Vectra C

[sierraman]

Reading in back pages of Car Mechanics about Vectra C, they had a buyers guide. These are throwaway cheap now these, you are looking anything from £500 for a leggy 8v diesel to no more than a grand on a tidy late 1.8 SRI. A bit like the Maestro was in the early 2000s, buy it, run it into the ground for a year or two then repeat. 

[SRi05]

@Kiltox Bought one for £150 recently !

I bought an SRi 150 on here for £500 as well

[Kiltox]

Yeah they’re seriously good value IMO. 

Mine might be up for a Xmas roffle. What do we reckon to a secret Santa inspired one where you can only buy tickets for others?  

[paulplom]

Christmas is supposed to be a happy time with glad tidings. You're not meant to inflict misery on your mates.

[sierraman]

Having driven a few they are very inert, the 1.9 150 was rapid, the 1.8 wasn’t as slow as what a lot of people say. I mean it wasn’t a fire ball but it was ok. 

[Snipes]

I genuinely think they look decent in facelift SRi or Design (higher spec) form. Also not too big or too small. Like my old mk6 Escort 1.6 16v I really like them in the context of it being cheap, easy living transport - though even I could never claim a late escort was in any way good to look at.

How fast does the 1.8 pez spin at motorway speeds? Is it revving it's tits off?

[Bren]

I like them. 2.2 and 3.0 cdti need burning with fire. The rest are ok. 2.0 turbo lukewarm. 1.9 150 derv best.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

My Fiat Croma is a 1.9CDTi 150 Vectra in a daft suit.

 

I think its probably the worst car to drive, that I’ve ever had. The suspension and steering feel like they are made of friggin plywood. Absolutely zero finesse about it, the ride is hard (not in any way sporting, just plain ‘hard’) and the steering completely inert. There is absolutely no joy at all to be had in hustling it along. The engine is smooth, but again utterly joyless and feels much less lively than the ‘150’ headline suggests, it feels asthmatic and struggles to beat 42-43mpg, a figure I can just about get from a (petrol) 2-litre beater. And the seats are lousy. Basically I don’t look forward to driving it at all. The only strong point about it is that its very quiet and relaxed on the dual carriageway in 6^th gear.

 

Verdict: These cars are wank.

[sierraman]

4 hours ago, Snipes said:

I genuinely think they look decent in facelift SRi or Design (higher spec) form. Also not too big or too small. Like my old mk6 Escort 1.6 16v I really like them in the context of it being cheap, easy living transport - though even I could never claim a late escort was in any way good to look at.

How fast does the 1.8 pez spin at motorway speeds? Is it revving it's tits off?

I don’t know, the one I drove I didn’t take near the motorway, it overheated on the A57 so that curtailed that. I’ve driven the 1.8 in an Astra and that was revving it’s tits off at 80mph, desperately needed a 6 speed gearbox but still wasn’t a bad engine. 

[Snipes]

My C5 is also in dire need of a 6th gear. Maybe a 7th as it would still probably top 3000rpm at 70 even with a 6th gear.

[Jamie]

I didn't mind mine it was the gearbox I couldn't stand. Even in the facelift Sri 150 diesel trim the gearknob is a weird shape and the box itself its like dildoing a hookers arsehole. 

[sierraman]

It’s usually the gearbox shitting itself that sees a Vectra off these days. 

[Robson3022]

I hate mine but it does everything I need it to 150bhp SRI Diesel in doom blue. Even going to spend money on it soon. 

[CortinaDave]

About as uninspiring as it gets. Cumbernauld in car form. Not specifically awful in any way, but just not a place you want to be in.

[lanciamatt]

3.2v6, 3.0v6td, or vxr is only ones I'd have, I've worked for vauxhall for 13 years so over seen these go from pdi brand new to scrap. 

[Snipes]

20 hours ago, CortinaDave said:

About as uninspiring as it gets. Cumbernauld in car form. Not specifically awful in any way, but just not a place you want to be in.

People use to say that about Cortinas too.