Vauxhall Vectra C - Mondeo TDCI vs Vectra VVT

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Mon 1 May 2017 19:21
Vauxhall Vectra C - Mondeo TDCI vs Vectra VVT - PhIl Mann

Hi everyone. looking for abit of advice

I've got a 2006 (06 reg) Mondeo Titanium X TDCI which I've had for over 2 years now. I paid £2k for it and ended up spending nearlly the same amount in repairs.

I've now got another child on the way so will have 2 and my mileage will reduce this year as I'm going to start walking to work. I only do around 7000 miles a year as it is. I've been thinking about selling the Mondeo and getting myself a 2006 (56 reg) Vectra 1.8 Design VVT.

I'm just looking for opinions on whether the vectra vvt's are reliable as I don't want to end up spending another fortune in repairs and I really don't think I'll be doing enough miles to justify keeping a diesel engine.

What are peoples thoughts on these vectras?

Thanks

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Mon 1 May 2017 19:26
Vauxhall Vectra C - Mondeo TDCI vs Vectra VVT - JEREMYH

I would buy a late 90s Totota privia d4d people carrier or a late 90s d4d estate it wont give you the trouble you have been having

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Mon 1 May 2017 21:43
Vauxhall Vectra C - Mondeo TDCI vs Vectra VVT - badbusdriver

There is a post back on page 5 near the bottom regarding the vectra (and corsa). The vectra apparently is known for throwing its vvt belt. The source of this, SLO, suggests an alternative, which, assuming you need a mondeo/vectra sized car, would be the toyota avensis.

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Mon 1 May 2017 23:55
Vauxhall Vectra C - Mondeo TDCI vs Vectra VVT - SLO76
Yup, I'd leave the Vectra well alone. There's plenty of reasons why they're so cheap. The 1.8 VVT is prone to issues with the VVT pulleys and they're costly to replace. Cost me £577 trade to do along with t/belt and water pump on a 41,000 mile 1.8 VVT Astra H I flogged a few months back and we caught it just in time before the belt was shredded. It was rubbing on the cover. Don't mistake this engine for the bombproof 8v Cavalier engines of old. The 1.9 Fiat diesel is a money pit also.

If you need something this size then go for an Avensis or Honda Accord but if you can cope with a little less space a Civic, Corolla or Mazda 3 all make good cheap family buses. Above all keep it simple. Forget diesels and anything high spec, it always goes wrong.

Edited by SLO76 on 01/05/2017 at 23:58

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Tue 2 May 2017 07:37
Vauxhall Vectra C - Mondeo TDCI vs Vectra VVT - PhIl Mann

Thanks for that I appreciate it, The vectra I've been looking at had has it's cam belt replaced within the last 3,000 miles so very recently.

I had looked at Avensis' and Accord's but I'm just stuck for what to get. I do like both of them but always been fond of Vauxhall's. I know people talk alot about problematic Vauxhall's but I've never experienced that with all the Vauxhall's I've had so that's probably why I was looking at one.

I'll keep an eye out for some Avensis' aswell as I've heard alot of good things about their engines.

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Tue 2 May 2017 08:22
Vauxhall Vectra C - Mondeo TDCI vs Vectra VVT - JEREMYH

I have a Toyota Privia D4d it has exactly the same engine as the Avensis and it has 280k I have done 160 miles and only fitted a clutch

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Tue 2 May 2017 14:25
Vauxhall Vectra C - Mondeo TDCI vs Vectra VVT - SLO76
"Thanks for that I appreciate it, The vectra I've been looking at had has it's cam belt replaced within the last 3,000 miles so very recently."

This won't defend against the VVT pulleys failing I'm afraid. Listen for a rattle when it starts and when accelerating from low speed. They all go eventually and most owners will flog it rather than fix it. An Astra with the more straightforward 1.4 or 1.6 petrol is a much better bet. Cheap to buy and mechanically simple.

Vauxhalls were and still are in some cases very robust cars but in recent years the firm have desperately been trying to stem massive annual losses via cost cutting so quality has tumbled. The previous gen Vectra was bland but sturdy and the Cavalier before it was a genuinely great family bus that was hard to kill. As is always the case simplicity is best in the longterm.
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If you cover no more than 100 miles per day and have easy access to a charging point at home or work, then an EV is ideal for you.

Is an electric car right for me?