Vectra EVO: Vauxhall Vectra VXR Review

[Mr. M]

Suspension updates and another 25bhp for hot Vectra​

By Richard Meaden March 2007

As we discovered in our group test of the original Vectra VXR (090), it’s a genuinely accomplished, rapid and entertaining car. On the right side of £25K, it’s well priced too.

Full article here.

 

[Mr. M]

I think this car looks really sexy.

 

[Kowalski]

Yeah. It looks very good indeed for a Vectra.





I just got rid of a Vauxhall Vectra GSI 3.2 V6 in favour of a Passat Variant 3.2 V6. The pre-facelift model and predecessor of the VXR. The Veccy was a good car overall. Shame about the poor reliability.

If Vauxhall and GM for that matter as well, had any idea how to put a car together properly, I would consider a Vectra VXR Estate as my next car, but rust and major engine problems, gearbox replaced twice in a 2004 car? And a incompetent dealer service? Sorry GM. But no thanks - not for me.

 

[Mr. M]

I just got rid of a Vauxhall Vectra GSI 3.2 V6 in favour of a Passat Variant 3.2 V6. The pre-facelift model and predecessor of the VXR. The Veccy was a good car overall. Shame about the poor reliability.

If Vauxhall and GM for that matter as well, had any idea how to put a car together properly, I would consider a Vectra VXR Estate as my next car, but rust and major engine problems, gearbox replaced twice in a 2004 car? And a incompetent dealer service? Sorry GM. But no thanks - not for me.

How did the Vectra compare to your new Passat in terms of power?

The Passat's a fine car... Just be wary of minor problems. Have been hearing of some here and there, but not stuff that's as serious as what you experienced in your Vectra.

 

[Kowalski]

Well the Vectra was plenty of torque at any rev and it even produced a nice growling noise. But the gearbox was way too notchy and the clutch was heavy. The Passat feels a whole lot faster, despite being bigger and heavier than the Vectra, partly because its 3.2 V6 24V produces 256 Bhp (48 Bhp more than the Vectra), but mostly because the DSG shifts a precision, that not even the best racing driver can beat it.

My biggest complaint about the Vectra was the overlight steering. Overall feedback was OK, but the overall feeling was way too woolly and did not inspire too much confidence to drive a bit more aggressively; put it simple: It was nearly impossible to do a Scandinavian flick with the Vectra. The ride was very smooth, even smoother than the Passat, actually. The Passat feels more sportier and more grippy thanks to the 4Motion.

Apart from the problems, I liked my old Vectra. It was spacious, comfortable, very quiet, great to cruise along the motorway and yet I could manage 35 Mpg and 150 Mph. Not bad at all for a 3.2 V6 car. I wish the Passat was more economical. I've had the car for about a week, and the best I managed, driving gently was 26 Mpg. You know, I'm starting to regret myself for buying the 3.2 V6 instead of the 2.0 TDI 170.

 

[Mr. M]

Well the Vectra was plenty of torque at any rev and it even produced a nice growling noise. But the gearbox was way too notchy and the clutch was heavy. The Passat feels a whole lot faster, despite being bigger and heavier than the Vectra, partly because its 3.2 V6 24V produces 256 Bhp (48 Bhp more than the Vectra), but mostly because the DSG shifts a precision, that not even the best racing driver can beat it.

My biggest complaint about the Vectra was the overlight steering. Overall feedback was OK, but the overall feeling was way too woolly and did not inspire too much confidence to drive a bit more aggressively; put it simple: It was nearly impossible to do a Scandinavian flick with the Vectra. The ride was very smooth, even smoother than the Passat, actually. The Passat feels more sportier and more grippy thanks to the 4Motion.

Apart from the problems, I liked my old Vectra. It was spacious, comfortable, very quiet, great to cruise along the motorway and yet I could manage 35 Mpg and 150 Mph. Not bad at all for a 3.2 V6 car. I wish the Passat was more economical. I've had the car for about a week, and the best I managed, driving gently was 26 Mpg. You know, I'm starting to regret myself for buying the 3.2 V6 instead of the 2.0 TDI 170.

I guess your 3.2 is the uprated version. Because the one in our Phaeton is only good for 241bhp, 320Nm.

Thanks for the mini-review. About the fuel consumption, we get about 14L/100KM on average... But in gridlock it can go up to 20L/100KM. Our engines aren't very economical are they.

 

[DRAGRACER]