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Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: pscocoa on 06 December 2011, 19:04:30

Title: Vectra VXR 2.8T
Post by: pscocoa on 06 December 2011, 19:04:30
Son in law thinking of getting a 2006 Estate version. Any views on these? Vectra C site reckons a good car but expensive to run.
Title: Re: Vectra VXR 2.8T
Post by: GastronomicKleptomaniac on 06 December 2011, 19:18:20
Evo magazine rated theirs very highly. Appetite for front tyres though, unsurprisingly. I've always had a thing for them though...
Title: Re: Vectra VXR 2.8T
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 06 December 2011, 19:58:25
Quite reasonable, a great engine.
Title: Re: Vectra VXR 2.8T
Post by: feeutfo on 06 December 2011, 20:12:47
But quite happy to understeer into a ditch apparently. ;D
Title: Re: Vectra VXR 2.8T
Post by: Del Boy on 06 December 2011, 21:05:08
I had a 2.8 SAAB 93 (Same engine as the Vectra), it was possibly one of the nicest engines I have come across, I absolutely adored that car 100%. The engine is very petrol hungry, but it pulls like an absolute train, and the noise was totally to die for!
Title: Re: Vectra VXR 2.8T
Post by: Omega_Dan on 06 December 2011, 21:13:04
Another option are the Vectra 2.8 T in Elite spec. 240bhp instead of 280bhp but you can pick them up for around £5000 ;)
Title: Re: Vectra VXR 2.8T
Post by: tunnie on 06 December 2011, 21:24:06
Another option are the Vectra 2.8 T in Elite spec. 240bhp instead of 280bhp but you can pick them up for around £5000 ;)

Shames it's a Vectra :(
Title: Re: Vectra VXR 2.8T
Post by: Omega_Dan on 06 December 2011, 21:33:10
Another option are the Vectra 2.8 T in Elite spec. 240bhp instead of 280bhp but you can pick them up for around £5000 ;)

Shames it's a Vectra :(

There is that but if i had to have one it would be that. ;)
Title: Re: Vectra VXR 2.8T
Post by: Omega32E on 06 December 2011, 21:41:16
My daughter has a 56 Astra VXR go,s well in a straight line in the dry, very difficult to get the power down loads of torque steer + understeer as well as trying to get the front wheels to grip. Fuel not that good average between 20 and 30.
Title: Re: Vectra VXR 2.8T
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 06 December 2011, 21:48:26
Vectra VXR is actualy pretty good around corners and puts the power down very well, i was pretty surprised by it to be honest!

Have a read here:

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=vectra%20vxr&source=web&cd=5&sqi=2&ved=0CEoQFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.evo.co.uk%2Fcarreviews%2Fcargrouptests%2F65185%2Fmitsubishi_evo_v_impreza_v_vectra_vxr_v_bmw_330i.html&ei=mY3eTvLWHcHb8QO4mJnuBA&usg=AFQjCNG30psAVmOHf2dimf9ImFeGuEG8Dg
Title: Re: Vectra VXR 2.8T
Post by: Del Boy on 06 December 2011, 22:08:09
I fail to see why there are so many complaints with the Vectra C VXR's handling. I honestly found when I drove a VXR it handled really rather well, I'm not going to say it was as good as a car with RWD, but it was by no means bad at all.
Title: Re: Vectra VXR 2.8T
Post by: pscocoa on 06 December 2011, 22:09:49
Thanks all - we are just checking the insurance costs - Group 18
Title: Re: Vectra VXR 2.8T
Post by: Omega32E on 06 December 2011, 22:11:16
Jeremy Clarkson on the Vectra VXR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FHLzWwghmU
Title: Re: Vectra VXR 2.8T
Post by: Del Boy on 06 December 2011, 22:22:52
Jeremy Clarkson on the Vectra VXR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FHLzWwghmU

Rumour has it, there was a fuse pulled for the CDC on this test. I have to say i really did throw a VXR Veccy around, and it wasn't as bad as that.
Title: Re: Vectra VXR 2.8T
Post by: henryd on 06 December 2011, 22:23:22
Various police forces ran lots of them so they can't be that bad,much as I like Clarkson that test of the Vectra was heavily biased against it
Title: Re: Vectra VXR 2.8T
Post by: Omega32E on 06 December 2011, 22:33:56
I have never driven the Vectra VXR but based on the Astra VXR I would have to go with Clarkson on this one, I do know he is biased with Vauxhalls but the video does very much remind me of what can be done with our Astra.
Title: Re: Vectra VXR 2.8T
Post by: Omega32E on 07 December 2011, 00:44:17
(http://www.myalbum.co.uk/Photo-YRXHNI3L-D.jpg)

or maybe its the colour  :y
Title: Re: Vectra VXR 2.8T
Post by: feeutfo on 07 December 2011, 00:52:32
I have never driven the Vectra VXR but based on the Astra VXR I would have to go with Clarkson on this one, I do know he is biased with Vauxhalls but the video does very much remind me of what can be done with our Astra.
It is becoming very obvious he will promote anything Ford over everything else. So by default anything gm will be slated. Except the vxr8 and its "corvette" engine.
Title: Re: Vectra VXR 2.8T
Post by: D on 07 December 2011, 06:58:54
Not worth the premium or fuel costs IMHO. It has too much power for that chassis, terrible torque steer and does understeer, more so when wet. Its not a bad cruiser but if your right foots gets excited then you will soon be disappointed with how it handles. If you just want a comfy vectra then go for a more economical elite spec car. If anyones been to Brands hatch then you will know the stretch of road the runs slightly uphill leading to the main entrance. There is a speed cam there that every one slows for and then accelerates after that. The road is a little bumpy and rough and in the Vec VXR, I put my foot down nearly thought I was going to crash. The steering was wrenched out of my hand and the car just felt unstable. It was a lot better in the Astra VXR but no where near the St's. Get to a corner and the difference is mcuh more.

I test drove this, the Mondeo St and the Focus ST a few years ago and I can see what Clarkson is getting at. The Fords have a steering feel and handling that the Vx can only dream of. Of course the Omega being the exception to that.
Title: Re: Vectra VXR 2.8T
Post by: Kevin Wood on 07 December 2011, 09:39:41
I have never driven the Vectra VXR but based on the Astra VXR I would have to go with Clarkson on this one, I do know he is biased with Vauxhalls but the video does very much remind me of what can be done with our Astra.
It is becoming very obvious he will promote anything Ford over everything else. So by default anything gm will be slated. Except the vxr8 and its "corvette" engine.

.. and he ceased to be a serious motoring journalist years ago, so why even listen to his "dangle-berries"?  ;D
Title: Re: Vectra VXR 2.8T
Post by: feeutfo on 07 December 2011, 09:44:59
I have never driven the Vectra VXR but based on the Astra VXR I would have to go with Clarkson on this one, I do know he is biased with Vauxhalls but the video does very much remind me of what can be done with our Astra.
It is becoming very obvious he will promote anything Ford over everything else. So by default anything gm will be slated. Except the vxr8 and its "corvette" engine.

.. and he ceased to be a serious motoring journalist years ago, so why even listen to his "dangle-berries"?  ;D
because other than that its damn good entertainmemt Mr Wood! :)
Title: Re: Vectra VXR 2.8T
Post by: OMEEEGAH on 07 December 2011, 17:31:36
i have had a vectra vxr,now i know a bit about them and you have to state when talking about them which one your on about   :P

theres the 255 vectra vxr and the 280 vectra vxr,the later one has chassis refinements and obviously more waft standard,yes the later one costs more on the old road tax but hey thats not my problem  ???

so if your knocking the vectra vxr please state which one it was as i know the later cars are much better  :D
Title: Re: Vectra VXR 2.8T
Post by: 05omegav6 on 07 December 2011, 21:50:26
Elite For £5000? Humbug ::)

Plod ones with the full 280 start at a grand from the auctions if you don't mind getting your hands dirty 8).
Title: Re: Vectra VXR 2.8T
Post by: pscocoa on 11 December 2011, 14:05:37
Went to give the VXR Estate today a better look today. It is the 255bhp but erratic history. It was a very low mileage car until April 2010 when it changed ownership and went from 22000 to 58000 miles as at today. The trip computer was obviously reset at the time he bought it and it shows 36000 miles at average spped of 41 mph and fuel consumption of 26 mpg. Suspect the previous owner buys low mileage cars and does his high miles to then sell and average mileage car.

He is ex directory but I know where he works in IT business.

It has been serviced since 2010 but there is a big gap between November 2007 and April 2010.

Dealer will give 3 months warranty, 4 new tyres, mot and tax for 6 months and repair all scuffed alloys. It sounds and looks great but drives twitchily which the Signum did before we had the full geometery done so have flagged that up for attention as well - as said it needs new tyres.

Decisions...
Title: Re: Vectra VXR 2.8T
Post by: tunnie on 11 December 2011, 14:23:17
26mpg average aint half bad!
Title: Re: Vectra VXR 2.8T
Post by: TheBoy on 11 December 2011, 14:30:58
Not driven a VXR, but driven a few GSi's and they are awful if you want to drive quickly, and too harsh if you want to be sedate. Kind of, in my mind, not fit in anywhere.
Title: Re: Vectra VXR 2.8T
Post by: pscocoa on 11 December 2011, 15:22:32
It ticks a few boxes - huge boot, nice sounding engine, dual branch exhaust, sports seats etc but when we took it out I would defo want to recheck it after the tyres and trig have been done. As said the Signum is the same (and same chassis as this VXR estate) and tyres and set up have to be just right.

In fact in Signum the other night we hit an odd camber in the road and car twitched quite badly - mind you Mrs was driving at the time so maybe an unfair reflection on Signum - (she blamed car)
Title: Re: Vectra VXR 2.8T
Post by: pscocoa on 12 December 2011, 16:28:31
Just tracked down previous owner of VXR who was intrigued as to how I found him in his ofice when he was ex directory at home. By a bizarre coincidence we have a common acquaintance on "linked in". Car seems straight but it is the 280 bhp as he was insistent that he wanted this vehicle spec on purchase. This pushes it into higher tax and insurance bracket. I do like it though.
Title: Re: Vectra VXR 2.8T
Post by: Del Boy on 12 December 2011, 17:29:48
Just tracked down previous owner of VXR who was intrigued as to how I found him in his ofice when he was ex directory at home. By a bizarre coincidence we have a common acquaintance on "linked in". Car seems straight but it is the 280 bhp as he was insistent that he wanted this vehicle spec on purchase. This pushes it into higher tax and insurance bracket. I do like it though.

The 250 engine can also go in the highest tax band. My SAAB was.