I have had the pleasure of driving the Vauxhall Vectra 1.8i Club daily over three years (a total of 12,000 miles approximately). When I first jumped into the drivers seat, I immediately felt right at home. The seats were firm, nicely adjustable (drivers seat adjusts for height also). The ... Read review
Advantages: Comfort, security, responsive, sleek, road hugging, spacious, economical, great visibility, ABS brakes, power steering, alloys. Disadvantages: Very few found over three years, mostly normal wear & tear.
...the pleasure of driving the Vauxhall Vectra 1.8i Club daily over three years (a total of 12,000 miles approximately). When I first jumped into the drivers seat, I immediately felt right at home. The seats were firm, nicely adjustable (drivers seat adjusts for height also). The steering wheel is adjustable (up/down only). Everything is within easy reach. The control panel, heating, air conditioning (standard on the Club), etc. all clearly marked. ...I had been driving a Vauxhall Astra. Well the Vectra didn't "feel" so different to the extent that I would have to remember where everything was, or the fact it is a bigger car. But to drive it is another matter. It is so very easy to drive, great all round vision, power steering, nice turning circle also, it holds the road like it is on rails. Probably much to do with the low profile (long life) tyres, alongside the upgraded (for 1999 ... more
I have had the pleasure of driving the Vauxhall Vectra 1.8i Club daily over three years (a total of 12,000 miles approximately). When I first jumped into the drivers seat, I immediately felt right at home. The seats were firm, nicely adjustable (drivers seat adjusts for height also). The steering wheel is adjustable (up/down only). Everything is within easy reach. The control panel, heating, air conditioning (standard on the Club), etc. all clearly marked.
The three years previously, I had been driving a Vauxhall Astra. Well the Vectra didn't "feel" so different to the extent that I would have to remember where everything was, or the fact it is a bigger car. But to drive it is another matter. It is so very easy to drive, great all round vision, power steering, nice turning circle also, it holds the road like it is on rails. Probably much to do with the low profile (long life) tyres, alongside the upgraded (for 1999 model onward) suspension. Cosmetically too, this is a very "sporty" looking car, which can feel both sporty & safe to drive. The ABS braking system is excellent, no nasty skidding, just much faster stopping. This is needed with such a responsive engine, which incidentally is very economical for it's 1.8 size.
The comfort as a passenger is at least 80% better than the Astra, As the driver, it was more like 100% better for me. There are armrests front & rear. The front armrest has space under it to hold a few little things. Cup holders are present on the lockable glove box drop down door/flap. Split seat combinations for loading awkward objects (drop down centre back armrest has load through compartment if required). Headroom is very good also back & front. Door openings are wide, good for people with accessibility problems or mobility problems. There is also a cabin pollen filter (also keeps out fumes). This mustn't be left on continually though, as it re-circulates the air inside the car (everyone needs some fresh air).
The air conditioning is ideal for clearing the screen faster with the heater on, during Winter months as well as keeping you cooler during the Summer. I find that the car is colder in the Summer with the windows closed. This is great on a hot humid day when it's pouring with rain! The radio/cassette controls mounted on the steering wheel take a little getting used to, but once you master them, it is much safer than having to look or fiddle around for controls in front of the gear lever. Glove box is of a reasonable size, as are the four door side pockets. Central locking door activated from the key remotely or by using the key in the normal way. There is also an engine immobiliser which activates once you remove the key from the ignition. Also there is a "deadlock" on the central locking system (deadlocks all the doors, petrol cover & boot/hatch).
All in all, this is a reliable car with comforts & safety features that exceed the previous models (before August 1999 at least). It is a real pleasure to drive. Once you have taken a test drive (which I advise any person to do before purchasing a used car), I think you will be impressed. It is an all round improvement on the previous model & the cavalier. It eats up the road with fuel costs being very reasonable. The used car price has fallen to make this a very good buy. Just make sure you find the right dealership, as the variants where I live can in some cases amount to around a £1000.00p saving. If you want to buy privately, a good motoring organization inspection should ensure that your car is in the best condition it can be, to give you years of good motoring. Well worth the inspection fee, I recommend this. Incidentally, we covered approximately 12,000 miles in the three years. I know that isn't a great deal to a lot of drivers, but those 12,000 miles were trouble free, just the normal yearly servicing was needed.
The only little niggles I could find with three years of driving the Vectra Club, were: Drivers seat developed a "squeak" from inside (sounding like a cushion spring). The alloy wheels gather a certain amount of brake dust in the corners or contours which need an alloy cleaner to remove (one bottle lasted me three years).. The air conditioning had a problem (not common & easily put right by the local dealer), it required a "top up" plus resealing of a faulty hose in the third year of ownership. Very very occasionally, the indicator would have to be "turned off", due to a corner not being quite enough to let it click itself back off. Normal wear & tear for 12,000 miles was very very minimal. If we hadn't had the chance to replace this model with the New 2002 shape Vectra, then we would have kept the Club.
Don't just take my word for the above, don't forget to try before you buy, also remember a good "inspection" carried out by a reputable motoring organization is a good idea too!
Thanks for reading this & I hope it is helpful to you :-)
Advantages: Its a car Disadvantages: Uncomfortable, poor performance, poor handling
...had cause to drive a Vauxhall Vectra. From that opening sentence you will guess that I was not entirely enamoured with the experience. I know Vectras and their predecessor the Cavalier too well and I have never liked them. I still don’t. In fact I hate them with a vengeance. I was only driving one because m own car had been damaged in an accident. The hire car company gave me a Vectra. Grrr.
This particular Vectra was a 18I LS finished, almost ... ...policy. And that supplier is Vauxhall the poor dears. Ever wonder why your district nurse or health visitor looks glum in a Corsa – now you know why. This can be cost effective for the fleet managers but it has 2 effects. The poor dispirited sod who has to live with the car and Vauxhall just have to make cars which are adequate. There is no incentive for excellence when you are going to sell them anyway.
This in turn makes a used Vauxhall ...
polydeuces 29.06.2002
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Vauxhall Vectra 1.8i Hatchback
Advantages: Nice looking, good space, cheap to buy compared to similar vehicles Disadvantages: slightly underpowered, expensive to run
...car supermarket and saw this Vauxhall Vectra on a 51 plate (looks like a club rather than LS) with 15k on clock with a price tag of £4000. The car is a nice metallic burgundy in perfect condition with new tyres all around. Being a car supermarket you cannot haggle on price so I got them to double check the mileage as it is a 4 year old car. The mileage was correct so we snapped it up considering all my other cars were bought with 60,000+ miles on ... ...I take it to a Vauxhall main dealer. A service for this car could cost you £130+ for work you could do yourself. However, as my is 4 years old I had a shock at the service interval, either every 4 years or 40,000 miles(which ever is sooner) you have to have your cambelt changed. Ouch, a full service, break fluid change, cambelt and tensioner change cost me £450 but at least its done properly and covered by Vauxhall. I will be needing tyres soon due ...
lostsworld 15.05.2006 (21.08.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Vauxhall Vectra 1.8i Hatchback
Advantages: Big inside. Well built & finished. Huge boot. OK on a motorway. Disadvantages: Massive depreciation. Intimidating driving position. Poor seats.
...forecourt at £9500.
WARNING Vauxhall Vectra's suffer MASSIVE depreciation.
Could there be a good reason for this?
Well I've done quite a few miles now in this car (mostly trying to sell it!) and can inform you that:
a) It is quite economical - 35 - 40mpg, not bad for such a big car.
b) It rides very well at speed on the motorway
c) It has some novel little features, the glove box will freeze your Mars bar, the rear number plate light lights ... ...actually quite an uncomfortable car. Vauxhall have fitted a huge number of seat adjustment levers, but none of them can actually make the front seats or driving position comfortable.
I am 5' 8" tall and find the dashboard so massive and high that I feel as though I am peering over the top of it. Parking is particularly difficult, both the front and rear are completely out of sight from the drivers seat, it is the only car that I have ever felt would ...
RICHADA 20.06.2004
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Vauxhall Vectra 1.8i Hatchback
When Vauxhall Unveiled it's vectra back when N reg cars were around - about 1994 - the public were not amazed by it's design - it was dull, uninspiring - and Did resemble the highly popular Cavalier - but carried a different name - the public didn't like this. But this car is no different an automatic from any other auto available - no where near as fun as the manual version - although the manual version is not all that Fun as such. I think that ...
steveymacca 20.09.2000
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Review of Vauxhall Vectra 1.8i Hatchback
The Air con part of this car is the only real incentive to want to buy this version over all the other models - without air con. This car is an able car - built WELL - but does little in terms of Looks and performance - the mid of the range Vectra - a great family car - space etc.
The Range has had a recent facliftn and Update in general - making a once dull to look at car - a bit more accepable - Fresh looks and Styles - The newer Vectras are also ...
steveymacca 20.09.2000
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Review of Vauxhall Vectra 1.8i Hatchback
Value for Money
Road Handling
Comfort
Features
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Advantages: Spacious car that is cheap to buy & economical on fuel. Disadvantages: Poor ride over road depressions and quirky direction indicator stalk.
This review refers to a Vectra C first registered July 2005 and acquired as a used vehicle in Sept 2006.
Pros
*Cheap to buy & economical on fuel.
*Has not needed any engine oil top-up between services.
*Reliable over 2 years and 17,000 miles.
*Front seats have ample adjustment.
*Excellent footbrake, reasonable steering, nice gearbox.
*Quiet, spacious cabin with no rattles or squeaks from trim.
*Spacious boot.
*Good heating ventilation & AC arrangements.
*Warranty repairs were required in the second and third years from new but none prevented use (starter disengagement noise, headlamp levelling inoperative, central locking partially inoperative, radiator leak, steering link play).
Cons
*Distracting reflection from facia grille in driver's line of sight.
*Can get your hand nipped in angle of front door ...
Advantages: A very smooth cruiser, comfortable and roomy Disadvantages: Quite a big car, Need to be careful not losing little things from the car
My father always had American comfortable and smooth cars and as soon I tested my VauxhallVectra, it was just as a smooth and more. It was just all I wanted, a smooth, attractive, powerful and a large collections of functionalities. I highly recommend the car. The price was more than worth the car.
I have had my Vectra 2004 Design since November last year and I just love it. It's a very attractive, powerful, comfortable, roomy, a smooth cruiser as I do a lot of motorway and it has a lot of fantastic functionalities of which I keep discovering every now and then. I recently discovered that you can set the sound volume so the volume goes up and down as required keeping up with the outside noises. Fantastic!
Also, a delight to drive invites confidence in its road holding, accelerating and stopping power, which is fully justified ...
