5 years old and worthless!

[eminox]

As some may have noticed I have an 05 Vectra estate, looking at changing it to a Terrano very soon!

In the 2.5 years I've owned it it's been back to the stealers due to a petrol problem, the problem being that it doesn't like supermarket fuel! It's a repeating problem, breaks down now and then, EM lights up and car dies. That was the first indicator to "get rid".

However, the latest thing to 'go wrong' is the auto gearbox. Started making a whining or droning noise from 30mph upwards, and increases in pitch as you increase in speed. Thought it was a bearing, but today called an auto specialist where I'm taking the car on Friday and explained all the symptoms etc.

He has a good idea what the problem is....tranmission fluid contamination, something to do with the transfer plate etc. but get this....£800 to £1200 or more to repair

The cars only worth £3500'ish trade!!

So this is why it's going, very very soon and in comes a Terrano, whatever age, so long as I can work on it myself and it's reliable.

In conclusion....don't ever buy a Vauxhall!

 

[jims-terrano]

Hi There, you've had a bad experience. Ahh well all being well the T2 will treat you a lot better, had mine for 8 years and love it to bits.

Jim

 

[eminox]

Well, everyone I speak to about them rates them fairly highly, there's enough info on here to keep the things maintained yourself and the way things are going, diy maintenance etc is becoming a necessity!

 

[clivvy]

well, ive had a lot of trouble with my Maverick BUT I liked it enough to perservere and fix it, obviously with the help of the magnificant club members. They seem to be great cars, and reasonably easy to diagnose without going to a dealer if there is a fault. They seem hard wearing and reliable, now mine is fixed, im starting to learn about it again and its doing well.

The most reliable car ive ever had, is my current Mazda MX6.

 

[Timbo_1975]

As some may have noticed I have an 05 Vectra estate, looking at changing it to a Terrano very soon!

In the 2.5 years I've owned it it's been back to the stealers due to a petrol problem, the problem being that it doesn't like supermarket fuel! It's a repeating problem, breaks down now and then, EM lights up and car dies. That was the first indicator to "get rid".

2.2 direct??

 

[eminox]

The very same Timbo 1975!!

 

[Timbo_1975]

If the timing chain doesnt stretch, break and lunch the engine, the high pressure pump will pack up or the injectors will clog. You get fisted either way!

 

[eminox]

Well, the gearbox has beaten them all to it...lol

The thing that annoys me is that there was a huge thing on BBC Watchdog about 18 months or so ago, people with 2.2 Direct petrols breaking down on the motorway etc, but Vauxhall still claim it's not 'their' fuel system that's at fault, they continue to blame the supermarket fuel!

It's going, one way or another, I'm getting rid and never touching Vauxhall again.

 

[BigBlack]

Sorry to hear about your woes matey.

We have Vauxhall motors in the fleet.... they do sky-high miles - although they are all deisels.
Ive got a Zafira at the moment, not two years old yet but almost 50k on the clock and thats classed as low use mileage
Dont hear of too many breakdowns, we tend to write them of first!!! :doh :augie

 

[eminox]

Well, I must have picked up a bad egg, hope to put that right this time round

 

[extreme-4x4]

http://www.nissan4x4ownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8505

thats the one id be getting .... take the offer and go for it ... you wont find cheeper than that ...dont bid give him what he's asking ... he's giving it away

 

[clivvy]

i think the problem with Vauxhalls, is they are very mass produced, so to hear a percentage of them go wrong is huge. personally, im not a fan. i feel they are overly complex for what they are, and not very owner friendly in terms of diy repairs. great fleet cars, great company cars, because the dealerships take care of repairs etc, but as an owner....well, you hav eto just hope it doesnt go wrong, especially the diesels, and especially the DTi's! The older cars were the best, same with Ford, its as if they make them easy to break these days!

 

[eminox]

Yep, going to see one Friday, fingers crossed

I completely agree clivvy, it's an age old marketing ploy, build systems etc into a product where if it goes wrong the end user cannot repair it but has no option to take it to the main company to find out whats wrong and repair.

That's why I'd rather go for something old but trustworth where if it does go wrong I can do most of the maintenance myself...that's the plan anyway.

 

[extreme-4x4]

get the one above... its a 2.7tdi so runs on cooking oil and the matrix fix is lots of work but thats where you fit the tune it box so get one of them and fit at the same time ... you get a nice tdi new shape for 1200 quid.

i looked recently and found nothing like that for less than 3k most were 4 - 4.5

the other one you showed interest in was a 3 litre so no cooking oil

 

[eminox]

I know, very tempting but the thing is I might be able to do a straight swap for the 2002 3.0 ltr one as the dealer said he could get rid no probs....as it is (remebering I'm possibly looking at between £800 to £1200 repair for the gearbox), which to me is an easy way to change vehicles without any hassle.

Admittidly the MOT runs out v.soon, which could cost £1200 in repairs itself, who knows!

What's a 'tune box'??

 

[extreme-4x4]

I know, very tempting but the thing is I might be able to do a straight swap for the 2002 3.0 ltr one as the dealer said he could get rid no probs....as it is (remebering I'm possibly looking at between £800 to £1200 repair for the gearbox), which to me is an easy way to change vehicles without any hassle.

Admittidly the MOT runs out v.soon, which could cost £1200 in repairs itself, who knows!

What's a 'tune box'??

extra 20 bhp and fuel saving for 250 quid

 

[eminox]

What does it do exactly? Is it a little balck box of electronics or something?

Sorry, I know mechanically stuff about cars, old ones anyway, but still have alot to learn.

 

[extreme-4x4]

its just a tune it box... messes with the ecu and ups the power.

these trucks really are tough as old boots .

 

[zippy656]

yep and hard to find cheap...

but im always looking..

 

[eminox]

Right, so this 2.7 up in Whitby is a damn good offer...hmmm...serious thinking to do!