Is it time to change my Vectra - 99,000?

Tobster86

For me it would always be time to change a car if it has a Vauxhall badge unless it's a classic.

oldtoolie

#10: "you could do an oil & filter change six months after each yearly service. "

That would be a waste of money. There is no reason to service a car any more often than the manufacturer suggests. This is especially true with modern oil formulations. Engine wear is not a major problem with modern cars -- failure of the other systems are what leads to the scrap yard.

Rav3n

Research any common problems your car has and look at the costs. The mileage your car has done isn't really an issue.

My 11 year old car just rolled over to 108,000 this morning and runs fine. I know for a fact my car isn't as robust as a Vectra diesel.

Service it yourself every 6 months or sooner. It doesn't cost much and keeps your car going for much longer.

sam959

I would change it for a similar age honda accord they go for years and years! i have had a civic for 10 years done 90,000 miles and still goes really well! never had anything changed on it just breaks and tires! goes in for service and mot and passes every time!! and its a type r wich revs to 8500 rpm but still reliable! the diesel accord is very reliable!! you can pick them up cheap! I have a friend with a rover 600 with the old accord engine in it and its a 1998 plate and never had a new clutch or any parts replaced! Always go Jap they are not the most luxurious but it depends whats important to you!

interstellaflyer

sam959 wrote: »

I would change it for a similar age honda accord they go for years and years! i have had a civic for 10 years done 90,000 miles and still goes really well! never had anything changed on it just breaks and tires! goes in for service and mot and passes every time!! and its a type r wich revs to 8500 rpm but still reliable! the diesel accord is very reliable!! you can pick them up cheap! I have a friend with a rover 600 with the old accord engine in it and its a 1998 plate and never had a new clutch or any parts replaced! Always go Jap they are not the most luxurious but it depends whats important to you!

The Vectra will be fine, the OP has had it from new and has been the only driver, why would he want to buy a different car of similar age and mileage especialy as he will have no idea how that car has been treated, he'd be taking a bigger risk than keeping the car he has, also I reckon Honda servicing and parts are going to be more expensive the GM.

sam959

Yeah but the car wont break down! I have had Honda all my life any never had a breakdown or part go! The parts are more expensive but only because they never need replacing! and most Honda are chain driven so will last longer!! Any Jap car would do !

Lum

I'm no fan of Vectras but if it's working fine then I'd keep it. 100,000 miles is nothing more than a psychological barrier these days. The engine does not contain a small explosive device wired to the 6th digit on your odometer

Unfortunately, because it's a psychological barrier, resale values get hit once you reach that number, so you might not get as much for the car as you would like. Doubly so since it's a Vectra and nobody likes them.

The only concern I would have is that your current annual mileage is a bit low for a diesel, make sure (assuming it's got a DPF) that you take it for a decent motorway or A road blat from time to time to stop the DPF from getting clogged. If the DMF fails just have it replaced with an old fashioned flywheel (and do the clutch at the same time to save money)

interstellaflyer

Lum wrote: »

The only concern I would have is that your current annual mileage is a bit low for a diesel, make sure (assuming it's got a DPF) that you take it for a decent motorway or A road blat from time to time to stop the DPF from getting clogged. If the DMF fails just have it replaced with an old fashioned flywheel (and do the clutch at the same time to save money)

Most Vectra diesels do not have DPF, they were only fitted to estate models and Signums. Clutch and DMF are no more an issue on a Vectra than any other car in it's class, bear in mind most secondhand examples will be ex company vehicles that may have been thrashed to within an inch of their life, as the OP has had his from new he knows how it's been driven

lovinituk

I have a 97 diesel Vectra that has over 160000 miles on the clock. Bought it 4 years a go for £800 and its hardly needed anything doing in that time - I think the most expensive year for the MOT since I've had it was around £200 and that included the MOT fee and 2 new tyres. I replaced some vacuum hoses and cleaned the EGR valve recently as it was down on power - a couple of hours and a few quid and it was back to normal.

JustLikeThat

Thanks again for helpful comments. I am coming round to my wife's point of view to keep the Vectra going after all. It has so far been very reliable and I hope this continues. It has reasonable economy and is quite spacious - especially the boot (I've recently been looking at Hyundai i30 and Volvo V40's).
As for Vauxhalls generally, I'm not antagonistic as I drove them for company cars for 30+ years - chevette, astra, zafira, cavaliers, old and new vectras - and they always functioned well. then again they were all changed at 3 years old and about 90k miles. Which of course is why my worries started this thread in the first place!