I'm thinking of going for a nearly new 01 Y Vectra 2.2SRi because it's such good value but am put off ny all the negative comments about the Vectra. I've been in a couple and think they're OK so are they really all that bad???
Also, anyone got any comments, good or bad, about the Peugeot 406 2.2 SRi?
Edited by Pugugly {P} on 21/02/2008 at 20:22
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Personally i will never have a Vauxhall or Ford again, the low price gives a hint to the demand for this model. Having said that i work with many people who have, or have had a Vectra, and are quite happy with them. One chap has had two with out problems and would have made it three but couldn't get the deal he wanted. He has once again gone to Ford having said he would never have one again after three drive shaft failures on the Mk2 escort he had, his new Focus has just had a wheel bearing failure. Another engineer has The latest Astra, constant trips back to the dealer for problems too long to list, has left him completely disillusioned with Vauxhall.
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I'm over the perfectly happy with my 98 1.8 GLS and as I have said many times before on theis Forum, I love it when people slag them as it drives down the prices! Whoo hoo. There seems to be three types of people in the world those that hate Vauxhalls, those that hate Fords and those that hate both. I hate Fords and am happy with my Vauxhall, my Mate Andrew hates Vauxhalls and is fanatical about Fords. HJ raves about his Mondeo and hates Vectras Fair enough.
Not sure if these have been fixed in the new facelifted models but my 'niggles' are:
Headlight bulbs hard to change - ask a passing kid to help!
Electrical connectors in the loom arnt great.
Electric window switches are by the gearstick, stupid place for them!
Vauxhall dealer service in my area is best described as average, but they sell GM marked consumables (oil filters etc) cheap.
Go drive it, make up your own mind. Or find an extra couple of grand and buy a Bora TDi and make me jealous
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I'm thinking of going for a nearly new 01 Y Vectra 2.2SRi because it's such good value but am put off ny all the negative comments about the Vectra. I've been in a couple and think they're OK so are they really all that bad???
No, they're worse! But for me, it's not a generic "hate all Vauxhalls" thing. Having driven a few Vectras as hire cars, I can't stand them & specifically request "not a Vectra" now. The last one I had was an SRi by coincidence. It would have been nice to have had steel springs instead of wooden blocks in the suspension. My other main problem is the uncomfortable seats - far too hard. My first bad experience was in a GLS which felt totally disconnected from the road - like driving a hovercraft must be. Body & suspension seem to talk only occasionally. It wa sthis inherent instability that put me off.
I suspect that they make great motorway cars, but for everyday, cross-country, through-the-town, over-the-potholes stuff, forget it! I'm sure you'll get plenty of alternatives suggested....
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In reply to Big Vern, ....................
:o)
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This is no help whatsoever, just an observation.
Depends upon your personal point of view! I have friends who until recently were driving Cavaliers. They both loved them - DESPITE the problems that they had. And now they have gone on to buy further Vauxhall products.
Emotion plays a very big part in all this - else we would all be driving Skodas!
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Hi Marc,
You may be interested to know my experiences: I bought a 01 Y 2.2LS at the start of this year - very similar to the SRi as the 2.2LS has stiffened suspension and traction control though obviously minus the other SRi goodies.
The car is *very* fast for what it is - a good mate of mine owns a 2.6 V6 SRi and the difference between the two is barely noticeable. The engine sounds nice and is very revvy - For the age and power you'd have trouble finding the same for the same price. The car is good on motorways, like many Vauxhalls has a very good stereo. Understeer is not as bad as everyone makes out by a long way (certainly no worse than the pre 2000 Mondeo, at least not on my car) but if you're really going to be spending a lot of your time thrashing the car round windy country lanes something else might be advisable.
Problem is, I am actually on my 2nd Vectra now after having the dealership replace the car due to so many faults. My current car and the one I originally bought were both German built and the build quality is absolutely appalling. The seats squeak so much is actually hurts your ears when you're driving - same for the SRi. You might want to check this out when you test drive yours as the dealers haven't a clue how to rectify this problem. Best part of mine sorted out with WD40 by myself.
My aircon exploded on the first car *twice* and I am told that pipe bursts seem to be a common problem on Y plate Vectras by my dealer though fixed under warranty. My windscreen washers failed as well for no apparent reason and also some sort of torsion bar which sits behind the dashboard fell off and had to be replaced along with the dreadfully squeaky dashboard. As regards fuel consumption, the 2.2 is not particularly efficient and you'll get roughly 32ish to the gallon, 28 with aircon on.
My replacement one, now I've had the tracking rectified and the squeaking seats now seems to be okay but I am finding it hard to be filled with confidence, time will tell...
I actually like the car when it is working properly and isn't at the dealers. I know half a dozen people with Mondeos and hear few good comments made about them and personally find them tacky and plasticky inside compared to the Vectra but each to their own on that score. My own opinion is that I got a lot of car for the money and a very fast one at that, but I don't think I'll ever have another Vauxhall again after this one.
Best of luck,
Dan
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Also, anyone got any comments, good or bad, about the Peugeot 406 2.2 SRi?
My Dad had a 406 2.0Sri.
It was a *fantastic* car. Pulled form low down the rev range, very fast and not too much understeer. Mercedes smooth and silent on the road. Build quality seemed great.
However it was a company car.
For the private buyer it seems a silly buy. Few of the consumable components are standard, and it's got a turbo. COuld be a lot of trouble in the future.
My old mans' was sold at two years old with 100k on it for £3500 quid. At that mileage it ws like new, used no oil and had a mint interior despite being used as a horse c**p disposal van for two years. Bags straight on the seat...
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Parp, Parp!
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Marc,
The 406 SRi, now no longer uses the 2.0 turbo engine, but a 2.2 NA powerplant.
I'd have one over the vectra anyday. They look and go superberbly.
Steve
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Marc,
I've been driving for about 20 years now and speaking as someone who has to buy his own cars and pay to fix them etc.
I have finally learnt that the only way ahead is to buy Japanese.
Are they boring because they hardly ever go wrong and take you from A2B with the minimum of trauma? It works for me.
My next car will definetly be a jap.
Alf
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Are they boring because they hardly ever go wrong
And when they do it's better working on one of their cars than one of their railways...
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Parp, Parp!
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Thanks for all the comments - good and bad. After weighing it all up and trawling the dealers, I've opted for a 8 month old Ford Direct Mondeo 1.8LX and I think it's a cracking car.
I'm sure HJ would approve of this choice! Apologies to all the Vectra supporters
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