2003 Holden Vectra CD 2.2 Litre from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Rep Racer!!

Faults:

No real problems to date except I have to add a litre of oil every 5000km.

The standard tyres are also pretty average and don't last very long on New Zealand's coarse chip seal roads.

General Comments:

This is a high use reps car having already done 45,000km in just seven months. I find the Vectra ideal for this role because it is so comfortable, quiet and relaxing to drive. Fuel consumption is also pretty good at around 37 MPG.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd May, 2004

8th Oct 2004, 20:25

A brief update on this car.

It has just turned over 70,000ks and continues to give good service. Of most interest is the oil consumption stopped at around 55,000ks and I haven't had to add any oil since then.

Tire use continues to be an issue however. I can't get more than 25,000ks out of a tire despite trying different brands.

28th May 2005, 19:57

Another update on this car. It has just flicked over 100,000ks and continues to provide excellent service.

9th Oct 2005, 21:55

This car now has 125,000k's on it and continues to perform well and apart from regular servicing nothing has gone wrong. Only thing I can fault is rear suspension noise on choppy surfaces is more evident now than when the car was new.

2003 Holden Vectra CDX Hatchback 3.2 V6 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A vehicle this good with a more prestigious badge would sell for 50percent more

Faults:

R.H.rear Bumper Iron to rear chassis rail bolts completely missing from the factory. I rectified this myself.

Squeak in Brake Pedal. I also rectified this myself with a squirt of CRC 5.56.

General Comments:

The new V6 Vectra is the best all rounder you can buy new in New Zealand for under $50K. The car is extremely powerful (0-100kms in 7.5 seconds) but the most impressive thing about the power delivery is the performance is readily available instantly at any engine rev's above 1500rpm. Unlike a Japanese V6 which requires a downchange and at least 4000rpm on the tacho to perform the Vectra responds instantly and by the time you reach 4000rpm you are going seriously fast. Maximum speed is 248km/h which I am never likely to do!!

The car is very quiet and refined to drive with the engine noise intruding only at high rev's and then it is a lovely deep sound, very European.

The attention to detail is what originally sold the car to us and one only needs to view the car to see this both inside and out. The assembly seems fastidious (apart from what I have mentioned earlier) and after 15000kms there are no rattles, squeaks, or wind noise.

On the negative side the road holding / handling is not as good as expected -probably a trade-off of the good ride. The seats are comfortable both front and rear if a little flat in the cushions. I believe the Vectra CDXi has a slightly harder ride, but the roadholding / handling is much improved as are the seats with wrap-around front buckets.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th May, 2004

9th May 2004, 21:45

I took this car to the local Holden Dealer for the 15000kms service recently. The following weekend I checked the oil & was horrified to find it was dirty in colour & considerably overfull. I parked the car where I could crawl underneath & I noted the area around the Oil Filter was so spotless it was obvious it hadn't been touched! I telephoned the service manager who assured me that I was incorrect, but invited me in to see them so they could explain their procedures to me so I would have some confidence in them!! I drained off the excess oil myself & went in a couple of days later. In their favour they were pleasant, but I watched them do an oil change on the car & saw how the oil went everywhere when they removed the filter. It was obvious to the mechanic when he saw the colour of the oil in the sump that the filter hadn't been changed & 4.7l of oil had been poured into the engine, which is the correct quantity inc. the filter, so that is why it was overfull. Not good enough I'm afraid - not only does one expect to get what they pay for, but the wear & tear on the engine & the potential damage that could have been done had I not noticed is inexcuseable. How many more cars does this happen to in their workshop? An excellent car spoilt by a substandard disorganized dealer. If you would like to know any other details about the car you can email me on paulncyn@ihug.co.nz.