2006 Vauxhall Vectra SRi 1.8 petrol

Summary:

OK for the money

Faults:

Coolant leaks, thermostat, cambelt, exhaust, the typical stuff of age and mileage.

Cosmetically the car looks pretty bad on the exterior, but it is very old now and on higher mileage. Interior is in good shape though, and I do keep it clean.

General Comments:

A car I bought cheap back in 2015, this Vectra has been decent transport. OK looking in grey.

1.8 petrol is not fast and does 36 mpg on average. I can live with that, but let's face it, by today's standards that is pretty mediocre performance and economy.

Interior of this car is very nice and refined, some cheap plastics here and there, but the seats and other important stuff feel fine. Excellent on the motorway.

SRi handles nice, very sharp.

Since been replaced by the Insignia, so do not pay too much for a Vectra. And if you can get one cheap enough and fix all its little quirks, you have a decent family car that is cheap to run and still very useful.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 29th July, 2023

13th Dec 2023, 10:58

My car is basically the same. The Vectra is a still a common sight on the road, arguably better than early Insignia's as they have some expensive issues, but the Vectra can always be sorted for cheaper.

2006 Vauxhall Vectra Exclusiv 1.9 CDTi

Summary:

Average, very average car

Faults:

Handbrake weak, ABS sensors, turbo, clutch, plus the usual wear and tear.

General Comments:

Bought this Vectra back in 2016, it had low miles and was in great condition.

Now a very worn and well used car, some expensive bills aside I suppose it has been OK.

Exclusiv model is very basic. Seats are OK but not much electrics. Nice and comfortable and quiet on motorways though.

Good looking car in light blue with original Vauxhall alloy wheels.

Common as muck 1.9 diesel engine has had its problems, but reliable enough if looked after. Powerful even with the automatic although fuel economy is poor for diesel, I'm getting 42 mpg at best. The manual versions get nearer 50 mpg.

All in all not a bad car, just mediocre.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 26th July, 2023

26th Jul 2023, 21:22

I think you mean transmission slip instead of clutch, it is an automatic.

2006 Vauxhall Vectra SRi 1.9 turbo diesel

Summary:

Death's car, but in a good way

Faults:

Slight crack in the flexi pipe on the exhaust and a defected sensor for the back window, which the dealer fixed for me after I asked them.

General Comments:

Great to drive. I would just get into it and drive anywhere. Done about 115 out of it and it could have done more, and it handles great at high speed.

Fuel is great; getting about 47 to 48 MPG. The engine and bodywork are very clean and it was well looked after when I bought it. All service papers as well. Plenty of room in the estate.

When I bought it, the idle speed was a little erratic and the dealer said it's cold, plus I had a little bit of smoke come out the front wheel arch when the car's system was cleaning the exhaust out.

My local exhaust place told and showed me the cracked flexi pipe and said it was common. Just under 90 pounds for the front part with fitting. Could have went cheaper just with the flexi pipe being cut off and a new one replacing it. I rather get the job done right first time.

Going to get my brakes looked at; the dealers said they renewed the pads. I feel a little judder there sometimes when I brake at low speeds and I'm in the right gear at the time.

I do enjoy my Vauxhall Vectra 150 1.9 SRi estate; blacked out windows at the side and back chrome and black body, cool looking lights, comfy when driving.

Someone said to me about getting it remapped; what are the pro and cons of this? Not sure about it at the moment; my car is being a good lady for me.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th June, 2016

14th Nov 2020, 17:25

They are good cars for the money. I wouldn't bother getting it re-mapped, any increase in power will likely not be noticeable enough to be worth it, and given the car's age, if there were any issues messing with it, it would write it off. Play it safe and enjoy it for what it is - a decent car as cheap as they come.