1997 Vauxhall Vectra CDX from UK and Ireland - Comments

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.

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.

Unless you has a serious case of backache, I have to say that the best seats I've ever tried were from my 1997 Vectra GLS hatch.

I travelled many long distances journeys and when I arrived at the destination, I was feeling like I just went to the shop.

You must be an odd shape mate, because like the original reviewer said, mine were like some kind of torture instrument. Like sitting on a couple of planks with some cheap upholstery stuck on top.

Serious problem with backache in the lower spine when driving for more than 1 hour in the uncomfortable seats of a 1998 Vauxhall Vectra 1.8.

I find my vectra seats OK (a lot better than my cav)

You must got a bad one.

My 1997 CDX Hatchback has been a reliable car with minor faults, in past four years of ownership.

By the way: I Find my 1997 Vectra CDX 2.0 16V leather seats great!

Can any one help me sort out a lack of power whilst going through the gear box? engine management light comes on and a loss of power on my vauxhall vectra 2-0 cd model? I have at great expense replaced the turbo vax pump and air flow regulator as recommended by my garage to no avail. has anyone else suffered the same?

I own a 1997 V6 CDX and this guy must have picked a bad one, they are superb cars, it goes like sheet off a stick! and handles well under power, I prevoiusly had the facelift model (2000) W and that was great too, when the pennies are there I will be moving on to a 2.2 dti auto (veccy C) well done vauxhall!!

I've got a 1998 Vectra - bought an automatic one after slipping a disc in a car accident in a rover - I've had it 18months and wouldn't change it in a hurry - never had a problem driving it with my bad back - used it to Scotland and back this year from the midlands.

Replaced the front coil springs/brakes/discs for m.o.t - which I consider general wear and tear. Bulb replacement a little difficult to get to (front near side).

Overall the best car I have ever driven.

I know what you mean about the seats, I've had mine (1998 2.0di) for about 6 months now, although its seats are fairly tough to sit on for long periods, the engine is superb, pulls well in all gears, even though it sounds like a van!!!

Mine's done 150000 miles and is still going great!

Cheers!!!

I'm not surprised your local garage loves you if you are prepared to spend £250 on plugs, leads and filters. That's about £40 worth of parts and can all be fitted in a few minutes.

If the car was jerking on acceleration did you try cleaning the idle control motor / valve assembly?

Opel engines are durable specially in my country (Lebanon).

My family owned many opels (rekord) since 1973,but my vectra cdx v6 1997 cost me more than 1000$ on changing tps, sensors and valves... can someone help me on how to repair the tps (mickelghaouche@hotmail.com)

I have a 1998 Opel Vectra 2.0 DTI GL 4Dr Saloon it´s a cracking car and nice to drive the only down side is car doesn't like cold starts and engine is very noisy when cold, but once you get heat in it is fine.

Anybody know what could be wrong I am struggling to get my car into and out of gear whilst driving especially 5th vauxhall vectra 1.8 1997.

I own a 2000 CD Vectra. It is the best car I have ever owned. The seats are great for long-distance driving, engine has great power and handles well at high and low speeds. Gearbox is a little notchy, but it good to use, never had a problem with it. The engine provides enough power to get to speeds above 220km/h easily. Best car I've ever owned.

HI, just thought I would add something. I have had a 99 vectra sri for nearly 6 years, bought on 30000 miles and now done 100000 and has never had a service or a breakdown!!! cam shaft valve had to be replaced and that was it. it just goes on and on and on! I would love a new vectra but how do you get rid of a car this reliable. I am thinking about having a service now just down to guilt!!