1996 Vauxhall Vectra CDX 16v 2.0 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Good performance, but riddled with problems

Faults:

Passenger sun visor broke 2 weeks after buying the car. Vauxhall wanted £110 for parts to fix it.

Timing Belt & Tensioner broke after 29000 miles. (Vauxhall did pay for everything, but I was without a car for 2 weeks)

Alternator overcharged, damaging the battery + 3 electric windows + dash bulbs. Ever since vauxhall fixed the bulbs the top of the dashboard has creaked.

Water leaks in seal around the boot, drivers side rear door, and passenger side foot well (water literly ran in through where the windscreen meets the bulk head.) filling the passenger (front & rear) foot wells in water.

Front left fog light leaks letting in water causing it to mist and causing corrosion.

The multifunction display (showing current Miles per Gallon, temperature, average speed, fuel range, average miles per gallon, etc.) has lost some of the vertical display lines.

The airbag & pretension seat belt warning light keeps coming on, thereby deactivating both safety features. I have to keep having it reset at a garage.

The drivers seat support bar broke at the very small weld point.

The clip in the radio that holds the removable face plate has broken twice.

The car was recalled because of brake problems, the handbrake cable and brake fluid was supposed to be changed, but 2 months later when I had it serviced the brake fluid still failed, it had too much water in it.

The ash tray popped out about 9 months after I bought the car, Vauxhall mechanic's said yeah its broke you'll need a new one, they wanted £127+VAT for parts. I did not go for that option and decided to take it out and look at it myself. The Haynes manual still hadn't been published at that point so I had to figure out how to get it out. I ended up being the metal pivot pin had come out. This has happened 4 times since.

Today the engine management light came on, and the car dropped loads of power. The garage told me straight away, that I wasn't alone and it would probably be the cam-shaft sensor (they have had a lot of people with the same problem). They have now told me it is indeed the cam-shaft sensor.

General Comments:

The car is quick, but it has terrible under-steer, and subsequently gets though tires quickly (they are not cheap tires either).

The power-steering in very nice, and the brakes are very good. This model has large disks all round.

There is plenty of room in the boot.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 5th February, 2003

17th Oct 2007, 15:17

Yes the disc's are large. They're the same ones fitted to the 2.5 V6!

1996 Vauxhall Vectra CDX 2.0 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

An economical pocket rocket

Faults:

Alternator diode pack burnt out at 112000 miles.

CD player sometimes plays up.

General Comments:

Generally, the car has been superb.

It's comfortable, shifts when I need it, and returns a good MPG on the motorway.

In two and a half years, and 60000 miles, it has only let me down once, and I haven't exactly looked after it as well as I should.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st December, 2002

1st Jan 2003, 07:11

I agree, great car, despite the bad press. Imagine what it would be like if you did look after it.

26th Feb 2003, 07:34

People moan about the vectra CDX, but I have just traded mine in for a newer Y reg. My old R reg' vectra had done 217,000 when I traded it in. In all that time the air con packed up and the drivers side wheel bearing went after 215,000 miles and that is all. A great car. Hope my new one lasts as long.

Andy C.

1996 Vauxhall Vectra LS 1.8 16V from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Don't Waste Your Money.

Faults:

Engine cutting out, bit danger when your going around corners!! new valve and breather modification £280.00.

Knocking in the steering, new steering knuckle £110.00 fitted joint, but steering wheel was up side down. they didn't notice??scary.

Petrol tank leaked first time I filled it. filled the back seats with petrol. parts £1.10 vauxhall to fit £61.00 (5 minutes job)

Air bag light comes on, no codes left, but vauxhall charge me £17.50 to reset.

Heavy smell of fumes when first started, no leaks in exhaust system??

Brakes squeal, new disc's and pads, still squeal??

ABS kicks in at low speed braking, thought car was falling to bits first time it happened. garage can't find a problem.

I will never buy a vauxhall again, high mile car when I bought it, but with full service history you would expect a better reliability. vauxhall prices are horrendous. master-fit are a joke.

Give me a mondeo any day.

General Comments:

Average miles per gallon.

Average performance.

Expensive parts.

Don't touch them you will end up with an ulcer.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 22nd October, 2002