Vauxhall Vextra

[neilwaynesmith]

No it isn't a spelling mistake. Has anyone had any experience of driving long distance in one of the new Vectra's? If so what are your opinions? I jumped from a Mondeo (all buttons clearly marked) into a Vectra for a trip down to London.
1: The cruise control is virtually unmarked and buried behind the steering wheel.
2: The buttons on the steering wheel have symbols giving no clue to their function.
3: The column stalks are the most frustrating EVER invented.
4: The stereo decides what it wants to listen to (usually something from the BBC).

I admit that with a little reading of the manual, some of these problems could be overcome, except that the manual wasn't in the car, nor I suspect will it be in the glovebox of any of these things that are used as hire cars.

I.M.H.O. this design of control layout is illogical and dangerous. Any comments?

[Dani Filth]

overall i like the car ....

[Tedebear]

Neil I haven't sat in the new one at all, mostly had Ford hire cars - but I was wondering if they had improved the seating position in the Vectra - I could never get comfortable driving the old one - very hard seat, too high even when on the lowest setting?? I do remember the stereo scanning for different radio stations when the signal got too weak though - could never work out how to turn it off!!

[davemorganfan]

These are minor problems compared to the day I was stuffed up with a Fiat Multipla as a hire car. First of all, where's the handbrake? Oh yes, there it is, hiding between the driver's seat and the door. How do I see out of the back window thanks to all those headrests? Simple, fold the back seat down - you can't shift the headrests. And how do I adjust the electric door mirrors - where's the switch? Answer - I don't, until 2 hours later when I find a tiny button on the roof. All makes perfect sense, doesn't it?

[Carrie]

I've never driven a Vectra, but when I first got my Astra the stereo was constantly tuning to whatever it wanted on a completely random basis. The book didn't seem much help and I eventually stopped it by randomly poking some of the buttons. Don't ask me what I actually did to stop it tuning itself, I haven't a clue

[Carrie]

Tedebear, as you mention the seat being too high, I wonder if there's a bit of a height thing in Fords / Vauxhalls. I've always found Fords very uncomfortable in comparison to Vauxhalls. I'm 5'3", my boss is well over 6' and finds that Fords are more comfortable than Vauxhalls.

[touringlegend]

That's certainly true Carrie. The hardness of the ride in the Ford is always something my dad comments on, as he drive's a Peugeot which is quite soft in comparison.

I've only sat in the new Vectra briefly but it seemed quite comfortable to me. I was confused with the indicators - another thing that has a mind of its own!

PS - the Vectra will lock itself after about 30 seconds if the keys aren't in the ignition - so don't leave them sitting in the car!

[daz90]

my astra radio was the same, so i got rid of it and put a different radio/cd player in there, i had a mondeo, and the radio in that used to change when the signal was poor, but i could stop that 1, the 1 in the astra just got on my nerves so i got rid. now though i hardly use the radio, just the tape or cd's

[bella]

Originally posted by touringlegend
PS - the Vectra will lock itself after about 30 seconds if the keys aren't in the ignition - so don't leave them sitting in the car!

my golf does that, it's the most annoying thing in the world! wish there was a way of switching it off, because leaving the keys in the ignition while you sort out the stuff in the boot isn't always the smartest thing to do...

[Spudgun]

I can't speak for the new Vetra, but I own the older model and I love it. I have the SRi with the sports suspension. It corners like it's on rails. Luvverrly.. It's only a 1.8, but it goes like stink if you change on the right RPM and it lives for motorways.

I've owned Vauxhalls previously and love the control layout. I used to have a Pug 205 and hated the headlight controls being on the stalk. The separate control on Vauxhalls I really like.

I've never got used to the idea of cruise control and luckily mine doesn't have it.

As for the radio thing, just turn off the '{TP]' thing, but even I can't remember how to do it.

[TerryC]

bella, fellow golfer. that auto 30s lock up feature on your car, you can actually have it disabled at your local stealership for free (or small charge) or anyone with the VAG.COM diagnostic tool.