Given the state of GM's finances, would buying a Vauxhall be a risk in any sense (e.g parts, re-sale etc etc)?
I'm thinking about switching from my Saab 9-3 diesel (1.9 Tid 120) to an Astra 1.8 VVT Automatic, but I wondered whether sticking with a GM brand is a safe bet?
Incidentally, any thoughts on the Astra are also welcome!
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No, pretty good cars, drove one in Ireland (hire car) not long ago and was very impressed. Don't have to worry about parts!! Rover wnet bump with a stockpile of parts for roughly 25 years if I remember correctly. Re-sale values like Fords aren't the best for example conmpared with a Golf, but great cars IMHO.
Lee
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Thanks for your thoughts leef (Lee). Must admit I had the same thoughts re. the Rover situation!
How did you find fuel economy on the automatic?
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No problem. It was just a 5 speed manual that I drove I think it was 1.6 115ps.
It was lovely to drive. Not sure what the Auto boxes are like on Vauxhalls, but I was very happy with the car, drove it for 8 days around southern ireland on various roads (dirt tracks etc) and loved it. Fuel econemy was great, If I remember correctly I was getting around 44/45MPG which is better than my Mondeo :) SWMBO even suggested I should get one for my next car!
Lee
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If I can easily buy brand new parts including trim for a 20 year old Vauxhall that's been out of production for 14 years you needn't worry about the supply of modern stuff even if they did go bust.
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Isn't your question basically: I have a GM car at the minute, and am wondering about buying another, is it safe...
Well, probably as safe as bet as anything, I wouldn't like to point at a single manufacturer and say for sure they won't go bust in the 2-3 years you might own the car.
In any case, there's so many Vauxhalls and Saabs on the road there is bound to be a cottage industry even if GM Europe vanished for good.
My only concern as a Zafira owner myself is for long term access to the GM Tech II system and the software downloads GM offers to dealers to fix problems or replace key computer modules on the car. Maybe replacement panels could be an issue for the most common kind of accidents too.
I just hope the someone, somewhere would buy the rights and offer it through a large nationwide chain...
Still, that's all speculation. So far, nothing has changed and no reason to worry.
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Thanks everyone for your thoughts.
Yep, you're right OilBurner that is my question(!) but with the supplementary question of whether the Astra (1.8 VVT Auto) is worth a look.
(The Saab is a huge disappointment before you ask!)
Also quite like 2.0 petrol Focus but the hatchback is like hens teeth, and I'd heard the Astra is much nore refined.
Thanks again all
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