2002 Holden Vectra GL 2.2 petrol from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Average as it gets

Faults:

Timing belt, servicing and consumables.

Headliner sagging near the end of ownership.

Paint fade, not much rust though.

Seats were pretty much collapsed after 100K.

There was more, but nothing serious or expensive.

General Comments:

If you want text book transport, this is the car for you. Boring, and average in all areas, this car will send you to sleep.

On the plus side they are generally reliable (if looked after), repairs and servicing costs are reasonable, not bad to drive but an equivalent Ford will likely drive much better.

Interior is functional, no more. Ride is OK, comfort is fine.

2.2 has a decent turn of speed even with the auto box, and does about 7.3/100KM on average with fuel.

A decent but just not very memorable car. Nothing special at all, but the car never let me down and I do not think they are as bad as some people say if you get a nice one.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th October, 2022

2002 Holden Vectra Equipe 2.2 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Good to drive, terrible to repair

Faults:

Both headlines failed within 4 weeks of each other, whilst the car was only a year old and still under warranty.

The tyres on the Vectra need replacing very often, according to the tyre centres I've visited. Every 20,000km the front tyres need replacing, they wear out much faster than the rears.

The routine 30,000km service at Holden was very expensive, $420.

After the warranty expired, half of the back-lights inside the dash on the right side (behind the speedometer and fuel gauge) stopped working. But they are still visible at night time so I didn't get this fixed.

At 60,000, there was a scheduled change of the timing belt, which is a very expensive part. Also brake pads needed replacing. That service cost over $1300.

At 90,000, the rocket cover gasket was damaged and needed replacing. Two more tyres needed to be changed. And a few days after the service, the car started vibrating aggressively. It turns out the head gasket was blown, which the mechanic says is very common on Astras and Vectras. Repairing this will cost $1300 or so.

General Comments:

All in all, its nice to drive around town. It has quite a bit of pull, a good stereo and good visibility. The interior is a bit dated, but it's quite a powerful car when accelerating from a stop.

The seats are decent, and the fabric and interior have held up well after 6 years. It has a very solid and refined feel to it, very good handling and ride.

The service issues, costs are really the biggest problem, and I wouldn't advise holding on to this car after the warranty expires.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 18th September, 2008

2002 Holden Vectra cd 2.2 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Great little car, but maintance too expensive

Faults:

Steering problem 28000km toe in / out

Timimg belt replacement 58000 also management light came on, cam sensor and engine sensor at same time new water pump required not impressed.

General Comments:

This car handles well and performs great.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd March, 2006

24th Jan 2008, 17:50

I bought a 2002 Holden Vectra. I have only had it 3 months. In general runs well, but had trouble with the ignition and window regulator.

10th Apr 2008, 05:23

I own a Holden Vectra, owned it 6 months and I purchased it second hand through a car dealer. During this time I have only had trouble with the rear passengers window regulator snapping and a pin falling out of the ignition.

Overall a good car, but was wondering if the factory stereo has plugs in the back for an amp?

30th Aug 2011, 00:49

A thousand dollars for cam belt replacement is normal on most twin cam engined cars. Don't forget that included are the tensioner, idler bearings and water pump, as well as the crank and cam seals need to be replaced at the same time. If you don't, these will fail often within 50,000k of the replacement being done, causing the job to need redoing, and possible engine damage resulting.