Vauxhall Insignia - quite a nice car?

EddScott

EddScott

EddScott

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Since owning and truly hating a MK3 Astra I vowed never to go near a Vauxhall again.

However, I went to an investment conference at Williams F1 and decided to hire a car to go up. Wanted something like a Merc or BM but got the Insignia.

I have to say I was actually impressed. I've read a few comments about the interior being rubbish but I thought it was OK (Don't forget my daily drive is a Jeep Cherokee XJ which has roots back to the early 70s!!)

All the toys worked - Sat Nav got me there OK, Bluetooth paired to my phone no problems. Very impressed with the space inside, took the nipper to school in it this morning and she seemed like a long way away in the back

It was quite quick I guess, mapped it would be more entertaining for sure. Didn't like the way the steering weighted up at first but then after a while I didn't notice it.

Seats were quite nice, they were kind of sporty ones with a bit of side support and you could move the bottom bit to support under your legs - here is one big criticism in that the metal for these bits is exposed on the sides and quite sharp. Little fingers might get cut here. I'm not a fan of leather seats (I just don't really like it) so didn't bother me that they were cloth.

Just off to take it back to the hire centre now and I have to say that I'm quite tempted by it. It's a 10 plate 2L diesel estate, I think it is supposed to be "sport" of some sort given the seats, they seem around the £12K mark.

I actually think I'd rather a lesser brand and more toys than an expensive brand and poverty spec. As something to munch the work miles I'd be quite happy to have one long term.
 
I think the key here is you only have your car to compare it to.

It's not a bad car by all accounts apparently, miles better than the Vectra. However driving a Mk4 Mondeo you may find they are even better. Test all the competition before going ahead as you might find one you prefer.
 
Get one, dress up in police uniform and then people will think you're in an unmarked car! I see loads of these used as unmarked police cars.
 
The fact you were impressed that everything actually worked speaks volumes about your Vauxhall experiences!

Try a few other marques before you make your mind up.

Personally, I was far from impressed by the Insignia - as I alluded to in a previous thread (which I can't find atm)

Yes, its quite a nice car, but there is considerably better out there on the -used - market, especially around the £12k mark.
 
New Vauxhalls are ok.

My Company Astra is quite a nice car.

I personally wouldnt pay nearly £22k for one new but its nice enough.
 
Had one as a hire car a while back too. The exterior is much better than the Vectra C, but I wasn't a fan of the interior. It was too cluttered and made of poor materials. The steering too light and had no feel whatsoever - it was like a Xbox wheel with no force feedback. And the ride was crashy which was very odd, but I put this down to it being a thrashed rental car.

Obviously it's designed as a motorway muncher, and not to liven your soul, but it's just dreary compared to the competition in it's class.

Best avoided IMO.
 
If I were actually going to spend £12K on a car then I would have course check out all my options. Mondeo 4 is OK and I hired the previous model for a weekend and enjoyed the drive. I can do 6/7 on my own, 12 I'd need to finance some of it. Work might help out considering its work miles I'll be doing.

One thing I did notice on the way back to the hire centre was the road noise is quite high. Spent most of yesterday in the car talking shop with a colleague so never really spent quiet time with it.

Peerzy - you have a point mate. The suspension on my Jeep is straight from horse and cart technology :D

Having said that, after the girl dropped me back home and I took the Jeep into work, it put a huge smile on my face. It's slow, loud and makes me smile in the wet and too much right foot :D I know most will think its a complete POS, but I'll be sad to see it go.

Spunkey said:
it's just dreary compared to the competition in it's class.
Click to expand...

Aren't they all in this category? I know what you mean about the steering.
 
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It makes me laugh, peoples views about this class of cars. A guy at work was describing his Mondeo 4 recently as a 'sports saloon but with with hatchback practicality'. :D

He seems to think he's driving an M3 or AMG Black, when in reality everything in this class is increasingly geared towards long distance comfort, ease of driving, and inoffensiveness, including the Mondeo 4. And that's exactly what you want if you're doing 20k or 30k a year.
 
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In this class its actually not a bad car at all. I'd say the Accord is the best of the bunch and then we have a tie with the Mondeo and Insignia, Mazda 6 and Octavia are also worth a look.Avensis is soooooooo dull its scary and the Passat is just too dear for a rep mobile.

It just amazes me how expensive these cars are now, the list price is just ridiculous
 
EddScott said:
Since owning and truly hating a MK3 Astra I vowed never to go near a Vauxhall again.

However, I went to an investment conference at Williams F1 and decided to hire a car to go up. Wanted something like a Merc or BM but got the Insignia.

I have to say I was actually impressed. I've read a few comments about the interior being rubbish but I thought it was OK (Don't forget my daily drive is a Jeep Cherokee XJ which has roots back to the early 70s!!)

All the toys worked - Sat Nav got me there OK, Bluetooth paired to my phone no problems. Very impressed with the space inside, took the nipper to school in it this morning and she seemed like a long way away in the back

It was quite quick I guess, mapped it would be more entertaining for sure. Didn't like the way the steering weighted up at first but then after a while I didn't notice it.

Seats were quite nice, they were kind of sporty ones with a bit of side support and you could move the bottom bit to support under your legs - here is one big criticism in that the metal for these bits is exposed on the sides and quite sharp. Little fingers might get cut here. I'm not a fan of leather seats (I just don't really like it) so didn't bother me that they were cloth.

Just off to take it back to the hire centre now and I have to say that I'm quite tempted by it. It's a 10 plate 2L diesel estate, I think it is supposed to be "sport" of some sort given the seats, they seem around the £12K mark.

I actually think I'd rather a lesser brand and more toys than an expensive brand and poverty spec. As something to munch the work miles I'd be quite happy to have one long term.
Click to expand...
Hi just bought my first insignia A 2.0 CDti 160 exclusive
Love it happy I chose the F40 gearbox on the 160 as heard the M32 gearbox could possibly be more temperamental.. the only thing was stung with was the turbo, it was burning oil bad so had a new one fitted and what a difference .....
 
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