1998 Holden Vectra CD review from Australia and New Zealand

The timing belt tensioners failed at 122,000km therefore causing the timing belt (intact) to slip- smashing the engine. I am now up for a $2000 to $3000 dollar bill to get the engine rebuilt and I have only had the car for six weeks!

Some electrics in dash have also failed since I got it.

All four brake disks need doing, but I knew this before I got the car.

I loved this car when I bought it six weeks ago. Now I'm not so sure as I have to have my engine rebuilt! I had the car all checked out before I bought it and serviced two weeks before the timing belt tensioner incident (which left me on a highway with my car switched off and basically out of control). My mechanic said I couldnt have bought a car in better condition and it was running perfectly up until it went. I'm told it's just one of those unlucky things that happen with cars so I would reccomend that anyone with Vectra around the age of mine to have the timing belt tensioners replaced when the timing belt is (even though it's not recomended) or get it checked out.

Other than that I really enjoy driving this car. It holds the road really well and has pretty decent acceleration. It cruises at high speeds. The stereo system is also really good and the steering wheel mounted controls are great.

The only problem with the car is the fact it's imported (expensive parts) and the engine is designed in such a way that it's really hard for mechanics to work on it. Other than that if you have no problems it's a great car priced well and goes great.