2000 Holden Vectra Reviews - Page 2 of 3

Timing belt went, costing me 3000 after a new head had been put on. Went good for a while, then dash lights started coming on, and will not turn off.

The car turns off while driving; this is very dangerous.

Don't know why they have not been forced to fix these problems, as they come down to safety. Every respectable car company has done so in the past. Because of this, I will never buy another Holden. I have a Ford AU 2002 ute, and have had no problems, only basic upkeep needed .

Don't know what to do with it. I want to sell it, but I don't want to either, because I know it's a danger to anyone who will buy it.

Bolt snapped causing timing belt and 12 valves to be replaced, $2500.

Engine oil cooler replaced, $3000.

Fuel pump replaced, $450.

Brakes replaced, $800.

Coil packs and air flow meter replaced, $1300.

Nice car to drive when it works and not plagued with problems.

Now has problem where it is losing power when braking, originally thought it was the air flow meter, but still losing power

Steering column noise - replaced.

I am happy with the car overall.

Good compromise between performance and economy. Comfortable yet sporty.

Not too big/heavy.

Reasonable equipment level and solid build quality.

No problems with reliability.

Major gripe is with Holden Service.

I have been bringing it back for logbook services to my Holden dealer ever since I got it, typically once a year. For the last four years there was always something wrong after the - hideously expensive - service was carried out. Either something was not properly fastened, or a defect occurred shortly after the service, or for example the invoice talked about replacing coolant, and within a week after the service, the coolant level sign signalled a severely undersupplied coolant level.

So, while I liked the car, there is nothing comparable in the current Holden line-up (the Epica is too big and thirsty), and they have abandoned importing European-made cars, which have always been miles ahead of anything imported from Asia or - shudder - locally made bombs.

1) Slight coolant leak that gradually got worse to the point where it now needs the oil cooler replaced (Holden have quoted $2,000. Vauxhall would do this in the UK for 400gbp. Am I being ripped off?!?)

2) Drive shaft replaced, just out of warranty. Actually a recall item only picked up by a young apprentice obviously to the disgust of the head mechanic. They had to pay for half of it. Always noticed knocking from front when steering. Now I know why.

3) Hesitation when accelerating. Always questioned it of mechanic. Never fixed properly though.

4) One brake not working when handbrake on. Again, questioned of mechanic when under warranty. Ended up having to pay for it out of warranty. How could I prove this?

5) Adjustable headlamp stuck. Tried to get fixed under warranty. Never properly fixed. Had to pay for it out of warranty.

6) Power steering leaked out all fluid, nearly ruined power steering. Thankfully was fixed under warranty, reluctantly.

7) Squeak from driver seat made me feel like I was sitting on an old couch, rather than driving a euro sport saloon. Never properly fixed.

Unlike most other owners, I don't think this car was too bad. In terms of performance, comfort, economy, handling it's a nice car. The V6 has a nice roar and is silky smooth through to over 6,000rpm. Hatchback design means this car swallows up the luggage.

Shame about the oil cooler. This is obviously an inherent design flaw which judging by other reports on the web always seems to go just out of warranty.

I think because I regularly serviced it, it didn't give too much trouble, but I get the feeling the bills will start adding up soon.