Looking for information

[Maduri]

Hi folks,

Not posted on here in a while though I find myself looking for some honest opinions/knowledge.

So the short version of the story goes a little something like this:
While piddling around in my slightly modded Vectra C SRI CDTI, now heavily rattling and smoking on startup due to hydrolock engine damage (got to love good old Scottish weather...), I've also had a mid 90's classic secretely stored away which I've now possibly sold.

So what I'm after are honest and straight forward opinions/knowledge you guys have on Vectra VXR's since I'm thinking about buying one, only the 57 - 09 reg however.

Cheers

Andy

[soulman]

Hi Although mine was a 2.9T signum I couldn't fault the drivability of it ,the only down side was the road tax .

[Jon1796]

Plenty of rubbish around, finding one that hasn’t been wrecked or had to many nasty horrible personal things done to it. On flea bay ex pig one for sale ok would need a few things removed and replaced but full electric leather seats and star silver.
downside road tax unless partner or you care for someone then cheep, chain’s, coil packs, vacuum pipe/pump failure, leaks, the rest is a vectra c.
a decent map TP’s is good for what I want with DB’s pedal tweak. Just watch fuel gauge drop though.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-58-V....m46890.l49286

[northpole]

blah if you want one remember they aren't used to sit at the max speed by the previous owners and since it's the timing chains that are expensive to do, most skip doing it and rather sell the car off, meaning that whatever you buy check for the timing chains to be done rather recently... other than the other vectra specific things they are quite good cars, thirsty and the tax is a pure rip off.

[Jon1796]

Ooh anther bad point, cam followers/rocker arm break/fall off, with a backfire so you have clinyder miss fire some get scrapped for it but easy fix just put back on or replace it.

[Maduri]

Thanks for the replies lads,

I do agree that the road tax is quite high though cant be one to complain since my other car was also very highly priced tax wise being a Nissan 300ZX Twin turbo, potentially more thirsty than a VXR too with only having a 5 speed box.

It's good to know about the timing chains though, I'll be making sure to ask for proof that they have been done prior to any possible purchase or just have them done myself, service etc would be the first port of call anyway.
Will keep an eye out for any misfiring too.

Big thanks again for the info, if anyone else has stuff to add then please do! The more info I have before buying the better

[Jon1796]

My 2 are still on original chains and not gonna bother until they pop the code up 74’ and 36’ miles, miss fires are also failed coil packs they don’t always bring up codes, you just learn as you go.

[Maduri]

Ah so the chains can be good at higher miles if the car hasn't been razzed? What would be the sort of millage they might 'need' changed?

Also you mentioned about a pedal mod?

Yep TP will a port of call once I get the car setup the way I want, he done my SRI and turned it into a beast.

[Jon1796]

Chains last from 40’ 200’ even the replaced ones I’ve heard some say they’ve been replaced again you take your luck. Just make if you need to do them you get correct ones 255hp and later 280hp different. TP’s map, old doggie played with the position of the pedal in the map so you get more throttle.

[northpole]

also with these cars parts like chains, chain followers, sensors and the likes it is best to get oem parts, which hurts the wallet badly but buy cheap buy twice. and whatever car you look at make sure the suspension isn't rusted crusty it is a sure indicator of bad maintenance, and therefor if you decide you'll sort it drop the asking price with at least 1.5k as that is what the parts to sort that out will cost you.

or if you are close enough offer jon1796 a decent price for his silver vxr as he got 2 and he has been toying with the idea of selling it... he hasn't decided yet so a pm and a good talk will actually get you one that has been looked after. although he hasn't done the chains he ain't a boy racer and takes care of his cars..( i almost bought it but since i want one to strip we didn't come to an arrangement, we both decided that his is way to good for that)