2000 Vauxhall Vectra SRi 140 review from UK and Ireland

Head gasket seal - £15 part, but loads of labour costs!

Suspension arms loose and clonking - speed bumps are to blame.

Suspension rack groaning all the time

Engine manifold cracked at 65,000 miles and exhaust now has a slight blow in it - very, very expensive.

Leaky power steering fluid reservoir.

This car looks the nads in Satin Red and in estate form (which mine is) it is sweet. Great visibility and you sit low in the seat that makes it feel like a 'proper' sporty car.

Loads of room for my fishing gear and I've done many a trip to the tip that would have meant three or four in my 406 saloon.

At first the suspension was hard, but it's mellowed out (a bit too much) but it still grips and the little bit of oversteer is fun. Goes through tyres quickly on the front and brakes wear because it has a lot of weight.

Cabin is excellent and seats are really comfortable, especially for long slogs up the M1.

The alloys are a pain to clean, but look good. Watch that front valance when parking near kerbs, as it overhangs a lot and I've ripped mine off twice on normal pavements.