1998 Opel Vectra 1.6 16v from Finland
Summary:
Nice, but a bomb
Faults:
Timing belt broke at 62,000 kilometers breaking valves. This means a major repair with about 2,000 euros cost. Interval for belt change is 120,000 km in the owners manual, but has been reduced to 60,000 km in the Nordic Countries by a letter to all owners.
Air-conditioning bleed at 55,000 km. Repair cost was 100 euros. Stopped working again at 58,000 km. Does not work anymore.
Front window cracked at 50,000 km. Replacement cost was 240 euros.
Hand brake needs too much of power to use. Many peopel pull it and think it holds, but...
General Comments:
Very nice car to drive. Even the small 1.6 litre motor is powerful enough.
One cannot see the mileage indicator directly from drivers seat, a minor mistake.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 22nd April, 2002
22nd Aug 2006, 13:02
I just want to share my first experience with a used car.
August 16, 2006 I bought an (OPEL VECTRA 2.5 V6 1998, the spelling of OPEL VECTRA 2.5 V6 is written at the back of the trunk cover) color dark red.
When I drove the car for about 15 minutes it was good. The color and the looks were good. After documentation and payment, I took the car home, but within 45 minutes it was overheating. The radiator cap was worn out. So the next morning I went to the shop and bought a new replacement radiator cap. I was really surprised - one main reason they said, why it overheats is because the auxiliary fan was inverted, the auxiliary blade is blowing out, instead of blowing in, facing the engine.
The electrician is sick. I am scheduled tomorrow morning cause they said it needs an hour or two to repair both the radiator and the electricals.
I replenished the ceiling with a semi leather cause it was bad. Then I've changed the power steering hose in and out, we replace 1 piece tie rod bar at the left side, replace 2 PC's. Safety boot front. But still noisy at the back, so I went to another shop and I found out that the 2 lower suspension rubber bushing left and right needs to be replaced.
I still have my first major problem for the overheating since they just directed to the auxiliary, plus I order the sensor as the mechanic said for the radiator.
2nd major problem is the timing belt, since it's already 46,000 kilometers, and I don't know yet what exact kilometers before replacing the timing belt. A minute ago I read from the auto data articles it stated 60,000 kilometers.
3rd major problem is the lower suspension bushing, which the mechanic said even we have the special tools, but the sensor is very dangerous because of the brakes.
I bought this car for 240,000 pesos plus the additional 50,000 pesos spare parts and labor equals 290,000 pesos - more or less $5,576.00.
I'm planning to resell the car because the maintenance is so expensive, plus I don't know yet what time I will have to replace the timing belt - 6,000 pesos for the parts and 4,000 pesos labor. plus the lower suspension bushing. There is something wrong with the quality of this unit.