Modern cars are GR8...

[cms206]

Ahhh yes. The Vectra B. I can honestly say it's a car I so very much wanted to like... but I just can't do it. Was lumbered with one (KH51 TMZ) a few times which from memory was a 2.0DTi LS, and I honestly thought there was something wrong with it until it took off like a scalded cat when the turbo woke up, and then promptly made me shit myself when I remembered I was pulling onto a roundabout. Had a shot of a 1.6LS recently which was also crap. I still don't understand how Vauxhall tried to improve the Mk3 Cavalier into that, it just doesn't make sense. The Cavalier is roomier, nicer to drive, better handling, far more comfortable and airy, just a nicer place to be.

 

I only bought my Cavalier after my company hack was sent up to the scrapyard in the sky, and it was truely miserable - a K-reg 1.7D Astra Merit estate. It was, and even now having long since become an appliance probably still is a better car than the Vectra B.

 

Feeling nostalgic now... I should be starting Christmas shopping but I think I'll blow this month's wages fixing the Cavalier now...

 

 

Keeping things on topic, modern cars are GR8 - much as I hate to admit it, I am starting to quite like the Mondeo TDCi. It's even surprising me in the snow, the ancient 1.8TDCi must be a heavy old mill as it's keeping the front firmly planted.

[Richard]

I have to say I HATE fwd Vauxhalls, especially the Mk2 Cavalier, and even I don't understand why the Vectra is held in such low regard.

[warren t claim]

I'm now feeling somewhat guilty for posing the first reply to this thread.

[cms206]

I'm now feeling somewhat guilty for posing the first reply to this thread.

 

 

No, you don't. You were performing a vital service to the motoring public at large, which the unwise will thank you for in the long run. I think.

[Justin Case]

Intersting thread with a good discussion going but can somone please tell me how modern is modern. For example there seems to be little difference under the skin between a Vectra B and an Insignia, they are both stuffed with electronics with just a little bit more (TCS, etc ?) on the newer model. I don't know how different the last Vectra was from the earlier one, but I had quite a lengthy test drive on 07 one recently and I was distinctly underwhelmed. The engine (1. was gutless, the steering vague and the brakes lacked any feel. I decide that if I was going to buy a boring three-year old car then I might as well go Japanese and at least get something reliable.

 

I agree with Wat(?) that anything newish and interesting is out of my price bracket, get above the mundane (no Mondeo pun ) and prices get ridiculous Interesting shite appeals, but knowing you will get home in this weather also counts for a lot.

[warren t claim]

Interesting shite appeals, but knowing you will get home in this weather also counts for a lot.

 

Hmm.... Over the last couple of years I have been covering 35,000 miles p.a in an assortment of shite including a 1.1 205 and 1.0 K10 Micra both equipped with 4 speed boxes. If you treat a car with respect and a certain amount of mechanical sympathy then you'd be amazed how relevant an old car can be in 2010.

 

Back in the mid 1970s my family ran a 1300 Mk 3 Cortina from new to 150,000 miles in three years and it never broke down and the only time it failed to start was the week before it was replaced when the starter motor jammed. I really don't think anyone who owned a Vectra B ever had that level of reliability, particularly as the Cortina was run at 95% of its top speed for much of that time.

 

So much for progress.

[Pete-M]

Back in the mid 1970s my family ran a 1300 Mk 3 Cortina from new to 150,000 miles in three years .

 

1.3 was Kent engined. They don't count as they never die.

[scaryoldcortina]

Back in the mid 1970s my family ran a 1300 Mk 3 Cortina from new to 150,000 miles in three years .

 

1.3 was Kent engined. They don't count as they never die.

 

I have the dubious honour of killing a kent engined car... I ran a mk2 escort which threw a rod big style.... but at least 2 hours labour, a mate and some rope swapped it for another one.

 

FWIW I would have a vectra, as long as it was cheaper to buy than its value as light iron. They really are nasty piles of shite, there is an '01 plater 2 doors down that hasn't started since the first snowfall. Sierra is managing fine!

[fiatdaft]

having worked with vauxhall for 11 years i have also seen many high mileage 1 owner vectra's that the owners still have as they have been reliable enough for them to hold onto for so long,and for any 9 year old car fail to start in the cold that could be many things like poor maintenance etc not because its a vectra,so you don't like vectra's maybe you have had experience of a neglegted one,they aint all like that,for the price that we were selling them new for,you could do an awful lot worse.

[scaryoldcortina]

I'm almost bored enough to "display this post" but it's only going to be a lame assed defence of vauxhall's poorest showing ever, so I won't bother. 20 years of fixing and testing tells me that vectras are shit. I'm not disputing that lots of other stuff is shit too, but the vectra is weapons grade rubbish from start to finish.

[fiatdaft]

why would you display my post if i'm on your foe's list?

[Richard]

I really must try and drive a Vectra to see what all the fuss is about. The closest I've come is a pair of Mk4 Astras- a 16V 1.4 and an 8V 1.6. I found them ok, but they seemed a little sluggish at legal speeds, only taking off once you were over 70mph.

[Pillock]

I had a Vectra. 2.0 138bhp SRI model on a T (facelift). It was fine! I actually quite liked it, it was comfy and quick enough and had a big boot and was cheap to run.

It had to have the exhaust manifold studs messed with, as apparently they all do, but show me a car that doesn't have a "common fault". At least it didn't try to kill me, Toyota-style.

 

Cheap to buy, plenty of choice so can find a good one. I really would have another, at that price they're almost disposable.

[scaryoldcortina]

What I was trying to get at was that Vauxhall managed the un-enviable feat of making a bland, nasty to drive, fragile and hard to work on shitemobile. Nothing to be proud of... I have experience of plenty of them, but none I want to repeat.

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

[warren t claim]

I must admit that I've had a fair few great Vauxhalls, it's just that the Vectra was by far and away the biggest money pit that's ever disgraced my driveway. I wouldn't expect very much trouble from a 4 year old car but the Vectra taught me otherwise.

 

My Mk2 Astra GT/E 16v was far superior to any RS Turbo and my Omega Elite was a fantastic bit of kit so I'm not anti-GM.

[boobydoo]

I must admit to be slightly bemused by this thread. Six or so pages on something thats gone completely from my radar. Never driven said Vectra, never will. Are they a good car? Dunno. To me, something so completely 'unaspirational ' it would be akin to choosing to spend your honeymoon in a 'no-star' B&B down a Blackpool side street. I can't even remember the last time I saw one...today? yesterday? Probably.

 

They're all just at that 10 year old stage that all the Marinas , Avengers, Cortinas went through ...verging on the 'worthless' ....so it's only the ones bought by old giffers as their last car and get garaged every night that might have some hope of survival and yes, in 20 years time if I see one in the street I might just take a second look......

 

 

P.S I would like to hazard a guess that 90% of them are in that dull metallic red colour.

[Pillock]

Modern cars? Wank.

 

Friday of last week, I left my Golf in the work carpark and jumped in the 10-plate Astra (old shape) that had been left for me. My task? To travel the country all week, admittedly via a mate's place and a bit of a pissup on the Saturday, hence getting the car early - company petrol

 

Anyway, it's tuesday and I've done 600 miles. In that time, the 1.4 SXI has returned worse economy with the same style of driving as my 2.0 Golf - 38mpg compared to 41mpg on motorway cruising. The boot has stopped opening, according to the hire place it's a busted fuse and they have no end of trouble. A fuse? To open the boot from the exterior release? Get twatted, what happened to a nice mechanical button? The washer jets are not heated, so have refused to work all weekend - my 1992 Golf has heated jets. The ride is crashy but offers no real feel - I'd expect either comfort or sportyness but this offers neither. Remember this is an SXI so supposedly partly sporty? Heating controls are in front of the gearlever and impossible to look at whilst driving - more room is given to the trip computer, which does the same job as a 2" LCD as found in older cars. Oh, and the needlessly massive stereo head unit.

 

It also bizarrely lights up the instrument cluster when the ignition is on, but not the headlights - far, far too easy to drive off with no lights on when you're in a streetlit area.

 

Instead of taking it home tonight, I drove to work and picked the Golf up. Started on the button, scraped half an inch of frost off it, drove beautifully.

[Negative Creep]

It also bizarrely lights up the instrument cluster when the ignition is on, but not the headlights - far, far too easy to drive off with no lights on when you're in a streetlit area.

 

 

I'm sure I read that's Pointless Eu Directive number 2535723 that the cluster must always be illuminated. You know, in case it gets dark. And you don't want to switch on the lights

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

I think it's because most modern instrument panels are very buried.

[Justin Case]

I decide that if I was going to buy a boring three-year old car then I might as well go Japanese and at least get something reliable......... knowing you will get home in this weather also counts for a lot.

 

....... and stay home too Dead boring Japanese car is also boring dead Japanese car I've been using Mrs A's car for the past few days and the Mazda's battery has now gone too low to start the car without a boost. A friend reckons that some of the electronics that moderns are stuffed keep going even when everything is turned off, so running down the battery. True or false?

 

Simple Shite beckons for next winter.

[Pillock]

False. Can't think of anything above an alarm and the central locking that will be turned on with the ignition off and doors locked.

[scaryoldcortina]

False. Can't think of anything above an alarm and the central locking that will be turned on with the ignition off and doors locked.

 

ECU will have a keep-alive feed, radio, clock (if separate) delayed courtesy lights draw some standby current, oh and that little light in the boot that doesn't go out when you shut the lid cos the switch has pushed into the slampanel.... that's always good!

[Tayne]

.

[Pillock]

False. Can't think of anything above an alarm and the central locking that will be turned on with the ignition off and doors locked.

 

ECU will have a keep-alive feed, radio, clock (if separate) delayed courtesy lights draw some standby current, oh and that little light in the boot that doesn't go out when you shut the lid cos the switch has pushed into the slampanel.... that's always good!

 

Yeah but all those are milliamps, if that..... a clock can run for years from a CR2032 watch battery, I'd expect it not to run down a car battery with 350 cold cranking amp capacity!

[HillmanImp]

I am not sure what modern is anymore, but my modern car (a 98 Scenic) stopped recognising its key and would not start. Have had to take it to the garage today who charged nearly £90 for half an hours work. However as far as i see there was nowt i could do. The sensor was not recognising either key (so not the keys fault, it was the sensor). I thought i would need a new receiver of some sort but they managed to reset it. I hate electrical gubbins. I have enough trouble with mechanical shit let alone electrics.

 

Will wait for the inevitable repeat event. Am actually considering a 205 GTi but I cant fit bikes in the back of it easily......but I fancy one. Might have to borrow my mates again to get it out of my system for a bit.

[Pillock]

Is it the infra-red locking gubbins where you have to point the key at the car? And it has a blackish dome near the rear view mirror? My mum had a '97 Megane with that system, luckily it was a company car as the amount of times it was in the garage to have either keys, locking ECU, sensors or all three replaced was insane.

 

Plus then the car's frosty, you have to huff on the glass to clear a spot to let the IR beam through.....

[scaryoldcortina]

False. Can't think of anything above an alarm and the central locking that will be turned on with the ignition off and doors locked.

 

ECU will have a keep-alive feed, radio, clock (if separate) delayed courtesy lights draw some standby current, oh and that little light in the boot that doesn't go out when you shut the lid cos the switch has pushed into the slampanel.... that's always good!

 

Yeah but all those are milliamps, if that..... a clock can run for years from a CR2032 watch battery, I'd expect it not to run down a car battery with 350 cold cranking amp capacity!

 

ah, true.. (except the boot light.. that can flatten the battery overnight - Sierra did that to me yesterday)

 

I was just mentioning that it isn't just alarm and locks, that's all

 

Oh and for ultimate renault-related fail, a couple of winters ago I got called out to a '97 ish megane coupe. Flat battery, not responding to the remote, keys don't fit the door locks (any of them!) The first time the owner realized that the key didn't fit the door was after the remote failed to let him in. Also there is NO way to break into a renault cleanly, all the locks are armoured, you can't slim jim it, buttons are flush so the packing tape trick is a no-go. Only way to get the bonnet up to charge/change the battery was to blag a window (which is what a thief would do first - only mechanics and bailiffs faff around trying to do a no damage entry) and after we did that, the car wouldn't recognise the key and didn't start, so it had to be recovered to a dealers.

[Akron]

When did the owner find out he had confused his car with th neighbours?

[Pete-M]

I went to my 03 plate Pug 406 HDi yesterday. It hasn't been touched since I parked it up in August (Possibly Sept). It has been parked outside.

 

Walked up to it, pressed button on the key to open it, opened the door, turned ignition key and it started like I'd just returned from nipping to the shops.

 

That ain't too bad. I don't know many older cars that could be left outside for months and then, even after a week of subzero temperatures, start first turn of the key.