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Are the auto gearboxes on vectras anygood? and are they good cars? Seen a 2.2i Direct Elite 5dr that I am interested in.
Edited by Pugugly {P} on 19/10/2007 at 20:44
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Vectra C is apparently much better than the earlier models, which were very average. The autobox is superb, very smooth and responsive. It's a Toyota box, so won't die in a hurry.
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Vauxhall have used Aisin-Warner autoboxes on their front-wheel drive cars for a long time. AW is a division of Toyota, the autoboxes also being used on Lexus, Volvo and more recently Ford and Freelander 2.
I've heard them described as "bullet-proof" and they're capable of handling diesel levels of torque, the Vectra 3.0CDTi uses the same box.
I can't comment on their service life - my hardworking Astra, using the AF17, has only done 97k miles but it still changes as smooth as ever, despite regularly coping with a 1250kg caravan.
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There was an *issue* with some of the early autoboxes where water could get into the box from a breather pipe and wreck the gearbox to the point that it needed replacing. Providing servicing was carried out by Vauxhall (who were aware of the problem) then the breather pipe problem was amended during routine servicing.
Both my previous Vectra-C (got written off) and current Vectra-C have the 2.2 engine and 'tiptronic' gearbox. I would be more concerned with the engine than gearbox. Make sure it's had regular oil changes and the camchain oil lubrication modification.
A look at www.z22se.co.uk will reveal more about this engine.
Also a look at www.Vectra-C.com will give you some good pointers.
But in general the 2.2 engine and autobox gets a thumbs up from me.
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Coolant contamination in the autobox on a 2.2 is discussed on this link; although I assume this is a Vectra B from the 'GLS' designation. Not sure if this is effectively the same parts / potential problem as on a Vectra C 2.2 ?:-
preview.tinyurl.com/2b8mp3
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I have a 52 2.2 Autoand it works very well and I'm very happy with it. However when I bought it last summer (then 4 yrs old at 65k miles) the auto box went wrong and it took about 2 months to get it fixed under the Network Q warranty and must have cost Vauxhall a fortune. Bear in mind that mine is 52 made in Feb 03 and as such was a very early Vectra C.
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I had a petrol Astra L reg (from new) with an auto box and had to get a recon box at 320K mils, it eventually keeled over (not due to the auto) at a tad under 390K miles!
Now I have a Vectra 03 reg 2.2DTi auto with 183K on the clock (from new) and have been very happy with it. Lovely & smooth & hopeing I get the same milage out of it!!!
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gerfan, have you changed the oil in your gearboxes at any time or are they sealed for life.
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Perhaps DD can explain why most of the 2.2 Vectra Cs have the autobox - seemingly as standard ? I'm interested in this engine with a manual g'box - as on my old Vec B - yet they are seemingly impossible to find on Autotrader etc....
Steve
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Perhaps DD can explain why most of the 2.2 Vectra Cs have the autobox - seemingly as standard ?
Fraid I can't Steve. When I wrote off my 53 reg Vectra, trying to find a replacement 2.2 auto was as rare as hens teeth. Most of the garages around my area only had manual 2.2's. One of the garages told me that the auto version was a £1000 dearer new, and that's why there are more manuals than autos. Sods law dictates when you're looking for either an auto or manual, the one you're looking for will be harder to find.
Don't totally dimiss the auto though. As it has a tiptronic type gearshift, you can drive it in a similar way to a manual.
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Thanks DD - will need to take a test drive and try one out !
Steve
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One thing I should point out is that the road tax is higher for an auto than it is for a manual box.
£170 for manual, £210 for auto.
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>> Perhaps DD can explain why most of the 2.2 Vectra Cs have the autobox - seemingly as standard ?
At the end of the day very few Vectras are bought by private owners with the bigger engine, most will be Rep specials the same as Mondeos. So very few will have been allowed the extra £1K for the Auto & if they have that flexibility then they probably won't be looking at a Vectra or Mondeo but will go for a pauper spec BMW, Audi etc.
This is the reason that Jag X-Types depreciate so badly, a lot on the market are very base spec. & this drags down the overall value.
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£23,995