Vectra - user comments, please?

Hi all,
I am new to the group, have run Vauxhall Cavs for many years now and had
very good economical motoring from them. I am now considering updating to a
Vectra (last of the old shape on a "Y" plate) - it is a CD spec and a 2.2
engine - anybody got any experiences of the CD spec (electronics & other
"gizmos" etc.) or the 2.2 engine or even just the Vectra as a car, please?
Comments on reliability, known issues, cost of ownership etc. - good or bad,
are all welcome, please.
Many thanks for your views and comments
Robert Offer

 

a good place to start would be www.carsurvey.org

 

I am new to the group, have run Vauxhall Cavs for many years now and had

Not a bad old thing but don't pay too much for it, there are loads out there
for not much money. Glass's Guide retail price for this car is £7,600 with
28k miles and it shouldn't be too difficult to find one at that price. How
much is the one you're looking at?

There are plenty of new shape Vectras coming along at auction now.
According to British Car Auctions you should be able to get an 02/02 Vectra
2.2 LS with 12k miles for sub £7,500 - and that's a vastly better car than
the previous model.

 

I have a 1998 Vectra 2.5 CDX. a great car for little money. loads of
power, and plenty of toys.

the only difference between CD and CDX is leather interior and climate
control.

also you can check out
http://www.parkers.co.uk/choosing/car_reviews/main_review.asp?model_id=293
for a more detailed look at Vectras.

HTH

 

I agree this is a nice engine but there is some concern over snapping timing
chains. OK while it is under warranty but will ruin your whole day if you
have to pay for it.

 

Hi all,
Thanks for all your most useful postings. Some good and useful reviews and
comments and pointers to web sites.
I guess I am probably going to give it a shot as I have had good service
from Cavs in the past.
The car has quite a nice feel to it when "driven" everything seems quite
positive.
Only concern is over the longevity of the engine - if anybody has further
info I would appreciate that.
Thanks again, I will keep the group posted with problems/ findings if and
when they occur.
Cheers
Robert Offer.

 

I have just done exactly what you are thinking of doing.

I sold my M-reg 2.0 8V Cavalier GLS which has given me 150,000 totally
fault free miles (apart from 1 new clutch) until a recent oil leak
(probably caused by a useless garage putting far too much oil in when
they serviced it). It had a total of 212,000 miles when I sold it, and
I would not be suprised if it kept going for another 100,000.
I was quite tempted to buy another identical Cavalier with much fewer
miles
to replace it.

In the end I went for a 2.2LS Vectra, 02 reg, one of the last of the
old shape.
It gave me some nice extras such as CD, Aircon, 4 airbags.
I have only had it 2 days (done about 200 miles), but here are my
initial impressions:-

1. Gearing is lower than my old Cavy. Cavy was approx 29mph / 1000
revs.
Vectra is nearer 25. I thought Vectra would be higher geared being a
larger engine.
The gearing seems to be about the same as the old SRi Cavy.

2. Engine is very quiet. At idle, electric petrol pump noise is more
audible
than the engine.

3. MPG seems to be about the same as the Cavy, perhaps slightly less.

4. Engine does not look too cramped for DIY servicing.

5. Acceleration is quite a lot better than the old Cavy, especially in
5th.
Probably helped by the higher gearing.

6. Handling seems more precise than old Cavy.

7. I like the fact that there is no timing belt to change and 20K
service
interval (Most of my miles are on motorways so I am not worried by
this).

8. Soundproofing against road noise on rough surfaces is not very good
(neither was the Cavy, whereas my previous C reg Cavy CD was very good
in
this respect).

I got mine from

http://www.motorpoint.co.uk/

in Derby.
They had an excellent price (£7000 for a pearlescent silver 2.2LS 02
reg with 13K miles). I was impressed with their efficient and helpful
service, but there is no chance of a test drive.

http://www.trade-sales.co.uk
seem to be a similar setup with similar prices.

Good Luck,

Ken.

 

I agree this is a nice engine but there is some concern over snapping
timing

How does a chain 'snap'?

Here was me thinking these engines were belt driven....

Peter

 

How does a chain 'snap'?

The 2.2 16v petrol engine is chain driven. Chain problems tend to be caused
by poor lubrication and are avoided with regular oil changes. If the
lubrication fails, the chain can snap.

That said, this is an extremely good engine: powerful, quiet and economical,
and if properly maintained should last a very long time.

 

How does a chain 'snap'?

Fairy nuff, I just never thought of a chain 'snapping', more 'breaking'.

Sounds like a good choice. What are they like in Omegas, economy wise?

Peter

 

7 grand and they wouldn't let you test drive it??