2000 Vauxhall Vectra GSi Estate 2.5 V6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A thoroughly enjoyable drive for a reasonable price

Faults:

Engine knock sensor.

Condensation in front fog lights.

General Comments:

This car is too good for road use, one really needs to take it to a track to fully enjoy its performance. True it has some problems, I find the gate on the gearbox is far too long and a 6 speed box would be better. The ride is, to say the least very firm, but that's what you get for your money, you can literally throw it round any corner and so far it has come out the other side.

I had cruise control fitted and it does help with the fuel consumption as I average around 27/28 mpg.

The only problem with owning a car like this is that every boy racer thinks you're game. I am a "mature" driver and although I enjoy fast driving it is only when the conditions allow.

I think like other comments a trip to Germany would let me realise the full performance of this vehicle.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 18th September, 2000

8th Jan 2001, 13:14

I was lookig to replace my company Impreza Turbo & got a 48 hour test drive of a Vectra GSi. I was amazed!

Fine characterful engine, taut steering just as I like it. Great seats, lovely growl and proper handling and grip! I couldn't believe it was a Vectra. 287 miles through Wales had me grinning like a loon and learning to manage the odd gear ratios until I understood them. After an Impreza Turbo the GSI was the most entertaining street car I have ever driven.

I was also amazed because in 48 hours a speaker blew, the passenger front window dropped into the door, the foglamps both blew after filling with water in a storm, the hatch flew open, the exhaust began to rattle, the interior mirror fell off...... I was amazed that any motor manufacturer could let such a shoddy car out of their gates.

My Impreza had hard suspension and was much faster than the GSi yet it never rattled, blew or anything else. Vauxhall can't blame anything but their own dreadful quality control for this debacle. Needless to say I didn't get a GSi. Properly screwed together this would be a wonderful car.

15th Sep 2008, 07:03

You take one of these dreadful cars on the autobahn and I will give you five hours and your head gasket will go. Get a BMW.

2000 Vauxhall Vectra GSi Estate 2.5 V6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Forget the badge snobbery, this is a terrific driving machine

Faults:

Front right hand woofer has blown once.

Notice that another correspondent has written about the same failure, so guess it may be a weakness.

Nothing else has failed at all.

General Comments:

What a great machine.

So glad I chose this over the other obvious performance estate options.

Drove it right across Germany a few weeks ago, and found the mile munching ability incredible. Quiet, comfortable, and with an easily attained top speed of well over twice the UK motorway limit, plus terrific roll-on acceleration in 5th gear, this car is a wonderful high speed express.

Great on the twisty bits too, with far more steering and brake feedback, grip, and adjustability than the SRi Estate I had beforehand.

2nd and 3rd gear give terrific overtaking punch and a touring car like bellow from under the bonnet.

Downsides? Only really the very firm ride when on badly maintained roads, and rate with which the (expensive) Yokohama tyres are wearing out, but then both of these were expected.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th July, 2000