Vectra VXR

Caporegime
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21 Apr 2004
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Just given one of these some beans, and well to be quite honest they go like the item off the proverbial shovel. Handles roads with ease and the brakes are perfect for slamming on before the GATSO.

It's a 57 in blue with 20's and the CDC 40 HU and manual Aircon with half leather recaros. It's done 15k as a demonstrator and they want 12.5K

How much is this realistically worth in your opinions?
 
I detest the bloody things (Vectra's) due to the inability to get a good driving position. Hateful things that should be crushed as they come off the produciton line! Just my view of course, as you were. ;)
 
12.5 k as a demonstator seems too much (to me)

Surely its spent 95% of its life being thrashed and having its brakes tested? ;)
 
The biggest problem is going to be depreciation, then again what cars arnt depreciating at the moment ?
 
[quote='evo]
You approach the VXR with lower expectations, but against the odds it really delivers. Like the Impreza, some of the details don't convince - the steering and gearchange particularly - but overall it's an exploitable, composed and exciting car to hustle along, with a lovely engine, superb traction and great brakes. In case you haven't guessed, it's much better than any of us had expected. [/quote]

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/car...hi_evo_v_impreza_v_vectra_vxr_v_bmw_330i.html


Edit - although in my opinion, I'd never touch a demo car unless it was *really* cheap. All the ones I've ever been in have been abused by dealer staff.
 
I really really liked my time behind the wheel of a vectra VXR as i've said before.

I drove an st220 recently too (which receive massive praise on here and elsewhere) which overall felt perhaps, a more solid/motorway muncher but i prefered the Vectra VXR's power / fun factor enormously, it was just sooo much more lively for me.

They really do shift!! Where the ST220 felt pretty refined (though, not to the degree of the e39), the vectra vxr really does deserve to be called a "sports saloon" imo. How many people who have driven one are saying they're rubbish?

I think its probably a bad time to be getting one atm though, with its replacement just out? They might really plummet in the next year.


EDIT - and the review above my post is from the older vectra vxr too (lower bhp), the one i drove is the one that was pushing out 280bhp or so, I suspect muffin drove the same one as me.
 
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I just cant get over the horrid dash and driving postion. It seems a very capable car with a bit of a stigma attached.
 
I thought the driving position was fine but i agree the rivals have a nicer dash.

Most of the sports saloons tend to have a bit of stigma attached. I guess owning a vectra is undesirable to a degree but owning a "VXR" isn't really at all.
 
Just given one of these some beans, and well to be quite honest they go like the item off the proverbial shovel. Handles roads with ease and the brakes are perfect for slamming on before the GATSO.

It's a 57 in blue with 20's and the CDC 40 HU and manual Aircon with half leather recaros. It's done 15k as a demonstrator and they want 12.5K

How much is this realistically worth in your opinions?

I paid 13k for an 56 plate with 20k miles in August 08. But prices have come down since then.

Local dealer where i bought mine from, has an 07 plate red one for about the same mileage for 12.5k

So go in and haggle.

HARD

the red VXR i mentioned above has been there since July last year. They wont stand any chance of selling that in the current climate. Leave them to it, and come back a fortnight later and tempt them again. I managed to knock a grand of my asking price. And that was from a Vauxhall dealer as well.

I reckon you could probably get it to Low 11s very easily. Problem is though, there isnt much the VXR does better than the ST220 apart from go a bit faster. And 6k is a lot to pay for something thats "slightly faster". But hey, who am i to say ? im never one to make decisions based on my head. My heart always wins lol.

PS glad you liked the VXR. Glad somebody else agrees they arent as bad as internet reputation seems to make out they are.

Oh and £550 gets you 300bhp and 400 + lb/ft of Torque. Thats more torque than an e90 M3.
 
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I suspect muffin drove the same one as me.

It was the 280 yeah, plenty of wheel spin just getting going but once you're rolling it's like anything fast you don't realise how fast 'oh dear 3 figures on an NSL' best slow down.


Surely its spent 95% of its life being thrashed and having its brakes tested? ;)

I did say "I'll give it a while to warm up" he just said "Just go now" I responded with "k, HHNNNNNNNGG"


I thought the driving position was fine but i agree the rivals have a nicer dash.

I got straight back in the Mondeo and... It is apparent to anyone the difference in build quailty the Mondeo doesn't squeak and rattle all over the place. But the VXR was very... I don't know I can't put my finger on it 'sporty'? Which I didn't feel from an ST220. Yes it's boring but so's a Mondeo and an E39... it's a dash board, I'll leave it to the Italians and TVR's :p


I reckon you could probably get it to Low 11s very easily. Problem is though, there isnt much the VXR does better than the ST220 apart from go a bit faster. And 6k is a lot to pay for something thats "slightly faster". But hey, who am i to say ? im never one to make decisions based on my head. My heart always wins lol.

Indeed it is a massive difference, even the 06/56 ST220's are a LOT cheaper than the VXR's - I guess with so few actually for sale people don't know what to sell at or pay.


PS glad you liked the VXR. Glad somebody else agrees they arent as bad as internet reputation seems to make out they are.

Aye it's a a very capble car and as you say mods easily. It's just expensive, for what it is. But it did put a grin on my face and it sounds lush - I rolled past a pub with the girls outside I wanted to shove the sales mans head down like on the Skoda advert but he was ready for me.


Oh and £550 gets you 300bhp and 400 + lb/ft of Torque. Thats more torque than an e90 M3.

It get's torque steer at 50mph already :o :D
 
I got straight back in the Mondeo and... It is apparent to anyone the difference in build quailty the Mondeo doesn't squeak and rattle all over the place. But the VXR was very... I don't know I can't put my finger on it 'sporty'? Which I didn't feel from an ST220. Yes it's boring but so's a Mondeo and an E39... it's a dash board, I'll leave it to the Italians and TVR's :p

i put this down to the seats

the recaros in the VXR hug you so much more than the recaros in the ST220. They give you so much confidence when leaning into them during heavy cornering.

Plus its the little touches like the red dials etc.. The way they sweep on startup is lush.

You planning on comming to the RR ? im brining mine along with full straight throug milltek exhaust. Gets fitted next week and apparently it makes the V6 exhaust note even more audible in the cabin. Cant wait.

Also, the dash looks so much better blue :D

P1010701.jpg
 
Since it seems you're after a hot saloon, have you considered an Audi S4 (V8 powah :D) or Impreza of some kind?
 
imprezas are incredibly expensive to insure. they were double the cost of the vectra for me.

Audi S4 for the same money gets you a much older model. that and the fact the S4 just didnt feel that special put me off.

Through the front wheels.. Great

Have a read of the latest evo. Front wheel drive isnt as bad as people make out.

And for the lack of twisties ability, the vectra more than makes up for it in sheer straight line grunt and exhaust note !

Remapped vectra VXR is faster than an E46 M3 in a rolling start, and embarassing m3 owners is entertaining :D
 
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