3 Weeks and 2054 miles in a vxR

[In a states]

Quite a few of you ask me at the weekend about what the VXR was like to drive...so here goes, I'll try and explain.

Having driven a few cars in my time (mostly not mine I might add) the comparisons I have a very few, nothing in it's price range would touch it. Coming straight off a Vectra B GSi (2.5 V6) it simply leaves it standing in all departments.

Engine is soo smooth and the power is fantastic. Build quality is soo much better than my former Vauxhalls.

The weekend was my first long trip (800 miles) and without my wee one in the back, I was able to give the car some stick on the way home.

Motorways are boring, but a part of life unfortunately, with the full length of the M6 ahead of us yesterday, the car ate it all up in no time...cruise control was on after the Blackpool turnoff and we were eating in a pub in Carisle at 7pm (I left PVS at 3ish).

After crossing the border it was the M74 for a few more miles then the A70 back home....if anybody knows the A70 to Ayr it's not the straightest of roads or the smoothest but it is one of the quietest!

I usually do M74 to Mauchline (via the A70/B743) in around 40 minutes....last night it was 25! The road was clear for virtually the whole way and I did give it a little, no scrub that a tonne of stick (all within limits I might add ).

You really need to drive one of these hard to fully appreciate what they are all about.

The Grip was unreal, I mean totally unreal, with the sport button on the CDC was working overtime with the state of the road but the car was just gripping like mad. I have never driven so hard/fast through the twisty's.

Forth is the gear, from 30 limits to on the limit, I rarely had to worry about what gear I was in to get the exit power out of any turns....it's just there. 5th and 6th are just for the long straights for when 4th runs out of puff (which I belive is well into the 3 figures ;>).

Paul was beside me and himself for the last part of the journey home...and he even said he felt safe at all time due to the smoothness of the car (and the driving of course )

By the way the average mpg was 28.7 over the whole journey, I reckon the last 40 miles or so didn't help.

So I haven't driven any other Vectra C hard in my time but at a guess, I don't think it could live up to what I found out last night...and that was i love this car!

PS. Big Phil if you reading this get looking for one now!! You will not be disappointed.

[The Doc]

28.7 MPG over the journey?

Christ that is tempting.....

I love that car....

[mortydirect22]

in a states, I love the looks of the car its one of the reasons i started looking for one, BUT I was really let down by the one I took out on a test drive. It only had 18 miles on the clock so it may have still been very tight? I didn't take it far but enough to know I was sticking with my Sri for now and waiting to see if they bring the diesel out for the vxr.
It was very comfortable and easy to drive and was fast but for a big v6 turbo i expected a kick in the kidneys on launch and putting your foot down on the dual carraige way just didn't feel very fast at pick up.
Also I maybe spoilt as I use to own a quick scooby, And after taking the vectra vxr out I had an appointment at subaru for a test drive in the new 2.5 wrx and had a grin on my face all day.

The vxr is still by far a better looking car than any in its class in my opinion any way.

Darren

[GARY3306]

I've got about 9 months left until mine runs out of warranty (04 plate), and I've been looking at what my next car's gonna be. I keep coming back to the VXR. The more I see them and read reviews etc, the more my resolve to have one becomes. Hopefully by the start of 2007, they will be available for around the 16K mark (have seen a couple for 18,000 to 19,000 at the moment). Best bet would be to get hold of an ex VX one

[spoons]

BUT I was really let down by the one I took out on a test drive. I didn't take it far but enough to know I was sticking with my Sri for now and waiting to see if they bring the diesel out for the vxr.
It was very comfortable and easy to drive and was fast but for a big v6 turbo i expected a kick in the kidneys on launch and putting your foot down on the dual carraige way just didn't feel very fast at pick up.
Darren

Exactly the same story as I posted. Love the looks of the VXR, but it didnt do it for me either, admitedly I only took it out for 35-40 minutes, but that was enough for me to have made my mind up, I didnt even push it on the way home as I didnt see the point, glad to get back into the Diesel....

Inastates, by the way, as per expected, your car looks fantastic... Every time I see a VXR - I WANT ONE.... waiting for a diesel version now....

Did anyone see the Fifth Gear program tonight where they raced the 888 Thurlby Diesel Astra against the VXR Astra, and there was nothing in it.... Thats exactly what I mean when driving my (Tuned CR1) and the Vectra VXR - almost nothing in it.. thats what it feels like

[In a states]

I can't honestly comment on how any other vectra C feels like as this is my first...but I started pushing the car for the first time at the weekend (driving home form pvs) and I'm very very impressed.

The whole shove in the back thing just isn't there with the flat torque curve (how can a curve be flat?) but when you see the speedo moving faster than the rev counter you know it's all working in the right places.

I think a tuned VXR would be a better comparision...I have a Milltek full system waiting in the wings and a remap shortly thereafter...so we'll see then

I personnally couldn't see a diesel (even remapped) do the things I did last night...if they are able to that, then who wants a swap?

[spoons]

I personnally couldn't see a diesel (even remapped) do the things I did last night...if they are able to that, then who wants a swap?

Ohhh, pleeese come and take a ride in one of the 3.0 Turbo Diesels, I'm sure there are plenty on here which are modded up, and would happily take you out for a spin...

You can take a ride in mine if you want, but its only a cr@ppy 1.9 TDCi

Honestly, you will be impressed....

[big phil]

i'm reading and digesting dude

[The Doc]

Oy we have Fiat motors in our Vauxhall's Spoons not Ford's TDCi indeed!!! CDTi

Flat torque curve is where is is smooth progressive power, not spiking then falling off.

Jon - More than happy to do a swap on buses for a while!!!

[Spikey©]

Ohhh, pleeese come and take a ride in one of the 3.0 Turbo Diesels, I'm sure there are plenty on here which are modded up, and would happily take you out for a spin...

You can take a ride in mine if you want, but its only a cr@ppy 1.9 TDCi

Honestly, you will be impressed....

I've driven the 3.0 CDTi with tuning box on and it is a magnificent bit of work, that initial whack in the back from the torque blast when you floor it is fantastic but, it soon runs out of puff. Compared to the 3.2 GSi in standard form and the tuned 2.0T, i'd have the petrols i'm afraid, the power delivery is so much more refined and smooth yet you are still accelerating at a constant rate with plenty of puff all through the range. Couple that with the Vec's (slightly fluffy) handling, the smoother power delivery must be more manageable.

I suspect the VXR is similar to the 3.2 and 2.0t in much of the way it delivers it's power, I also suspect it's pretty savage if you drop it down a gear or two at high rev/speeds.