1993 Opel Vectra GL 1.6 Carb from Israel

Summary:

Stay away from it, it's terrible

Faults:

In fact, it's my father's car, I hate it.

Where to start?

Engine needs to be changed.

Radiator changed 3 times as far as I remember.

Gearbox changed 2 times.

Attracts rust.

Timing belt changed hundred of times.

Distributor was changed 5 or 6 times.

It has to enter the service at least twice a month.

Since my father bought the car, he treats it like a baby. The body of the car looks like it's just now out of saloon.

Water leaks.

Signalization failed at 150000 km.

Central lock likes to make jokes, in summer it does not work, in winter it works again.

Head gasket blew 2/3 times.

Gearbox now does not work properly.

General Comments:

This car is a real trouble.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 8th December, 2009

8th Dec 2009, 10:56

Here in the UK it's called the Vauxhall Cavalier. I think the review is a bit harsh. 300K is 187,000 miles, which is a lot for almost any car. I'm surprised you haven't had a more varied list of issues over the 13 years of ownership for what is now a 16 year old car. Seems to be confined to the engine, with some minor electrical problems. I don't own a Cavalier/Vectra by the way.

1993 Opel Vectra CD C20NE from Republic of Moldova

Summary:

Good cheap car if you have some mechanics skills

Faults:

The diodes from generator burned at 60,000km. It cost me 2 days from my vacation, 40 euros for a voltage regulator that actually was OK, and 100 euros for a second hand complete generator removed from an old Omega.

The radiator fan switch started not to work properly at 70,000km. Cost about 35 euros to replace with original.

One pressure limiter for right back wheel brake started to leak 70,000km. It cost about 10 euros to fix at a local shop. (Opel dealer was not able to fix it, but did worse).

Shocks absorbers needed to be replaced at 80,000km. (the original ones were still OK, but the roads are very bad, and the 195/60 Goodyear tires were not very comfortable either).

Plastics from the car started to crack or not to serve their purpose. (put some glue, or removed some)

The muffler had some weak points. (I had to welded it twice)

Driver side door handle (from outside) has a broken spring and the handle feels loose.

Transmission always had small shock when putting from D to R. Also, when running down hill without pressing the gas or the brake (but in Drive), the shift from 1-2 comes with a shock (feels like a kick back). Also the program selector has some faults when manually selecting 1 or 2. Had it "fixed" with Opel service. Still has random problems. I change oil quite often in the transmission. Recently I upgraded from Dexron 2 - Dexron 3. Feels better, still is getting brownish too soon.

The resistor that selects the speed of the fan in the cabin burned at 80.000km. Cost 25 euros to buy a new one. I replaced it myself.

Air conditioning is not efficient, probably because of not enough Freon.

Small oil leaks from head gasket. Some rubber tubes for recirculation of the air cracked.

General Comments:

Being my first car (imported from Germany) was OK.

I learned my lessons on it. But I took extreme care of the car. I do not drive to fast (I use the economic program), I use the best oils, spark plugs, etc. I have it checked regularly. Except when the diodes fried, it never let me down.

The best consumption: 7.1 l/100km in a long ride.

In the city, in the winter it gets up to 12l/100 km.

Very good engine doesn't require any topping of oil. Measured the compression. Excellent.

The car still looks OK.

I do not like the break pedal (is to stiff).

The power assist wheel is weak.

It is relatively easy and cheap to fix.

Sometimes, I wonder that the car condition is so good when you take into consideration the roads in Moldova. Probably, when the German engineers designed it, they never considered such a harsh regime of use, but the car did well.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th August, 2006

1993 Opel Vectra GL 1.8 petrol from Netherlands

Summary:

Great car, drives better than the newer Vectra's

Faults:

Water coolantpump broke down.

Two wires in the rear window heater broken down.

Outside mirror once broke from the car.

General Comments:

Never broke down. Now starting problems. No rust problems.

Very reliable car but not much luxury.

Front seats are a bit too tough especially on long rides. It actually drives better than the newer Vectra ('95).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st August, 2000

12th Jun 2009, 02:15

It just wouldn't die.

We sold the car at 450.000 km.

Still running without any problem, never opened the engine.

Used it for 12 years, only having the carb. fixed for 4-5 times.

I was really sad to sell it.