Vauxhall - Vectra |
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1995-02
2002 onwards
Vectra simply falls short of Mondeo as a mid-Nineties family car. It's comfortable and cheap to run, but Mondeo, Primera and Laguna are all nicer to drive.
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Good value; a cheaper choice than Mondeo |
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Low running costs for a medium family car |
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Comfortable family holdall |
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Handling lacks precision |
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Indifferent ride |
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So-so reliability and durability |
Vectra sold well to fleet users with a keen eye on the bottom line. Now heavily depreciated, it's a sound choice for the undemanding family driver. There's good equipment on most versions, adequate safety standards, and room for five in a comfortable cabin.
Running costs are attractively low, but avoid the penny-pinching 1.6 8v or older diesels - they're slow and not very refined. 1.8 16v is the most popular petrol unit; the 2.0 16v has a useful performance edge and is no thirstier. V6 models are fast but cost considerably more in fuel, servicing and insurance - and Vectra's handling really doesn't match the V6's power.
Choose Vectra as a comfortable cruiser, not a B-road hustler, where handling lacks Mondeo?s tautness and ride gets jittery.
Reliability is no better than average, so service history counts for a lot. Interiors don't wear that well, so high-milers are inevitably much cheaper.
SRi; 2.0 16v; 2.2 DTi
1.6 8v; 1.7 TDS & 2.0 Di
Ford Mondeo (1996-00)
Nissan Primera (1996-99)
Renault Laguna (1994-01)
