Old Top Gear 1999 - Vauxhall Vectra

Tiff Needell tests the revamped version of the 1st Gen Vauxhall Vectra
Taken from an early 1999 episode of the old format Top Gear

[@warren6815]

In it's day the Vectra was pretty dull looking. Yet today, where every car seems to look the same it doesn't actually look too bad. It's aged quite well.

[@rossluke901]

Thats exactly what I thought.

[@chrisbeare9486]

Totally agree, with all these dull suv's the vectra, mondeo, laguna, passat, primera, 3 series, a4 etc all looked wonderfully different ​@rossluke901

[@andrewschulzsd]

Why does every mid size sedan from 95-02 look exactly the same

[@King_Renato1]

Andrew Schulz because cars of that time used to be just rounded boxes.

[@michal234486]

looks good imho

[@MrTomek1112]

Don't know why but I really like the look of this vectra

[@lucylocket4740]

Looks a bit dull!

[@MrTomek1112]

I think it's p handsome and sporty

[@stichupman]

Tomek Tabaka i had a Sri 150 when i was 18 and bloody loved it lol.

[@YourLoyalDeserter]

how

[@soundseeker63]

From what I heard the SRi and GSi models were actually pretty decent. Especially with the 2.2 16v and 2.5 V6. The cooking models were probably quite dull and uninspiring however. But the styling has aged quite well. In fact I would say it looks nicer than the car that replaced it in 2002 (which was also bland and boring to drive - except for the mental/unhinged VXR version!)

[@z06dave]

I used to own a 2.5 V6 GSi and that certainly wasn't dull.

[@maz500]

Dave Checkley you can't judge an entire range on its most expensive/top of the range model.

[@stichupman]

Dave Checkley I owned a Sri 150 and I loved it I wanted the v6 but couldn't afford the insurance as I was 18.

[@z06dave]

@Henry Discipline not on coil overs it wasn't, neither was my SRi 130

[@tylert6573]

I do like tiff he drives like a god to be fair. You can tell he never gives Vauxhall a chance though he’s ford trough and trough

[@Connect201]

Correct: tiff is nissan primera fan

[@johnny6476]

Why are you using a very basic vectra instead of an Sri or a GSI? If that was a Ford mondeo they’d be driving the top of the range one.

[@rayaspo4893]

So true

[@GarethNIreland]

I had a 1999 LS 2.0 dti 16v, loved it, 50 mpg, comfy, practical and a great cruiser. Sold it with 200k miles on the clock and not a thing wrong with it. I’ve had 3 very nice Q7s since then but always look back on that Vectra fondly.

[@erminc1891]

I can´t believe that a Ford Mondeo Mk2 looks better for those Top Gear idiots then the Vectra B facelift...if Tiff Needel or Jeremy Clarkson says this car is dull or shitty, the whole comunity is going to say that too!!! What a stupid TV SHOW

[@rubberstack]

I agree. I think the Vauxhall/Opel Vectra has aged well. At least better than the Mondeo. I thought the Vectra came out in 2004 before I learned when it really came out.

[@erminc1891]

rubberstack the 1st model was aviable in 1995. Then the 1st facelift came 1999. And 2002 Vectra C was on the market

[@malcolmcowan9554]

Everyone compliments my old vectra b sri it's nice looking old car hasn't aged at all compared to shit back then like mondeo

[@malcolmcowan9554]

Deep Down tiff needle likes vectra b he didn't have guts to say or upset Clarksons mob. You can tell in his face he was enjoying thrashing it. for Fk sake he has old Corsa c as daily driver to this day says it all he's not snob

[@erminc1891]

@@malcolmcowan9554 it has a really timeless design. Looks great even 2day! But I can´t say that for the Mondeo!

[@dudurosca273]

Vectra b it is a good car, old and new, same thing.... best looking car fo 90"s

[@MavAuto-Pete]

He missed it had body colour door moldings/ body colour door sills, rear lights are different, mirrors can now fold, headlights are now plastic and now incorporate indicators. Yet they are ment to know this these car reviewers, yet havent a clue.

[@cornelisemail6070]

Still Better looking than the 2003 ugly design.

[@JV64]

In conclusion, they are the same car, but more modern.

[@drivingsouthwestuk8158]

I had a 2.0 dti in silver as a company car, did 120k in 3 years only let me down once with a split vacuum hose, i liked the car and now when i rarely see a old vectra i cant believe how different and good they look.

[@leefaulkner4075]

It's a facelift not a new model

[@austral.nemesis]

I think Clarkson hates GM, he's so Ford fan

[@Timico1000]

That is Tiff Needell, not Clarkson.

[@trevorpalin4731]

Hated them when they first came out, everything went from simplicity in the cavalier too overly complicated. The eco-crap engines were rubbish and the 2 litre diesels were stupidly over complicated to work on. However, I wish I still had my 2002 GSI Estate. Loved it.

[@chrisevansgardenservicesjo8093]

I’ve got a Vauxhall mareva design automatic and manual 1.6 its all in black it’s awsum and the Vauxhall mareva design was voted best mini mpv of 2008 🚙💨💨💨💨💨💨💨

[@nicksmpsn6546]

I had an S reg SXi and I loved it.

[@otakupetrolheadslife]

It's crazy to see how totally Clarkson and Needell's review of the Vectra.

[@malcolmcowan9554]

They should have gave him the vectra gsi or sri. think it would had better response from tiff needle that's just normal base ls vectra

[@xrecon18]

This is the forgotten car in British cars...

[@padraig6277]

Pre-facelift looks better as facelift do. Front bumpers got the same size but additional sills and bigger rear bumper makes side view looking strange. Better with GSi/Zender/V6 bumper.... Saw a lot of facelift Vectra rusting on areas the pre-facelift didn't... And the unpainted parts of pre-facelift underlines the design of the master model. Facelift looks how a compromise...

[@Giulia33Quadrifoglio]

Try this drifting with a Passat FWD and you are lost.

[@rutter1ify]

Why would anyone call their child Tiff?

[@terryah2136]

His name is Timothy. Tiff is a nickname

[@MrKieranps1990]

Remember my dad hired one to go to Cornwall, loved the traffic master button on the dash 🤣

[@DinosauerCor]

thats opels

[@maz500]

Fel Xmotors not in Britain or Ireland

[@cheesyeurotrance95]

Vauxhall is only in Britain, not in Ireland (yes, you can buy a right hand drive Opel in Ireland).

[@thedirectionoflife5384]

Fel Xmotors sorry but I can tell you know nothing about cars Jesus... it’s the same car just Opel is every where apart from England and Ireland duh 🙄

[@greatbritannialine]

@@cheesyeurotrance95In Northern Ireland it's Vauxhall

[@leenevin8451]

Car Throttle film here

[@clarky2356]

People talking bollocks again

[@EdgyNumber1]

Dull car.

[@glx3846]

These cars had a defect. They would keep stopping, where you had to keep restating it. This was bad when you were on the road

[@CynicalBastard511]

The saloon version looked much nicer than the hatchback.

[@Commander_Theopro]

My family has the saloon version of the 1997 model. And its very nice

[@Spyker8921]

Disagree