2003 Vauxhall Vectra GSi review from UK and Ireland

Unfortunately the loom for the self leveling headlights is underneath the car and exposed. I must have driven over something and unfortunately ripped the loom out. The headlights still work, but it doesn't self level as it should when you first switch them on. Still waiting for my local Vauxhall dealer to get in two new sensors so it can be fixed. To be fair though, they are doing in under warranty so I can't complain.

Only came with one key and so I had to get a new one made up and programmed by Vauxhall. When I first started using it, the ECU was giving me an immobiliser warning light although the key didn't actually work fine. I was advised by someone at Vauxhall that this can happen with a new key and just to reset the ECU by disconnecting the negative terminal on the battery for 10 minutes. I did this and as he advised, the warning light had been reset.

I picked my 03 plate 3.2 litre GSi up on June 18th. It was 10 months old, had only 13k on the clock and gave a saving of £10,000 over new. This must be a real gut wrencher for the original purchaser, but makes it an absolute bargain on the used market.

When I decided I wanted to upgrade my old reliable 1.8 litre Mondeo I knew the "lad" in me wanted to get a car with a bit of oomph. I spent quite a lot of time researching my purchase, going to see the cars and test driving. I'm not enough of a boy racer (don't subscribe to Max Power or wear a baseball cap to bed) to go for a Scooby Doo, EVO or anything of that ilk. Yes these cars are rapid, but I wanted a happy medium between performance and comfort as this will essentially be a family car. Basically my research lead me to one of three options, a 3.2 litre Vectra GSi, Mondeo ST220 or an MG ZT 190. I thought the MG looked the most sporty, but unfortunately it's performance could match it's looks, it was also more expensive to run than either of it's faster competitors. So I looked at the ST220. Very nice car, looked the part and was plenty speedy enough for what I wanted, but a couple of things went against it. Firstly, my last car was a Mondeo, albeit a slower model, and I really wanted to try something different and secondly on a test drive I just didn't think that it was as comfortable a ride as the Vectra. This may well give the Mondeo the edge in handling through the twisties, but as I was buying the car to use on the M60 and not Brands Hatch I thought that any advantage would be pretty inconsequential. When I saw that I could pick up the slightly faster Vectra GSi for approximately 6 grand less than a similar age ST220, my decision was made even easier. So I managed to get a silver GSi which essentially hasn't even been run in yet for an enormous saving over list price. It even still smells like a brand new car.

The toys that you get with the GSi are plentiful. Climate control, cruise control, 4 CD multi-changer, trip computer, self leveling xenon's, part leather, PAS, electric windows all round etc etc. It is also very generous in safety equipment and features such as 6 airbags, ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Electronic Stability Programme, Cornering Brake Control. All of which give a great sense of security when transporting the two most important things in my world around - my kids.

I find that fuel economy is fairly good on the motorway considering the large capacity engine. I was getting close to 30mpg average on a recent trip to Chester Zoo with my family. Economy suffers though during my normal daily drive to work which is 6 miles of urban traffic. Currently my trip computer is showing economy of only a little over 23mpg which I find acceptable as I really didn't buy this car with fuel economy in mind. Also, as I'm only doing 60 miles a week for my daily commute, it still means that a tankful of petrol can last a month (although private driving is cutting that down at the moment while I'm getting used to my new toy!) It is something to bear in mind though if you do considerable weekly miles.

The car has proven to be an extremely comfortable ride for both urban driving and on the motorway, and noise in the cabin is very well suppressed.

Yes I too disliked the indicators at first and I was also guilty of constantly indicating in the opposite direction when trying to cancel. This soon becomes second nature though, and although I wouldn't say I prefer it to the more conventional indicator control, I am happy enough with it now and it can actually be quite useful when you just want 3 flashes to change lanes.

All in all for the first 500 miles of use I really couldn't be happier. Petrol consumption isn't too bad and the car is an excellent mix of performance, safety and comfort. Ultimately, and taking into consideration the saving over new for a 10 month old car, I think this is one of the best bargains out there and I'm sure other owners will be as happy as I am.

Highly recommended.