Your Bangernomics successes

ruthie77

Being a bit of a Vauxhall nutter, and having just passed my test (at 30!!!) I was told about a nice little Vectra that was wasting away on a driveway. I wasn't looking for anything too special or expensive so I went for a look.

When I got there I instantly fell in love and came home with a 1996 Vectra Supertouring for £300!!! Ok, I had to put a new engine in (£120), new suspension (£200), tax and mot (£200ish).

4 years later and at 16 years old, she flew through her mot and still puts a smile on my face every time I drive her. I've driven the car all over the country and have passed many a newer car at the side of the road waiting for the breakdown truck to arrive, while the car I get laughed at for driving just keeps going. I have to say it was the best choice I ever made for my first car, and I would certainly do it again if the day ever comes that my Vectra has to go the the scrapyard in the sky.

worried_jim

ruthie77 wrote: »

Being a bit of a Vauxhall nutter, and having just passed my test (at 30!!!) I was told about a nice little Vectra that was wasting away on a driveway. I wasn't looking for anything too special or expensive so I went for a look.

When I got there I instantly fell in love and came home with a 1996 Vectra Supertouring for £300!!! Ok, I had to put a new engine in (£120), new suspension (£200), tax and mot (£200ish).

4 years later and at 16 years old, she flew through her mot and still puts a smile on my face every time I drive her. I've driven the car all over the country and have passed many a newer car at the side of the road waiting for the breakdown truck to arrive, while the car I get laughed at for driving just keeps going. I have to say it was the best choice I ever made for my first car, and I would certainly do it again if the day ever comes that my Vectra has to go the the scrapyard in the sky.

Brilliant! Especially for a first timer, sounds like you are smitten for life, and you have the experience of changing an engine. :T

ruthie77

worried_jim wrote: »

Brilliant! Especially for a first timer, sounds like you are smitten for life, and you have the experience of changing an engine. :T

I wish, I had a friend help - well do most of it, hubby and I were apprentices. It took 4 months of weekends to get her back on the road. I wouldn't change it for the world. To this day he does all the work on the car that is beyond our capabilities. Although, I do the services myself, and because we've done so much ourselves we know every inch of the car. Definitely worth learning at least the basics.

It does help it's a great car to drive, handles exceptionally well and not too unfriendly on fuel consumption around 36mpg combined. Surprising since I'm told I drive more like a bloke than a woman, not sure whether that's good or bad. I'm told a future classic as well, due to there only being 500 originally made and only sold to the uk market. And only 57 licensed on the road just now.

Sorry seem to be getting a bit petrol head :rotfl:

worried_jim

ruthie77 wrote: »

I wish, I had a friend help - well do most of it, hubby and I were apprentices. It took 4 months of weekends to get her back on the road. I wouldn't change it for the world. To this day he does all the work on the car that is beyond our capabilities. Although, I do the services myself, and because we've done so much ourselves we know every inch of the car. Definitely worth learning at least the basics.

It does help it's a great car to drive, handles exceptionally well and not too unfriendly on fuel consumption around 36mpg combined. Surprising since I'm told I drive more like a bloke than a woman, not sure whether that's good or bad. I'm told a future classic as well, due to there only being 500 originally made and only sold to the uk market. And only 57 licensed on the road just now.

Sorry seem to be getting a bit petrol head :rotfl:

You're married? Shame- I think I love you!

rev_henry

ruthie77 wrote: »

I wish, I had a friend help - well do most of it, hubby and I were apprentices. It took 4 months of weekends to get her back on the road. I wouldn't change it for the world. To this day he does all the work on the car that is beyond our capabilities. Although, I do the services myself, and because we've done so much ourselves we know every inch of the car. Definitely worth learning at least the basics.

It does help it's a great car to drive, handles exceptionally well and not too unfriendly on fuel consumption around 36mpg combined. Surprising since I'm told I drive more like a bloke than a woman, not sure whether that's good or bad. I'm told a future classic as well, due to there only being 500 originally made and only sold to the uk market. And only 57 licensed on the road just now.

Sorry seem to be getting a bit petrol head :rotfl:

One of these?
http://passionford.com/forum/pictures-video-and-photoshop-forum/45098-vectra-super-touring-200-a.html

COOL. And you're getting 36mpg out of a 2.5 V6?!
There really is something to be said for being able to do all work yourself - the labour cost on all those jobs would probably have made it not worth it.

mikey72

I get 28mpg out of a 1.8, so maybe I need to swop.

ruthie77

rev_henry wrote: »

One of these?
http://passionford.com/forum/pictures-video-and-photoshop-forum/45098-vectra-super-touring-200-a.html

COOL. And you're getting 36mpg out of a 2.5 V6?!
There really is something to be said for being able to do all work yourself - the labour cost on all those jobs would probably have made it not worth it.

Not the V6, 2.0 16v, X20XEV engine in mine.

That one's a Supertouring 200. That had 3.0 cams and a few other uprated bits courtesy of MSD. There were only 38 of those and only 1 estate. Rare as hens teeth those are and still commanding upwards of £4k.

We're currently saving up for a V6 to go along with the 2.0. Eventually working up to a 200.

rev_henry

ruthie77 wrote: »

Not the V6, 2.0 16v, X20XEV engine in mine.

That one's a Supertouring 200. That had 3.0 cams and a few other uprated bits courtesy of MSD. There were only 38 of those and only 1 estate. Rare as hens teeth those are and still commanding upwards of £4k.

We're currently saving up for a V6 to go along with the 2.0. Eventually working up to a 200.

Ah I thought so after reading that link properly. Still pretty good!

scaredofdebt

Not bangernomics exactly, but I paid £1,500 for my 04 plate Mondeo two and a half years ago, it was a Cat D write off. Paid another £1,600 to get it on the road, had 94k on the clock.

It's now got 178k on the clock and apart from the DMF (I knew this was likely to fail) it's not had any issues. The DMF and clutch replacement was £850 so not cheap but it should do me for another good few miles now, so it has been cheap considering the miles I've put on it.

MOTs cost me about £100 a time, it's had 6 new tyres so far and that's about it other than bulbs and a pair of brake pads.

Still gets over 55 MPG if I am careful.

Rolandtheroadie

scaredofdebt wrote: »

Not bangernomics exactly, but I paid £1,500 for my 04 plate Mondeo two and a half years ago, it was a Cat D write off. Paid another £1,600 to get it on the road, had 94k on the clock.

It's now got 178k on the clock and apart from the DMF (I knew this was likely to fail) it's not had any issues. The DMF and clutch replacement was £850 so not cheap but it should do me for another good few miles now, so it has been cheap considering the miles I've put on it.

MOTs cost me about £100 a time, it's had 6 new tyres so far and that's about it other than bulbs and a pair of brake pads.

Still gets over 55 MPG if I am careful.

Sold my 2005 TDCI Ghia x roughly 3 years ago for 4k plus a Corsa B diesel. (see jims astra veg oil thread)
Even now it's around 55k miles, FSH and I hope to get it back in a couple of years (FIL has it, will be giving up driving soon).
No major issues to date.