2003 Vauxhall Vectra Elite from UK and Ireland - Comments

Too early to tell.

Just wanted to make some general comments about the car. On taking delivery of the car I was anxious (obviously) to take it out on a run, so 400 miles later:

The car averages around 25 mpg, which is less than specified, but who believes official figures anyway? But the ride is worth sacrificing those 2 or 3 mpg.

Smooth and exciting to drive, an excellent level of equipment and a high standard of build quality make you feel as if you're driving a much more expensive marque.

Tons of power under your right foot to get you out of those sticky situations, with excellent traction and grip.

In short this car is a pleasure to drive and would recommend it to anyone wishing to drive a very understated, all rounder.

Just one thing, I would not like to have purchased this car new, as I bought it with 10,000 on the clock, and it being only 6 months old more than £7000 pounds depreciation would be worrying.

You certainly make a good case for considering the purchase of a Vectra Elite. I am at present considering purchasing one, but as I am a keen caravanner would appreciate any information about the towing capabilities of the car from you or any of your colleagues.

Malcolm Swift.

I would certainly recommend this car to you. It accelerates well, the 3.2 litre hitting sixty in a little over 7 seconds, and the 2.2 in just over 9 seconds.

Mid range torque is good, and has enough pulling power to get you towing all day long with enough in reserve should you need it to get you out of those sticky situations.

They also make an excellent 2.2 litre diesel and in the SRI version of it a little extra performance with a 45 mpg plus mpg is not to be sneezed at.

The reason I opted for the 3.2 version is simply because I still have a little of the boy racer in me.

But would be perfectly happy with a well specked 2.2 litre.

I hope this helps.

Insurance is surprisingly low also.

OK, 5 months on and time for an update.

So far, there is a rather annoying snatchy feel from the gearbox when switching between 2nd and 3rd when accelerating hard/ish. The odd warning has been displayed for headlamp beam being low, which disappears when engine turned off and on again. The air vent directions slat has broken, and an annoying little rattle has appear at the rear, I believe it to be the parcel shelf.

If that is all that goes wrong with the car I will be more than pleased. It still continues to be a pleasure to drive, with all the power you will ever need, and more besides. The steering is positive, although not the most driver involved I have ever driven, but less "wallowy" than similar marques.

Giving about the same return from a gallon of fuel as a MG ZR 160, which is quite amazing really from a car almost twice it's engine size and weight.

In conclusion, a few "niggly" bits, but not the stuff nightmares are made of, an excellent all round car, and would definitely buy another.

An the down side, big engined car, not everyones cup of tea, which makes music for the ears when buying, not so when selling.

Happy driving.

Just a note to the guy with the snatchy gearbox, get it checked as my mate has a 2.0l dti and his gearbox has been changed on warranty.

Overall a good car only wind noise from the drivers door on mine and fine since a new door seal fitted.

Averaging 40miles to the gallon slightly less than quoted.

Lots of room for the teenage kids in the back.

Night light works well and used to indicator stalk now.

To the guy who says an annoying rattle has appeared and thinks it's the parcel shelf. Well from experience, it's most likely to be the missing spot welds in the c-pillars (a production fault). The 3 year warranty covers this and will involve removing the headlining and side impact airbags in order to gain access to the the c-pillars whereupon rivets will then be applied to the areas where the welds should have been.