Vectra Advice

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Sun 9 May 2004 19:22
Vectra Advice - NickW
Hi, I\'m thinking of buying a 1yr old (03) Vectra SRi from one of the Supermarkets and and wondered if anyone has any advice on these cars - I\'ve heard and read mixed reports, most negative ones being about image which I\'m not too concerned about. I\'m not sure whether to go for the 2.2 petrol or diesel. I\'ve never driven a modern diesel and like the sound of the economy and power they give, but is it worth forking out £1000 extra? I won\'t save much in fuel costs as my annual mileage is only around 8k made up of a daily commute and the odd longer run at weekends.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 9 May 2004 19:58
Vectra Advice - DavidHM
True, but unless you keep the car 5+ years (in which case you'll eventually save money on fuel, just not noticeably - and benefit from diesel engines' generally greater longevity) you'll get your £1k extra purchase cost back when you come to sell.

As for which one you should actually go for - drive both. If the supermarket can't give you an adequate test drive, there's no harm in exploiting the local franchise and see what they can offer you, even if you don't buy there.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 9 May 2004 20:01
Vectra Advice - Aprilia
I have driven a variety of Vectras over the last 18 months or so(all new ones - rental cars). My favourite is the 2.2 petrol engine with automatic. The Diesel is not too briliant, IMHO, and I would go for a petrol given your annual mileage.

All of the Vectras are refined and quiet (more so than the Mondeo). I don't like the dashboard and the indicators though (the 'sensitivity' of the indicators seems to vary from car to car). The air-con controls are over-complicated too. They are a very good buy at supermarket prices.
Check out a Nissan Primera (the 2,0 petrol or 2,2 Diesel) with 6-speed gearbox; they are excellent value and likely to be more reliable than the Vectra.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Our honest used car pricing is a little bit different to all the others. You can get to our values through make or model - you don’t have to follow a prescribed route. Plus, it’s live, which means we can react to changes in the market quicker than any printed price guide.

Honest Used Car Prices

From which small car to buy at which price point to the best UK-built cars, our Top 10s have the lot. Click now for your shortlist.

Unsure of what to buy? Our Top 10s are here to help you....