There's a reputable vehicle wholesale company (I'll not mention the name for the time being) offering brand-new old-shape Vectra 1.8LS 5dr hatches with metallic & air-con for £8100 OTR inc. road-tax.
I presently own an aging Vectra 1996/P 2.0GLS 16V 5dr with 67,000 miles. A trade-in value has been offered at £2100 for my car, which I think is pretty good.
Question is, is it worth buying an old-shape model (I can't see how it can be worth paying £6000 more for the new-shape over the older model?) with the new one out?
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Let's face it. The improvements in the car are not enough to justify £6k. It's all about image. Because you don't drive the latest car you are no longer top dog.
And dog is about right. The old Vectra looks like it had 4 designers. Those who did the front and wing mirrors can look back at a job well done. If only they'd met the people who designed the sides and back. Vauxhall have played pin the tail on the donkey with the fuel filler cap so that the sides look graceless.
I don't want to talk about that amazingly average rear topped off by a little spoiler styled lip. Thanks anyway.
For the Vectra 2, Vauxhall have learned from their mistakes. There is great deal more integrity to the design . It is truly awful from front to back this time. But in a more prestigious way. Check out that strip of chrome at the back.
Having read the CBC breakdown, IMHO the design has to be the worst thing about the car and there is a massive saving available. The limit of the cars image seems to be 'don't look at me' and you seem happy enough to live with that.
If not, the £6k should keep you in false nose and glasses for life anyhow!
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The old Vectra has a kind of anonymity (sp?) IMO.
It is respectable enough to look at, and if you were to stick an ageless plate on your P reg, no one would know whether it was P reg or brand new. However, you can expect MASSIVE depreciation on the car in no time at all.
I would consider getting a different model, although I suppose if all you're after is a car to get from A to B and you aren't concerned in the least with image, then it may be OK.
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I think you're probably right on both counts. Looking at present book values for the old-shape Vectra, the new car looks a bargain, but I suppose when the NEW Vectra arrives on trade forecourts in a years time, they probably won't be selling for much more than 8 or 9 grand, if that.
The reason why I thought of the most boring of Vectra specs (LS) is that I use my car frequently for business motorway miles and after my present car took a severe rear-end last January, I thought that to buy a car with a better image for more money may be a waste if it ends up having nearly £3000 worth of repairs done to it!
Thanks for both replies - I think I'll stick with what I have for another year or so.
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