Hope you dont mind helping

**djlee** · 16th June 2011, 16:16

Hello, i registered here hoping that maybe you could provide me with a little help. This isn't about a Vectra C, but a standard vectra.

Basically im looking at buying a new car. I cant afford the insurance on a more grandiose car so i'm going to settle for the basic Vectra 1.9 cdti Life.

I know this probably isn't the type of Vectra model you tend to talk about but im hoping you can just provide some insight.

I went to look at one for £3500 but it sounded like a tank. Vibrated like hell and took ages to turn over. Seller said this was simply because of how long it had been sitting there. I guess the starting problem is explained by this, but even after i revved it a little to get things moving inside it still vibrated like hell. It didnt seem so bad after a quick spin but maybe i'd just got used to it, someone said it could be the flywheel but im no mechanic.

So ive seen another one more expensive, but it looks and sounds a little better. But i dont really wanna go out and spend over £3500 on a car unless im sure.

Is there anything in particular i should look out for with these vectra's?When i bought my first car (an old fiesta :S ) i was told to look out for overrevving and stalling as the IACV's were a common issue.

Also it may have been the fact ive only ever driven a petrol and the biting point is high. But the clutch on the first car i saw seemed to be quite a bit snappy. As i say it may just be cause im used to the heavy feedback on the pedals of my current car but the seller said "you need to rev these quite high as you pull away". That just didnt sound right at all.

Have you got any advice on checking this car out? Im gonna have me brother and uncle pop down with me, there not mechanics but between um they know the basics i think.

Any help is gratefully recieved and apologies if this isn't the usual thing you like to dicuss

**DAVIDD88** · 16th June 2011, 16:19

for £3500 i would buy a late pre face sri or that and yes a life is still a vectra c lol and we have plenty of owners of vectra lifes

**Ziggy** · 16th June 2011, 16:21

We are happy to discuss all vectras. Some of the 1.9 experts will be along shortly. What age and mileage are both cars?

**markj23** · 16th June 2011, 16:22

this is exactly what this forum is about mate and welcome to the fold Im sure one of the diesel lads will enlighten you but it sounds to me like the flywheel/clutch might be on the way out I think they call it dpf but as I say they will help

**DAVIDD88** · 16th June 2011, 16:23

u should be able to pull away in a diesel without the gas pedal mate

**djlee** · 16th June 2011, 16:32

So what is a vectra c then just out of curiosity? I did have a google and i thought it happened to be a specific "sports" type model.

Re: pulling away without gas, i remeber someone saying that once. I never tried it but it obviously goes to show you dont need plenty of rev's on the clock to get it going. Salesmen really will say anything huh ?

The car with the suspected flywheel issue has 83k miles and he wants £3689, theres another one, looks and sounds in better nick with about 95k miles and he wants £3850.

Problem is the one with the faulty flywheel seemed to be the better garage on face value. He has over 200 cars some of um are ferrari's, porches (however its spelt) and even a bentley. I figured if he can afford to have those things lying around he must make some decent custom.

The one with the better looking/sounding motor just has an old garage and some fenced off land with the motors on (says he specialises in one owner cars and ex-gov's, so i stayed away from the cars he had that were in white :P ). He didnt seem to enthusiastic about selling the car either. Really laid back and didn't give it ANY sales pitch at all, which i dont know if its confidence in the car or just arrogance lol.

**DAVIDD88** · 16th June 2011, 16:42

A vectra c is from 2002-2009 and has a prefacelift and facelift model

**paul_sri150** · 16th June 2011, 16:42

if in doubt mate just walk away!

Heavy vibrating does point to the DMF, which no matter who you know will cost alot, and by the sounds of it you dont want to be spending anything extra on the car!

it could also be the 3rd injector if that hasnt been fixed, can cause lumpy running and also EGR or swirl valves

Before you buy any check the service history (obvious i knw!) but make sure it hasnt had any major issues with the common faults, and if it has had faults, make sure they have been replaced with NEW parts

also with that mileage, make sure the cam belt AND water pump have been changed or your going to have to get them done asap

**djlee** · 16th June 2011, 16:55

To be honest, if i walked away when always in doubt, id never have a car. I tend to not trust anyone when it comes to ££££. The one with the DMF issue i dont think im gonna bother. i just had doubts about it since the minute i tried to turn it over.

I'm gonna go up there again in an hour armed with a list of common faults so i can try and check it out with a bit more insight

**byebyeitsagsi** · 16th June 2011, 16:59

Vectra A is a cavalier, Vectra B is a mk1 vectra and a Vectra C is the vectras we like to talk about 2002-2009. Everyone is welcome from bottom of the range to top of the range.

As the boys above said the rattly one will cost you a big chunk of money to sort at the least it sounds like the DMF (Dual mass flywheel) is goosed.