Hi,

I've been a member of this excellent forum for a few months now, so I thought it was about time I introduced myself (I'm Darran) and share with you the love I obviously must have for my 2003 Saturn Blue Vectra GSI.

I have owned it since 27 February 2009 and think it's an ace car, but below I've listed a breakdown of jobs I've had to do since owning, and the jobs left to do. I have to give a massive thanks to this forum for providing the know how and information that has enabled me to do most of the jobs myself - it has saved me an absolute fortune!

By the way the car does have a genuine full service history (mostly at Vauxhall) and had done a genuine 60k miles when I purchased it. In my view that says it all when it comes to how thorough some garages are when performing servicing!!!

In between all these jobs, I've also spent more time and money detailing the car (snow foaming, claying, polishing and waxing)!!
And the question you're all asking - "Do I regret buying it"? - "No; not one ounce"!


Jobs I've done to date
No griffin badge on rear - fitted new one (not strictly necessary I know)
Leaking fuel when car had full tank of petrol - fitted new Fuel Pump Cover Seal
Very dirty / smelly coolant - drained, thoroughly flushed and refilled with fresh coolant
Auto Transmission - drained and refilled with fresh fluid
Missing Air Intake Pipe - fitted new one
Flushed engine and changed oil 4 times over 1.5k miles (oil was very black). Now running with Mobil Synt S 5W40
Replaced oil, air, fuel and pollen filters
Slightly irratic idle - removed & cleaned the Throttle Body - it was very dirty but cleaning made no difference...so I then changed the Spark Plugs..... and then cleaned the MAF......still no difference!
O/S/R Shock Absorber leaked all fluid - changed both rear shock absorbers for Bilstein B4s
Excessively worn front and rear brake discs - replaced all discs and pads
Unsecure exhaust heat shield - re-fixed using large washers
Excessive play in both rear upper ball joints - changed N/S/R Upper control arm (have the other one to do)
4 door locking button on drivers side not working - replaced switch panel (£10 from ebay)

Jobs done by garage to date
NCDC2013 Head Unit locked in 'Radio Safe' mode - Tech 2'd to re-pair with CID
Spare Key Tech 2 Programming
Missing O/S/F Tyre Pressure Monitor - fitted new one and Tech 2 programming
Worn front tyres - 2 new tyres fitted
Built in CD changer stopped reading discs - repaired by audio specialist

Jobs to do by Garage
Replace cambelt and tensioners (car has done 62K miles and is 6 years old in October) and diagnose slight oil leak coming possibly from behind cambelt at same time
Both rear tyres worn - fit 2 new tyres (once rear suspension repairs made)
Slight play in O/S/F Tie rod - replace tie rod
Have a 4 wheel, wheel alignment done (when all suspension mods / repairs done)

Jobs for me to do
Excessive play in upper O/S/R balljoint - change O/S/R Upper Control Arm
Change both rear ARB bushes
Dual Climate Control Panel - the button to activate air con and air distribution is knackered - fit new one (£245 & needs Tech 2 programming - aaghh!!)
Change brake fluid
Exhaust tailpipes starting to blow - change both exhaust tailpipes for Remus (half the price of gennuine Vauxhall ones!!)
Dual Climate Control Panel - the button to activate air con and air distribution is knackered - fit new one (£245 & needs Tech 2 programming - aaghh!!)
Fuel evaporation hose going into the throttle body is perished - fit new one (costs approx £75 for hose - ouch!!)
Change both front ARB Bushes and front drop links
Fit Eibach Pro Springs all round
Fit Bilstein B4 front shocks