MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

I've been thinking about changing our family car recently, we currently have a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0 LTD but the wife fancies something different. Tried getting her into a Subaru but she doesn't fancy one. We want something practical (young daughter) but must be fairly exciting for when either of us are out on our own. Also didn't want anything too expensive as the other half seems to have a habit of, well let's say female driving techniques, lol.
I've found a 53 plate Vectra 3.2 V6 for sale locally which seems to tick all the boxes. Just wondering if anybody has ever had one, driven one or knows anything about them that may be of interest to me. Things to look for etc. Hoping to view it tomorrow.

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

ex-wife owned one for a while. (52 plate with all the Irmscher bits)

Pretty expensive on the fuel & 210bhp, so not hugely exciting power-wise - very smooth delivery though, and lots of toys.

Nice gearbox, but I've always like the VX ones

Eats front tyres like you wouldn't believe.

Good car for a cruiser - ate the miles up, but for a 'bit of fun', wellll......

barnshaw

iTrader: (1)

alternative to this is the mondeo st220, will get a hugh spec for small money, if you want the same car with a cheaper to run alternative then consider a signum cdti or a mondeo st tdci

the vectra is okay but as said not very quick and very juicy, have to consider tax costs etc

Flight

I used to have one. They are OK and effortless to drive. But not very exciting. Expect lots of traction control intervention as chassis is not designed for handling. Power isn't that great either but still drinks fuel. What about a legacy instead?

astra_dave

iTrader: (1)

not the most powerful car in the world, but will pull you all the way from 0-150+ with little effort, the vxl v6 i find is a very smooth engine.

mattvortex

As mentioned, The st220 would be a much better buy. The chassis is superior to the Vectra, stronger engine and imo looks great compared to the dreary Vectra.

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

Thanks for all the comments chaps.

Well, went and viewed one today. Didn't go too well really, for starters it wasn't even clean, was told it was a cat D and all the service history had been lost. And then to top it all off he offered me £700 for my part ex.
Now I know dealers offer trade price but this one was taking the ****. 2000 reg Grand Cherokee 4.0 LTD, mint condition covered just 90K will full and complete service history.

The search continues.....
I'm hoping the wife sees sense and agrees to a Impreza or even legacy. Just point blank dismissed a mondeo.

jura11

iTrader: (7)

Another vote for ST220,great car and very reliable.



Jura

scooby-boy-123

Weve had a few 2.2 sri vectras 52-54 plates and theyve done the job the missis usually has the big family car the 3.2 is pretty pointless compared to the 2.2 only slighly faster nothing extra so i'd give it a miss!!

And another vote here for the st220 as my missis curently has ond and its a beast 22mpg full black heated electric recaro leathers satnav aircon electric sunroof windows and best of all 3.0 engine ours is fitted with twin powerflow exhaust which sounds awesome popping and allsorts induction kit and dreamscience remap things an animal stiff on the bends aswell for a big car, and in a straight line well theres not much thatll show it up .....And breath.

scooby-boy-123

Also you can pick up a mint st220 for 3k if not less depending on plate. Itll show up a 3.2 gsi in everyway

Skoobie Dhu

iTrader: (3)

You're letting a woman choose your car

As for the Vectra - show her this clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy4kPODqv58

scooby-boy-123

Mondeo looks better then the vectra.

scooby-boy-123

Watch out for cam chain failure but that might just be the 2.2.

JDM_Stig

iTrader: (3)

yeah it was the 2.2

jono300

iTrader: (8)

Yep have to say that video review off the vxr does it for me !! for some reason the vectra vxr does not seem to hold its value as much as the astra version.

may upset a few but was the vectra not voted as the most unreliable car in the uk once ??!!

fastmike

iTrader: (4)

Ever considered .... MG ZS180..... quicker than a ST220 to 60 and 140 MPH flat out, much better on fuel too.. I get 32 regularly on my trips up north and it doesnt hang about, just be sure to get a service history showing timing belts done

The Zohan

A friend of mine has just had his oil pump let go on one of these, 60k miles, engine trashed. Not sure if it is a common fault. He does drive like he stole it mind Very nice car though

fastmike

iTrader: (4)

I,m on my second one of these..... never heard of an oil pump failing ..in fact the V6 seems bomb proof

1000rwhp

Hello,

What About The Saab 93 aero? ,Pretty cheap, You can pick Them up for About 6k on a 07 plate ,Also Faster Than the ST220,

Ali.

The Zohan

poor handling handicaps these cars ok in a straight line but 'boaty' anywhere else, can be made to handle at a price, the Mondeo is more of a drivers car.

1000rwhp

The Saab is similar price ,Better Looking ,Better Mpg? As its 2.0 And the ST220 Is 3.0 ? ,:





Ali.

The Zohan

little or no point in having a quick car that poorly handles - in this country anyway. read any reviews and they say the Saab vague at best ion the handling department. This is a pity otherwise it is a good prospect or fine if you just want to cruise to the local shops. Given the OP's requirements i would guess that actually going round a corner at speed rather than straight through the hedge would be a consideration

1000rwhp

lol, But The Vectra and the Mondeo and the 93 Are front wheel drive, Means The 93 the vectra and the mondeo Are all pretty poor handling,The op Was looking at a vectra Witch Similar to a Saab ,


Ali.

The Zohan

The Mondeo has a batter chassis and is pretty much best in class handling wise, all three are fwd so all possibilities. Surely it is better to have something capable of exploiting the power rather than understeeing and unrewarding to drive

There are many fwd cars that do handle.

Suggest you drive the Mondeo and then the Saab to see the difference I tried both when we looked at changing, the difference between a well sorted FWD chassis and suspension and steering is marked!

Ended up with an MR2 VVTi and kept our 'family' car in the end mind as fuel/economy is an issue 40mpg v.s 20-30mpg makes a difference these days..

1000rwhp

**** All of them LOL, Just Buy a Legacy gtb or the newer spec b 3.0 one ,

Dave Thornton

Or BMW 330d - faster than the 3.2 Vectra any extra you spend will soon be recouped on fuel.