Vectra Auto Diesel Mini Review

Oh yeah, it came with an Auto Glym LifeShine kit which is nice...

I was going to post something cheeky here then remembered that I used to have a Vectra, bought it at only 10 months old 14k on the clock and can honestly say it was the most unreliable utter pile of s**te I've ever owned.

Only had it 18 months and in that time had 2 universal joints, 2 new steering racks, the hatch had to be repainted because of rust coming through and it also the door rubbers had perished which vx wouldn't replace because the car was over 12 months old.

Never again...

This will be our fourth Vauxhall since 2001 (and my seventh in total); the last three had f*ck all go wrong with them (that wasn't self inflicted e.g. brake disk warpage, or some c*ck crashing into one). No rot, no leaks, nothing. And I didn't exactly treat them with kid gloves either.

Maybe I've just been lucky?

If you knew how the vectra and astra were thrown together, you wouldn't buy one.

No worse than any other new car you can buy today I'd bet. And in fact, a lot better than many. One of my mates only buys Vauxhalls, as does his dad and brother, and between them they've had, that I've known, 03 plate Astra

2.2, X plate Astra 2.0, 02 plate Astra SRi turbo, 53 plate Astra GSi Turbo, 57 plate Astra VXR, 04 plate Corsa 1.8 SRi, 51 plate Corsa 1.8 SRi, W reg Corsa 1.2 SXi, 51 plate Corsa 1.2 SXi, and V plate Corsa 1.2 SXi. None have ever had any major problems at all - or even needed anything more than tyres and brake pads as far as I recall.

The current fleet is the GSi, the VXR and the SRi Turbo. All are in fine health, and the GSi and SRi are driven hard and with little mechanical sympathy. Another mate has an Astra Coupe Turbo, Y plate, about 60k on it, remapped and fettled to 240ishbhp, never put a foot wrong either.

Ok, I personally think they're all awful to drive, and they all look a bit crap, but they're reliable and cheap to run.

So good he sigged it twice ;)

Having driven one, I can save you a lot of time on the review.

It's s**te.

Job done.

What makes you say that?

Are other comparable marques any different?

Cars you make yourself are not generally as good all round as ones you buy in the shops.

How, then?

Like a hairdresser special Golf cabrio?

The three flash 'lane change' feature is bloody handy, though - but GM managed to completely c*ck up their implementation.

I hate jumping in a car without it these days.

In the 156, I give the stalk a quick flick, then realise it doesn't do the 3-flash thing. By which time I'm starting my manoever.

I have to admit it works in some stuff. New shape 5 series being an example of how it can work.

I've never noticed myself actively missing it.

.. for wankers who can't drive.

"EEs an Italian theeng... you got to esspect me to moove"...

I find the opposite, much as the three flash thing is good, I never expect it to either A: Work properly, or B: Cancel when it's meant to.

Well, it does, 'cos VAG have done it properly.

Flicking the stalk does the 3-flash thing, if you latch it it works normally.

GM have it done as a 2-stage switch without a latch. Which is s**te.

No, Bob Sherunckle has probably explained this himself, but I think that the *cheap to buy*, *LPG'd* Hairdresser special Golf Cabrio is what he runs into the ground is the equivelant of .

He can then spend the difference between what it costs him to run and what he gets as an allowance to run it on whatever he pleases. This can include a proper car. A car made of plastic, without a roof, perhaps with 2 seats and the engine in an unconventional place - a 'proper' car.

I was suggesting that Vamp take the generic eurobox and lump it, spending his own money on something more entertaining. Much like you do by the sound of it.

Rock on :-) Except I have a roof...

One of the most irritating things possible.