1998 Holden Vectra GL review from Australia and New Zealand

Car was built in Belgium by Opel.

23,000Km, After numerous failures the remote door lock control was reprogrammed under warranty.

23,000KM, Commencement of a long series of steering problems - new column ordered but not fitted after problem was "fixed" by replacing another part.

36,000Km, New steering column fitted and when problem found not to have been fixed, the intermediate shaft was replaced - all under warranty.

48,000Km, Rear door lock failed and replaced under warranty.

48,000Km, Steering shaft seal lubricated at firewall in and endeavour to eliminate column noises - under warranty.

57,000Km, Dealer unable to identify unusual transmission noise.

58,000Km, After gearbox was intermittently locking in neutral the dealer carried out "adjustment / alignment procedure as per GM manual"

59,000Km, After more locking in gear the gearbox was removed and found to have a collapsed 5th gear bearing and totally destroyed internals - after waiting 5 weeks for a complete replacement gearbox to arrive from Germany the new box was fitted under warranty by dealer #1.

64,000Km, Dealer #2 replaced the steering intermediate shaft in an endeavour to eliminate steering knocks. At this time they discovered that dealer #1 who had replaced the gearbox had not re-fitted the reversing light solenoid to the new box, despite the fact that unconnected cabling was clearly hanging down the front of the box. After I complained to Holden that their dealer had let me drive a car which did not meet our roadworthy laws, dealer #1 sent a mechanic around to work to fit the missing part.

67,000Km, Dealer #2 still unable to identify steering knocking under full turn at slow speeds.

69,000Km, Car returned to dealer #2 to continue chase for cause of the steering knock. Left front brake caliper re-fitted because of twist in the hose. All suspension bolts were tightened and finally it was discovered that a non-standard bolt was fitted to the left side cross member - it had been tightened as far as there was thread which was burred, but the sub-frame was still moving under load.

Because of the non-standard part Holden were not keen on a warranty claim, but I certainly did not pay for the work.

Again I complained to Holden about the safety aspects of their dealer #1's sloppy work, and received a letter "regretting any inconvenience I had been caused"

The car is now out of warranty, going well, and with 16 inch after-market wheels & great Toyo tyres is a pleasure to drive, especially on the open road.