try not to care too much.

Because I'm not very good at shedding, I even treated it to a wash, polish and wax:





France beckons very soon. I've packed a load of tools/gaffa tape/zip ties/code reader (hoping that they're not needed). I reckon a good long run will do it the world of good. Hopefully the next update won't feature me with an angry family stuck on the side of a French autoroute.

Wish me luck!

The Cardinal

1,370 posts

267 months

Tuesday 22nd July
quotequote all
Lovely.

Back in 2016, I did a similar Readers' Cars thread where I revived my parents' nicely spec'd 2004 Clio - bought by me for £400 - with a deep clean, fixing broken things and £200's worth of improvements. I was roundly panned for wasting my money!

Things have clearly progressed. It's great to see not only your work, but also the warmth now expressed in similar threads. smile


RazerSauber

2,759 posts

75 months

Tuesday 22nd July
quotequote all
You'll be keeping this a lot longer than you anticipate. Vectras are brilliant tools to move you and your s**t around with little fuss, with a reasonable level of comfort.

aust240378

127 posts

74 months

Tuesday 22nd July
quotequote all
Welcome to the Vectra club, one where it wins you over just by being so easy to look after, I have the same engine and I've done 50,000 without any issues in a couple of years.. Nice mats, I need a new set

I know it's possible to get the MPG switched on in the display using the Tech 2 plugin, but I haven't bothered getting anyone to do it, I know I get over 40mpg however hard I drive it smile

Cheers

P.S 757 will be along shortly as well I'm sure smile

joropug

2,852 posts

204 months

Tuesday 22nd July
quotequote all
Nice purchase

I had a 2.2i Direct SRI back in 2011 which i bought for about £3750 on 81k. Interesting i sold it in 2012 for about £2750 - Seems so cheap by today's standards of shedding!

I test drove a 1.8 and it was quite gutless, the 2.2i wasn't bad at all really. Good on fuel too and had a 6th gear, although the gearbox was shockingly notchy. Does yours do the weird thing where it holds the revs when you dip the clutch? I think that wore the gearbox on mine. Anyway it was a commuter car and it was actually really nice to drive.



I later bought a shed Astra of the same vintage.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Two things i'd recommend doing looking at yours - Buy an SRI steering wheel for buttons, so easy to replace and yours had the same wear mine did.

Secondly, an android head unit brings the infotainment up to date - worth every penny.

Both are documented in my thread

Wacky Racer

39,794 posts

262 months

Tuesday 22nd July
quotequote all
Now't wrong with a Vectra, they are good bulletproof cars and for £1500 you can't go wrong.

The 1.8 engine is OK (imo) despite what many say.

Good choice.

7 5 7

3,868 posts

126 months

Tuesday 22nd July
quotequote all
Another Vectra readers thread, what is going on! biggrin

I am sure it will be a fine steed, they are bargain cars.

Despite what people say regarding the 1.8VVT being slow, they are as reliable as you can get really - be careful of coolant issues mainly - its a good motor once you ring its neck a little, it is quite addictive driving it hard until the VVT kicks, then it can settle down and give very good economy, have a good trip!

Richard-390a0

2,908 posts

106 months

Tuesday 22nd July
quotequote all
What a cracker of a car for the price! I would've tidied it up too like you have.

alangla

5,679 posts

196 months

Tuesday 22nd July
quotequote all
7 5 7 said:
Another Vectra readers thread, what is going on! biggrin

I am sure it will be a fine steed, they are bargain cars.

Despite what people say regarding the 1.8VVT being slow, they are as reliable as you can get really - be careful of coolant issues mainly - its a good motor once you ring its neck a little, it is quite addictive driving it hard until the VVT kicks, then it can settle down and give very good economy, have a good trip!
Argh. My one attempt at shedding was when my sister in law gave me a £1500 budget and asked for an estate car. This would probably be around 2015 or so. Settled on a 58 plate 1.8 Vectra with about 170k on the clock. Managed to miss the fact that the head gasket had gone…. Still annoys me that the crud in the coolant tank didn’t send me running. I’d already run from an Astra we’d looked at earlier because of a combination of rust & the ABS light being on.

TV8

3,328 posts

190 months

Tuesday 22nd July
quotequote all
it certainly cleans up well. Any plans for a reasonable journey before setting off to France?

Welsh Pirate

Original Poster:

191 posts

143 months

Tuesday 22nd July
quotequote all
Cheers all!

RazerSauber said:
You'll be keeping this a lot longer than you anticipate. Vectras are brilliant tools to move you and your s**t around with little fuss, with a reasonable level of comfort.
I reckon you're on to something there.

joropug said:
Does yours do the weird thing where it holds the revs when you dip the clutch?

Two things i'd recommend doing looking at yours - Buy an SRI steering wheel for buttons, so easy to replace and yours had the same wear mine did.

Secondly, an android head unit brings the infotainment up to date - worth every penny.
Damn it man! I'm trying my best not to start upgrading (already failing). You're just exploiting my weakness... biggrin

No cutch weirdness observed so far though (fingers crossed).

7 5 7 said:
Another Vectra readers thread, what is going on! biggrin

I am sure it will be a fine steed, they are bargain cars.

Despite what people say regarding the 1.8VVT being slow, they are as reliable as you can get really - be careful of coolant issues mainly - its a good motor once you ring its neck a little, it is quite addictive driving it hard until the VVT kicks, then it can settle down and give very good economy, have a good trip!
Cheers! Mine feels a little flat at the moment. I'd hazard a guess that the previous owner didn't venture north of 2.5k on the rev counter, so hopefully a nice long drive will improve matters.

TV8 said:
it certainly cleans up well. Any plans for a reasonable journey before setting off to France?
That'd be sensible, but I haven't really had a chance. I've done around 150 miles in it so far. First big test will be the long drive to Le Shuttle.


Welsh Pirate

Original Poster:

191 posts

143 months

Tuesday 22nd July
quotequote all
aust240378 said:
Welcome to the Vectra club, one where it wins you over just by being so easy to look after, I have the same engine and I've done 50,000 without any issues in a couple of years.. Nice mats, I need a new set

I know it's possible to get the MPG switched on in the display using the Tech 2 plugin, but I haven't bothered getting anyone to do it, I know I get over 40mpg however hard I drive it smile

Cheers

P.S 757 will be along shortly as well I'm sure smile
Cheers! As you predicted 757 has answered the call biggrin

These were the mats that I bought (should they be of interest).


TV8

3,328 posts

190 months

Tuesday 22nd July
quotequote all
Welsh Pirate said:
That'd be sensible, but I haven't really had a chance. I've done around 150 miles in it so far. First big test will be the long drive to Le Shuttle.
Its had a few miles to wake up then! Enjoy

jamesson

3,402 posts

236 months

Tuesday 22nd July
quotequote all
Love it. What a great purchase.

Slightly off topic, but related, a friend of mine has an Insignia and I was really impressed with it. I imagine this Vectra will give you many miles of good service. Enjoy your trip to France!

itcaptainslow

4,140 posts

151 months

Tuesday 22nd July
quotequote all
I think 757’s minions are multiplying… biggrin

They’re great sheds. Not desirable when new, but they’re tough, competent and just good at being a car.

I’ve really fallen for mine in the short time I’ve had it.

Yours has the nice alloys versus my crap steels masquerading as alloys. Sheer decadence!

Chris Peacock

3,148 posts

149 months

Tuesday 22nd July
quotequote all
Very nice, always thought these were underrated cars. Some years ago I bought a slightly rough a 3.2 GSi for shed money, what a car that was. Proper road wars spec.

GIYess

1,381 posts

116 months

Tuesday 22nd July
quotequote all
Still have a soft spot for the Vectra. I had a 1.9 diesel I remapped to around 200hp. Was good fun and I found it pretty comfy and practical. Kind of wish I still had it as I'm currently rattling around in a Kia Rio.

Mr Tidy

27,032 posts

142 months

Tuesday 22nd July
quotequote all
Wow another Vectra Shed, but this one has hardly been used!

Good luck with the trip. thumbup

Deranged Rover

4,094 posts

89 months

Thursday 24th July
quotequote all
jamesson said:
Love it. What a great purchase.

Slightly off topic, but related, a friend of mine has an Insignia and I was really impressed with it. I imagine this Vectra will give you many miles of good service. Enjoy your trip to France!
To be fair, the Insignia is a far better car than the Vectra ever was (concrete block seats on the early ones excepted, of course...)

That said, this one does look decent and I look froward to reading of the (hopefully uneventful!) adventures in it!

jamesson

3,402 posts

236 months

Thursday 24th July
quotequote all
The plethora of Vectra C owners on PH makes me want one for commuting purposes. I found one near me which looks in decent condition with low mileage, but I'd be replacing a four year old car for one that's getting on for twenty with potentially age related problems. Decisions, decisions...