V(ectra) for Victory

[purplebargeken]

This was obtained as a replacement for the Picasso, the whole aim of the Picasso was to provide comfort, ease of driving and tons of space to convey stuff from the UK to France, just so the T4 camper van wasn’t overstretched in any way. I really liked the Picasso and was gutted that my back had a hissy fit and ruled out me driving long distances in a car with a stir it yourself gearbox. I chucked a shed load of dosh at it to ensure it was in good mechanical health.

So, an automatic was to be obtained. Rocket88 made me aware that he was going to sell his Vectra.  I have never owned one of these and have only owned two Vauxhalls in my entire life. A white Carlton from eBay in the 90’s and an Astra which I really enjoyed driving in 2019 I think.

A deal was done with Rocket88 who is a grand chap and here we are 😊

First impressions. It’s quite long.
It looks bloody solid and it has a full service history. Rocket88 obtained it from a chap who was in his 90’s and who really wasn’t able to drive any more due to poor vision.

The drive back was uneventful in that the car coped easily. Lovely to drive, seemed very relaxed and unstressed.  The only issues were some lacquer peel on the bonnet, a dying fob battery (the cars info display tells you), fault warnings for a reversing light and a tail light, both N/S.  Oh, and me not being used to a three flash indicator system. 
 

Those who know me are more than aware that I have a bit of a ritual with a new car. Have done it with all of my 800 or so cars and I’m not likely to stop now. 

I clean the interior.  It could be spotless and I would still do it. The Vectra is a car that has been used, it has 120k on the clock and will not be pristine. Just how it is.

Seats front and rear were scrubbed with a variety of products, door cards, dash scrubbed too. The carpet looks in good order but will be cleaned too. Rear seats had virtually no wear. Boot space just needed a light scrub here and there. I had a new battery for the fob, that was fitted, key to position II was needed but it all works fine now.

I gave the N/S front wing and door a clean, light compounding by hand and a polish. Again it’s a thing I do. It all came up lovely.

It needs the following: 

A check of the front passenger window switch as it doesn’t work. It may just need a simple clean up of the contacts.

A new set of floor mats, just because.

Wiring check of the rear lights, a tow bar is fitted so that might be part of the issue? Am shit at electrics. 

Headlights need a good mopping, did most of one and it came up like new.

Bonnet. I may get it painted, we shall see how it goes.

A proper clean and polish.

Some non-rusty number plate screws 😆😊😊

 

[purplebargeken]

[purplebargeken]

After a bit of cleaning: 

[purplebargeken]

[goosey]

I remember when these first came out and Vauxhall ended up in Court (not sure why) but Ed Harris was on the Vauxhall Legal team and managed to win the case before lunchtime 

 

It’s not a car, it’s a phenomenon 

[Rocket88]

20 minutes ago, purplebargeken said:

Coming up well… Did you do the V5 ?

[purplebargeken]

Getting there mate.

I tried last night but had left it too bloody late, I will attempt again shortly 👍🏼👍🏼

[Rocket88]

1 minute ago, purplebargeken said:

Getting there mate.

I tried last night but had left it too bloody late, I will attempt again shortly 👍🏼👍🏼

👍👍

[Lankytim]

Look at that bloody interior! LOOK AT IT!

I think the Signum is based on these rather than the hatch/saloon version too, on account of the longer wheelbase. 

[Bren]

The switches can be stripped and cleaned. I did ours numerous times.

[purplebargeken]

I’d have bought it just for the electrically operated tailgate. A totally new experience 😊😊

[andrew e]

Nice one Ken 👍 I had a JTD auto engined Design in matching JRG, I may have hydraulically locked it in a puddle coming off nights due the crazy low place the air intake is 😇 it was less than 4 years old.
 

Has it got the magnesium electric tailgate? I’ve the correct 3 button tailgate remote key going spare if its any use to you as a spare?

[Matty]

Good cars. Dont care what anyone says. Hope it serves you well.

[purplebargeken]

Cheers andrew e, that’s a very good question, I am unsure is the answer 😆

Could you post a picture at all, just so I can see if I have anything that matches, thanks 😊😊

[yes oui si]

Looks great, really wasn't expecting that lovely interior either...

[Bren]

19 minutes ago, Matty said:

Good cars. Dont care what anyone says. Hope it serves you well.

We had two estates and a hatch. An insignia is nicer - and more modern - but if you needed cheap wheels you could do far worse.

[stuboy]

very much nicer than an insicknia

[Bren]

40 minutes ago, stuboy said:

very much nicer than an insicknia

I paid not much for a cheap insignia that had issues. It was much better than I expected - I preferred driving it to my wife's mondeo.

[vaughant]

10 hours ago, purplebargeken said:

Getting there mate.

I tried last night but had left it too bloody late, I will attempt again shortly 👍🏼👍🏼

Shit I need to do mine for the Berlingo 😭😭😭😭😭.

I did a paper one but took the online details as I was half asleep from nights, in fact 3/4 asleep as if it wasn't for my wonderful staffy and his amazing deep bark I still would be 🤣🤣🤣.

[Lord Sterling]

I sort of miss my old one that one day decided bottom-end knocking was the way to go out...

It was a fucking cool car.

However, I see yours is a V6 CDTi. Now, due to the Peugeots demise for simply being a diesel, plus all of the anti-diesel zones popping up all over the place, I have now developed an active dislike of diesels. 

I remember discussing Vauxhall CDTis with @red5 where he mentioned running away from V6 CDTis.

I have a spare set of heater controls for this if you want it for £postage? 

[purplebargeken]

That would be ace, thank you 😊😊

[sierraman]

For the money they were ok, nobody was paying list on them and after a few years you could pick them up for next to nothing. A mate of mine loves his so they must have a small band of followers. Didn't mind the Insignia, the name sounded a bit noncy though. I recall them doing a 2.0 turbo at one point. 

[purplebargeken]

A good wash, clay barring and a light mopping and polish scheduled for the weekend 👍🏼

[beko1987]

I remember a period where they were the company car of choice in my work for the dad's amongst the staff 😂 

Never liked the look of them then but their not awful to me now, practical and purposeful (and I assume not too much of a massive liability nowadays after the initial round of maintenance it'll want?

[chodweaver]

Always thought these made a handsome looking estate.

As for the boot carpet, you are Professor Snape, Potions Master @purplebargeken AICMFP

[Dj_efk]

Something about all Vauxhalls?

 

Well bought, good luck with it.

[andrew e]

On 31/03/2026 at 19:29, purplebargeken said:

Cheers andrew e, that’s a very good question, I am unsure is the answer 😆

Could you post a picture at all, just so I can see if I have anything that matches, thanks 😊😊

Found it! If it's any use just shout 👍

Is it a suitcase in the button?

[purplebargeken]

That’s a significantly sized ‘yes please’!!!

[purplebargeken]

Did notice today that there was a very slight clunk from the rear end, possibly the N/S. Like a bush or drop link maybe. It was a very bumpy, potholed road. It will get sorted 👍🏼

[Sportshatch]

Great cars. This was ours,2.2 direct petrol. Paid £2800 and got 8 years out of it. This was it's last trip outside the scrappie.