1997 Vauxhall Vectra CDX review from UK and Ireland
"An expensive, unreliable mistake"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
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.
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| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Year of manufacture | 1997 |
| First year of ownership | 1999 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.0 16V Petrol Manual |
| Performance marks | 2 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 2 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 4 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 0 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 7 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 8000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 42000 miles |
| Previous car | Vauxhall Cavalier |
| Date of Entry | 27th May, 2003 |