Back to normal.

[Cavcraft]

It's all very well and good going to look at shit BMWs and driving round in shit Peugeots using shit fuel. But sometimes you have to take stock, come back to your senses and buy a proper car.

I am therefore delighted to announce a new arrival, currently in Cavcraft's Valeting Department.

 

Vectra SRi 140 mo vuckers haters be hatin by Cavlover1, on Flickr

 

OH YEAH

 

SRi 140, 2.0 Ecotec. Taxed/tested, everything seems to work, it pulls like a train and it was ridiculously cheap. Let's be honest H8RS, there's nothing not to like, is there?

[Lacquer Peel]

DISMAL.

[Pillock]

Had and SRI140 on a T plate. I actually quite liked it - quick enough, nice spec, mine wasn't rusty apart from the bleb on the rear arch that I think was standard issue. And call me some nasty words, but I think they're good looking cars in the right colour and spec, post-facelift. I think it was massively better than the mk1 Mondeo it replaced, much more premium feel inside with it's seemingly-massively-wide dash. Has yours got the TrafficMaster? I loved pressing that button and hearing the snotty "subscription expired" message.

 

Had to have the exhaust manifold stud sorted out, apparently that's a common issue but the gods of average motoring were smiling that day and it got sorted without having to disturb the engine. Massive boot, nice seats, bought it and immediately drove it from Mansfield to Cornwall without issue.

[DVee8]

I had a Y reg 2.2sri in petrol blue great car pulled like a train and still gave about 30mpg.Mine had traffic master

[Mr_Bo11ox]

One thing I would say about Vectras, is that the driving position is pretty good.

[Spiny Norman]

Don't know why people give these things so much stick, last one I drove (similar to yours, SRi 140) was a good steer and a nice place to sit.

[Shep Shepherd]

I like Vectra Bs and would be quite happy to own one. They have nice interiors

[Alexg]

The Vectra looks great, but I bet the dashboard creaks like a mother.

[Shep Shepherd]

The Vectra looks great, but I bet the dashboard creaks like a mother.

 

If not, the metal rods which hold the headlining up will be twanging merrily against the roof panel, or will be doing so imminently

[Cavcraft]

The Vectra looks great, but I bet the dashboard creaks like a mother.

 

You know, I think it does!

 

Haven't tried the TM but I'll have to now. According to the always reliable* computer it's doing anywhere between 44.9 and 88.3 mpg at 50mph.

[Pillock]

My trip computer was pretty accurate, I anally calculated the average MPG from the first few fill-ups, realised the computer was telling me the same figure +/- 0.5MPG and so just let it get on with it. Used to get high 30s overall with some decent runs thrown in. Dash was creaky though!

[fiatdaft]

Mentalist omg Vauxhalls are shit OMG DPFDMF wont somebody think of the children.

[John F]

Those wheels look good on V6 Calibras, Billy.

 

TBH I've never found much love for the old Vectra, it seemed a backwards step from the rather excellent Cav. But nor do I understand why they cop so much flak, they're better in almost every conceivable way than most of the old BL or Frog tat that attracts such crazed and single-minded fapping on here from whole swathes of the autoshite massive.

 

[runs and hides before getting pelted with hydrolastic components and weird single-spoke steering wheels]

[Cavcraft]

Helpfully* the wheels are 16" and one of the tyres hasn't got much life in it. I've got 14 and 15" tyres here, and some 16s in the wrong size, but not the one I want of course.

[Split_Pin]

Good one IMO and it has a great spec.

 

I have a 2.0 LS and whilst it is no ball of fire, it goes like the shits up hills and I never managed to load it up enough to have to change down a gear on one. It has a tick from the exhaust manifold but its been like that for years. I think its actually the gasket and not a snapped stud.

 

The LS and Club interiors are quite depressing, but I jizzed mine up with some CDX leathers and SRi silver centre console.

 

Mine also has the Trafficmaster switch which was in just the right location for my left knee to hit it. First time the voice came on telling my the subscription had expired I almost shat a brick.

 

CDX Leather Seats in My Vectra B by Glasgow_Panoramic, on Flickr

 

My Vectra 2.0 by Glasgow_Panoramic, on Flickr

 

The engines do like to leak a bit of oil from the rocker cover gasket but other than that, a good old lump.

 

I got some 205/55/16's part worn from e-bay for £25 each and the tyre, a Dunlop was almost new looking.

 

This should sell on no probs

 

I will now probably be killed by someone for saying all the above shit.

[Cavcraft]

You'll not be surprised to know that the rocker cover gasket is leaking then! Last owner was quoted £50, I'd imagine the part will be about a fiver and there's possibly 20 minutes or so to change it.

That was always (one of) the beauty9s) of the 8V, the sodding things always leaked at some point but you could change them in your sleep with a broken teaspoon.

[John F]

Does it have a space saver spare wheel or a real one, Billy?

[Split_Pin]

I did mine again just before I laid it up. Part was about £15 from e-bay and was actually a Daewoo item for their X20SED which is the same basic engine. Took me about an hour as I replaced all the little fiddly gaskets round the bolt holes. Plus I'm a cack-handed fool

[Lord Sterling]

I think I'll risk it and say I quite like Vectras aswell, I've never understood the vile hatred towards these, but then people have extreme opinions and like sharing them

 

I drove a 1.6 LS to Telford and back a few times and found it really comfortable and very agreeable to drive, the others I have driven hasn't dampened that. I have to say I quite like a lot of the Vauxhall range, even the modern stuff is pretty good to drive.

[bub2006]

Completely off topic but Ianl,your Vectra bought memories of my battered old mondeo v617 eld if my memory serves correct. Had the mandatory duct tape bumpers and not so mandatory bin liner drivers window. Was 9 years old when i had it and by 9 1\2 it was probably in breakers yard. Back on topic i much prefered cavs to early vectras. Wife owns a Vectra c which is damn good car and economical and about the only Vectra i like. Cant stand the facelift c model or insignia.

[wuvvum]

I don't profess to know much about these - the only one I've ever driven was a baggy N-reg 1.7 TD, which was possibly not the best placed example to endear the breed to me. I would imagine a 140bhp pez version would make a nice motorway tool though - I can't imagine it'd be too much slower than a V6, although obviously the soundtrack won't be quite as horny.

[CortinaDave]

The traffic master thing only costs £20 to renew for a year, then your car will speak to you at random intervals. Shit but worth it for the novelty factor.

[Tetleysmooth]

Oh dear, I'm going to say it........

I actually like Omegas too. I wouldn't have another one though. Vauxhall's made a nice car needlessly complicated.

The 2.0/2.2 aren't bad - in my opinion, but the V6's, bloody hell. Never again.

If I ever had a hankering for another one, it'd have to be the straight four.

 

Nice looking car, that Vectra, Billy.

That Frontera no good, matey?

[Cavcraft]

Too far away, sadly but thanks for the heads up.

 

John: Yes, it has a 'proper' spare wheel. But because this is Autoshite, it's the wrong size: 15 instead of 16 inch!

[Split_Pin]

If the spare is a steel, which it probs will be then 15 inch with 195/65 tyres is the factory size.

 

I think you should conduct an Autoshite road test, Chris Goffey style, to repair the damage done by Clarkson did all these years ago. Then everyone will want one

[Micrashed]

That looks pretty sweet that Billster. I imagine its more fun than the Pug to drive.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

As dismal as the early ones were/are, a 'lifted SRi can't be bad. Nice work.

[Cavcraft]

Yes/no, mate. Obviously the power difference (some compared to none) is good fun but the diesel is more fun because its more involving to drive.

[burraston2006]

Had a go in a 2.5 estate ( think it was a SRI ) . Veeeeeeeeery nice!

[RoadworkUK]

I are fizzically allergic to quite a lot of stuff with Griffon badges on, which I know is

 

The

Wrong

Attitude

Totally.

 

But anyway. I will say the Vectra of '99 has aged somewhat more gracefully than a Mongdo of the same vintage.