1996 Vauxhall Vectra SRi 2.0i 16v from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A costly nightmare

Faults:

Engine management light came on now the car cuts out all the time. you can't rev it above 4.5 rpm,sounds as if it has reached limiter. starting from cold as soon as choke cuts out it stops.

General Comments:

The car was quick before I started getting problems. you go to the dealer and its just a guessing game, at my expense.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th August, 2003

1996 Vauxhall Vectra CDX 2.0 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Mid range family car with a few surprises up its sleeve!!!

Faults:

Exhaust & aluminium cover (Rear) broke pretty soon after I brought the car.

Electric central locking broke on rear near side.

Speedometer keeps dropping in the middle of a corner losing all knowledge of what speed your traveling.

General Comments:

Apart from all the doom & gloom of the bad points this car has been really good to me.

A new exhaust, K&N filter system & a class tuning session soon ironed out any blips in the throttle & pick up was improved 10 fold.

Comfy is good. leather just make the ride even better.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th June, 2003

1996 Vauxhall Vectra LS 1.8 16v from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A truly reliable family car

Faults:

The crankshaft sensor malfunctioned.

General Comments:

This car has been a total gem.

I can't complain as it has never let us down.

It still handles beautifully.

Even when the crankshaft sensor broke, the car didn't stop working altogether.

It has spent over half it's mileage lifespan with us travelling the length and breadth of England and I am truly proud of how brilliant this car is.

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

Review Date: 24th May, 2003

1996 Vauxhall Vectra SRi 16v 2l from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A lot of car for the money

Faults:

Cam shaft sensor had to be replaced at 100k.

Idle valve sensor went about 105k.

Wheel bearing replaced at 110k.

Full exhaust needed.

Battery replaced.

General Comments:

For a large car it was actually quite economical at around 32-35 mpg. However the cars reliability was a bit of a let down with electrics which proved to be quite expensive. Even after this I am now searching for another one. The gadgets on the car were quite cool, especially the on-board computer which tells you every thing from fuel consumption to bulb replacement. overall it has got reasonable acceleration and good handling.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th May, 2003

1996 Vauxhall Vectra GLS 1.7 turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A very quick and reliable car

Faults:

Alternator replaced three times under warranty

Airbag warning light.

General Comments:

This car is the best I have ever owned, everything that people say about the vectra is wrong! the only problems I've had are small. The acceleration is very good, and handles well at high speed, the seats are quite comfortable. the dashboard could have been designed a bit better, it looks cheap, but overall a good design. I would buy another vectra any day!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th March, 2003

25th Jul 2003, 08:47

Good car, but I agree about the airbag warning light mine come on one day for no reason what so ever, and to this day its stayed on.

8th Mar 2004, 09:37

Anyone know how to fix the airbag fault.

14th Sep 2005, 16:40

Mine too. The service man mentioned something like the seat belt re-tensioner being defective or needs adjustment.

1996 Vauxhall Vectra LS 1.8 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Stay clear of 95 to 97 models

Faults:

The Cat blew at 38,000 miles.

New timing belt and pulleys 40,000.

Water pump failed at 76,000.

Idle air control unit failed and throttle position switch (engines revs for no apparent reason)

Consistently damp boot, can't find leak.

New front disks and pads.

Seal in steering rack has failed (needs new rack)

Stem switch has failed, headlights flash after using indicators.

Engines stalls for no reason, very scary when turning corners.

Engine management light comes on for days at end, then is OK for weeks?

New camshaft sensor fitted.

Faulty radio/temp digital display, only certain pixels are lit.

Drivers side window jams on seal resulting in window falling out.

Recalled while it was being repaired by the dealer, spot welds on rear archs failed and had to be bolted.

General Comments:

Definitely a car to have a love hate relationship with.

The dealer had it for a full week just to tell me "it has a problem, but we can't find it", "bring it back when it gets worse"

Car has great economy, looks good and is very comfy. Love it when it's running fine. Talked to loads of other owners, most seem to have had the same problems, basically a dodgy engine management system.

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

Review Date: 13th February, 2003

4th Jul 2003, 08:13

I should have looked at this site before investing my £1700 on a '96 P! I'm gonna need a new idle air control unit (engines revs for no apparent reason)

Brakes squeal despite new pads

The new power steering rack was unbelievably loud for the first month,

Engines stalls for no reason,

Engine management light comes on for days at end, then is OK for weeks? This is your comment, but I couldn't word it better myself!

Faulty radio/temp digital display, only certain pixels are lit.

Drivers side window very slow.

Like the car when its OK, but find myself hating it most days now.