Vauxhall Vectra - is it really that bad ?

IMHO after having several Vauxhalls I think they're generally cheaper for a reason. Others would probably buy one time and time again.

Check out the Watchdog website though, there were issues with one of the models of Vectra cutting out on people.

JB where are you based? My husband's friend has an Octavia diesel for sale. Ex cabbing car so high mileage but fully MOT'd and taxed. Think it's a 2002. His cab firm ahs gone bust so has a few of them for sale.

We've had ours for a year- its a V reg and its previous owner loved it- absolutely 100%. I don't use it that much - once a week, if that, but we got it for the same reason as you. We have a baby and its taken us on one long journey (London - Dorset), as well as several mid-distance journeys of about 40 mile round trip once or twice a month. Loads of space for pram and travel cot and bags.

One thing I have noticed is that I really have to pull at the handbreak!

My dad had a newish Vectra (think it was a 55 plate) and it was fine. He did previously have one of the older ones years ago (P reg) and had the cutting out problems Sunset mentions.

If you're looking for something that kind of size we have an Avensis. It would be more expensive than a Vectra I think but Toyotas have a really good reputation for reliability so you could perhaps get an older one.

We had a 51 Reg Vectra which we bought from new and we have had the last 8 yrs. It did 107,000 miles with no major problems until recently. The power steering pump went once, and the exhaust was replaced at the start of the year. I love my car and will be very sad on Saturday when I trade it in for our new car.

Like any purchase, there will be bad vectras and good vectras. But our last two cars have been vectras and we have been very happy with them. We would have bought another (or the INsignia) if it hadn't been for the fact we wanted something higher up like a 4x4.

TG

Not a Vectra but I do have an Astra and I love it. So far it's the best car I've ever had (maybe I've just had rubbish cars though). It has a biggish boot too.

KB3 - thanks for mentioning but unfortunately everything I don't want (diesel, high mileage and older than my current car), sorry as that would have been rather helpful for both of us wouldn't it.

H did have 3 of the older shaped ones but then everyone started taking the mickey out of him so he won't have one any more and has told me not to get one - huh, well if I could afford the Audi A4 Avant then I would be buying that but I can't so it's a Vectra for me.

Roobarb - Avensis too expensive. Shame as I know Japanese cars are good.

I really want lots of people to say "oh, we've got one and it's great, no problems" but have a feeling that's not going to happen is it.

Never driven a Vectra (sorry) but I do love Vauxhall. I had a Meriva before and despite being able to buy any car I wanted (Motability), I chose another Vauxhall and bought a Zafira.

MrH had a series of them. They're pretty reliable and do the job.

But if you buy a 6 mth old car and only have it for 18 mths you're pouring dosh down the drain aren't you?

I'd go for a smaller option if it's just for a baby and bags on a daily basis and get a roof box for long journeys.

we have a golf which worked fine with one baby, and a focus. we take that on hols with a roofbox and we have 2 children now.

what about a cmax if you want more space? I wish i'd got the focus estate. fords are good prices and hold up well...

We have a dual fuel, ex rep (ie, high milage) Vectra estate.

Is it classy? Nope.

Is it stylish? Nope.

Can I park it easily? Nope, not even with Janner's best advice.

Do I find it easy to drive - not really, it's enormeous and the clutch is ancient so I find it hard to find the biting point. But most of that is me coming back to driving after a long break. H manages fine.

I can't get the seat far enough back to get a comfortable position for my arms (ie, not cramped over the wheel) and get a comfortable pedal position - but then I'm a 5ft 2 inch short ass.

But it does have an enormeous boot which is fab esp for long trips and masses of shopping and buggies and so on, it's cheap to run, and (fingers crossed, MOT next month), I suspect it will go on for quite some time yet...

Errrm its not as simple as saying that the Vectra is a 'bad' car, as a tool its as good at getting from A to B as anything.

Try to think of it more in line of how it fares against its similar class rivals. In that respect, in most cases it is a complete dog of a car. The Mondeo for instance is sooooo much better in every single regard. I cannot think of a single area that the Vectra out performs the Mondeo. The Octavia and even the Superb (ridiculous name aside) knock it into a tin hat.

The Vectra quite simply is a long way behind its rivals. Having said that, it will no doubt be cheap due to the arrival of the Insignia (which is not much better to be honest but thats another subject).

If it fits your budget and is only going to be a stop gap, then maybe its the right way for you to go.