I am looking to get a Network Q Y Reg old shape Vectra (1.8 or 2.2) with air con, ABS a CD player, and 2 front air bags and less than 30k on the clock for a budget of 6k.
I've only started looking this weekend, and prices on these kind of cars seem to be about 1k adrift.
Could dealers be knocked back this kind of amount or am I expecting too much?
Cheers,
TT.
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If I were looking for a car like this (ie popular fleet car) I'd look at auctions to buy. Go to a large auctions fleet car day, that's where dealers buy, and you can cut out the middle man and get a bargain. Cars will usually have FSH and fleet cars are well maintained. There may be a slight element of risk but as a privete buyer I've bought 4 cars at auction and never had a problem.
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On a Y plate, all Vectras bar the 1.6 come with everything you describe. The aircon is extremely problematic on Y plate cars with weak piping which is prone to bursting - dealer words, my experience (air con failure 3 times so far, all repaired under warranty). 2.2 engine is fast but thirsty and likes burning out it's ignition on a regular basis. Personally if I had a gun to my head and had to choose I'd plump for a 1.8. No gun and I wouldn't have another Vectra...
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2.2 engine is fast but thirsty
Only based on experience of 1 car, but I couldn't get the fuel consumption of a 2.2 Omega below 30 mpg on a log run - believe me I did try! Thought its turn of speed was utterly unremarkable though.
No need for a tirade about how much I dislike Vectras. Each to their own.
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Only based on experience of 1 car, but I couldn't get the fuel consumption of a 2.2 Omega below 30 mpg on a log run - believe me I did try!
Lucky you. My first 2.2 never bettered 31mpg and that was with kid gloves. Current one seems to have loosened up a bit and manages 33 with the aircon off. Not really worth the extra power over the 1.8 as that seems to do early to mid 40s.
I guess the Omega is quite a bit heavier in the Vectra - my 2.2 Vectra is very quick providing you're not trying to negotiate any bends!
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My vectra 2.2 averages 26mpg on urban runs. 28mpg with slippers on, had it down to 18mpg wearing hobnail boots.
Best I've ever managed was 33mpg on a run.
30mpg motorway use, averaging 85mph.
Mind you it is an auto.
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Blimey Dave, I think I'd be a bit miffed about those figures! You probably guessed correctly that mine is a manual. I thought with the engine being an all new aluminium lightweight design (plus other nice marketing words I read in the brochure) it'd have been a lot more efficient that it has been. I still enjoy scaring 3 series BM drivers with it but it's heading off at the start of next year. Still not decided on its replacement - I actually like the new Vectra but am in a situation where buying one would be career suicide!
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>>I actually likethe new Vectra but am in a situation where buying one would be career suicide!
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I don't have much to do with this kind of work environment any more so please explain as this is quite a claim. Are you actually saying that your CAREER depends on what car you drive? If you are the best candidate for promotion are you saying you would be turned down if you drove a Vectra?
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In response to ChrisR - I work for one of Vauxhall's main competitors. My current car is a hangover from my previous job which is excusable, buying another one is not. I agree completely with you that if I am the right candidate for promotion etc etc it shouldn't factor, but unfortunately whether anyone likes it or not is almost definitely would. Understandable if perhaps "unfair". As an example, if you were a senior manager at say, Coca-Cola, you probably wouldn't hold too high an opinion of an employee who insisted on drinking Pepsi all the time! Car manufacturers are generally a little behind the times with these matters... Anyway, we fortunately have some interesting stuff on its way soon so I can live without a Vectra!
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Out of context it sounded like an amazing claim--brand snobbery gone mad. But that's more understandable, though a little short-sighted. Of course if this "rule" were to be relaxed and if you did buy a Vauxhall your employer would be able to ask why and might learn something. Thanks for responding anyway, and for setting my mind at rest.
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Out of context it sounded like an amazing claim--brand snobbery gone mad. But that's more understandable, though a little short-sighted. Of course if this "rule" were to be relaxed and if you did buy a Vauxhall your employer would be able to ask why and might learn something. Thanks for responding anyway, and for setting my mind at rest.
Absolutely. It's obviously not a "written" rule as such but employees who choose not to buy our company's brands are not viewed very favourably although it happens much more nowadays than it once would have. Even today, if you turn up at some plants, if you're not in an X (insert brand here), you won't even be allowed through the gates. You want short-sightedness? Once upon a time even suppliers would be turned away if they appeared in non-X vehicles. This isn't specific to X though, I have friends who do work and colleagues who used to work for other manufacturers and there is often a very similar attitude elsewhere.
My point would and has been exactly yours (to ChrisR!) - if I were to buy another manufacturer's vehicle, X should be asking me for what reasons I DID choose to do so as opposed to taking it personally. In the real world it unfortunately doesn't work out like that.
Re the X's - I don't imagine it is too difficult to work out who I work for, but whilst in the BR I am more than happy to praise everything we do which is good, I'm more than happy to highlight our cars failings when people are asking about them. Taking that stance it's perhaps better to keep a low profile regarding my employer...
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This sounds tremendously backward and of course these "traditions" tend not to be written down. Turning away delivery vehicles: presumably these are companies that only or mostly supply to X and so have little choice. Madness for what little business it represents and especially so if X doesn't even build the kind of vehicle you want, such as a Vauxhall employee wanting self-levelling suspension for example. There's been a terrific documentary series on Radio 4 just recently discussing the automotive business--lots of restrictive practices, but they haven't mentioned this one.
Very wise to keep a low profile.
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TT:
Just had a look at the Fords of Winsford website ( www.fow.co.uk) and they seem to have a number of cars in stock that are at least very close to what you're looking for.
Good luck with the search
Andy
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I'd be far more tempted to find a Mondeo instead of a Vectra, unless the idea of buying a car that is average at everything and excels at nothing appeals to you.
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My Vectra 2.2, like others, has aircon that doesn't work - dealer wasn't interested on a fix under warranty, even though it's just over 2 years old.
Am currently averaging 34mpg, mainly on Optimax, over motorways and A roads in equal measure over the last 7k miles.
Is pretty quick however..
Certainly never getting another Vectra - fancy a Passat next.
Steve
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Well a new Mondeo won't be available for less than £7k and probably quite a bit more.
As for the run out old shape - well it's not as good a car, and although I'd take one over a Vectra, plenty wouldn't.
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The MK2 Mondeo was always considered way ahead of the Vectra when it was current, or at least thats what I read in all the magazines. How can that suddenly have changed now? It's still the same car it was against the same previous Vectra ;)
Should get a 2001X Mondeo Ghia X for way under the £6k you've got.
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