What's wrong with Vauxhalls?

Ed · 14 Apr 2007 at 20:11

I currently drive a 2003 Vectra SRi 2.2 (pictured above) and I like it. When it comes to cars I've been around the block a bit and to me the Vectra is very good. Today I was fortunate enough to spend a good deal of time driving a revised Vectra VXR, the 280 model and it was fantastic. The power dominated the entire experience but along the twisty A259 to Rye it was flying; a far superior machine to the memorable Sierra Sapphire Cosworth I shortly owned and a match for anything I can think of in terms of a practical, usable, everyday and supremely fast road machine.

After reading these threads...

Evo (currently down)
Top Gear

...there seems to be support for this model, even amongst supposedly superior machinery.

The thing is: the Vectra VXR wasn't massively better than my current pre-facelift 2.2 SRi, just much faster and a bit quicker to steer.

Before I ask, this is in response to somebody trashing other threads in VX forums and reading other personal 'opinions' saying how bad Vauxhalls are. :confused:

So the question, what's wrong with Vauxhalls? Why the hate?

"andy" · 14 Apr 2007 at 20:15

i love the new vectras and astras too tbh

it seems to be popular to **** them off on here though

Chris1712 · 14 Apr 2007 at 20:37

The new astra/vectras are very good cars, with the astra being pegged as the new golf in terms of build quality. Its just cool to **** off vx. Or so it seems.

dsb · 14 Apr 2007 at 20:38

i quite like the new vectra i had a arctic 2.0tdi s reg back in 02-03 was an okay car had to sell it when wife got her license as it was two big.

Faithless · 14 Apr 2007 at 20:38

Let me see, if you don't have a BMW, MX5 or Leon R you may as well post somewhere else tbh

wassap · 14 Apr 2007 at 20:40

Chris1712 said:
The new astra/vectras are very good cars, with the astra being pegged as the new golf in terms of build quality. Its just cool to **** off vx. Or so it seems.

Its nowhere near a golf, its ok and thats about it, a jack of all trades.

The interior feels cheap, and looks it too.That said i enjoyed my time in one, its wasnt too bad to drive, and had a decent engine too.Wouldnt buy one tho.

Vauxhalls arent bad cars, its just that theres so much better out there for the money.

DannyW · 14 Apr 2007 at 20:47

The new astra is ok but it looks abit cheap and tacky, wouldnt pick over a Golf or a Focus though.

Demon · 14 Apr 2007 at 20:55

wohoo said:
Its nowhere near a golf, its ok and thats about it, a jack of all trades.

The interior feels cheap, and looks it too.That said i enjoyed my time in one, its wasnt too bad to drive, and had a decent engine too.Wouldnt buy one tho.

Vauxhalls arent bad cars, its just that theres so much better out there for the money.

I think your idea of 'quality' is not the accepted term.. and it's something that I don't think people ever agree on..

I spend plenty of hours in the Golf/Focus and Astra and quality wise the Astra is close to the golf in many ways, especially the solidity of the materials used, and lack of creaks/rattles and that feeling that everything is solid..

The Focus feels the worse of the 3, the dash material is just too spongy, the hard plastic centre console is not high quality at all with poor fitment etc..

However all 3 are 10 times better then citreon and renault..

I can't imagine what's 'so much better for the money'... but I'm all ears..

Gojira · 14 Apr 2007 at 20:55

Well, I'm happy enough with my CDTi 150 Vectra

Not the world's most stylish motor, but I'm not bothered about that

Handles much better that my old R-plate did, although that's not difficult.

It's by no means a great motor, but it does what I want - although I expect the same would be true of the Ford, VW etc, equivalents.

And compared to some of the sheds I've owned... (has anyone else here been unfortunate enough to own a Morris Marina 1800 estate :eek:

)

Alan Woodford

wassap · 14 Apr 2007 at 21:04

Demon said:
I think your idea of 'quality' is not the accepted term.. and it's something that I don't think people ever agree on..

I spend plenty of hours in the Golf/Focus and Astra and quality wise the Astra is close to the golf in many ways, especially the solidity of the materials used, and lack of creaks/rattles and that feeling that everything is solid..

The Focus feels the worse of the 3, the dash material is just too spongy, the hard plastic centre console is not high quality at all with poor fitment etc..

However all 3 are 10 times better then citreon and renault..

I can't imagine what's 'so much better for the money'... but I'm all ears..

I think we have been here before

i just dont like the VX interior the centre is cheap silver tat.As for creeks, I had plenty in both of mine.The dash and the seats are my main gripes with the astra and the vectra, the previous model dash's were better imo.

Its not a golf no matter how much astra owners would like to believe.

Id take the equivalent Ford over a VX any day, as 9 times out of ten they are more engaging car to drive, i think VX have the edge in terms of reliability.That said this sector of the market is cheap and cheerfull anyway.

Chris1712 · 14 Apr 2007 at 21:04

wohoo said:
Its nowhere near a golf, its ok and thats about it, a jack of all trades.

The interior feels cheap, and looks it too.That said i enjoyed my time in one, its wasnt too bad to drive, and had a decent engine too.Wouldnt buy one tho.

Vauxhalls arent bad cars, its just that theres so much better out there for the money.

If you read some reviews on the current ranges you'll find otherwise! Auto Express/ Auto Trader/Top Gear/Parkers all state in one way or another, the Astra is better than the competition.

Most of the time its the engines/handling, apparently being better than bothe the new golf and focus, others claim the interior is (still

) better than the focus/golf and now the refinement is on a par with the Golf.

And its the cheapest of the lot.

Top Gear said:
Astra to be the better driver's car. Its downfall was inferior space and refinement.
The Astra already looks to be excellent value second-hand as it still lacks the prestige of brands like VW, but it is now certainly the equal of the ubiquitous Golf.
Vauxhall succeeded in beating the Focus at its own game - providing a fun driving experience - with the new Astra.

Auto Trader said:
When it comes to handing over the cash, the Astra is incredibly appealing. Starting at £12,495 for the 1.6 Life, it undercuts the equivalent Focus by £555 and the 1.4 FSI Golf by £540. As far as the rest of the range is concerned, it's bruised knuckles all round as the Focus, Golf and Astra fight for the lowest price, but the Astra consistently holds its own, given its higher specification.

Auto Express is down for me atm.

Nevertheless theres no point to ignore it, the 3 door looks good, the 5 door is plain for sure. Personally i prefer them to the Focus for sure, and depending how much your spending against the Golf.

wassap · 14 Apr 2007 at 21:08

Dunno whats happenign here!

Duke · 14 Apr 2007 at 21:11

I like the look of the latest Astra & Vectra, but have no idea how good they are for handling, build quality etc.

clv101 · 14 Apr 2007 at 21:12

I was wondering about the Vectra in comparison to the Mondeo the other day.

The 1.9 CDTi 16V SRi (150ps) Vectra is some £2k cheaper than the Mondeo, simialar straight line performance, size, build quality, economy etc. Is the 2.2TDCI Mondeo really worth the extra?

This data from Parkers:

Vauxhall Vectra Hatchback (02-05)
1.9 CDTi 16V SRi (150ps) 5d
0-60 mph 8.8 s
Power Output 147 bhp
Torque 315 Nm 232 lb-ft
Weight 1532 kg
Gears 6 Speed
Top Speed 135 mph
MPG 47
CO2 Emissions 159 g/km

2005/05 10,000 miles
Original Price £19,647
Franchised Dealer £12,225
Independent Dealer £11,355
Private Good £10,300
Private Poor £8,470
Part Exchange £9,240

Ford Mondeo Hatchback (00 on)
2.2TDCi ST (155ps) 5d (05)
0-60 mph 8.4 s
Power Output 152 bhp
Torque 360 Nm 265 lb-ft
Weight 1484 kg
Gears 6 Speed
Top Speed 136 mph
MPG 46
CO2 Emissions 161 g/km

2005/05 10,000 miles
Original Price £22,342
Franchised Dealer £14,450
Independent Dealer £13,830
Private Good £12,965
Private Poor £10,870
Part Exchange £12,105

Titanium X (155ps)
2005/05 10,000 miles
Original Price £22,652
Franchised Dealer £13,395
Independent Dealer £12,825
Private Good £12,020
Private Poor £10,075
Part Exchange £11,220

Chris1712 · 14 Apr 2007 at 21:14

clv101 said:
Mondeo vs vectra gumf *snip*

Pretty sure the titanium x mondeo has a lot more interior kit than the SRi? Leather etc.?

wassap · 14 Apr 2007 at 21:15

Chris1712 said:
If you read some reviews on the current ranges you'll find otherwise! Auto Express/ Auto Trader/Top Gear/Parkers all state in one way or another, the Astra is better than the competition.

Most of the time its the engines/handling, apparently being better than bothe the new golf and focus, others claim the interior is (still ) better than the focus/golf and now the refinement is on a par with the Golf.

And its the cheapest of the lot.

Those reviews were written in 2004/5 before the latest golf and focus were out, the Focus is widely accepted as the best driver cars in its class, it even won autoexpress's best used car award in the current issue.

But i agree the sprt hatch is a pretty decent looking motor, much nicer than the focus 3 door.

Auto Express is down for me atm.

Nevertheless theres no point to ignore it, the 3 door looks good, the 5 door is plain for sure. Personally i prefer them to the Focus for sure, and depending how much your spending against the Golf.

Allt he early reviews in 03, indeed confirmed that the Astra was as good as the focus/golf, but that was against the old model.

Heres a snippet from TG for the Sports hatch

It's a shame, but there's something missing from the Sport Hatch's road manners that'll keep it in the shade of more highly engineered rivals like the Golf 3dr or C4 VTS. It's still a half-decent effort, but there's plenty of work to do if this year's 240bhp VXR is going to rock the boat.

The focus is generally the bench mark in this sector (it won the autoexpress best used car this week) but it looks pretty boring, the astra sporthatch is lovely to look at imo.

Demon · 14 Apr 2007 at 21:16

wohoo said:
I think we have been here before i just dont like the VX interior the centre is cheap silver tat.As for creeks, I had plenty in both of mine.The dash and the seats are my main gripes with the astra and the vectra, the previous model dash's were better imo.

Its not a golf no matter how much astra owners would like to believe.

Id take the equivalent Ford over a VX any day, as 9 times out of ten they are more engaging car to drive, i think VX have the edge in terms of reliability.That said this sector of the market is cheap and cheerfull anyway.

Fair comment, if you don't like it, that's fine... however, from a technical perspective, I think it's hard to argue over which is better 'quality'.. I suspect like us, you either perceive it is good quality or not

As for the 'drive'.. I think for their 'hotter' models, VX are just so unjustly tarnished..

The Astra VXR trounces the ST in every track test.. it may have 90% of the 'feedback' but it clearly has 110% of the ability...
The Vectra VXR has been put up against the Evo/Scoob/BMW 330Ci and done itself proud.. way ahead of the ST220..

Yet no matter how much they prove themselves, people still believe cars like the Focus ST is 'much' better in the twisties.. which is rubbish, it's been proven by nearly every review going..

"andy" · 14 Apr 2007 at 21:21

so where all the vauxhall haters ?

im waiting for there reasons too what wrong with vx

they always seem to just post "dont buy the astra" "dont buy the vectra" dont buy a vx"

in lots of threads then promptly dissapear :confused:

wassap · 14 Apr 2007 at 21:23

Demon said:
Fair comment, if you don't like it, that's fine... however, from a technical perspective, I think it's hard to argue over which is better 'quality'.. I suspect like us, you either perceive it is good quality or not

As for the 'drive'.. I think for their 'hotter' models, VX are just so unjustly tarnished..

The Astra VXR trounces the ST in every track test.. it may have 90% of the 'feedback' but it clearly has 110% of the ability...
The Vectra VXR has been put up against the Evo/Scoob/BMW 330Ci and done itself proud.. way ahead of the ST220..

Yet no matter how much they prove themselves, people still believe cars like the Focus ST is 'much' better in the twisties.. which is rubbish, it's been proven by nearly every review going..

Dotn disagree on the VXR well the astra anyway, on the track in the twisties its a lot of fun, its a monster, too much of a monster for me tho, it wasnt a great car to drive normally, bit like the CTR in this respect.

ST has the nicer engine tho, and doesnt look as chav.Golf trounces them both tho,Gti is class.

Vectra VXR is just rubbish tho

Ed · 14 Apr 2007 at 21:24

andy said:
so where all the vauxhall haters ?

im waiting for there reasons too what wrong with vx

they always seem to just post "dont buy the astra" "dont buy the vectra" dont buy a vx"

in lots of threads then promptly dissapear

Quote, bump, quote.