1998 Holden Vectra CD review from Australia and New Zealand

- Idle control valve replaced at 167,000 ($400) (Holden)

- Cam sensor replaced at 170,000 ($200) (Holden)

- Engine mounts replaced at 178,000 ($500) (Bought parts myself, work done locally)

- Timing belt at 180,000 ($550) (Bought belt myself, work done locally)

- Air conditioning compressor & blower fan replaced at 180,000 ($800) (Bought parts myself, fitted locally)

- Rocker gasket ($100)

- Rocker cover at 180,000 ($200)

- Valve springs at 180,000 (yet to replace)

- Rear door power locks failed

- Front door power locks failing

- Rattling noise coming from somewhere on the left hand side. Only apparent when in gear. Gearbox mount perhaps

- Some bits of trim broken

- Radio has static on AM

- CD changer often gets jammed when changing CDs

The 2.0 motor lacks low down torque, I'd recommend you buy the V6 as I've heard it's both more powerful and more reliable.

The handling is acceptable, though on stock rubber (195/70R15) it can get a bit mixed up especially on wet roads with understeer then oversteer. Putting on 215/45R17 rims helps this an awful lot, and with them it grips nicely. Adding a rear sway bar also helps.

The features of the car are quite nice, with things like the trip computer and IRS coming in handy in various situations. It's really a true reps car.

A positive on this car is fuel consumption. The trip computer helps you view what you're doing, and my best figures were a great 7.8L/100km.

As nice as this car is, with a great profile, it really is a money pit in terms of wear and tear. Even when you look after it, things are still constantly going wrong.

If only GM Opel and GM Holden could have instigated better build practices, this would have been a great car.

For the same money as one of these, you can get an E34 BMW 525i. Do that; it's a much better choice.