7th Sep 2011, 10:44

You're making the right choice, have had mine 2 years now, done all servicing and maintenance work, it drives like dream, build quality and reliability superb, good luck.

6th Oct 2011, 14:30

Hello mate. I'm doing the same. May I ask where you're getting your insurance? I'm 31 and looking at paying over £2000!

29th Nov 2011, 21:33

Right, the Vectra is a nice car to drive, and goes OK.

I like how they look and drive, but take some advice; if you're thinking of buying one, get AA or RAC cover, and the best cover, as for common faults, there are lots.

My Vectra broke down 2 times in the 2 and half months I had it, and today it caught fire as I was driving.

All I can say is they're great when they're working, but I do love them, and I'm looking at getting another.

Like any car, I guess you get good and bad ones. Just with the Vectra there are more bad ones I'm afraid.

11th Mar 2012, 21:34

Yeah, Vectra B owners should disconnect the power sounder, and the sensors are problematic.

25th Nov 2012, 15:14

I'm 33 and only passed my test a year ago. I've had about 8 different cars in that year, and my insurance didn't go up or down. Now I'm driving a W reg SRi 140, and I'm paying under a grand. Try Quinn Direct; that's who I'm with, and they're great.

8th May 2013, 05:19

SRI 140, I have one, and what a great car for little money! Mint condition paintwork, low mileage one owner car. Handles like it's on rails and good creature comforts. Excellent on fuel as well.

15th Mar 2015, 18:43

Ummmm I've had I total 4 Vectra B models. The first was a 1999 2.0 CD with 198,000 miles on it. All it needed for the 2 MoTs I put it through was brake pads and discs all round, and of course servicing.

My second one was a real bargain, a 1988 2.0 SRi that was a dog. It had been used as an electrician's work horse, but I got it home (just about on 3 cylinders and no hand brake). I stripped the interior out, stripped the top half of the engine down (head gasket had blown), stripped the brakes down, rebuilt it, and it flew through its MoT. I think in all that cost me 200 to put it right.

3rd one was a 2001 2.2 SRi hatch in black. No rattling timing chain (a common problem on these, but did not read the reviews till I had bought it). It came with the airbag light on and EML, got op-com traced EML to EGR valve (a common problem on the 2.2, and with help from a 2.2 engine forum they supplied a printed circuit board that cancels the EML). And the airbag light was traced to the driver's seat belt, replaced; that all cost me £50.00.

4th one was a beast, a 2.6 V6 CDX, which scared me to death looking under the bonnet. All I did with that was replace the sunroof motor and wiring loom. That cost me £45.00.

All in all, these cars are cheap to run, easy to work on and a joy to drive. Just remember, these run on old mechanicals, so if you don't expect up to date handling or performance, you will love them.

And after a year with a Saab 9-3 with its airbag light fault, I've sold it and I'm getting another Vectra 2.0 140 SRi 1999, but a saloon this time.

24th May 2015, 18:13

I've had my 1998 2.0 140 for a year now. It blitzed its MOT and no problems whatsoever. For what I paid, it's bags of fun.