I'm bored.  The FRV is faultless and because of this after two years I feel the need for a bit of speed.  I keep being drawn by the Vectra VXR despite Mr Clarkson's review, the fuel & tax costs.  Funnily enough, insurance on the 280bhp model is only £280 for me.

 

Anyway, I've also been looking at the Saab as it's very similar.  They can be had for less money but despite the 911 Turbo in gear beating acceleration - Mr Clarkson again - it doesn't float my boat in the same way. 

 

I've got to be able to get three children in the back so the Octavia vRS is out as it's nowhere near wide enough unfortunately.  I'd rather have petrol unless it's a particularly fast diesel and my budget is up to £7k. I'd also rather not have a massive amount of miles on the clock.

 

So with all your wisdom and car knowledge, can you suggest anything else that will whisk the five us around in comfort but also be able to pick up it's skirts and run like hell when needed to?

 

 

If you're looking at the vectra vxr, keep an eye out for the ex police ones. They're not vxr for insurance purposes but have the same engine.

My problem with vectras is the build quality. The interiors fall apart if you look at them too hard.

My last car was a 9-5 HOT Aero (2002 250bhp) and I'd have another one at the drop of a hat (and probably will).  Feels a very well put together car, handles well for its size, and the acceleration will surprise many other cars.  Rear legroom isn't great if the driver's over 6'.

 

I think the later 'Dame Edna's' lost something as they gradually became more Vauxhall'y.

 

Gaz

My old Saab 9000 was a lovely car to drive. 

Bugger to work on though. 

MG ZT with the V8 lump ?

Mate has a SAAB 9-5 Aero and it's brilliant, build quality is good etc. There is only him and his OH so rear space is no issue

Zafira VXR? Should have the space you want and speed.

BMW 530/535 dervs are pretty brisk and should be big enough for the 3 kids in the back.

Basically, look for anything the Police use for traffic. 

9-5 aero. There are some bargains to be had. When I sold the BMW I was looking for a replacement. I've seen some 2003 models with all the toys and full histories go for £500.

um, the rear in the vectra (and I would imagine) the Saab are about the same size if not arguably smaller than the Octavia in the rear?

Edited 10 April, 201412 yr by D@z

T5 volvo?

 

I know a bloke with a fast Saab 9-5. Speaks very favourably of it. Sounded surprisingly good too.

Mazda 6 MPS, nuff said lol

Mazda 6 MPS, nuff said lol

1 million pound a year to tax

Some good suggestions there thanks. I've been looking at all sorts and have found this to be harder than I first thought.  One factor in this is the Mrs.  She fell in love with this,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-Vectra-VXR-2-8T-360ps-Massive-Spec-Immaculate-Look-/291099654087?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item43c6e437c7

and everything else seems to be a bit tame for her.

I'm trying to be the voice of reason here and temper her enthusiasm to rush out and buy something on these lines.  I've pointed out for example that a set of tyres are the best part of £800 on the 19" rims.

I can live with the fuel as we only do about 8k per year anyway.  The tax is a bit hard to swallow but the insurance is so cheap for me now that again, I can live with it.  The Mazda 6 MPS is also in the running but an estate would be good as we want to be able to transport stuff in the boot & get the bikes on the back.

The Zafira is no good as it's way too narrow and the Octavia is the same compared to the larger Vectra and Saab.  I'm finding it difficult to get excited about the Saab though, too flat cap for me as is the T5.  The V70R however is different for some reason...

Keep the ideas coming as it's helping me to narrow things down somewhat.

I've not driven the Vectra nor the hot SAAB but I did have a low compression turbo SAAB and I'd have another SAAB in a heartbeat.

 

Why not look a little retro and go for a SAAB 900 Carlsson , my uncle used to have one of these and had 3 kids at the time

 

http://www.motorstown.com/7916-saab-900-turbo-carlsson.html

I've got a V70R and it doesn't really compare to the T5, in terms of spec, power etc. I also looked at most of what's been mentioned before I got the Volvo, along with a 730d and an Audi RS6 Avant. I still want a RS6 after the V70, at the time (3 years ago) I couldn't justify the insurance on the RS6.

Just out of interest John, what's it like to live with?  I'm aware that fuel & tax will be expensive compared to an average family diesel but is it reliable for example?  Whatever I get will be our family car and will need to be able to take us here & there with bikes, shopping etc.  The insurance is a very affordable £230 for me on the Volvo, so I'm more concerned with consumables, servicing etc. 

Any pointers would be great.

I was under the impression that the late saabs, got vauxhalls and ripped them apart, then made a much better car of it?

Id have a saab any day of the week. I wouldnt have a vauxhall though haha.

If you get a pre MY06 the tax is £260 per year, it's £400 after 06. Mine is Auto and I get about 18mpg average, manuals you can expect a bit better mpg. Not much though. Insurance is surprisingly cheap, for 300bhp car at least.

There are a couple of costly things I'd make sure have been done if you're looking.

Front shockers - although expensive at the dealer I bought a pair from the manufacturer - Monroe, for 1/4 the price of one from Volvo.

Rear handbrake shoes - if they haven't been changed every 5 years you run the risk of them causing serious damage. I learned this the hard way and forked out more than £600 to repair the damage one old shoe caused. They basically fall apart and destroy your rear hub assembly.

Gearbox oil change - if you go for auto make sure this has been done every 50k. Especially if it's been used to tow. They are a bit temperamental.

There have been some reported issues with the bevel gears.

There has also been some reported issues with split cylinder liners.

Saying this although newer models cost more to tax I believe if you get an 07 in auto they have a better 6 speed box which doesn't come with bevel gear issues and they haven't got torque limiters unlike older 5 speeds. Apparently the whole box was redesigned.

The only real problems I've had are shockers and the rear hub issue. Servicing is OK cost wise, I use an indie Volvo specialist usually but done the last oil and filter change myself at a cost of about £80, which included Castrol edge.

Tyres are about £200 per corner but I've had about 20k out of mine and still have about 4.5 mm on the fronts.

It's a lovely car, it's well built and has a good spec. I've got 3 kids and 3 dogs and it' suits fine, the boot is huge.

I've got a thread in the members car section somewhere if you want to have a look at mine.

Oh one thing to note the turning circle is horrendous, which is probably the only gripe I have with it.

Or if you don't need an estate maybe the s60r or similar

If you do g for the Saab, just make sure the engine oil has been changed when it should, they have a habit of seizing up due to oil starvation .

Thanks for the pointers on things.  One aspect of this forum is that on the whole you get a balanced point of view and not a Skoda biased stance.  You'll all despair at me but I'm really drawn by the Vectra, it must be my inner chav!

 

Other than fuel & tax they seem reasonable in terms of running costs considering that they're a 280bhp V6.  The Volvo would appear to be out of my price range for a good example, £10k versus my £7 to £8k budget.  I'm struggling to find a Saab that is an estate, manual and with the spec I'd like.  They are cheap enough, but being a rare machine in the first place means I may have to wait a while before one comes up that's near enough for me to look at.  The Mazda 6 MPS is a cracking car and they are very cheap now, but the boot won't do as I can't throw kids bikes in the back. 

 

Another question, if anyone has a Mk2 Octavia, could you measure across the rear seat between the door cards and give me an idea of the useable width please?  The search is on now as I've made my mind up and would like to sort this in the next few weeks so advice and anything else is very welcome.

If you do g for the Saab, just make sure the engine oil has been changed when it should, they have a habit of seizing up due to oil starvation .

 

This is important - you're looking for evidence of the sump being dropped (to clean out the crap from a breather system that rots internally and drops rubber bits into the oil) and for the engine breather to have been upgraded to at least version 6.  This is on the 250bhp 2.3 engines, and might not be relevant for later cars in your bracket.

 

Gaz

I went from a Vectra SRi to a Octavia vRS and the difference was night & day.

The Vectra was the most unispiring, lifeless, bag of poo I have ever driven.

I had ot mapped to over 200bhp, so straight line it was OK. Just don't go round any corners with any enthuaism.

You really are going back one generation with the Vectra. Before I even get onto the interior, don't do it!

Really, don't get a Vectra :(