Liked the Mondeo better

[auximinies]

Had a hire Mondeo for a few days with my Vectra in the garage fixing damage done after some scrote tried to nick my alloys. Well what he thought were alloys - I have structure steel wheels!

Anyway, Mondeo was a 2l Petrol Zetec, on a 58 plate. First thought was just how big the thing is - far more room than the Vectra even though I think the Vectra is a big car. Second one was how much more upmarket it looks. Being honest my Vectra (07 Exclusiv) doesn't look very well built - poor shut lines in places, the dashboard and door trims don't line up exactly. The Mondeo looked as good as something with a premium badge on it. How does the Insignia interior compare to the Vec in build quality?

Thought the engine was awful, but as a petrol I would think that - I want torque not an engine I have to rev the nuts off. And only 5 gears? With 3200rpm at 70mph? But ride and handling were a marked improvement on my Vec. Again, how does the Insignia compare?

And then we come to technology. Voice control, integrated bluetooth, headlights that are bright as standard (!) - whats the Insignia getting?

I'll be honest. After a decade of Vauxhalls I'm seriously considering a Mondeo when I order my next car in the spring. The Insignia is going to have to be something really special to persuade me to stay - and the What Car group test where it finished last didn't inspire any confidence!

[MrLOL]

of course you prefer the mondeo to the vectra

Question is, do you prefer the mondeo to the insignia ?

as thats the only fair comparison as the current vectra is a generation behind the current mondeo.

[Dan_BlackSRi]

I might sound a bit lame but I like the look of the new Mondeo's apart from the back, when following them you can see the drive train and suspension parts (and exhaust) underneath the vehicle, looks really cheap I think

[Sean-2.2Direct]

Exactly Plus you dont have the SRI suspension set up on your vectra thats why it probably is not as good handling

[Ste]

To be fair you have to compare equivalent models / engines too. No point in comparing a top of the range Mondeo against a bottom of the range Vec - it isn't a good comparison.

[chrisf70]

I might sound a bit lame but I like the look of the new Mondeo's apart from the back, when following them you can see the drive train and suspension parts (and exhaust) underneath the vehicle, looks really cheap I think

Saw a diesel ST on the road the other day in Burgundy colour, and it didn't look nice. Very plain to look at, and in Burgundy from the rear it reminds me of the MK1 Mondeo, the back end is very fussy too many lines and creases.

I'm not against Fords, even had a few, the last I owned was a 54 plate Mondeo Zetec a few years ago didn't like it though and soon traded it in. The Signum/Vectra beats that car hands down on build and comfort.

Having driven the Insignia at Milbrook, I would say I prefer the Insignia to the Mondeo for looks and build. But I haven't driven a Mondeo so can't compare them on ride/handling.

[steve1975l]

I agree but door shuts/dash should be equal whatever the model.

[Hideous]

Fords often have the edge over the roughly equivalent Vauxhalls in terms of ride, handling and build quality - IMO.
But almost always, I've found the Vauxhall engines to be better than the Ford units (except the old Cossies of course).

[Ste]

Agreed, shut lines should be the same across the range, within the tolerance of course.

I suspect his car may have had some 'mods' done to it, as the dash alignment seem off too. Something not quite right as far as I am concerned with that.

[auximinies]

No mods - I'm talking about the dash mouldings in the corners where they should line up with the door panels. Mine aren't quite properly aligned (doors slightly lower) and there is a gap between them.

BTW I think it was a fair comparison with the Mondeo - standard suspension set-up on both the Vectra Exclusiv and Mondeo Zetec (sports suspension is now an extra on the Zetec Mondeo).

And as a couple of you have pointed out its now Insignia vs Mondeo anyway. Will definitely be test-driving one! Are they as cramped in the back as they look with that roof line? With 2 kids and a 3rd one being talked about that'll be an issue....!