Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: EMD on 25 January 2017, 21:42:34

Title: Vectra estate ?
Post by: EMD on 25 January 2017, 21:42:34
Been thinking about a 2004 VAUXHALL VECTRA 3.2i V6 Elite Auto . I presume the v6 in this one is totally different from the omega  :-\ Looks good value for money and in near mint condition .
So any pitfalls to know about ?  :)

Its not the omega replacement , just a second car .
Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: VXL V6 on 25 January 2017, 21:54:12
Same engine, just fitted transversely with a different inlet etc setup.
Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: Mr.OmegaMan on 25 January 2017, 22:28:50
Doing the cam-belt, water pump etc.. will probably be more challenging.

Definitely a good work horse the Vectra C estate they are huge! Especially now their cheap. Would still take an Omega estate over one in a heartbeat, but it's as close as you'll get a Omega 3.2 estate in that price range. They seem to be reliable enough also. Being a Vauxhall parts will be reasonable etc..

Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 25 January 2017, 22:34:46
Same engine but slightly different inlet. Vectra C estate gives an Omega a run for it's money with much better rear legroom.
Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: anV6 on 25 January 2017, 23:45:08
Horrible understeering! The 4 pots are weaker but at least don't like to dance out of the road.
Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: 2boxerdogs on 25 January 2017, 23:58:36
A lot of car for the money , have seen a few nice ones go very cheap don't think you can go wrong.
Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: minifreek on 26 January 2017, 07:09:58
The 3.0 V6 DERV is the better engine to go for in the Vectra's.....
Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 26 January 2017, 07:13:32
Horrible understeering! The 4 pots are weaker but at least don't like to dance out of the road.
Utter rubbish. Even the 1.8 can be made to lift off oversteer on demand :D
Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: Lazydocker on 26 January 2017, 08:01:13
Horrible understeering! The 4 pots are weaker but at least don't like to dance out of the road.
Utter rubbish. Even the 1.8 can be made to lift off oversteer on demand :D

Very easily too ::)

I had a 2 litre oil burner and that would oversteer on lift off with great ease... Always good fun with an unsuspecting passenger ::) :D
Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 26 January 2017, 12:11:31
I could be wrong but I believe the Vectra estate shares it's floorpan with the Signum.

Plenty of rear legroom in the Signum. :y
Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 26 January 2017, 12:13:26
I could be wrong but I believe the Vectra estate shares it's floorpan with the Signum.

Plenty of rear legroom in the Signum. :y
It does and there is. ;)
Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: anV6 on 26 January 2017, 12:46:18
Horrible understeering! The 4 pots are weaker but at least don't like to dance out of the road.
Utter rubbish. Even the 1.8 can be made to lift off oversteer on demand :D

Go into a good bend and try to have some fun with the gas and see how that goes. The Vectra C V6 has one of the worst cases of understeering of any FWD car I have ever driven.
Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 26 January 2017, 13:49:48
Clearly can't drive then :-X
Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: 2boxerdogs on 26 January 2017, 14:05:40
Clearly can't drive then :-X
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😂😂😂
Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: anV6 on 26 January 2017, 15:47:41
Clearly can't drive then :-X

Oh yes, that is an easy way out of an argument to which you can't present any valid points. ::)

I have driven a Vectra C V6 on a track. Have you? It doesn't even matter if it's controllable, easy to counter or whatever. My point was it's there and in loads.

If I cared enough for your opinion I would go hunt for the top gear episode where Clarkson also finds the same thing out when testing a Vectra C. But I honestly don't. So enjoy your Vectra. :y
Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 26 January 2017, 16:14:00
It's hardly a track car, especially in estate form, and I don't need to drive one on a track to tell you that.

Driven properly on actual roads, the 280bhp V6 Police spec Vectra C is a pretty effective tool.

You can't drive a powerful fwd car in the same way you would a powerful rwd car. If you do, then you'll be disappointed, as you clearly are, so I stand by my statement that if you can't get it to corner, you clearly can't drive.
Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 26 January 2017, 16:17:23
Doing the cam-belt, water pump etc.. will probably be more challenging.

Definitely a good work horse the Vectra C estate they are huge! Especially now their cheap. Would still take an Omega estate over one in a heartbeat, but it's as close as you'll get a Omega 3.2 estate in that price range. They seem to be reliable enough also. Being a Vauxhall parts will be reasonable etc..

About 30 minutes to an hour longer due to needing to jack it up and remove the crud tray  :y
Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 26 January 2017, 16:20:51
Has the steel cam covers as well I believe?  ???
Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 26 January 2017, 16:23:55
Has the steel cam covers as well I believe?  ???
Different inlet and breather arrangement ;)
Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 26 January 2017, 16:32:42
Has the steel cam covers as well I believe?  ???

Not on the 3.2 Vec C from memory
Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: anV6 on 26 January 2017, 16:33:42
It's hardly a track car, especially in estate form, and I don't need to drive one on a track to tell you that.

Driven properly on actual roads, the 280bhp V6 Police spec Vectra C is a pretty effective tool.

You can't drive a powerful fwd car in the same way you would a powerful rwd car. If you do, then you'll be disappointed, as you clearly are, so I stand by my statement that if you can't get it to corner, you clearly can't drive.

Wait, where did I say I couldn't get it to corner? I merely stated the behavior is there and is emphasized compared to many other FWD cars, for example the Astra of same vintage.

You are absolutely right. It's not a track car in any of its forms. But when you have no speed limits on the motorway, having a car which does decently on a track is not a useless thing. Not useless at all, especially in the bendy bits. And a Vectra is way too big for a city only car.

But like I said  I was only pointing out it has a bad case of understeering, even for a FWD, and it does. Never said one can't get around that or whatever. It doesn't change the fact it indeed badly understeers. Any car can be driven if you have skills. This is not the point. The point is it is there and more than others. It's for you to decide if you want to drive a car like that or not on a daily basis. I don't. 
Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 26 January 2017, 16:35:37
Its interesting is I never found they under steered nearly as bad as a 2WD A4 Audi
Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 26 January 2017, 16:40:34
Its interesting is I never found they under steered nearly as bad as a 2WD A4 Audi
Something to do with the fact that the engine is mounted between the wheels rather than the headlights perhaps... :D
Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 26 January 2017, 16:50:23
Its interesting is I never found they under steered nearly as bad as a 2WD A4 Audi
Something to do with the fact that the engine is mounted between the wheels rather than the headlights perhaps... :D
Well, there is that. Antithesis to the 911, and just as exercising of the sphincter muscle without being as much fun. ;D
Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 26 January 2017, 17:02:38
Its interesting is I never found they under steered nearly as bad as a 2WD A4 Audi
Something to do with the fact that the engine is mounted between the wheels rather than the headlights perhaps... :D
Well, there is that. Antithesis to the 911, and just as exercising of the sphincter muscle without being as much fun. ;D
Durchfall vor Technik... Or words to that effect ::)
Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: anV6 on 26 January 2017, 17:13:29
Its interesting is I never found they under steered nearly as bad as a 2WD A4 Audi

As I'm not a big fan of VWs in general, the only Audis I have driven were AWD. I thought a RS6 and a R8 were worth the experience, even if I will never buy one.  ;D

But the Astra does better than the Vectra C. The GTV, old I know, is also quite well behaved on a track and way too fun for a FWD.

Edit: Thinking again I'm not sure anymore it was a RS6 or RS or S... But it was a Quattro.
Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: EMD on 26 January 2017, 17:26:00
Interesting debate  ;D Anyhoo i wont be drifting in it  :D It will be used as a load lugger and general commute car . Nice clear load space in the back ... on some of the elite cars ive seen the drivers seat in particular doesn't look supportive and sunk a bit "the leather seat ones " Im going to look further into it and also look at the diesel ones if the price is right  :y

There is an ex police one on the bay at the moment  ;)
Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: 2boxerdogs on 26 January 2017, 17:43:57
Interesting debate  ;D Anyhoo i wont be drifting in it  :D It will be used as a load lugger and general commute car . Nice clear load space in the back ... on some of the elite cars ive seen the drivers seat in particular doesn't look supportive and sunk a bit "the leather seat ones " Im going to look further into it and also look at the diesel ones if the price is right  :y

There is an ex police one on the bay at the moment  ;)
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The way this post was going I was beginning to wonder if we had a rally driver amongst us .😂😂 Although judging by the choice of vehicle thought your intentions would have been blatantly obvious.
Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 26 January 2017, 18:31:26
Interesting debate  ;D Anyhoo i wont be drifting in it  :D It will be used as a load lugger and general commute car . Nice clear load space in the back ... on some of the elite cars ive seen the drivers seat in particular doesn't look supportive and sunk a bit "the leather seat ones " Im going to look further into it and also look at the diesel ones if the price is right  :y

There is an ex police one on the bay at the moment  ;)
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The way this post was going I was beginning to wonder if we had a rally driver amongst us .😂😂 Although judging by the choice of vehicle thought your intentions would have been blatantly obvious.
Absolutely, and it's the perfect tool as a traditional family load lugger. Those early cars had the option of full electric memory seats... more common in the Signum, but a straight swap nevertheless :y
Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: Viral_Jim on 26 January 2017, 18:35:43
It's hardly a track car, especially in estate form, and I don't need to drive one on a track to tell you that.

Driven properly on actual roads, the 280bhp V6 Police spec Vectra C is a pretty effective tool.

You can't drive a powerful fwd car in the same way you would a powerful rwd car. If you do, then you'll be disappointed, as you clearly are, so I stand by my statement that if you can't get it to corner, you clearly can't drive.

This is my experience also. I've never driven a Vec C as such. But I have done around 70k in a couple of mapped 9-5 Aeros over the years, which have similar suspension and power to the VXR vec (275bhp, 400NM ish). I've never found them wanting on the road compared to RWD cars I've had over the years. Overall I would say that the positives of FWD outweigh those of RWD on the road (ability in the snow/bad weather, improved space in the back), but only if you drive them correctly.
Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 26 January 2017, 18:49:14
It's hardly a track car, especially in estate form, and I don't need to drive one on a track to tell you that.

Driven properly on actual roads, the 280bhp V6 Police spec Vectra C is a pretty effective tool.

You can't drive a powerful fwd car in the same way you would a powerful rwd car. If you do, then you'll be disappointed, as you clearly are, so I stand by my statement that if you can't get it to corner, you clearly can't drive.

This is my experience also. I've never driven a Vec C as such. But I have done around 70k in a couple of mapped 9-5 Aeros over the years, which have similar suspension and power to the VXR vec (275bhp, 400NM ish). I've never found them wanting on the road compared to RWD cars I've had over the years. Overall I would say that the positives of FWD outweigh those of RWD on the road (ability in the snow/bad weather, improved space in the back), but only if you drive them correctly.
Slightly ironically, the only car I have struggled with in snow was an auto 1.9cdti Vec C estate :D... Granadas, Sierras, Omegas and Mercs have all been absolutely fine ::)
Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 29 January 2017, 14:04:48
If you don't need an estate, this one has the correct engine, and the all important driver involvement pack...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/vauxhall-vectra-3-2-petrol-v6-bargain/192089958656?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3Db86f0effb59b421e8227e98f434f897c%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D252745121296 :y
Title: Re: Vectra estate ?
Post by: Viral_Jim on 29 January 2017, 18:28:00
If you don't need an estate, this one has the correct engine, and the all important driver involvement pack...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/vauxhall-vectra-3-2-petrol-v6-bargain/192089958656?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3Db86f0effb59b421e8227e98f434f897c%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D252745121296 :y

Judging by the bodywork that's seen some action. Possibly as Stevie Wonder's company car.  :o.

Then again, plenty of car for 300 notes.