I'm looking at changing the car towards the end of the year, and ad I miss the thrill of my vRS, I am loking at going back to a sporty petrol.

As Skoda dont do the type of car I require (needs to also pull a caravan) I have certainly taken to the Vectra VXR. I big car with a huge powerful engine, and perfrect for shed dragging as well. I saw one recenly pulling a new Adria.

I was just wondering what peoples thoughts were on this insane petrol powered lump from Vauxhall. 2nd hand prices are quite agressive, and you sure get a lot of car for yer money.

Cheers

It's the most understeering hot saloon on the market. Don't expect to be able to go wrong a corner at any decent speed.

to quote Clarkson " The Vectra VXR sits in the middle of your Persian rug like a lump of dog poo"

Gets a good write up.

Vauxhall Vectra VXR - 4Car Feature - from Channel 4

Vauxhall Vectra VXR (05 on) Review - Parker's

Top Gear | Road test

My local Vauxhall dealer has an exdemo on the forecourt for a snifter under

you so can't believe all that Clarkson says though...although an ST220 would be a nice alternative

i'd trust clarkson. A lot of people in the motoring industry reckon he was the root cause of the collapse of Rover. (probably more to do with the cars being crap:rofl: )

Also why do you think the Mondeo out sells the Vectra as a Repmobile?? Its largely due to the fact that Clarkson Slates it.

To put it in context would you be happy watching Topgear with your mates having just bought a Vectra to hear him say its like a lump of dog poo in the middle of a persian rug.

you so can't believe all that Clarkson says though...although an ST220 would be a nice alternative

Wouldnt by an ST220 now with new mondeo just being launched unless i was gonna keep it for a few years. Prices will plummit on those soon

The new vectra is out next year so current vectra prices will plumet then too.

It fared very well in an EVO test, up against some four wheel drive cars I think. I know Clarkson made it understeer, but then again didn't he do the same with the Elise or some such Lotus?

I reckon they look okay too, but I'm probably in the minority. I'll have to go look on Autotrader now......

I'm going from experience of driving an SRI Vectra for a week as a hire car. It was really aweful. Apart from lowering the VXR I don't think vauxhall did anything else to the suspension ?

The Vectra VXR is really fast in a straight line, but understeers like **** in the corners. I can remember the top gear review, and IIRC the stig struggled with it on the top gear track.

I think I saw a write up where they said the vectra (or maybe the astra) VXR was like putting a hyperactive greyhound onto a polished floor...

I like the look of them both...

Its not got that much more power than the Astra - probably similar real world performance though (power/weight).

I have sat in one and rev'd it up at the dealership - they do sound very nice so much space inside - nice seats.

BUT it will lose so much money it will make you cry + fuel will cost a lot 3.0ltr V6 turbo.... ouch.

A bit off topic I know but the Corsa VXR is a right laugh, love em.

Would never buy a Vauxhall again if you paid me!! :thumbdwn: Try a Mondeo ST TDCI, brilliant

I loved my Mk4 Astra, didnt have many issues with it and my Dad bought it new and then passed it onto me, miss it quite a lot.

The only V*ctr@ I've ever driven was an utterly horrible car in anything but a drag race. No steering feel, heruge understeer, cast concrete seating, and over-stiff suspension. It gave me backache after about a 1 hour drive!

The boots are huge - Im not keen on the front end of the latest ones but the sides & back are fine.

275bhp in a 4 door family saloon is very nice - having said that why not buy a

As Skoda dont do the type of car I require (needs to also pull a caravan)

How heavy is your 'van?

How about a petrol Octavia Scout as they will tow 1600kg

I think the VXRs are a bit underrated. All that talk about "they cant handle the power" is rubbish! Maybe on track its different but (comparing the Astra to the remapped Fabia vRS) I rarely get wheelspin even when im pushing on without ESP. There is a bit of torque-steer which only makes the drive more fun imo!

Whether thats the case with the Vectra I dont know. Total Vauxhall rate them highly and I think they're reviewing it in this months issue. I think they look very cool

Just priced up a Corsa VXR out of interest, yikes!

I think the VXRs are a bit underrated. All that talk about "they cant handle the power" is rubbish! Maybe on track its different but (comparing the Astra to the remapped Fabia vRS) I rarely get wheelspin even when im pushing on without ESP. There is a bit of torque-steer which only makes the drive more fun imo!

Whether thats the case with the Vectra I dont know. Total Vauxhall rate them highly and I think they're reviewing it in this months issue. I think they look very cool

shocker!! :eek:

The build quality of the Vectra VXR makes a Rover look top notch. They couldnt even be arsed painting the wells in the boot. I looked at one before the Octavia, and dismissed as it the plastic offended me, as did the flimsy feel of the dash and switch gear. Might be quick in a straight line, but if the Stig can't make decent progress in the twisties, it's unlikely the like of us can.

Buy a derv Mondeo as much as I hate to say it.

Apparently Vauxhall quietly "updated" the Vectra VXR recently... chassis tweeks and MORE power :eek:

at the end of the day, ANY 250bhp car will understeer like that if its MADE to... in other reviews its handling is regarded as being quite a tidy handler

and like the Mundano ST220 its depriciation would be astronomical, so would be a very safe 2nd hand buy.... ive seen 1/2yr old Mondy ST-TDCIs on forecorts for 12k... thats ALOT of car for the money!!

I would go with the Ford or a Mazda 6 MPS, not the Vectra. Granted I am in a bog standard one right now but it's a seriously unpleasant drive. The indicators alone will drive you INSANE

And yes, the interior build quality is shabby at best and the air vent controls are straight from the 70's.

The 1.8VVT engine is a cracker above 5000 RPM though