New Vectra or Insignia - A BIG Dilema

[Maverick]

Guys,

I am looking to change the car at some point, but I have a major dilema.

I have found out that the partners discount on Insignia is going to be very very small for the first 12 months. Also if I order one now as a factory order, I would not get it until March/April 2009 latest.

However, I quite like the idea of a Vectra SRi XP2 Estate 1.9 CDTi 150.

Now the deals on these out going cars is going to be huge, Vauxhall have already built several of these cars, all latest spec, many with options.

The thing that appeals to me about the last Vectra's is all the faults have been solved. The master tech at our local dealer tells me he very rarely see's 2008 MY Vectra's in for warranty work.

Estates will always have good residuals down the line and the last of any car is always a good buy. 02 reg Vectra B's are always the most sort after.

Whats your opinions guys? Should I try for a Vectra at a mega high discount? Keep it for 18 months and then get an Insignia?

Your opinions are as always most welcome.

[Penfold101]

I like the way that as soon as they've fixed all the problems with the Vectras, Vauxhall go and replace it with something else......

[Stevel]

Matt for what it's worth that's exactly what I did. Bought an SRi NAV XP II three months old to tide me over untill the Partners scheme on the Insignias is a littlle more healthy and the points on my GM card have built up.

Might all change when I get to drive one but the current motor ain't too shabby.

[shan]

I'd go for the veccy with a very nice discount.
I dont think it will have a very good residule value though.

[VectraV6CDTi]

I wouldnt rush out to be the first to get an Insigna. There wont be too many discounts to be had yet .

Or..........what about that beemer you were talking about the other week on your company car scheme?

[mooney]

just over £5k off the estate on the partners website (just checked)
i'd buy a 2nd hand one from motor point at the moment and wait for the insignia

[boba]

Just as the Vectra has finally got most of its faults fixed the new Insignia is bound to come with umpteen new problems calling for recalls, warranty work and headaches for the first brave ones. I'd go for a Vectra (well actually I did only last month ) but you need to get the price right down of course because resale on Vectras is at rock-bottom and falling. Still, a good price shouldn't be hard to get!!

[Thomas1]

I won't give you an opinion, but here are some facts I myself would consider relevant if I were in your position:

1) The Vectra has quite low residuals throughout it's life; these will be exacerbated by the fact it's imminently going to be obsolete. The high-spec models being sold now are stock-clearance.

2) Auto Express claim the Insignia will have considerably better residuals than the Vectra ever had, not just because it's the newer model, but also because it's perceived to be more desirable.

3) Some years ago (10-15) auto industry experts used to say that if you plotted the average number of faults on a new vehicle onto a graph, showing the timeline across the horizontal axis, the curve would be "bath tub-shaped", i.e. faults are highest when the vehicle is new and also when it approaches the end of it's life. It's not quite so obvious why they reckoned faults went up towards the end of the car's life, maybe it's because of reorganisation within the car plants to instal the new model's production line, I don't know for sure.

4) You'll be short of "known fixes" on the Insignia for a while until more people become familiar with the workings of them.

5) The newer shape will look better on your driveway.

[Maverick]

The latest Vectra's are pretty much problem free. I have been doing research from several dealers i know very well.

Personally, I never had any issues with my 04 reg or 06 reg 1.9 CDTi150's.

Regarding residuals, a decent spec Vectra SRi 150 SRi estate retails at about £23K new, if you get one for about £13500/£14000 new then the initial residual loss won't be too great.

Take into account I do 30,000 miles a year anyway my cars won't hold there price like normal mileage cars anyway.

Also, it's my company allowance that pays for them, not my pocket!!!

I would not buy a 2.0 CDTi Insignia anyway, not when the 190PS Twin turbo CDTi is out in June 2009.

[In a states]

Go for the estate Matt...then the Insignia later on. By then any teething probs should have been sorted.