14 Feb 03
Medium family car
Introduced:1995, revamped 1999, discontinued 2002
Bodystyles: Four-door saloon, five-door hatchback, estate
Prices: from £1500; 2.0 SRI from £2000, 2.5 V6 from £2000, 2.0 DTI from £2500; facelifted 1999- models from £3000; 1.8 SRI from £3000, 2.5 V6 from £4000, GSI from £5000, 2.2 DTI from £5000
4car rating: 
The Vectra is: looking increasingly dated, especially since the launch of the stylish all-new model last year, but like the Cavalier before it, this car makes a very good value, if unexciting, second-hand purchase. This is bread-and-butter, what-you-see-is-what-you-get motoring. The Vectra is functional, practical and economical, especially if you go for one of the bi-fuel (LPG-petrol) versions. There are also quick, spoilered-up SRIs and GSIs, and a series of diesels, though none are as entertaining to drive as their equivalent Ford Mondeos, and however low-profile the tyres and wide the alloys, a Vectra will never really look sporting. But it's cheap to buy, even cheaper to run, roomy and practical, so if all you really want is comfortable A-B family transport, it'll meet your needs perfectly well.
For: Cheap to run, easy to live with, comfortable, good value
Against: Dull. Very dull.
Sum-up: It's not as bad as the critics make out, but it lacks flair or any distinguishing quirks or features
Model rundown and history:
Entry-level Vectras are badged Envoy, and have driver and passenger airbags, ABS brakes, immobiliser, remote central locking, split-folding rear seat and radio cassette with Trafficmaster info. LS models have an electric sunroof, electric front windows and three rear three-point seatbelts; 2.0-litre petrol has traction control. GLS versions add air conditioning, alloy wheels, an alarm and heated door mirrors. SRI versions have sports trim, CD versions have rear electric windows and a CD player and the CDX models have climate control, cruise control and side airbags. SXI versions joined the range in August 1999, with the 1.8-litre engine, a close-ratio five-speed manual gearbox, 16-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, CD player and either black, blue pearlescent or silver metallic paint, but the most powerful model is the V6 GSI, which has uprated brakes, lowered, tauter suspension, additional spoilers, Recaro sports seats and 17-inch alloy wheels. It was offered as a saloon or estate. The range was revised in August 2000, when the 2.2-litre, 16-valve aluminium engine replaced the 2.0-litre, the 2.6 V6 replaced the 2.5 and the 2.0-litre DTI 16-valve (100bhp) diesel replaced the previous 82bhp version. The 2.2 DTI (125bhp) was also launched, and the 1.8 16v petrol unit was uprated to 125bhp. A new estate model, badged Tourer, was added in September 2001, which has LS spec plus air conditioning, four airbags, a CD player, CDX-style alloy wheels and the SRI's rear spoiler.
Vectras to buy: The petrol engines are all smooth and relatively refined, and even the 1.8 is competent enough. The 2.2 petrol is a good all-rounder, a useful motorway cruiser and a decent compromise between performance and economy. The later direct-injection DTI diesels (2.0 and 2.2) are much-improved over the old Di units.
Vectras to avoid: The 1.6s (8-valve and 16-valve) are particularly dreary, and the Di diesels aren't much cop either. The GSI and SRI really aren't very sporting since, although they're powerful, the chassis can't cope with the torque and you can't exploit the performance to the full.
Buying the best Vectra: The best stock will be offered through Vauxhall's Network Q scheme, but the Vectra is available in huge numbers at lower prices at the car supermarkets and large-scale independent retailers. Look for a car with documented history - high mileage isn't a problem if it's been well-maintained and done mainly motorway miles - and good bodywork, as loads are covered with scuffs and scrapes and look very tatty. Look out for overworked, tired smaller petrol engines, and worn suspension, brakes and steering on high-mileage cars.
Engines and performance:
Petrol:
1.6 8v (75bhp): 108mph, 0-60mph 15.3 sec, 42mpg
1.6 16v (100bhp): 117mph, 0-60mph 12.3 sec, 42mpg
1.8 16v (115bhp): 121mph, 0-60mph 11.5 sec, 41mpg
1.8 16v (125bhp): 129mph, 0-60mph 9.5 sec, 37.2mpg
2.0 16v (136bhp): 128mph, 0-60mph 10 sec, 37mpg
2.2 16v (147bhp): 135mph, 0-60mph 8.5 sec, 43.5mpg
2.5 V6 (170bhp): 143mph, 0-60mph 8 sec, 29mpg
2.6 V6 (170bhp): 143mph, 0-60mph 8 sec, 28.8mpg
2.6 V6 GSI (180bhp): 145mph, 0-60mph 7.9 sec, 27.5mpg
Diesels:
1.7 TD (82bhp): 109mph, 0-60mph 15.3 sec, 47.9mpg
2.0 Di (82bhp): 110mph, 0-60mph 14.5 sec, 47mpg
2.0 DTI (100bhp): 118mph, 0-60mph 13.2 sec, 47mpg
2.2 DTI (125bhp): 129mph, 0-60mph 9.5 sec, 43.5mpg