Recently I've been shopping for a used Mondeo. I'm very picky when it comes to spec, so with a budget of £6k have been solely looking for 2001/2 2.0 Ghia models. One dealer I came across though is selling a number of identical August'03 Vectra 1.8 Clubs with 15-17k miles on the clock for the apparently bargain price of £7k, though they all have some minor bodywork damage.
I've always preferred Fords over Vauxhall (for no real logical reason) but these seem such a good deal I'm seriously tempted, but something is holding me back.
Here's the pros & cons as I see it over the 01'Mondeo 2.0 Ghia I want:-
Pros
17 months warranty remaining
Considerably younger, lower mileage car
Lower insurance costs (group 7 vs 10)
Better fuel economy?
Cons
Lack of grunt from 1.8?
Not as much fun through the corners
Fewer toys to play with (though it does have cruise over the M)
1st service not yet been performed so due imminently
Help I can't decide what to do!
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PhiL
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Have you looked for August 03 Mondeo LXs (the facelift versions, which were just coming out at that time, have cruise)?
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Read the Vectra 'C' suspension problem threads, and then buy a Mondeo.
If you can stretch nearer £7k I'd endorse DavidHM's theory on the later facelifted Mondeo.
PP
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The Vectras in question are a fair bit under book (probably party due to the scrappy bodywork), and I haven't been able to find any of the facelifted Mondeos for similar money in any trim spec...
Additionally (and it's very lame I know) I hate the look of wheel trims, which the Mondeo LX has (and can't be dealing with adding alloys myself before someone suggests it)!
£7k is admittedly over my budget, but considering spending the extra for the lower running costs of these 1.8 Vectras (insurance/warranty/fuel).
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PhiL
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Well having had my fair share of engine problems with a couple of Astra's a few years ago I must admit to have steered clear of Vauxhall ever since - probably not the best reason but I've not had any engine problems with Ford.
The wheeltrims on the '03 facelift > LX Mondeo's are vastly improved over previous version.
www.cargiant.co.uk have a 53 plate 2.0 LX Mondeo facelift with 24k for £6999 at the moment (with the nicer trims).
PP
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Don't mention Car Giant to me! I spent over THREE HOURS driving the 17 miles there and back last week, and all to see a load of tatty stock that was extremely disappointing!
I did actually buy my first car there, a pristine 1996 Ford Fiesta, back in 1999 (when it was the Great Trade Centre), but after a few subsequent visits, I think that car was a rare rose in the desert...
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PhiL
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I've never dealt with them so can't comment, just pointing out what's available for your money.
A certain car supermarket up my neck of the woods appears to be going the same way, very poorly presented stock on show.
PP
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I would have the Mondeo over the Vectra any day. The new Vectras are good looking cars, but they are just too cramped for me. I found the same with Astra compared to the Focus. It seems that Vauxhall don't want tall/big people buying their cars...oh well.
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That's strange, as Vauxhalls used to be the opposite: too low a driving position for me at 5'7", but I remember a trainee who was 7' tall and quite comfortable in his Cavalier - mark 2 I think.
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I haven't tried a Cavalier, but the Vectra and Astra are definately too small (driver room) for me. I am only 6'5", but am much larger than the average tall person.
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I'm over 6'4" and I wish my company Megane has a proper height adjustable seat like my Cavalier. The Megane seat adjuster goes from squashed up against the roof to just about bearable. With the Cavalier you can practically sit on the floor if you wish. Also bags of room for me in both the new Vectra and Astra - I can't wait to ditch the Megane for a new Astra this autumn. The Vectra seems to have too much space - more like the old Omega in size.
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£7k is admittedly over my budget, but considering spending the extra for the lower running costs of these 1.8 Vectras (insurance/warranty/fuel). ---- PhiL
Be VERY careful! I had a 1.8 Vectra as my company car for a week once, it was a nightmare on fuel, I found that it really was drinking it like a fish.
Admitedly I thought it seemed quite powerful for a 1.8, and it was comfortable when driven in a straight line.
On the whole though the thing couldn't hold a candle to the Mondeo when I was driving along the back roads next to my home at speed, and it drank at least as much as the 2.0 Mondeo which seems to be good for 30 mpg depending on how driven from what I have found.
Don't buy the Vectra on cost grounds 'cos IMHO I think you will be disappointed, oh, and don't buy it if you like responsive handling...
Blue
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Read the Vectra 'C' suspension problem threads,
Threads?
Yes, there's more than one, but they're all by the same author (Welshy)
Anyway, you know which one I would suggest ;o)
Even HJ warmed to it:- www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=151
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I used to have a Mondeo and now have a Vectra, which I prefer, but if it is between a 2.0 Ghia Mondeo and a 1.8 Vectra Club as you state - I'd take the Mondeo. It's got a better engine and spec. If it was a 1.8LX Mondeo then that's a different matter...
The Vectra is a better motorway cruiser IMO, it's quieter and runs at lower revs. It's a heavy car however so the 1.8 may not be that good and may also not be that economical - the 2.2 might be a better match for the 2.0 litre Ford unit. The Mondeo is a better handler and the controls are lighter and more 'fluid' as most Fords. The gearbox is much smoother and less clunky on the Ford.
Suffice to say if your driving is mixed go for the Mondeo. If it's all motorway (like me) the Vectra may be better although I'm not sure about the 1.8 as I've never tried it. My 1.8 Mondeo was fairly vocal and not that economical in motorway use although it was great around town and on A roads.
I also had a number of problems with my Mondeo, an 01Y, but I would hope these have been ironed out by now. You'll have to test both to know which you prefer.
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So much comes down to personal choice. I (and many others here) prefer the Mondeo.
The 2.0 will easily give you early 30's mpg(mine reliably gives 35mpg with a mix of motorway, towns and backroads). The Vectra is a heavy car and the gearing on the Vectras is very high so performance seems slow with loads of gearchanging required to make progress which knackers the fuel consumption - the opposite of it's intention that only really appears at steady 70mph motorway cruising when it makes sense.
At the end of the day you need to be buying the car you will be happy to be driving everyday, not nessasarily the most recent version of a more poorly specced car.
Having said that Virgincars.co.uk are offering 1.8 LS Vectras with A/C and Alloys on 54 plates with less than 15k on the clock for £8,499 which would be hard to ignore (but over budget I know..........).
Have fun!
Gavin
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Thanks for all your help guys. I've more or less ruled out the Vectra now, since I do like my cars to both go and steer (and have a nice list of toys) and the general consensus is in agreement that the Vectra 1.8 doesn't fulfill those requirements.
Was about to rush off today to buy a pristine & well priced 01-Y Mondeo 2.0 Ghia X Estate with only 29k under it's wheels, but having spoken to the selling garage a couple of times today it would seem they're not having much joy finding someone to offer decent money for my part-ex...as a result I'm feeling miserable moping around at home. :o(
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PhiL
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the Vectra 1.8 doesn't fulfill those requirements.
Is there much difference in price - insurance wise - if you go for a 2.2 instead?
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Haven't come across any new-shape Vectra 2.2's within my (so-called) budget of £7k...and to be honest I do prefer Fords over Vauxhalls. I was tempted by these Vectra 1.8's simply because they seemed like such a bargain.
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PhiL
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