I think the FL Vectra is a nice car, always had a soft spot for them, good health to enjoy!

With those wheels on it just looks like an SRi spec car :/

I agree! Not too keen on the Vectra C prefacelift myself, but do like the Facelift!

 

:love:  :love:

 

 

 

With those wheels on it just looks like an SRi spec car :/

 

Those are defo VXR Alloys, A lot do purchase these and fit them to the SRi spec, or those with the XP2 (External Pack 2) have these or snowflakes too. Standard SRi alloys:

 

With those wheels on it just looks like an SRi spec car :/

 

Exactly what I'm after.  Something that's pretty quick but to most people will merely look like a nicely spec'd family barge.  I'm into stealth rather than advertising to everyone in a wide radius that I've got something a bit different.  I'm even considering taking the VXR badges off for even more anonymity - I know there was a thread about debadging recently so opinion differ on this one.

 

It's nice to have some positive comments about the car folks, although I'm not normally put off by negative feedback anyway once my mind is made up.  Now I've got my head around the running costs, losing sleep about depreciation and resale I'm really looking forward to getting the car some time over the next week.  There are quite a few threads on the 'net about these cars and most of it is positive, even the Evo long termer they ran proved to be an upbeat experience.  http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evolongtermtests/220230/vauxhall_vectra_vxr.html

 

After owning the vRS for nearly seven years, modding it here and there along the way, I vowed my next quick car would be fast out of the box.  I might eat my own words on this one as my wife has a bet with me that I won't last six months before a remap is booked.  I'm trying to convince her - and myself -  that 0-60 in 6.1 seconds should be enough for the family car but the thought of over 300bhp is tempting.  We'll see.

 

I'll put some pics up when I finally get sorted.

 

edit : I've found the group test with the Evo IX and Impreza STI, although this was the 251bhp version and not the 276bhp of the long term car.

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cargrouptests/65185/mitsubishi_evo_v_impreza_v_vectra_vxr_v_bmw_330i.html

Exactly what I'm after.  Something that's pretty quick but to most people will merely look like a nicely spec'd family barge.  I'm into stealth rather than advertising to everyone in a wide radius that I've got something a bit different.  I'm even considering taking the VXR badges off for even more anonymity - I know there was a thread about debadging recently so opinion differ on this one.

 

It's nice to have some positive comments about the car folks, although I'm not normally put off by negative feedback anyway once my mind is made up.  Now I've got my head around the running costs, losing sleep about depreciation and resale I'm really looking forward to getting the car some time over the next week.  There are quite a few threads on the 'net about these cars and most of it is positive, even the Evo long termer they ran proved to be an upbeat experience.  http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evolongtermtests/220230/vauxhall_vectra_vxr.html

 

After owning the vRS for nearly seven years, modding it here and there along the way, I vowed my next quick car would be fast out of the box.  I might eat my own words on this one as my wife has a bet with me that I won't last six months before a remap is booked.  I'm trying to convince her - and myself -  that 0-60 in 6.1 seconds should be enough for the family car but the thought of over 300bhp is tempting.  We'll see.

 

I'll put some pics up when I finally get sorted.

 

Woohoo, I guess congrats . I'd suggest vectra-c.com if you ever need help/another community similar to this one in nature. I still frequent here!

 

Once you press the sport mode button to stiffen the shocks/increase throttle and steering response you wont want a tuning box

 

Lee.

Not disputing its a VXR but at first glance it looked like an SRi, i know exactly how you feel about the stealth as i like that myself

Ive never been a huge fan of vauxhalls but my mum currently has a 2008 zafira SRi 150bhp diesel and its a huge improvement on vauxhalls of old. When i need a 7 seater car if i dont blag my mums off her... I will get a zafira VXR. Enjoy your new car

Trouble is, I really want the VXR.  It's a car I've always wanted to own since I first saw one take off down the road back in 2006 - just after I'd bought my vRS.  If I don't get one while it's still possible (just) to run one as a family car I reckon I'll always regret it.  It makes no sense at all, costly to run and all the rest. 

Thing is though, I spend all my working week being sensible, making level headed decisions that aim to please everyone concerned.  I'm a bit bored of being sensible and driving a diesel Honda that brings me no joy whatsoever.  I may live to regret it, we'll see.

 

Totally with you on this one.  That's why I bought this and why I refer to "a brave choice".

 

Thanks for all the advice on this one folks.  I finally took the plunge and got this.

 

 

 

It's as it came from the dealers, I haven't had a chance to wash it so it's a bit grubby after the journey home.  But, as you can see it's a Vectra. 

 

I wasn't sure what to expect on the test drive but I went in expecting to be underwhelmed. To say I'm impressed is an understatement.  The obvious thing to say is that it's reasonably nippy.    The other thing that I'm surprised by is how it rides in the 19" rims.  It's smoother than the Honda FRV on 16" rims and steers really well.  It corners far better than my vRS did, even with an RARB.  It's early days and no doubt the Vauxhall build quality will come into play at some point but for now I'm happy.  I even got 34mpg on the run home which is better than I'd expected too.

 

An added bonus is the sound.  It reminds me of my old Capris, both the 2.8i and the 3.0s, a lovely deep burble that makes people turn to see where the noise is coming from.  Far more interesting than the diesel it replaced.

 

I'll put some more pics up when I get a chance.

Yay congrats! Looks lovely, black is beautiful when it's clean... keeping it that way is a bitch, especially Black Sapphire! Need your windows tinting now!

 

BTW, DON'T GO LED LIGHTS ANYWHERE! CANBUS checks every 5-10 seconds and will make the LEDs blink/flash when not in use, plus you will get a bulb out warning. As for interior bulbs; they are still 501s however only get LEDs that have a single polarity(Some can have double and can be used either side you put them in), otherwise you will melt the roof ribbon, plenty of horror stories regarding that (a roof loom is a couple hundred from dealers, and there are 2-4) 

 

VXR I'm assuming HID as standard dips?

 

If you need a hand/any queries about it, drop me a line, happy to help

 

Lee.

 

EDIT: Tip; Check the scuttle panel is clear of leaves (Open bonnet, above header tank is the pollen filter hatch, lift the rubber and access the panel, make sure its empty of leaves/the rubber bung is clear. Common blockage of leaves and will let water into the car/fry the blower motor resistor). Had it on mine when I got my car, luckily only suffered wet carpet

 

Not trying to scare you after you got it, just advice for happy motoring!

Edited 19 April, 201412 yr by Lee A

Cheers Lee.  I'm planning on keeping things stock for now, but thanks for the heads up about the LED situation.  As for the HIDs, they are great as we found out last night, nice & white.  Not sure what people coming the other way think though.

I took your advice and signed up tot the Vectra C forum and will be joining the VXR forum too.  I'll be staying here though as I've been on here since early 2006.

Looks tidy, always had a soft spot for these. Guy down the road had a blue one and it sounded lovely, didn't hang about either.

Cheers Lee.  I'm planning on keeping things stock for now, but thanks for the heads up about the LED situation.  As for the HIDs, they are great as we found out last night, nice & white.  Not sure what people coming the other way think though.

I took your advice and signed up tot the Vectra C forum and will be joining the VXR forum too.  I'll be staying here though as I've been on here since early 2006.

 

Oh good, mine had halogen... pretty much candles for light! Upgraded to HID straight away to 6000k. 

 

Oooo might see you around on there then! Happy motoring and enjoy the Vectra world! (More fun than people make out!)

Congrats on the purchase. Was behind a vectra the other day a 2.0t that had vxr wheels fitted, look very nice but incredibly slow. Only 175bhp.

Enjoy your new wheels

I used to sell Vauxhalls... :-(

I think they made the Insignia VXR a bit better than the Vectra, it's pretty wanting the Vectra VXR as a car IMO with many design flaws. It was a bit of a GM test experiment that went a bit wrong, got many laughs from everyone that watched BBC2. However, it allowed them to create the hot Insignia. Try an Insignia VXR, you'll see what I mean..Vectra's rattle & creak, suffer electrical gremlins like most of its 02-06 build. Don't all cars though! They are extremely cheap for a reason, forgetting the rather "set up" understeer ****** from Clarkson. The chassis is actually not that bad, it's just not set up very well from the factory. It's a bit... boring, and unimaginative. The best Vectra was undoubtedly the GSi from 01/02, although 190hp and a rather tame but gurgly V6 kept the traction control light blinking. I remember it well... I'd take one of those over a VXR any day. An absolutely superb engine in that thing. Really, if you're after circa 260 bhp, 3 litre BMW's in petrol or lightly remapped diesel form will reward you in all areas. They cosset effortlessly, faster, cheaper to tax, better mpg.. I know they're common ! But it's because they are superb for a reason (especially the 5 series for 3 kid families). Early days yet in your ownership, but if you're a car nut/petrolhead, you'll be out of the Vectra in less than a year. Guaranteed.

Make sure you're active on the Vectra owners forum, and for gods sake if your keeping the 19's, don't skimp on rubber. Use the best tyres possible, or Clarksons tyre smoking straight-on diagnosis will become reality. I salute your Leftfield choice though, I do.

If you could have coped with the looks, you should try an Accord Type R one day. Old, I know, but incredible handling with a trick differential. I owned one for 2 years, made the wife and kids sick at the corners due to its bizarre cornering G. The only saloon you'll ever own that acts like a small hot hatch.

I used to sell Vauxhalls... :-(

I think they made the Insignia VXR a bit better than the Vectra, it's pretty wanting the Vectra VXR as a car IMO with many design flaws. It was a bit of a GM test experiment that went a bit wrong, got many laughs from everyone that watched BBC2. However, it allowed them to create the hot Insignia. Try an Insignia VXR, you'll see what I mean..Vectra's rattle & creak, suffer electrical gremlins like most of its 02-06 build. Don't all cars though! They are extremely cheap for a reason, forgetting the rather "set up" understeer ****** from Clarkson. The chassis is actually not that bad, it's just not set up very well from the factory. It's a bit... boring, and unimaginative. The best Vectra was undoubtedly the GSi from 01/02, although 190hp and a rather tame but gurgly V6 kept the traction control light blinking. I remember it well... I'd take one of those over a VXR any day. An absolutely superb engine in that thing. Really, if you're after circa 260 bhp, 3 litre BMW's in petrol or lightly remapped diesel form will reward you in all areas. They cosset effortlessly, faster, cheaper to tax, better mpg.. I know they're common ! But it's because they are superb for a reason (especially the 5 series for 3 kid families). Early days yet in your ownership, but if you're a car nut/petrolhead, you'll be out of the Vectra in less than a year. Guaranteed.

Make sure you're active on the Vectra owners forum, and for gods sake if your keeping the 19's, don't skimp on rubber. Use the best tyres possible, or Clarksons tyre smoking straight-on diagnosis will become reality. I salute your Leftfield choice though, I do.

If you could have coped with the looks, you should try an Accord Type R one day. Old, I know, but incredible handling with a trick differential. I owned one for 2 years, made the wife and kids sick at the corners due to its bizarre cornering G. The only saloon you'll ever own that acts like a small hot hatch.

 

 did you read the Evo group test that was linked to?

Of course...

If you mull through the finer details, they are being a little kind to it. Those finer details which GM get wrong, are rather clumsy. The estate in the long term suggests how good it is a carrier. Over sensitive throttle, loadsa grip and traction with a useful mid range is all unsurprising. You'd expect that anyway?! 20-22 mpg is the most you'll ever expect from this car, and seeing as though its in M5 mpg territory, if you were a brave boy you'd gamble on a 400hp V8 E39 (Vanos being in good nick) instead of a rather ordinary saloon wearing big wheels.

A bit like the Passat R36.. said to be a Q car, because... its really a bit useless when you get it on track, or the really twisty bits. Not a car for real petrolheads. Great for the highway in the USA, where there arent many corners and fuel is very cheap. As said, the GM team don't think about economy. They didn't think about enough until they really put their heads down in 2011 to create better, more effective cars.

I have to say, the new Astra is absolutely brilliant. And perhaps the only GM i'd really buy/lease, if I was that power hungry.

Only just seen this. I had an 08 Vectra SRi 1.8 and loved it. IIRC I did 30k miles on it in a smidge over 6 months (as a year olf, 17k ex hire car), averaged almost 40mpg and used to laugh like a drain at how it revelled in the top of its rev range. Other than a couple of tyres and a cracked windscreen it was faultless. Didn't handle that well once you really pushed it. Understand that the seat design was amazingly thought through in terms of crash protection terms. No creaks, rattles or issues either.

Good luck with your bonkers buy

Cheers for the additional input on this folks.  I'm aware that I may live to regret the whole thing and that it will fall to bits around me, causing increased blood pressure, hair loss and bankruptcy.  This is my first Vauxhall and I have always stayed away from them.  In fact, I've always maintained the only cars you see waiting for a tow truck are either Peugeots or Vauxhalls. 

 

However, I'm an eternal optimist and would like to think that I may manage to get round a series of corners without having an unexpected diversion through the nearest hedge.  To be honest, I'm very impressed so far.  I've been out for a drive or two and think it handles really well for its size and weight.  The overtaking abilities are simply amazing compared to even my remapped Octavia.  It's a really nice ride, even on the 19" wheels and although the current tyres are not the best, they have yet to throw me off the road. 

 

I bought this a cruiser, to transport the family around the fine county of Yorkshire in relative comfort and I reckon it'll do that reasonably well.  I know it's crap on fuel but I'd happily trade 10mpg for the sound it makes - it's lovely.  It is a bit left field as a family car, but in reality I'm happy with my choice.

 

If I want to go for a blast on a Sunday morning I'll use the Ignis which is an absolute hoot to drive.  It is way quicker than you'd expect and keeps up with much more expensive/powerful cars in the process. 

 

If I'm lucky, I'll get two years out of the Vectra and have a relatively trouble free experience.  If I've bought a lemon, then I'll have to live with that and make the best of the whole thing.  Fingers crossed.

Fair points but for the ability, the Vectra VXR is well worth it, I'd rather than that a 16k dent for an Insignia VXR :( (One day)

 

I agree, Vauxhall have skimpped on various things! 

 

What I've had to fix in my year or so ownership; (1.8 VVT Exclusiv)

 

VVT Cam gear (Common failure on VVT engines)

Clutch judder (Still does it, just have to pull away in slightly higher revs)

Clicking steering wheel (a joint somewhere apparently?)

Center arm rest (?????, Fixed after returning from Vauxhall)

Rear window not demisting (New window)

Rattling parcelshelf (Moved the rubber stoppers and it stops rattling)

Squeaking dash (Left and right shove and it stopped, for now)

Gear lever end comes off, more so when warm out (glue)

Seats coming unstuck near levers (restick with glue)

Broken window lifter (Re-weld)

 

I admit, I shouldn't have these issues on a car, but for relatively stress free motoring; these are very small in comparison to the 14k miles I've covered since owning it

 

MOT on saturday......... I shall report back of anymore issues! haha

 

Lee.

Edited 22 April, 201412 yr by Lee A

 In fact, I've always maintained the only cars you see waiting for a tow truck are either Peugeots or Vauxhalls. 

 

 

My 330d can prove you wrong there! (Twice this year on a recovery truck (the second time the first truck wasn't compatible with my ride height either, que more waiting), and towed once.) They were for a blown radiator, and a degree of stupidity by me following a clutch change, nothing actually wrong with the car that time.

 

There was a thread a while ago where someone was given a VXR as a gift, and got slated really badly on here for it.

 

Personally, I've had enough bad experiences to never want to own a Vauxhall, but I wish you well with it, and hope it doesn't go badly wrong (you only live once, and it's only money anyway...)

Edited 22 April, 201412 yr by TriggerFish

what they like to own maybe thinking of getting one next

Cheers for the additional input on this folks. I'm aware that I may live to regret the whole thing and that it will fall to bits around me, causing increased blood pressure, hair loss and bankruptcy. This is my first Vauxhall and I have always stayed away from them. In fact, I've always maintained the only cars you see waiting for a tow truck are either Peugeots or Vauxhalls.

However, I'm an eternal optimist and would like to think that I may manage to get round a series of corners without having an unexpected diversion through the nearest hedge. To be honest, I'm very impressed so far. I've been out for a drive or two and think it handles really well for its size and weight. The overtaking abilities are simply amazing compared to even my remapped Octavia. It's a really nice ride, even on the 19" wheels and although the current tyres are not the best, they have yet to throw me off the road.

I bought this a cruiser, to transport the family around the fine county of Yorkshire in relative comfort and I reckon it'll do that reasonably well. I know it's crap on fuel but I'd happily trade 10mpg for the sound it makes - it's lovely. It is a bit left field as a family car, but in reality I'm happy with my choice.

If I want to go for a blast on a Sunday morning I'll use the Ignis which is an absolute hoot to drive. It is way quicker than you'd expect and keeps up with much more expensive/powerful cars in the process.

If I'm lucky, I'll get two years out of the Vectra and have a relatively trouble free experience. If I've bought a lemon, then I'll have to live with that and make the best of the whole thing. Fingers crossed.

You win the internetz. I wish you all the best with the vectra.

what they like to own maybe thinking of getting one next

 

If you mean Vectra, I've not had it a week.  My average consumption is currently 27.1mpg, I even reached the dizzy heights of 34.5 on the run home from Derby!

 

To be honest I'm really enjoying burbling around in the thing, it takes me back to my V6 Capri days so I'm in a rose tinted haze right now.  The sound and torque of the engine are great and it's more of a cruiser than a racer I reckon.  It's shown a couple of people a clean set of heels over the last few days, but on the whole I'm chillin, relaxin & stone cold maxin.

 

Ask me in six months time when the electrical gremlins have wreaked their havoc, I've spent the kid's uni find on V-Power and I've had to put a set of tyres on for £800. 

I genuinely think you will be fine. The garknob fell off mine too despite a number of trips to Vauxhall but I think the vxr knob is held on differently.

I didn't have any electrical gremlins on my cdti 150 apart from an alternator and I went through a couple of sets of swirl flaps.

Still one of the best looking cars I have owned.