2007 Vauxhall Vectra Elite 1.9 turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Not good enough, and very irritating indicators!

Faults:

2 new cars - both with faults. Both have had electrical faults, with one car having a faulty sunroof switch, and the other keeps showing an intermittent fault with the reversing light when there was no fault (checked twice by a main dealer).

Thin paint lacks durability.

General Comments:

I have 2 of these - one is a 2007 Design, the other a 2007 Elite, both used for business.

Very comfortable cars, great performance, very roomy. However they are marred by paint that is so thin any mark will show, extremely annoying indicators that I just cannot stand as they turn themselves off at the worst possible moments, and silly electrical faults.

Also annoying is that you cannot turn off the info display, and this is distracting at night (even when on night setting).

Not really acceptable faults in this day and age.

The Design is actually the better car with easy to use fan/heating controls. The Elite has an annoying display that needs 5 buttons just to get the fan on your face. Oh Ford, why didn't you bring out the new Mondeo 3 months before?!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 20th August, 2007

7th Sep 2007, 09:57

It seems all your complaints are based on a dislike of the technology (or the implementation of the technology) in these cars - computer screens, one-touch indicators and climate control.

Fair enough.

In which case, you probably would have been happier with the Exclusiv or Life models. Although they all feature the one-touch indicators, which personally I like, but I can understand why you wouldn't.

Given that, what did you actually think of the cars, apart from your issues with the gadgets on them? You didn't really say.

Remember, the new Mondeo (2007 on) is also loaded with technology, perhaps even more so than the current Vectra...

1st Dec 2007, 13:29

I love my Vectra exclusive. I've had numerous showroom cars and not many beat this one. It has a few irritating points; water drips into the boot after rainfall as the gutter is pretty useless. The air conditioning is very noisy, but functional. Apart from that It's a great motor with lots of gutsy energy and we love it as a family. Handles well, with smooth sophisticated performance and control. The boot could have been smaller allowing more rear space in the back, but its great for holiday haulage. All in all satisfaction. If things change I'll be back to report!

31st Jul 2009, 18:14

I have just bought a Vectra SRi 2007 model. I got used to the indicators after a day or so and find them very easy to use once I had figured out how to use them. I thought them a bit pointless at first but now I can see the logic in the idea.

Nothing else to report as yet (only had the car 2 days!) But I'll be doing my own report in due course.

13th Jan 2011, 08:52

I have owned a 2008 Vectra SRI 1.9 CD-TDI 150 BHP for 2 years and to be honest can find no faults with the car.

It drives well, handles well, mechanically no issues, can be hard on tyres, but this is pretty much down to driver and heavy right foot.

As a family car would move away from the SRI due to harder ride and firmer shocks.

I picked mine up for £9000 with 11000 miles showroom £21500. Have spent £70 on service and replaced tyres, also under £300 to insure so the car owes me nothing.

I would recommend this car to anyone looking for a good sturdy, reliable workhorse that with care will drive forever.