Faults:

Rear anti roll bar bushes worn and were knocking when I got the car. Dead easy to sort, and managed to do it free of any charge by myself.

Windscreen wiper mechanism was a bit 'slack' (known fault); again fixed by myself at minimal cost.

Was an ex company car, and has had a new alternator fitted when I got the car. Reason unknown.

General Comments:

Bought the car on ebay, wasn't even 4 years old and I bought it with tax, test and full service history for 3K.

Car is very comfortable and quiet, even though it is the bottom of the range model. Typical repmobile and is built around the driver with everything at finger tip control. I like the cruise control and the flappy paddle indicator stalks, which get bad press, but are neat to operate. When you go back to a car with the standard type indicator stalk, you realise how bad they are! The (old type ones that is). Very light controls, brake clutch, steering etc. and is an easy car to drive.

Natural habitat is the motorway, and it eats up miles effortlessly with the Fiat sourced 1.9 multijet diesel lump with 6 speed box; 70mph equates to 1900rpm and 50mpg plus. A lot of my journeys are 9 to 10 mile commute, and I get 42 mpg driving carefully, and very rarely get it into 5th gear.

Car feels safe and solid, and has had some bad press over the years. I feel it is unjustified, as I would recommend this car to anyone wanting a family sized, cheap to buy and run, reliable bus.

Faults:

We have had complete handbrake failure. Fortunately no one was hurt.

We have had suspension problems, stereo problems, central locking not working, alarm going off for no reason several times; normally requires a drive round the block to stop this.

The seats and carpet are also not wearing well for the amount of use that the vehicle gets.

Ski hatch lock sticks.

The boot lining is not fitted correctly.

General Comments:

Nice sized car.

Good boot.

Handles well.

Difficult to park due to the highness of the rear.

Indicator sticks are a complete nightmare as they do not always stay on when you have put them on.

Juddering of the clutch when the car is started from cold.

Faults:

Notchy gearchange 1-2, 2-3rd.

Interior a little uninspiring.

Audio system lacks midrange.

Handling a little distant.

General Comments:

After having the old Vectra this is a totally different car. I was looking at an Alfa 156 but this genuinely won me over. Obviously not as inspired as the Alfa and doesn't sound as good, but from an engineering point of view wins hands down.

It's quicker than all the Audi/VW 2.0TDI's and 2.0 FSI's out there, the BMW 320's and Mondeos (less the ST220), handles crisply and solidly, benefits from great brakes and is really well put together. (it is made in Germany!)

The gearchange has been a let down however, notchy and unwilling when chaning gear quickly - however this is an understood issue on early gearboxes and Vauxhall are currently replacing gearbox and clutch under Network Q warranty, just becuase of a notchy gearchange.

Motorway driving is brilliant, relaxing and 35-40 MPG. You'll also love it on the country roads, where it feels slick, firmly poised and reassuring to throw into bends thanks to it's direct if slightly uncommunicative steering, excellent brakes and huge grip.

Also lower the windows and those compression and dump valve noises from the turbocharger might appeal to your inner boy racer!

I'd never buy a new Vauxhall (sorry!) as the depreciation is plain silly, but a 3 year old one of these with 30k on the clock, full Network Q warranty for £7k is just excellent value.

If you can live with having a Griffin on the front of your car rather than a blue propeller, a three pointed star or a few rings then this makes a lot of sense. It's a well engineered car, handles great, 0-60 in 8.1 seconds and if you can get one with one of the new gearboxes you'll not be disappointed.

My major gripe would be the audio system - it mushes up all your midrange. Something like Amy Winehouse sounds fine, stick Oasis on and it's terrible!

Still don't you still have to pay extra for a radio in a BMW?