1998 Vauxhall Vectra LS Estate from UK and Ireland - Comments

None in 32,000 miles from new.

Handling: Uninspiring bordering on poor.

Suspension too soft leading to too much body roll. Steering vague with no feedback to the driver. Wet slippy conditions make it feel dangerous although this could be due to the OE Dunlop tyres. No improvement over my last car, a 1994 Astra Td estate

Performance: Again disappointing. OK up to 70 but ONLY OK. Lacks torque and it's very doubtful if it has anywhere near Vauxhalls claimed bhp figures. Lacks Grunt. Again, contrary to what Jeremy Clarkson says it's no faster than my old 1.7 TD Astra.

Comfort: In 30k miles I've yet to find the ideal position. I think it's there I've just not found it yet although I've had no sore backs in journeys of up to 400 miles. Too much road and wind noise at high speed. Again no better than the Astra it replaced.

Overall: The car's a nice looker outside and plush enough in. Has all the right comforts, CD, Air con etc. All controls easy to reach and use. Well designed cabin. Overall it's a good car badly let down by poor performance and terrible handling. If you always travel within the speed limits it's fine. If not forget it and buy something else.

Would I have another?

I doubt it. Vauxhall needs to work really hard to get their cars right. It took them 3 years to rectify serious handling problems with the old Astras and even then they only made them marginally better. Why have they done the same with the Vectra?

Hmm, the Vectra, where do I start?

Had a couple now, but that's down to my being unable to choose what I want. Had the V6 SRi and found it to be an OK car.

Next came the current one, a V6 Estate CDX. This car is fantastic. Handles extremely well (especially in the snow with the traction control on) mpg is on the average side for a V6, approx 36 on a motorway run, 28-32 round town. Seats are comfortable, driving position very good, loads of space in the Vectra and a very easy to load boot area.

Gone are the problems that Vauxhall started out with in the early Vectra B's, and I happen to think this is definitely a good car to own.