Vectra VXR

Fr0dders · 21 Jun 2008 at 23:28

2.8 Turbocharged V6. 300bhp ish with a remap and 400 odd NM of torque.

with sport mode engaged however, the throttle was razor sharp, and produced an instantaneous surge in power, almost diesel like. Its why i like the VXR more than the mondeo in the driving stakes.

Just a question if its worth double the price of an 04 ST220.

thepharcyde · 21 Jun 2008 at 23:40

MrLOL said:
Just a question if its worth double the price of an 04 ST220.

I love the kick of a turbo, so if you can afford it then VXR

But the Mondeo looks miles better

SoliD · 21 Jun 2008 at 23:42

Muffin` said:
How much is that on average? Is there anypoint?

Cost wise? Dunno 400 for exhaust, 100 for induction and 400 for dreamscience remap box or 300 for live map. So a fair bit of cash. Luckily mine had all 3 on when I got the car!

wassap · 22 Jun 2008 at 00:57

Again down to personal taste, if it wasnt for that dashboard, id have had a VXR, doesnt feel quite as nimble as the ST, but it aint bad in all honesty.

At the end of the day, all these cars are repmobiles so it isnt worth spending anymore than 6-9k on one.

If you really really want one, hang fire for a bit, the new Vectra is imminent, which should hit residuals.

ironman · 22 Jun 2008 at 01:34

dirtydog said:
The indicators on modern Vauxhalls would be enough to put me off owning one, regardless of how good the rest of the car was, tbh.

Living with those indicators, I have to say they are fantastic when you get used to it and certainly isn't a problem. They are simple to operate unless you are a spanner with your hands, in which case it's questionable that you should be driving a car in the first place!

NeilMick · 22 Jun 2008 at 09:21

The suspension setup on the VXR was revised shortly after the top gear road test IIRC.

theboyrob · 22 Jun 2008 at 09:28

I am not a big fan of vauxhalls, especially vectras but it would be nice to see something different on here for a change! Plus as you have driven it and liked it then I would say go for it. You will be driving it so as long as your happy thats all that matters.

In terms of modding the ST220 I feally can't see the point. The car as it comes is a great package and really doesn't need to be tampered with. (Apart from some better brakes!)

dirtydog · 22 Jun 2008 at 09:40

gurdas said:
Living with those indicators, I have to say they are fantastic when you get used to it and certainly isn't a problem.

Ordinary indicators are 'fantastic' - as in they work flawlessly every time without needing to think about it. Why did Vauxhall feel the need to overcomplicate one of the most simple parts of a car? The fact that so many people who have tried the indicators find them awkward or annoying proves that they are a failure. Did anyone ever have trouble with normal indicators, ever? Did people need to 'get used to them' or 'learn' how to use them? No they did not.

Andeh · 22 Jun 2008 at 10:02

oh my! if I had 13 grand, and I could get a sexy mondeo for 6 grand, there would be no dispute. I would take the mondeo, and spend some of the spare money on my missus (if I had one

) and whatever I had left, I would use to fine tune my lovely new car :cool:

Fr0dders · 22 Jun 2008 at 10:38

Andeh said:
oh my! if I had 13 grand, and I could get a sexy mondeo for 6 grand, there would be no dispute. I would take the mondeo, and spend some of the spare money on my missus (if I had one ) and whatever I had left, I would use to fine tune my lovely new car

funnily enough the mrs says the same thing

i've just fallen in love with the car. Maybe i should spend 7k on a mondeo, pocket the difference and switch to the VXR in a year or two when the new insignia VXR is out and the price has come down to what the old shape Vectra GSI is now (decent ones to be had well under 10k)

wassap · 22 Jun 2008 at 10:49

gurdas said:
Living with those indicators, I have to say they are fantastic when you get used to it and certainly isn't a problem. They are simple to operate unless you are a spanner with your hands, in which case it's questionable that you should be driving a car in the first place!

I agree, everyone slated VX for the indicators, now most manufacturers have something similar, they are superb imo, perfect for the motorway.

dirtydog · 22 Jun 2008 at 11:07

wohoo said:
I agree, everyone slated VX for the indicators, now most manufacturers have something similar

Do they?

What problem did you have with motorway indicating previously? :confused:

I have seen Vectras doing odd indications numerous times which suggests they are as unintuitive to use as I believe they are. eg. indicating left to turn off, then you see the right indicator pop on briefly which implies he's trying to turn it off but isn't sure if he has or not. Funny how nobody ever has that problem with regular indicators...

Rosbif · 22 Jun 2008 at 11:10

That Mondeo is lush

wassap · 22 Jun 2008 at 11:14

dirtydog said:
Do they?

What problem did you have with motorway indicating previously?

I have seen Vectras doing odd indications numerous times which suggests they are as unintuitive to use as I believe they are. eg. indicating left to turn off, then you see the right indicator pop on briefly which implies he's trying to turn it off but isn't sure if he has or not. Funny how nobody ever has that problem with regular indicators...

Its called innovation

It does work, Ford and VW have the same setup, as do cars from the PSA group.

I had no problems previously, and I have no problems now.....

ironman · 22 Jun 2008 at 11:32

dirtydog said:
Do they?

What problem did you have with motorway indicating previously?

I have seen Vectras doing odd indications numerous times which suggests they are as unintuitive to use as I believe they are. eg. indicating left to turn off, then you see the right indicator pop on briefly which implies he's trying to turn it off but isn't sure if he has or not. Funny how nobody ever has that problem with regular indicators...

It's a simple toggle switch, very useful on the motorway when you only push it half way so that it indicates 3 times only. If you are indicating the other way when turning them off you obviously are just moving it too far, it's a very basic tool.

Fr0dders · 22 Jun 2008 at 12:26

must admit, i found it a bit strange at first, as i was so used to physically moving the indicator up or down, and found it strange at first that it sprang back to center and cancelling it involved pulling back the way you pushed it first time.

Got used to it after a couple of attempts. Ive got no real feelings for it. Its just different.

dirtydog said:
Do they?

What problem did you have with motorway indicating previously?

I have seen Vectras doing odd indications numerous times which suggests they are as unintuitive to use as I believe they are. eg. indicating left to turn off, then you see the right indicator pop on briefly which implies he's trying to turn it off but isn't sure if he has or not. Funny how nobody ever has that problem with regular indicators...

hah that would be me on my test drive. Indicated to come off the roundabout, and kept indicating in opposite directions trying to cancel it think i flashed indicators about 6 times, each in different directions !. Wasnt untill the bloke from the dealership cancelled it for me and showed me that i got it. Poor bloke behind me must have thought i was having a fit lol.

blueboy2001 · 22 Jun 2008 at 14:17

The Vectra VXR is not so bad once you're used to it. Yes, bury the loud pedal with plenty of steering on and it will understeer like crazy but thats more a criticism of the driver than the car. You can hustle it along very quickly and neat and tidy providing you keep you entry speed into corners in check. The engine is fantastic which is as good a reason as any to own one, and it is good on the brakes too. The ST220 is better balanced overall but I prefer turbo to NA.

The original VXR's didn't come with Continuous Damping Control but it was optional. This makes a big difference to the stability of the car and you don't want one without it.

I've looked at them but I think there is still a fair way for the values to fall yet. Once the tax rates go up I think this will have an effect and they'll be readily availble for under £10k.

If this is the sort of car you're after try a Mazda 6 MPS - these are very good indeed.

mattx2 · 22 Jun 2008 at 14:33

How many people slating this car have actually driven it ?

I had the chance to sail one of these round brands hatch last year and was surprised mainy because I'd heard the same top gear review etc but it was surprisingly good round the track tight turn ins and minimal understeer also so much tourqe available you could have done the whole lap in 4th.

but I'd still rather get the st220 and pocket 6k

Fr0dders · 22 Jun 2008 at 14:40

blueboy2001 said:
I've looked at them but I think there is still a fair way for the values to fall yet. Once the tax rates go up I think this will have an effect and they'll be readily availble for under £10k.

If this is the sort of car you're after try a Mazda 6 MPS - these are very good indeed.

I think you're right. THe new insignia VXR is due out in 18 months, The vectra will be replaced alltogether and the Vectra VXR Discontinued in 4 months time.

Values are only going to fall, so if i fork out 14k now im only going to loose lots of the extra money the VXR costs over the ST220 - very quickly.

I did look at the 6 MPS btw, but its 4 door only and without folding rear seats, its just full of re-inforcing so a definate no-no as a family every day car.

ScottehBotteh · 22 Jun 2008 at 15:00

mattx2 said:
How many people slating this car have actually driven it ?

Not many i'd assume, which is why the slating of the whole VXR range on here is frustrating. The Vectra is a good car for the money if its what your after. People moaning about indicators are just being petty and obviously have no control over their hand movements , it really is as simple as just tapping the stalk.

One final time...VXR's dont handle as bad as Topgear or some of the clueless members on here make out.

People also go on and on about Vauxhalls poor build quality yet you see far more posts from the supposedly better marques with huge repair bills.