Since its 1995 launch, the Vauxhall Vectra has battled its arch-rival, the Ford Mondeo, for the top sales slot in the family-car category. The Vauxhall has always fared worse, as dealers and critics sided with its rival.
 
In an attempt to bury the damaging criticism, Vauxhall has renamed its car the Insignia — a change that signals an opportunity for bargain-hungry used-car buyers. With new Vectra's on sales run out, and discounts in abundance, forecourt used prices have been dropping such that today a generously appointed Vectra that sold for £20,000 three years ago can be yours for little more than £7,000.

Since suffering its first mauling in 1995 by Jeremy Clarkson, who found the Vectra so boring that he couldn’t think of anything good to say about it during his Top Gear review, Vauxhall has greatly developed the model. Of all the versions, it’s the final 2005 facelift that buyers should most seriously consider.
 
Diesel motorists have the choice of a 1.9 litre four-cylinder with 120bhp or 150bhp, or a muscular 3 litre V6 producing 184bhp. Current fuel-pump prices erode the diesel economy advantage, but if you cover at least 12,000 miles a year, the economics are still in your favour. The pick of the crop is the higher-power 1.9 litre.

The petrol choice is even wider, with 1.8, 2, 2.2 and 2.8 litre units. The high CO2 output of the 2 litre turbo and 2.8 litre V6 (206 and 262g/km respectively) will mean owners paying a steep £300 or £440 a year in road tax from 2009. And it’s not just the annual cost to consider — there’s also the expected impact on residual value when you want to resell. Skip to the 1.8 or the 2.2, though, and you’ll be in best-buy territory, as road tax is just £205 a year. In view of the larger engine’s additional performance and only marginally lesser economy, it’s the 2.2 that’s the sweet spot of the range.

Choice of body is down to personal taste. The hatch looks sportier, the saloon more classy, while the estate is a bit of a warehouse on wheels. It’s capacious, though, its 530 litre boot expanding to 1,850 litres with the rear seats folded. Second-hand saloons are the cheapest path to Vectra ownership, as they cost about £350 less than equivalent hatchbacks; estates typically command a £250 premium.

While the cabin is aesthetically uninspiring, all Vectra models get much the same spacious interior and particularly impressive front seats. Their range of adjustments, combined with the steering’s reach and rake movements, ensure all sizes of driver are well accommodated. Rear-seat space is less generous, but three adults can manage reasonably long trips without it being a feat of endurance.

Mechanically, the final Vectra generation has its problems, and while many are minor (sticking tailgate lock, wipers that don’t park), there are more serious issues such as automatic transmission failure (diesels) and unreliable handbrakes, so an independent inspection and a warranty are must-haves.

There are many cheap Vectra's; you just have to be careful to bag a bargain.

1.9 DIESEL ENGINE
Seized secondary fuel throttle valves on 1.9 litre are costly to fix
 
AUTO TRANSMISSION
Can be destroyed on diesel if heat exchanger fails, letting in coolant

HANDBRAKE
Failures are reported; Vauxhall recommends leaving car in gear
 
SAFETY
Four stars in Euro NCAP testing, but only one star for pedestrian safety

SERVICE INTERVAL
Every 20,000 miles. Check history of low-mileage cars, which may not yet have had a service
 
TAILGATE
Sticking tailgate lock not uncommon but fortunately cheap to fix

WINDSCREEN WIPERS
Check that the wipers return to the correct position when switched off

WIRING
The 1.9 diesel has a loom that is known to chafe on the transmission case, causing a fuse to blow — which disables the car


 

Vauxhall Vectra 2.2i Elite hatchback 2005 55 with 40,000 miles. Pay £7,495 at a dealer or £6,500 privately


 

Alternative

Or for similar money:

2005 05 Ford Mondeo 2.0 Titanium X
2005 55 Honda Accord 2.0 VTEC SE
2006 06 Citroën C5 2.0i 16 VTR
2006 06 Mazda6 2.0 TS2
2006 56 Renault Laguna 2.0 16V Privilège

Figures based on CAP July 2008 edition

 © Bumper Media Limited August 2008