New Vectra 1.8 GLS - solid & reliable (Vauxhall Vectra GLS 1.8i 16v 5-door Hatchback)

Member Name: masher

Product:	Vauxhall Vectra GLS 1.8i 16v 5-door Hatchback
Date:	27/10/00 (1138 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Improvement on the previous model

Disadvantages: No map pockets!!

I drove an R reg Vectra GLS for 3 years. Not a bad car but it left a little to be desired. The main problem was with the suspension: the car would "wallow" it's way around roundabouts. In the first week I was forever pulling into petrol stations as I kept thinking I had a puncture! Many people also complained of backache from the uncomfortable seats, though personally, I only suffered from this once, on a very long journey.
I now have an X reg GLS and, from the advertising, it boasts over 2000 improvements! How bad does a car have to be to require 2000 improvements?! The new car is, however, an improvement on the last one. The engine is quiet and responsive and Vauxhall have uprated the suspension which makes it handle ten times better (at least as good as the Mondeo I test drove). The new model boasts an electric sunroof as well as air-con, passenger airbag, CD player and chome coloured interior door handles - ooh, such luxury! The built-in TrafficMaster has also proved useful once or twice.
One minor down-point in my humble opinion: they have removed the map pockets from the rear of the two front seats. These were a boon, as it was dead easy to reach behind the seat and pullout your largescale map, whilst sitting in a traffic jam on the M25. The new Vectra has no storage for such things and so they have to go in the boot. A small inconvenience, but annoying just the same.
Overall, I have no complaints and would recommend the Vectra to anyone wanting a solid and reliable family car.

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