Vauxhall Vectra Hatchback (2002 - 2005) 1.9 CDTi 16V Breeze (150ps) 5d (2005/05) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

I'm a rep who doesn't want a BMW 320d. I'm a little bit tight! Okay, I'm very tight! I have a family (which strangely enough, I don't). Oh, and boy can this boy park... see picture. I should be able to, the Bedford Vauxhall dealer where I spend a lot of time is quite crowded!!

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

I don't know, should I be worried?

Would you buy this car again and why?

Might do... depends on the price, but I am put off by the dealership network.

What are you likely to buy next?

To much choice, small to mid sized car with lowest total cost of ownership. Strangely, despite doing 30k a year I find this is not necessarily a diesel. Do the maths on some 3 year old cars with low mileage!

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchise

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£9,500

When did you buy the car?

September 2007

Did you get a good deal and why?

The car was £9.5k at 8 months old, so had lost a large chunk of value and done 14,000 miles.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Company car opt out, want a cheap car to run 30,000 miles a year reliably. Amazingly, the Astra coupe worked out cheaper.

What was the dealer like?

Dealer was condusive to help with a sale. But Vauxhall seem to have no ability to give aftersales value!!

What's it like to drive?

Okay, but is showing its age at 67k.. Other Vauxhall fleet drivers feel that there vectras have aged quickly, but have no doubt it will drive on with warts and all right the way to 120k plus as long as I keep it away from Vauxhall dealers!

What's it like to park?

Turn the wheel, it goes in. Quite suprised at how wide it is though, the high boot lid and the width of the car does make you park squiff when reversing into a space so that you can see proximty to cars behind!

Have you had any problems with the car?

Clutch was reported knocking at 20,000 miles. Dealer told me no problem with it, at 40 and 60k services, dealer did not make any note of the knocking... now they tell me the clutch is gone at 67k. Dealer left the engine completely in pieces after work carried out resulting in two visits to have parts re-affixed, then a breakdown due to not securing or doing up any of the components on the air handeling, and finaly I have had to revisit as they have damaged the locking wheel nut on the vehicle and I can no longer remove the drivers side front wheel. Everything that went wrong, blame the vauxhall dealer network... And this includes two other dealerships... Does anyone know a good vauxhall dealer... It's a dead one!

What's most practical about your car?

Size and comfort! It is a motorway monster that is good for the money.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

It's a car, grow up! People say cruise control... Do I really rate it over the stereo or the height adjustable seat?