Some questions regarding an "Exclusive"

**johnc** · 17th December 2008, 23:38

I'm considering changing my Astra for a 1.9CDTi 150 Exclusive with X-Pack.

I'd really like Cruise Control and a Trip computer as my Astra currently has both. The Exclusive with X-Pack has the upgraded Radio/CD/MP3/DAB and display screen. So if I change the indicator stalk then both CC and the TC should be able to be activated by Tech2. Is this correct?

Steering wheel, called in tonight to have a look at an Exclusive. Everything is good except the steering wheel which sucks

I'd like one similiar to my Astra's (Same as the Vectra SRi perhaps?) as in leather, chunky and with a couple of lumpy bits were your thumbs sit.

1/ So how much for a new Steering wheel?
2/ Airbag, would the airbag from an Exclusive fit in an SRi wheel?
3/ Are the centre airbag covers on the wheel the same on all models?
4/ Should I find a second hand one how hard is it to fit, does it need to be Tech2'd. As in properly divorced from one car before it can be fitted in another like radio/CD heads have to be?

I do 20,000 miles per year on A & B roads, I drive to make each gallon go as far as possible

so what mpg return could I expect. My Astra CDTi 120 does about 47mpg.

Atm this model is very well priced so I'm very tempted as I really need the extra space, the biggest thing putting me off is that damn steering wheel, its probably 15 years since I had a car with a non leather wheel. Planning on keeping it for at least 3-4 years so spending a few quid on the wheel would be an option to make it the car I want.

Your thoughts and advice welcomed

--
John

**Penfold101** · 17th December 2008, 23:45

Every vectra has Cruise Control mate, it's standard on all trim levels. Trip computer I'm not sure about, someone with that model will have to answer that one, but it'll be more than just adding the indidcator stalk and activating it I'd have thought...

**Penfold101** · 17th December 2008, 23:47

Oh, and as for the steering wheel, get yourself a VXR one - it's the mutts nuts and the airbag will fit straight on. The airbags are all the same from the current vectra, Astra and Zafira, as are the steering wheels.

**johnc** · 18th December 2008, 00:03

Originally Posted by Penfold101

Every vectra has Cruise Control mate, it's standard on all trim levels. Trip computer I'm not sure about, someone with that model will have to answer that one, but it'll be more than just adding the indidcator stalk and activating it I'd have thought...

The Exclusive (Without X-Pack) I looked at in a showroom this afternoon had CC fitted, I thought it had been fitted as an option. I've just had a better read at the pdf format Vectra brochure and indeed it would appear to be standard.

You mention a VXR steering wheel ... fx<takes deep breath> how much and approx how much to fit?

**ditchp** · 18th December 2008, 00:06

keep an eye on e-bay for VXR wheel iirc they can fetch around £200.00 but well worth it

**Penfold101** · 18th December 2008, 00:13

The wheel without aribag, which you won't need, usually goes for around 100 squid on eBay or sometimes on here. To fit takes about ten minutes, there's a guide on here and once you've done it once you'll be an expert. if not I'm sure there's someone here who could fit it at a meet or something...

**67688c** · 18th December 2008, 01:34

Have the Exclusiv myself, simply because it offered good value for money when I bought it new. (VX spell it with out the e at the end for some daft reason)

As stated all the vecs come with cruise control but the exclusiv does not have the trip computer, it just has the smaller centre display, which shows the date and time and outside temp and also the cd track playing but thats all. It also only has the basic non mp3 cd30 audio unit.

The wheels on the Exclusiv are the steel structure wheels with the allow look-a-like trims, which probably is not a bad thing really, much cheaper to replace a wheel trim than have alloys repaired, and TBH they dont look bad at all.

**solorider** · 18th December 2008, 02:18

Originally Posted by Penfold101

Every vectra has Cruise Control mate, it's standard on all trim levels. ...

no ,not all vectra c models come with cruise control,the expression did not come with cruise control,nor was it an option

**Penfold101** · 18th December 2008, 02:24

Weird - I've never seen one without it. I thought they'd put it on every model because the car was designed to live on the motorway...

**john_k_sri** · 18th December 2008, 02:35

Expression trim was base model on the pre-facelift - was not a big seller as the LS was much better value for money and available in 1.8/2.2 petrol and 2.0/2.2 DTI diesel - Expression was only available in 1.8 petrol and 2.0DTI diesel. LS was the Fleet favourite. Never ever saw an Expression on the road or on a forecourt.