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I recently collected a car from Hertz at Heathrow airport and was none too pleased when I was given the keys to a Vauxhall Vectra, however when I got to the car I discovered it was a Vectra 2.2Sri diesel hatchback. The Sri part basically means it’s a sports version with a fuel injection, ... Read review
Advantages: It goes like poo off a shovel Disadvantages: It's a Vauxhall
...given the keys to a Vauxhall Vectra, however when I got to the car I discovered it was a Vectra 2.2Sri diesel hatchback. The Sri part basically means it’s a sports version with a fuel injection, injection makes the fuel flow faster meaning more power quicker, however it is worth pointing out that all diesels have injections, hence the abbreviations on most diesel cars DTI. (Diesel Turbo Injection)
~~~~~~~ EXTERIOR ~~~~~~~ ...had lowered sports suspension, alloy wheels, front fog lamps, side skirts and rear boot spoiler. I must admit it did look pretty mean from the front and quite stylish from the side and rear. The door handles were recessed into the door panels giving it a smooth and sleek finish down the sides plus the key holes were blanked off thus using the remote key to lock/unlock the car. At the rear was a sliver twin exhaust which sat pretty underneath the ... more
As a frequent renter from Hertz I thought it was time a wrote a review of cars I hire from them. Due to the fact I’m only ever in their cars for less than a day I’m not able to give any accurate information on fuel consumption except just what I’ve used during my journey, I will however try to give accurate information on handling, comfort, space and style.
I recently collected a car from Hertz at Heathrow airport and was none too pleased when I was given the keys to a Vauxhall Vectra, however when I got to the car I discovered it was a Vectra 2.2Sri diesel hatchback. The Sri part basically means it’s a sports version with a fuel injection, injection makes the fuel flow faster meaning more power quicker, however it is worth pointing out that all diesels have injections, hence the abbreviations on most diesel cars DTI. (Diesel Turbo Injection)
~~~~~~~ EXTERIOR ~~~~~~~
This particular car was metallic silver which had lowered sports suspension, alloy wheels, front fog lamps, side skirts and rear boot spoiler. I must admit it did look pretty mean from the front and quite stylish from the side and rear. The door handles were recessed into the door panels giving it a smooth and sleek finish down the sides plus the key holes were blanked off thus using the remote key to lock/unlock the car. At the rear was a sliver twin exhaust which sat pretty underneath the car.
~~~~~~~ INTERIOR ~~~~~~~
Seats - The front seats were bucket shaped sports seats which basically meant the sides hugged you tight and the front part adjusted up or down to give you that ‘sat tight’ feeling, the drivers seat also has a handle that moves it up or down. The rear seats were standard three seats which you could easily seat 3 adults comfortably in along with three 3-point belts instead of the usual lap belt in the middle seat. All seats were partially covered with leather and cloth which I thought created an up-market image whilst still maintaining its sporty image.
Dashboard - The main dash I felt was laid out efficiently and nearly all controls were within easy reach. The drivers side dash had a rev counter, Speedo and fuel gauge directly in front, to the left was a small digital screen which displayed the name of the radio station and outside temperature during normal mode, however two buttons on the tip of the indicator stalk could change this display to give the following information: Avg. Speed, Avg. Fuel Consumption, Stopwatch, Mileage range left in fuel tank. The above would be useful if you had this as a company car as you could work out fuel allowances etc a lot better. In the centre of the dashboard was a CD/Radio unit which I found to be quite good for a standard factory fit unit, this is connected to six speakers throughout the car. Below the stereo were two drinks holders, which I could understand the need for as the speed I found this thing goes you need something to hold your cans of pop! Also on either side of the driver on the dash were buttons for: Traction Control Front & Rear Fog Lamps Air Conditioning Dashboard Lights Dimmer Wing Mirror Controls
~~~~~~~ SAFETY FEATURES ~~~~~~~
Drivers Airbag Passengers Airbag Front Seat Side Airbags Steering Wheel Mounted Stereo Controls First Aid Kit mounted in boot
~~~~~~~ ROAD HANDLING ~~~~~~~
On turning the key the clatter of the diesel engine growls into life, as the car must have been standing for a while at LHR, a puff of smoke rose from the exhaust which is quite normal for a diesel 'due to the nature of it's fuel system'(Thanx for that Bigbaz!), however unlike the normal DTI Vectra as soon as you went to put your foot down to move it went instead of crawling off like a snail.
City Driving On exiting LHR traffic is quite heavy, so I expected the diesel engine to just slowly pull hearse like, however as it was a sports version it just wanted to go, I found this out when I spotted a gap in the traffic that if I floored it I would just make it!! (Sorry Mr Hertz if you are reading this but I didn’t really ‘floor’it). No sooner as I had put my foot down the car just went like my bowels after a dose of Laxative; I think it got to about 55mph in first without even red-lining it!
Motorway Driving Whilst cruising along the M40 the engine noise was very little and could hardly notice how fast it was going due to the smoothness, overtaking was effortless as power was there all the time in 5th gear to just accelerate past people. The driving position was quite sufficient due to the height adjustable steering wheel and seat. Rear visibility was excellent despite the rear spoiler.
Country Driving I had to negotiate several back roads on my travels and I hate them, especially when Sunday drivers are out on the wrong day. (Probably due to their old age and senile dementia kicking in) However I found with the Sri Vectra I could chuck it about corners and it stuck to the road like glue, wherever I pointed the wheel it went without the back end stepping out or with very little tyre squeal. The only downside was that because it had lowered sports suspension it turned little pot holes into moon craters, however a small price to pay.
~~~~~~~ OVERALL VIEW ~~~~~~~
As much as I liked the car, there were two problems……….. 1. It’s a Vectra 2. It’s am Vauxhall Once I’d got over this initial problem it’s not a bad car too drive and it looks the ‘biz’ too. I travelled just over 250miles and only used less than half a tank of diesel which I think is good considering I was ‘ragging’ it abit! The luggage space in the boot is excellent for a car in this class; I would say enough room for 2 lrg cases and 2 small ones. As far as it goes its good points in my opinion are: Road Handling, Safety and Fuel Consumption. If I had the money though I would not buy one. (See points 1 & 2 above.
Advantages: Very spacious and luxurious Disadvantages: High oil connsumption
...when taken to 2 spereate vauxhall dealers, it was explained that the engine works at such a high temperature, the oil just burns off and that this is perfectly normal.
To look at the vectra is beautiful. she is long and sleek, with 17" 12 spoke alloys, and a stainless steel twin exhaust which is oblong rather than round. I find this much more attractive. The vectra also has a manufacturers fit Alarm and immobiliser, with interior sensors that can ... ...with a 20000 mile/2yr service. Vauxhall also offer free MOT testing if you have your car serviced at a vauxhall service centre and also offer you 10% off parts and labour on production of a network Q card which issued at the time of purchase.
I would reccommend this car to anybody who is looking for an executive style car with some punch behind it, without the expense of BMW or Mercedes. ...
byrneminime 01.05.2003
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Vauxhall Vectra 2.2 DTi Hatchback
Advantages: Cheap, good looking and quick Disadvantages: see op
...acceleration. I must say that Vauxhall has always been close to the back of the book in my mind but not any more.
The new Vectra is light-years ahead of the old model; longer, wider and better built. In my opinion, the new Vectra is positively handsome. It has real presence on the road and looks great from just about every angle. When Ford launched the new Mondeo a couple of years ago, its quality stunned the media and writers, and the vauxall has ... ...functional and understated, with a clear set of dials. Cubbies are everywhere. Alloy strips enhance the door panels, with de rigeur chrome on the top of the gear lever. There is much standard high-tech kit including full-size front and side airbags, curtain airbags front and rear, ABS brakes with cornering brake control, remote central locking, electric front windows, electric heated mirror, cruise control, air conditioning, CD player, rain sensor ...
TommyBoyTom 30.07.2003
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Vauxhall Vectra 2.2 DTi Hatchback
Advantages: safety and security is great Disadvantages: none really
The Vauxhall Vectra SRI a car i thought i would never drive when it came out.
What's to say negative about it, it'sa good shape and good body work
and most importantly it runs like a mouse quiet as can be.
Safety
The first point and the most important i think is safety
The SRI has many safety features, such as Driver's and front passenger's airbags also Front seat side-impact airbags which are a major safety point,
but these airbags are full-size ... ...braking system (ABS)
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Cornering Brake Control (CBC) ,Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
and last but not least Child-proof locks on rear doors.Now to me this is a really safe car for you
and your kids.
Security
Now also i think this car is just like a safe.
The Security is unbelivable.
Remote control two-stage central deadlocking
(doors, boot lid or tailgate and petrol or diesel fuel filler flap),
Key left ...
tinaoliver200 23.03.2004
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Vauxhall Vectra 2.2 DTi Hatchback
Advantages: Good looks, great interior Disadvantages: Space for passengers
...get enough of them.Undoubtedly the vauxhall Vectra is a very stylish car, but looks don't count as I am about to explain.
I have been in many Vauxhall Vectras now, they have all been very nice, but like any car it has it's problems: I have noticed that there is no space for passengers to sit in the back! Twice I have had to suffer a long journey in a Vauxhall Vectra with my knees crammed to the back of the driver's seat.. not because the driver ... ...from back pains after. Vauxhall always seems to make big cock ups with their cars and seem to never sort them out!
I have a Ford Mondeo and my friend has a Vauxhall Vectra. We argue about which car is better and I'm more than certain it's the Mondeo, it has to be! He doesn't want to believe me even though it is top of it's class! Do you agree with me? I know Jeremy Clarkson (probably the best car journalist in the UK) would agree with me on that! ...
sav90 30.07.2003
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Vauxhall Vectra 2.2 DTi Hatchback
The Vauxhall Vectra, in my opinion is probably the best car I've been in. The car has great looks, power and it's great value for money. My Dad purchased a Vauxhall Vectra 2.2dti hatchback almost 3 years ago. Coming with 1 years free servicing and very low mileage, it was a bargain at approx £13,499.My dad has had no problems with this car. It is a safe and comfortable car to have.
The car has great interior and the seats are comfortable and is ... ...the sporty shaped wind mirrors. The car is able to reach a satisfactory speed of around 135mph.
The 2.2dti have a radio and CD player for the driver and passengers to enjoy.
The fully adjustable driving position makes for a relaxing drive; plenty of cabin space, plus a huge boot in the vectra, well insulated cabin is nearly silent with no road or engine noise.Although there is not much legroom in the car it is hard to cope on especially long journeys!
...
robo69 15.08.2003 (16.08.2003)
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Vauxhall Vectra 2.2 DTi Hatchback
