Vauxhall Vectra GSi Goes for a Drive

[@furiousdriving]

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[@somervillearron]

id really like to bring down my 07 plate peugeot 407 coupe in blue with the white leather 2.7hdi twin turbo diesel with a remap I am planning a road trip middle of summer so hopefully we can arrange a test drive for you, wait till you see how surprised about how un peugeout the interior and build quality is! plus when you see one in the rite colour combination and spec and in good highly polished condition you quickly realise how pretty a car it really is the pictures don't do them justice and also the looks really depend on spec colour and condition big time much more than some cars

[@somervillearron]

also they are definately an investment espessially if you can find a 3.0hdi twin turbo put it this way mine has tripled in value since I bought it and that's me being pecemistic with the price

[@BudgetBuildsOfficial]

Now that’s something I could replace my Astra with. That’s a brilliant shade of green. 👍

[@miraclearranger6438]

Nothing quite beats the MkIV though

[@Ken_Dodds_Tickling_Stick]

It's jungle green mate....stunning colour. I've had 2 of these.

[@Cayres9]

I thought you built PCs not cars lol 😂

[@matthewking5612]

The Vectra B models all seem to suffer from Mk3 Mondeo driving position syndrome.

[@Cayres9]

@@matthewking5612 Gearbox failure is common too if not serviced

[@Kenny_P_abz]

When these are on sale as a classic you know you’re getting old.

[@greenbunnyinabongo7299]

Yep, that and when police officers look about 10

[@JALC-x]

more of a modern / future classic but they are over 20 years old now so🤷🏻‍♂️

[@alphatrion100]

Not a classic. Just old.

[@elvetwilliams9013]

Lovely !I was Vauxhall sales exec 95-98 so was selling run out cavalier 1.8i classic and involved in launch of vectraB after leaving trade owned 4 B’s a 99.5 SRi V6 in star silver T902SRR then a GSi estate 2.5V6 in black V502WWL then a 2.6 GSi estate also black MU51PKN and finally a CDX estate KS51UPH in star silver loved them all

[@ashkay780]

I remember when these where brand-new lol

[@gerbentvandeveen]

That is one of the most beautiful Opels they have made. I have a 1998 Vectra 2.5 v6 B caravan. And no longer gaining weight. I bought this car with 97700 km. On the counter. With what I know now. Never have to throw it away! Drove it for almost 9 years, to 370,600 km. Until that day! I regret it!!!

[@matthewgodwin3050]

Back in the day, I'd have dismissed this out of hand in favour of a Rover 623 ti, but nowadays I think it's a lot more interesting than it once was when new. It has a sort of 'fake it till you make it' Lotus Carlton flavour to it that I quite like. And as one of those will now cost you well in excess of eighty grand these days, the Vectra GSi V6 starts to make a lot more sense. Actually, I'll just come out and say it; I really fancy it!

[@Spodikus]

I have a Silver Titanium Vec b 2.5 GSi V6 Hatchback and I love driving it, the sound and feel are amazing. A great review, thankyou. There are not many GSi reviews out there. FYI The TC button on the dash is for Traction Control not tyre pressure monitoring. Thanks for a great review

[@BrikMT]

I was going to say about the TC button. Also shouldn't this car be a 2.6?

[@caelebyoung2658]

2.6 after 2000, 2.5 before.

[@Julianpms]

Thanks, Matt, another interesting review. I covered nearly 110,000 miles in a Mark 3 Cavalier (2.0i GL) before moving on to a Mondeo V6 24v. The Vauxhall was utterly dependable and really well built, but I found the Mondeo a revelation to drive, with vastly better handling. Later, when I changed employers and was waiting for a new company car, I had three months in an Omega with this engine and automatic transmission: it felt lacking in low-down torque and had to be revved quite hard to get decent acceleration, which was out of keeping with the style of the Omega.

[@elelegidoriginal]

2.5 Omega made a great noise though.

[@thomasshepard6030]

@@elelegidoriginal I had the 3.2 V6 24 VALVE MV6 AUTO FANTASTIC CAR

[@KretinoSantino]

Opel Vectra A was great car, bit outdated platform, but as dependable as Belgium made Ford Sierra with undestructable Peugeot 2.3D. Opel Vectra B was 2nd fastest depreciating car ..... thanx to Opel Omega. Nowadays, you seriously don't want Opel, Ford or Peugeot.

[@danielbrown2715]

Actually the 2.5v6 omega put out 168bhp against the GSI 192bhp thanks to the MSD's work on the GSI engine vectra sri v6 had same 168bhp v6 as your omega, vauxhall cured it's mid range grunt issues with the later 178bhp 2.6v6

[@johnm0jfe]

Also Omega was a fair bit heavier hence been slower but also plagued with electrical niggles still a nice comfy car

[@alastairmcarthur2598]

TC button Traction Control rather than tyre pressures ?

[@GTiR23]

Yeah that's traction control.

[@someabsolutebangersonhere]

@@GTiR23 Same on my SRi. Definitely traction control. Loved mine

[@karlwood2268]

Great video Matt except the TC button on the dash is for switching the traction control on and off.

[@furiousdriving]

TM or TC?

[@karlwood2268]

@@furiousdriving TC button above the TM button.

[@stiggyness1976]

@@furiousdriving The TM button is the old traffic master system. The TC(Traction control) is on by default, press the button and the (TC) light lights up on the dash and the system is disabled.

[@GoldenCroc]

I think he meant Traction control, but simply misspoke when he said tire pressure monitoring. Surely he knows that wouldnt be it.

[@TerranBrown]

The TC button is for traction control... TM (trafficmaster) came built in and for those early ones (I had a Sri before a gsi) it was a recall install. I think it was about £70 or £80 a year.

[@gilesl]

These are rare, I had the 2.5 SRI estate in the 00's, the best thing about them is the engine noise!

[@stewartbrown4394]

I had the 2.5 V6 SRi hatch. Nice motor, good handling but some how it didn't feel as fast as my mk1 cav SRi 130, even though IIRC 0-60 times were around 8 seconds.

[@L.r.e_motorsport]

Yeah the Cav SRI 130 probably would out accelerate the Vectra, the 2.5 wasn’t all that, the 3.0L in the Omega is night and day difference

[@kristianspencer1978]

7.6 seconds, the 2.6 was 7.9.

[@ThunderChunky101]

I had the SRi too, melted it driving behind to cops on horseback. It literally set on fire! They looked at me, laughed, and carried on as if nothing had happened.

[@soundseeker63]

Humble spec Vectras may have been common and unexiting, but this one is the dog bollocks! All the V6s were nice, but that GSi body kit and wheels gives the car some real understated aggression, and that shade of dark green looks ace and wonderfully late 90s in the best possible way. I like it! A very nice modern classic that would be overlooked by many, as Vauxhall is not a brand you associate with great driver's cars. But when they DID get it right, they really got it right. And this ones a minter!

[@yeungng6825]

Expensive back in the day. Remember looking at it then . I went for a Laguna 3.0 rti manual back in 2000, just as the fuel strike started . Great car 😊

[@DannoAviation]

Rare bit of kit the Laguna RTi 👀

[@garygriffiths2911]

Until watching this the idea that a Vauxhall Vectra might be interesting would have seemed rather strange - but now I've seen the light and this think has become desirable. Also V6 repmobiles are always good!

[@rogerdraycott3486]

As an ex employee of vauxhall I had a few vectra 's on their lease scheme. Had the same colour ( velvet green ) and was my first new car. 44 years service later have new mokka - e on order. Great video....and will drive Vauxhall's forever! Thanks for the memories

[@xbaldwin97]

my stepdad has had his since 2001 and still drives it to this day

[@paulturner2911]

I've been a Vauxhall man for years, in fact my 1st car, was my Dad's old rep mobile, a 1987 E reg Cavalier 1.6L. I've had many Vauxhall's over the years, but my favourite Vectra B was a metallic blue X reg 2.6V6 CDX hatchback. Quite a lot of me wishes I still had it. Had a couple of Insignia's since, and currently have an Insignia SRi CDTI on a 64 plate, although I REALLY wish I'd kept my previous one, a metallic blue 2.0 CDTI BiTurbo Elite 5 dr on a 15 plate. That had all the options ticked when it was originally ordered by the dealer principle of the dealer I bought it from. Great motors.

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

Great car never understood the hate for the Vectra, the GSI estate is very rare can't remember the numbers but very low.

[@elvetwilliams9013]

Yes built to order only the estate I was lucky to own two a 99V plate in black GSi then later also black 2.6 GSi estate happy days the earlier one was actually better built

[@Edvard.Munchkin]

Dream car in dream colour. I always adored the vectra for some reason, but even to this day I just love a big saloon

[@MrFister84]

You need better dreams.

[@rayaspo4893]

The guy has nightmares

[@Edvard.Munchkin]

Not all of us need luxury barges to feel good. This is something from my childhood I always wanted

[@norton794]

Back in the 90's we used to run Vectra's as Police cars. That interior brought back some memories although we had added radio's and other stuff. Had one at 135 mph on a chase once. Happy days. 😃😃😃😃

[@stuartbourne5135]

We had a few of them in West Yorkshire, they sounded much better than they went. The later VXRs' were a good traffic car, sounded awesome but one of my favourites for round built up areas was the MK1 Octavia VRS. I don't think that any Vauxhall I have driven was particularly comfortable except for the Omega which we used for TPAC training.

[@norton794]

@@stuartbourne5135 I was in the Met, Started on SD1'S fantastic cars, then moved to Ford Sierras rubbish car, then Vectra's I moved on I think they went to BMW after that. Good times. I always remember the seats on the Vectra's being in bad shape worn really badly with our belt kit.

[@stuartbourne5135]

@@norton794 Before I got into traffic we used to crew up with traffic on nights or on traffic attachments. When I started we had Sierra 2.3 and 2.0 iS as well as Cavaliers, we had some SRI 130's. When Ijoined traffic it was Vectras , a few Octavia VRS's, Volvo T4's and T5's. The force then went over to diesels with Volvo D5'sand BMW's, 330's, 530's and X5's. I did enjoy the beemers, although I wouldn't have one of my own.

[@MyJon64]

The CDX model had rear electric windows!

[@seancooke7332]

A fine car. Vauxhall, Ford, Peugeot, Renault, Nissan, Toyota, Mazda, everybody offered a V6 and all of them were fabulous. They should build them again. There was nothing wrong with the facelift Vectra B . I know a chap who retired and bought himself a 1999 Rover 75 Connoisseur 2.0 litre V6. He wanted to keep the Rover special so he bought a 1999 Vauxhall Vectra B 1.8 hatchback for everyday and he ended up falling in love with the Vectra.

[@darkwaterblue]

Loved the Vectra B, had a absolute shed of one when I was younger. Rust got most of them, I had one that was 8-9 years old and it was rotten, holes in the wings, arches and boot lid and bonnet. Was comfy though, loved the interior of this era Vauxhalls.

[@stevenking2946]

I have fond memories of these. My brother had a gsi, and I had four of these, a 2.5 cdx auto, 2.5 cdx manual, and two ex police v6's one was a v6 sri auto, direct from the met police, one of only 250 sri auto made and completely different to the civilian spec v6 auto, for start it was responsive low down the rev range, it was eager to kick down the gearbox, especially in sport mode, Both police v6 sri was lowered with the imricher suspension extra ventilation to front brakes and, both was much more aggressive acceleration even more than the gsi my brother owned. Seamed to rev higher before hitting the limiter..... One I regret selling the sri auto tho, probably the quickest car out of the lot and even now one of the fastest and most reliable cars I've owned....I could also get over 40mpg on a long run....

[@shaneweightman]

I bought one of these about 20 yrs ago , drove 20 miles with the misses in my scoobie wrx sti , I decided to drive the vector home , and down a country lane on a straight mile , I give it some stick through the gears , I looked in the rear view mirror and my wife over took me and left me for dust ,,, at that point I decided the vector was definitely not as quick as I was expecting it to be , comfortable and good looking, or at least I thought , but I think my older Carlton was a better all round car ,,, cheers shane uk 🇬🇧

[@danielrussell446]

What a fabulous car I remember them well as my dad had a lot of Vauxhalls over the years that one looks like new and it is a local car to me brand new with a worcester number plate wonder which dealer supplied it new great video again Matt

[@BillyNoMates1974]

My mate had one. a 2.6L V6 it had the motorsports division plate in the engine bay. cruises nice at 100 mph still goes well at 135mph

[@alexander1485]

He should be a sales man for Stonecold Classics

[@R1CH130]

Great video, only just seen this! Few little comments Id like to make: The Vectra B comes in Phase 1 and Phase 2 form (it basically had a face-lift mid-life). The GSi was available in both, but the ph1 was more like the touring cars, in terms of styling and the front and rear bumpers had unique styling, as did the side skirts. The one in the video is a ph2 which used the same rear bumper as any other model and the same side skirts as other models too. The Ph1 has 17" alloys too, but a slightly dished, tringulated spoke design. Also, check out the Vectra "Super Touring" special editions!!! These were the models actually made to advertise the touring car success and those could be had with the 2.0 engine. Then......check out the ST200.........now you are talking RARE! As for rare GSi, Vauxhall only made 500 of the later 2.6 version, which was slightly down on power, but up on torque at some points in the rev range. Arguements are often had as to which is better, the 2.5 or 2.6 lol I personally own a 2000 X-plate 2.5 Saloon in Black, which is a ph2 just like in the vid. The only difference being, mine has an induction kit by Piper which makes the engine sound absolutely monstrous! The induction roar is intoxicating!!! As for MPG, well, I previously had a 2.5 CDX model with the standard tune 165 ish bhp and that would do 17mpg when I drove it "furiously" everywhere, but my GSi seams better, often being more like 25mpg, but can happily get into the 30's on a bit of a run. Sadly, mines been off the road for a few years now, patiently waiting its turn to be recommissioned! Vids on my channel if you want a look. Oh and as for the aluminium gear nob!!! Yeh, it looks great, but chuffing cold in winter! You don't want a cold nob in winter 😂

[@wessmith3161]

The Vectra was actually a very capable and able car, as good as most from this era. I've no idea why that gobs***e Clarkson slated the Vectra.

[@williamegler8771]

Jeremy Clarkson sniffs his own flatulence and thinks it smells sweeter than the finest rose. He thinks his opinion is the only one to matter.

[@jackiron4785]

I think because it didn't appear different enough to the Cavalier it replaced.

[@williamegler8771]

@@jackiron4785 It was designed to sell to a conservative segment of the market. The Caviler was very successful so Vauxhall didn't think it needed a radical redesign.

[@PaulioBee]

It wasn't an Audi or a Merc.

[@R1CH130]

Tbf, a lot of motoring journalists did at the time and even us hardened Vauxhall fans would agree to an extent! The early Vectra Bs weren't a patch on the Vec A/ Mk3 Cav in terms of the drive and handling, mostly due to the rubber subframe mountings, which made the steering vauge and the cars kess fun to drive! Tbh, the dame can be said of a mk3 Cav over a mk2! The mk2 is much more fun to drive! But back to the Vectra B.......the one in the video is a phase 2, ie the facelifted model. Many improvements were made to the ride and handling with the ph2 and thats why this drives so much better than the b he will have driven before. If JC had ever bothered to review the ph2, then I think the outcome would be very different. I happen to own a 2000 X-reg 2.5 GSi saloon, just like this, but mine's in black. It does drive brilliantly, although sadly, its been off the road for some years now, awaiting recommissioning! I have some videos of it on my channel if you're interested.

[@histriamagna1014]

A full size spare tire, real exaust and functional air ducts. Basically we went backwards these days ....

[@andrewainsley4383]

Functional air vents? Where!!!

[@histriamagna1014]

@@andrewainsley4383 In front. Today cars ( Mercedes for example ) have huge fake plastic intakes that are fully covered.

[@dannyhtheretrogamingmaster9548]

I used to have a Vectra C 3.2 GSi years ago and it was a proper cool car but the 2.5 and 2.6 B models were well cool as well. I remember clarkson did another review on the v6 supertouring (which later became the GSi) and he actually quite liked it but wanted it to have 2 turbo's, 4 wheel drive, a sequential gearbox and a new steering system.

[@professorofficer9609]

My father has one. Although I 'm a japanese car guy myself, I love his Vectra. Great car, excellent built quality, heavy chassis, great interior, great suspension. The best car for him. He 's a die hard fan of OPEL/Vauxhall because of this. I have a feeling though, that this car is not for younger audience. It feels a little slow for my liking, because of the extra weight. I prefer lighter cars, that can handle a little abuse. And the Vectra does not seem it can handle it.

[@tinniswood2577]

Had an old Vectra years ago and realised I had the best door mirrors on the road. If this model had an Audi or BMW badge on it there would be coffee table books written about it.

[@paddycoleman1472]

I had a Vectra GSi as a company car back in the day. Sadly not in that lovely British Racing Green, but rather a champagne. It was supposed to be silver but the wrong one turned up! As for the car… it was very well built, good to drive and comfortable/practical. We had two small children then and the saloon worked well. However, it was the most anonymous and boring car I have ever owned. With hindsight, I would say it was a very good product but sadly I was too young to appreciate that then.

[@darkchild130]

I’ve still got my 1997 V6 Vectra sport. Still runs perfectly.

[@Richard-Bullock]

I had a 2000 X reg 1.6 LS back in 2009/10. And my word was it SLOW! But it was a great comfy mile munching cruiser.

[@maxidyne]

Great car, haven't seen one of these in years. Love these special edition cars that celebrate the brands motorsport victories. Such a shame they don't do it anymore nowadays. Great review Matt!

[@martinlaver007]

I had a Vectra v6 estate for a couple of years. Engine and gearbox were excellent. Fuel tank rusted out though. Less excellent.

[@stepheng8779]

Always liked a quick Vauxhall since I had my Cavalier Sri many years ago. I loved that car wish I still had it.

[@jaspal666]

In 1996 on a trip to Germany I was able to drive a Vectra sedan 1.5 on the autobahn. Yes. It would go 120mph. A highlight of the trip!

[@benlambley6423]

These were nice cars and sounded lovely getting very rare now.

[@saippuakivikuappias]

There is definitely something about a hot Vauxhall, or at least the grown up ones. Bar the mirrors this Vectra in standard form was as anonymous as you could get, even for the 90's but the addition of some subtle (and not so subtle) kit bits really turn this into a looker.

[@z06dave]

I had a black 2.5 GSi saloon, absolutely adored it.

[@anakinskywalker4113]

Haha I love this video wish we got this car in Australia. Sadly I don’t think we ever did. Also I had to laugh when you said it was blistering hot at 26.5c that’s a mild spring day in the land down under. Try 38c plus that is properly hot.

[@michaelarchangel1163]

I recall Ronnie O'Sullivan winning one of these, as a bonus to his prize money in a snooker final, many years ago. He immediately gave it to his sister as a gift, the kind of nice gesture that's the province of millionaires ! Love the colour of this one.

[@BackyardSpaceProgram]

Vauxhall/Opel Vectra gives me some fond memories.

[@andrewmarsden1970]

A few of the guys at ANIFA London office had these in the late 90s. Great drive.

[@danieleregoli812]

Brilliant and rare car. Also, my favourite iteration of the Vectra. Thanks for your beautiful videos mate!

[@GoldenCroc]

Very nice car, I always had a soft spot for Vauxhall (Opel) since my first car was a mk2 cavalier SRi (Well, Opel equivalent where I am at but....) Not a bad amount of power as well. Though I admit that if I could have bought a BMW 328i at the same price, I probably would have instead... One thing is the "gills" on the sides of the front bumper most certainly arent for brake cooling. They are outlets/exhausts of hot air. In the race cars that sport them, its for the radiators mounted just inside, and on this car (which I assume doesnt have side mounted radiators)... well, I am not sure really, are they connected to anything or is it just for style? But they certainly look cool!

[@stefansworld3351]

A great, positive review! That one looks immaculate and original. I have a Pipercross foam air filter which lets my v6 sing!

[@obadafaraji9173]

Great car and a great review Thanks for bringing back these cars to memories Would like to see a review on an Omega 3.0 V6 estate one day

[@hhgttg69]

in had a base model Vectra B here in Australia (1997-2003) best seats i've ever had in a car.

[@matthewking5612]

I had a 2.6 CDX manual. Went well, sounded nice, 26-38 mpg, cool

[@MrRohanThomas]

I had the 2.6 engine, the gearing on these make the performance a bit blunt imo and they have a 15kg flywheel which also makes it slow revving, the 2.6 is the more torquier engine so it does not feel as flat as the 2.5 but on the motorway these things will keep pulling, I put a lightened flywheel and changed the cams which improved the overall drivability, stock they'll do 0-60 in about 7.5 on a flat road, I've done it in 7.2. Also the earlier Vectra GSIs had the horrible f25 gearbox, makes it a bit gutless due to excessively long gears, F23 is much better which was fitted to all the facelifted GSis if i'm correct.

[@In_memory_of_Dad]

Sorry Matt but the Vectra didn't have tyre pressure monitoring, that was actually the traction control button you pressed!!!

[@furiousdriving]

Couldn't see though the camera!

[@TheShinyShow]

I love these for some reason for someone as young as me. The Cavalier and Calibra as well. Actually you mentioned Touring cars, I bet that's why.

[@amazinganimallearningandfu3842]

can someone transport me back to the 90s? it was a better time for sure. You can't even buy a 3 series with a manual box these days....

[@keyboarddancers7751]

Not a robust engine if memory serves me correctly. Both the Vauxhall and the Ford V6 cylinder barrels of the time were sleeve designs which were rather sensitive to low coolant levels and somewhat prone to differential heat expansion resulting in leaky heads. As they weren't particularly valuable cars, it wasn't really an economic proposition to refurbish the two cylinder heads. Also the transverse mounting meant the rear bank of the V was not conveniently accessible. I drove examples of both the Vectra and the Mondeo V6; both very smooth of course but neither had especially startling performance. The Mondeo was always viewed as having slightly better handling. High maintenance uber repmobiles.

[@100Chicky]

X25XE is a cast iron block dude, ive built a lot of them. if they are looked after they will do 300k easily with nothing more than basic maintenance. they are robust enough, my X30XE (same engine but larger displacement) turbo does 526bhp without boosting too hard and has never given any problems, granted its got steel rods, forged low comp pistons and aftermarket management....

[@RichieRouge206]

My friend had a silvery blue one of these many moons ago. Apart from the angelic Busso, these GM V6’s sound utterly fantastic- definitely not unlike the GM 3800. Great video Matt and yes cars were simplier in the 90s but to my mind all the more better for it, i doubt many new cars will ever survive as long as this has!

[@tjshill82]

Good memories. Can you recall the night I decided to put my foot down after taking it easy all evening.. then promptly got pulled over by the FIVE-O and I remember that the officer was very concerned that if I had to swerve to miss a badger there would be more chance of having an accident at that high speed. I’m convinced I didn’t receive a ticket on that occasion or have to produce my documents. 🤣🤣🤣

[@davidcoupland9468]

I remember my dads 1.8 vectra b, the first car i ever fell in love with, he pretty much rebuilt the bloody thing, was on axel stands for ages. But when i was 9 years old the shear size of it amazed me now i can drive myself im saving to get one

[@mikebailey2619]

TC is traction control not tyre pressure monitor. Great cars loved my Vectra b

[@cylturbskie]

I know right, he shouldnt be talking about cars when he cant get the very basics right…

[@justincarroll9846]

They did a 2 6 .just before they fased it out .Just needed a turbo and 4 wheel drive like the cavalier.

[@Jam3sA]

I remember doing a trackday at Oulton Park when these came out. If memory serves, the only let-down of these was the gearing. If that was a touch shorter (& had a better shift, though this example seems better) it would have been great. Mention of the wing mirrors reminds me how bad they were to use in practice (at least in comparison to Cavaliers)

[@christiankoehne3718]

Facelifts mirror had same style but where bigger.

[@zerocool5395]

Fourth gen Camaros had the same side mirror styling as well.

[@sparkyire1983]

Another great video Matt. I’m not a Vauxhall fan in the slightest, but I do like the design of these gen 1 Vectras!

[@GoldenCroc]

Gen 2 vectras... ;)

[@briankay4713]

Got one Matt ...the later and rarer 2.6 Gsi....and a hatch too ..... Great cars ...the 2.6s have MSD written on the cylinder heads ... Believe the Gsi had a different gearbox to the standard Vectra Bs which improves on the horrible gear change like on my recently departed SRI 150...they sound amazing ....look great and go really well ....very very underrated motors Great job Matt 👏 👍

[@furiousdriving]

Ah, thats interesting about the gearbox, it felt amazing and I didnt remember any Vectra feeling that good! They are hard to research as theres so little out there about them

[@benday1218]

Isn't it a shame that after the strong single colour interiors of the early 90's and the jazzy fabric of the mid 90s - things got so austere around the millennium, like a wake for the 20th century.

[@andreasgeorgiou2026]

I had one of these myself once. The speed was great, the handling not so great. The handling wasn't as good as the engine but I did love the styling.

[@JR90.]

Love these. Had a Vectra c for years, it was a great car. Hope to see a review of a Vectra C at some point.

[@michaelsimms76]

had the exact same car only difference was the reg number longest car owned over 7 years wish id never got rid of it. If i recall correctly rear mechanical windows weigh less than the electric ones so weight saving apparently . Great video loved it.

[@Strike86]

I grew up in the back of Vectras of this era - two of them, both diesel, one in this exact colour I think. It's a wonder I became a petrolhead at all, but I do find myself lusting after the V6-powered ones these days.

[@andysalter4473]

My old manager had one of these. Going to Regional meetings was always a joy!

[@davidhall7744]

Despite the infamous Clarkson TG review, I always thought this was a decent looking car, the swoopy side mirrors were a neat piece of design. I always thought that Vauxhall’s output was of a higher quality than Ford’s, even if the drive was not up to blue oval levels 😏

[@senna2]

@@doommonger7784 most of what he says should never be taken as buyers' advice anyway lol

[@mjc4462]

Had 2 of these and a SRI V6. Engines were bombproof, straight through pipe Irmscher backbox enclosed carbon Viper induction kit....😍

[@GaryJohnWalker1]

You mention Lotus - this was still the time of a close association with GM and the time of the vx220, so could've had Lotus give the suspension a once over

[@furiousdriving]

I dont think they had a hand in this particular version

[@asm1]

@@furiousdriving Lotus were apparently fiddling with the suspension/handling as late as the Astra H (I had a 2008) You need to do a Carlton GSI / Lotus 🤪

[@Cayres9]

My dad had an Ex Police Vectra in the early 00s it would do 150mph but the acceleration was not that great as the gearing is very tall

[@parkecorepersonaltrainingp2601]

Excellent review always loved these. They where so ahead of the time and yes your right about the info screen. It the same as an Omega I had 4 of them in my younger years 👍👍

[@mrc7478]

"Fling. Then drift." 😂😂😂 Genuinely wonderful.

[@mrc7478]

P.S. dad got a company Vectra B LS. 2.0 DI badged back in the 90s. It was quite cramped if I remember. And noisy and slow.

[@BlackLines]

We had the 2.5 V6 SRI and with an aftermarket exhaust and induction kit it sounded amazing - in fact I'd forgotten how much I liked the noise of that engine until this video. Must not click on Auto Trader.

[@BigDave1965]

That TC button was traction control not tyre pressure monitoring

[@L.r.e_motorsport]

If you want to hear the 3.0L version (In an Omega) should definitely check out my Nurburgring lap, great engines

[@frothe42]

Really like this. Unfortunately, we had boring vehicles here in the US.

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Great review Matt, that is one lovely looking Vectra in a nice shade of Metallic Green, remember when these came out, defo a halo car for Vauxhall.

[@andrewainsley4383]

It's a fucking shite revi

[@thomasshepard6030]

My brother bought the Vauxhall vectra 2.6 GSI it was black with all black leather with REGARO front bucket seats what a beast of a car it was I out done him by buying the Vauxhall Carlton 3 litre GSI he was raging 😤

[@jeffbishop9404]

Used to own one, loved it! The only thing that let it down was the stupidly heavy flywheel, making the engine slow to spin up. That V6 growl was addictive, mpg not so much lol. Wish I'd have kept it.

[@LiamskiLFC]

Isn’t the “tyre pressure” button actually traction control?

[@furiousdriving]

is it? Its a very odd logo if so

[@johnstannard8366]

I had the 2.5 CDX same year same engine. Had climet contriol and leather seats. Loved that car..

[@markosbourne5967]

Climate

[@johnstannard8366]

@markosbourne5967 typo but thanks...

[@8bvg300]

Ah, I recognise the roads you are driving on. Just by the brands hatch junction of the m20. Looks tidy. My friend has a 2.5 V6 but it needs a good bit of restoration. Hopefully he'll get it back up to par

[@adamfender9317]

Had the exact same and same colour on a 02 plate, loved that car, was fun wish i had not part exed it , great to see the same and hear that lovely engine

[@Medge2sc]

Looking forward to this , always liked how they looked

[@timothysimpkins6229]

I remember BBC Watchdog, regularly appear the Vauxhall products. The customers been treated after badly, after care service by the dealers. Specially they found faults on the Vauxhall Vectra.

[@DJWerkz]

I was a big fan of the Saab 9000’s of the era, my favorite being the 3.0 V6 Griffin. Only problem was that Saab who were using the GM V6 decided to install plastic valve covers that were notorious for warping and leaking. The trick (which I did with mine) is to find a pair of alloy valve covers from the Vectra 2.5 V6, problem solved! Oh, and try 36 degrees with 44% humidity here in Texas right now lol

[@furiousdriving]

Id try the first, will skip the second! Everyone thinks Texas is dry, last time I was there I sunk a RAV4 in a river bed that should have been dried up...

[@DJWerkz]

@@furiousdriving yes, we drink our air here lol

[@mpainter22]

I did my apprenticeship at a Vauxhall garage in Kent (now Hyundai) around the time this car would have been nearly new working on that engine brings me out in hives, I can remember watching my mentor changing the rear egr pipe and having to bend himself into all sorts of shapes to access the bolts. Sounds nice, goes OK but horrible in every other way

[@michael_houghton]

Brill review and a nice car. I had a 1.8ls as a company car and bought a 2.2sri later on. Sri had a really hard ride though. I liked these cars I’ve no idea what Jeremy Clarkson was talking about.

[@PriestOfAuril]

Had a 2.6sri Estate, what a wonderful motor. Wasn't the fastest down the back roads but so nice to just drive Do rember the look of some other young lads in an Audi A4 turbo thought they were messing with me.. yeah nah they got dropped very quickly .. mind you I removed the v6 badges. Lovely daily, another car I wish Id kept

[@deanwebb4809]

Drove one years ago. Could not go round corners. I got a octavia vrs instead

[@markonmotoring]

I remember that Clarkson review, think the mirrors were the only thing he liked. I don't think it deserved the absolute panning that it received. I'm by no means a big fan of the brand but I think you can look at these and the Cavalier and see the family resemblance which is no bad thing. The Cavalier wasn't exciting to look at in standard trim but it was a handsome car. I drove a few Vectras as company cars in the early 2000's though not as exotic as a GSi. My boss had a 1.8 SXi 5dr but I also had a go in a 2.0 CD or possibly CDI saloon which had nicer trim and felt as quick but with more mid range torque. The guy with that car had his own office so must have been higher up the company car band. Though nothing special they drove fairly well and did everything well, just didn't seem to do anything exceptional.

[@fhwolthuis]

Excellent survivor, great car!

[@woodenspatulas]

Loved the Vectra b. I had 4 estates. I had a Sri (which ended as the UK's first Saab turbo conversion) then a gsi in silver. After that a had a dti and finally another 2.0sri. great cars, my Saab Sri is still going today with its new owners and the dti was rear ended after passing the 200000 mile mark.

[@julianwinn4502]

My boss left his in the Manchester Airport car park. When he returned from his business trip, it was up on bricks with no wheels on it!