1997 Vauxhall Vectra SRi V6 2.5 Petrol

Summary:

Lots of performance for very little money

Faults:

Nothing so far.

General Comments:

Have had the car 2 years now and have only had to service it despite the mileage.

Brake pedal does sink a little now, told its the ABS pump needs replacing (having that done next week)

Have had 3 Ltr cams from an omega put in it and it flies now. It makes such a difference in performance.

Fuel consumption isn't bad too, I average around 28 mpg, for a 2.5 V6 that isn't bad.

Handling could be better, I upgraded to 17" alloys quickly and Goodyear F1's tyres.

Overall this car is fantastic even with the mileage, next car will have to be the 3.2 V6 Gsi.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd May, 2006

1997 Vauxhall Vectra GLS 2.0 16V Petrol

Summary:

Very unreliable, would never buy a Vauxhall again

Faults:

Kept cutting out, a few times completely cutting out when I was going at 70mph on the motorway. Scariest drive I've ever had - you try driving round a slight bend on a motorway at 70 when the power steering suddenly stops!

At a stop, whilst not using the pedals at all, it would rev from 500 - 2000rpm.

Complete head blew at about 45,000 miles (not the gasket). Probably due to revving all the time.

General Comments:

Would never buy a Vauxhall again - best thing I did was sell it, but nearly lost some trade in because the sales guy saw how much it was cutting out when I drove it in...

Get a 2nd hand quality car that's built properly - managed to get a Lexus for less than I originally paid for the Vauxhall.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 25th April, 2006

1997 Vauxhall Vectra LS 2.0 DTI

Summary:

Not a great car

Faults:

Shock absorbers failed at 70,000 miles.

Front suspension coils at 69,000 miles (part of coil snapped off).

Numerous "Turbo boost valve" failures.

Air-con needed re-gassed at 50,000 miles.

ABS failed at 50,000 miles.

Rear suspension bushes at 60,000 miles. Still awful rattles from rear of car after they were changed.

Drivers seat collapsed at 75,000 miles.

Constant problems with poor starting and engine warning lights on dash board. Car kept going into a "safe mode" which made it go really slow.

General Comments:

Very fast in straight line, scary when going round corners.

Suspension bottoms out easily on country roads.

Lovely sound from the radio.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 15th September, 2005

18th Dec 2005, 04:05

At least the radio works though!!

20th Mar 2006, 14:35

I agree with the scary round corners. My Vectra was no longer a Vectra when sticking out the side of some bloke's house!

1997 Vauxhall Vectra LS 1.8 16v

Summary:

Solid A-B car, not as rugged as the Cavalier

Faults:

'Common fault': Idle control valve replaced at 70,000 to fix erratic idle between 600-2500 rpm and stalling.

Occasional misfire followed by EMS lamp on started recently approx 102000.

'Common Fault': Exhaust manifold studs cracked off, noticed and repaired at 101000, possibly been like that for some time.

General Comments:

Goes very well for a family car with only a 1.8 engine.

Roomy and comfortable.

Indifferent handling, safe, but lots of under-steer. Fine when cruising.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th September, 2005

1997 Vauxhall Vectra DI 2.0 turbo diesel

Summary:

Reliable, cheap to run, fun and comfortable to drive, particularly on motorways

Faults:

I brought the car privately in March 2005.

1. Information display in the dash was garbled.

2. It had worn rear dampers and hubs, which produced a knocking over bumps.

3. Drivers door remote locking servo had failed.

4. Vacuum sensor had not been mounted and was found hanging down inside the engine bay.

5. Boot lid hinges bent from heavy use after rubber stoppers were removed or lost.

All told, this problems have cost me 400 pounds to have fixed.

General Comments:

The car has cause me no unforeseen problems as yet and always starts first time.

Turbo kicks in at 1,800 revs, making a lovely whistle, all the way up to 5,000 revs.

Handling is very compliant and is fun, either twisting through a rural welsh lane or the M1 nipping past people.

The cabin is extremely comfortable, road noise is present, but not really inhibiting to the journey. Seats are supportive and comfortable for long journeys, with lots of leg room in both the front and back.

Dash layout is easy to understand and the in dash information display means you can spend as little time as possible with your eyes off the road checking the radio station or CD track.

For a diesel car it's quick. The soft turbo makes it fun to drive, but not uncomfortable, with smooth acceleration and good ride quality.

As is expected, the engine sounds rough on a cold morning, but after 5-10 minutes is very smooth. From in the cabin, when warm, it is difficult to tell the engine is a diesel.

Altogether, I'm extremely impressed with this diesel. A pleasure to drive and own.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th May, 2005