1997 Vauxhall Vectra CDX 2.0 16V Petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

An expensive, unreliable mistake

Faults:

Speakers cutting out - fault denied by dealer, but fine when speakers replaced out of guarantee.

Rear brakes catching - denied by dealer, but OK now I've spent £228 on them.

Roof rattling - denied by dealer. I got so fed up with it that I drilled two holes in the ceiling and filled it with expanding foam. OK now.

Trim fell off door. The dealer actually admitted that there was a problem!! Wow! Done under Guarantee.

Rear wiper motor came loose. Simple fix. Didn't bother the dealer.

No reversing lights - fault traced to faulty connector onto switch in engine compartment. Tin foil cured it. Couldn't afford new set of leads.

The real killer - gearbox locking in neutral. This is not a nice experience when going round a busy roundabout. Nor is the experience of paying for a new gearbox. Bye bye £1000. What's more, the new gearbox is going the same way - difficulty getting some gears and popping out of position.

The latest developments - squealing from water pump.

Losing power when accelerating and jolting. Not cured by plugs, leads, filters. Another £250 and still no joy.

The timing kit, I have been reliably informed, needs replacing. My local garage loves me.

New clutch plates.

The catalytic converter, or lambda sensor (?) also needs replacing.

The steering column has developed a grating sound. No doubt another expensive repair - Nothing is cheap on this car. The wheel will probably come off in my hand next time I'm on a busy roundabout.

General Comments:

Roll on pay day, my car needs it again.

Never have I had such an unreliable, expensive, exasperating car. Such a shame I was seduced by the gadgets and left my beloved Cavalier.

The only positive thing is that the engine, when it works, is fairly efficient.

The seats are Chinese torture on long distances.

The tyres cost a bomb.

My long running love affair with Vauxhall cars has ended with this - a partner I can neither afford to keep or get rid of. Spent over £2000 in 6 months!

It is my strong recommendation that you do not buy a Vauxhall Vectra. The dealerships would deny they had a hole in their rectums were it not obvious they were talking from it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 27th May, 2003

25th Jun 2003, 17:07

Unless you has a serious case of backache, I have to say that the best seats I've ever tried were from my 1997 Vectra GLS hatch.

I travelled many long distances journeys and when I arrived at the destination, I was feeling like I just went to the shop.

23rd Jul 2003, 08:58

You must be an odd shape mate, because like the original reviewer said, mine were like some kind of torture instrument. Like sitting on a couple of planks with some cheap upholstery stuck on top.

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1997 Vauxhall Vectra Premier 1.6 16v from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Very nice car, but poor service from dealer

Faults:

The clock/radio display faulty.

Engine management light intermittently coming on.

Noisy boot area, sounds of things moving about.

Engine seems to be underpowered for car.

Gears hard to engage, 2nd in particular.

Key fob for central locking stopped working.

Suspension seems to be too soft, ride is a little like being on a boat.

Door mirrors are bad design, unable to see behind properly.

Noisy steering column.

General Comments:

The car itself looks really nice, this model is a limited edition for 1997.

It has alloy wheels, brake disc's all round, air conditioning, a lovely interior.

The car is very comfortable and is quiet.

The interior is very spacious and has lots of room.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th January, 2003

4th Jul 2003, 07:56

It might be a little late now, but if your central locking remote stops working again, it probably needs reprogramming, done by getting into the car, shutting all doors, turning the key in the ignition once (could be twice, try both) and pressing one of the buttons. The doors should lock and unlock indicating that the unit is now reprogrammed. My nearest Vauxhall dealer was going to charge me £15 per unti to do this, but it's in the handbook anyway!