Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Opel Vectra shopping experience:

1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Opel Vectra offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Opel Vectra at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.

2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about

3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Opel Vectra? Wrong! If the Opel Vectra is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.

4. Questions - Got a question about Opel Vectra then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....

5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Opel Vectra? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Opel Vectra and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.

6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Opel Vectra wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.

7. Feedback - happy with your Opel Vectra then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.

8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Opel Vectra site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site

9. Contact - got a question about Opel Vectra, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.

10. Payment - ready to pay for your Opel Vectra, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.

{| border=0 align=right|-|{{Infobox Automobile|name=Opel Vectra|aka=Chevrolet Vectra
Holden Vectra
Vauxhall Vectra|manufacturer=General Motors– present|predecessor=[Opel Ascona|similar=[Ford Mondeo
Renault Laguna-->]| production = 1988–1995
5-door [hatchback/[4-wheel drive GM2900 platform| related = Opel Calibra
Saab 900 (NG)
Vauxhall Cavalier-->]–2002
5-door [hatchback
5-door estate [GM2900 platform| related = Saab 9-3
Saab 9-5
Saturn L-Series-->]–present| body_style = 4-door saloon
5-door hatchback
5-door estate [GM Epsilon platform| related = Cadillac BLS
Chevrolet Malibu
Fiat Croma
Pontiac G6
Opel Signum
Saab 9-3
Saturn Aura-->] produced by Opel, the main European subsidiary of General Motors Corporation. In the United Kingdom, it is sold as a Vauxhall Motors. It has also been sold in Australasia as a Holden and in Latin America as a Chevrolet, although it has since been replaced in those markets.

The car is produced at the Opel factory in Rüsselsheim, Germany.

Vectra A / Cavalier The first Vectra, known as the Vectra A, was introduced in 1988 as a saloon and hatchback, replacing the Opel Ascona C. A coupe based on the Vectra, called the Opel Calibra, was also sold. Both cars were designed by then-Opel design chief Wayne Cherry. Vauxhall, the name for GM in the UK, did not use the Vectra name initially, calling the car the Vauxhall Cavalier until 1995.

Engines ranged initially from a 71 PS (52 kW) 1.4 L to a 130 PS (96 kW) 2.0 L GM Family II engine.

With the introduction of Euro I emissions regulations, the base model was replaced by a 1.6 L with the same output, while the top of the line was given to a 16-valve version of the 2.0 L engine, which powered the GT version and had 150 PS (110 kW). All-wheel drive versions were added to the lineup in 1990, and in 1993, the car received a limited edition turbocharger version with 204 PS (150 kW). The 1.4-litre engine was not available in all markets, and even then, it was only available in basic trims (Base/L in United Kingdom, LS/GL in Europe). A 2.5 litre V6 engine appeared towards the later stages of the Vectra's life, developing 170 PS (125 kW), turning the car into a relaxed motorway cruiser rather than give it sporty pretensions.

There were a choice of two Diesel engines one was an Isuzu 1.7 L Circle L engine unit, in both naturally-aspirated and turbocharged form (1686cc), this one capable of achieving 82 PS (60 kW), and a GM designed 1.7 "low blow" turbo-diesel (1699cc), and naturally-aspirated diesel unit, delivering up to 76PS. Both units have a reputation for longevity, especially Isuzu developed units, which were also regarded as some of the most refined diesels available at the time.

The Vectra also received a refreshing in 1993.The Vectra gave birth to a coupé version, the Opel Calibra, which shared the Vectra's underpinnings, including the most powerful engines (115 PS and up) and transmissions.

In New Zealand, the Vectra A was offered initially as an Opel, but it wore Holden badges from 1994. It was not sold in Australia, where Holden instead offered a badge engineering Toyota Camry called Holden Apollo until 1997.

In Brazil, the Chevrolet-badged Vectra A was not introduced until 1993, when it replaced the Chevrolet Monza, a restyled version of the last Ascona.

Vectra B The second model, the Vectra B, was introduced in 1995, and the model range included a estate version for the first time. This model replaced the Vauxhall Cavalier in the UK, and the Holden Apollo in Australia. In 1998, Holden began assembly of the Vectra for export to other right-hand drive markets in the region, although this was aversely affected by the Asian economic crisis, and ended in 2001.

Engines started from the 71 PS (52 kW) 1.6 L, GM Family 1 engine but eventually the 8-valve engines were all replaced by 16-valve powerplants. The 2.0 L Family II engine, with 136 PS (100 kW) was developed as a basis for touring car racing, but the top of the line was a 2.5 L V6 with 170 PS (125 kW). Diesel power came once again from Isuzu, but now featured direct injection and a 16-valve head.

In 1999 the Vectra was updated, receiving a mildly modified body (that can be identified by the single piece headlight units and body-coloured bumpers) together with somewhat improved handling characteristics and better equipment.

Sporting limited edition models included the touring car championship inspired i500, Super Touring and GSi. The first model was developed in Germany by Opel Motorsport, with the V6 engine's power increased to 195 PS (143 kW), and the other two were created in Milton Keynes by Motor Sport Developments, the team that run the Vectras in the BTCC. Only 3900 GSi models were ever produced, mostly in saloon and hatchback guise. With only 317 estate versions produced during this time, they became one of the rarest production Vauxhalls ever.

A related model sold in the United States was the Saturn L-Series, introduced in 2000 but dropped from the lineup in 2005. It was replaced by the 2007 Saturn Aura, which is based on the current Vectra.

Vectra C Introduced in the summer of 2002, the current model, the Vectra C, is built in Germany and the United Kingdom, and is based on the GM Epsilon platform. It is available as a four-door saloon, while the five-door hatchback, known as the Vectra GTS, is meant to recall cult models from Opel in the past such as the Opel Commodore GTE of the 1970s.

The engine range was substantially modified to account for an increased curb weight. While a 122 PS (90 kW) 1.8  GM Family 1 engine engine was the base model, a 2.0 L turbocharged GM Family II engine engine with 175 PS (129 kW) and a new 3.2 L V6, with 211 PS (155 kW) was also offered. Diesel power, now important for commercial success in Europe, was first provided by Isuzu (a 3.0 L V6 is still retained), but the four-cylinder diesel engines were replaced by Ecotec CDTI (Fiat-designed MultiJet) units with 1.9 L, capable of 150 PS (110 kW), in 2004.

The Vectra received a facelift near the end of 2005, and the V6 engine was replaced by an Australian-built 2.8 V6 Turbo unit, similar to the one used in the Saab 9-3. More importantly, Opel introduced, for the first time, an Opel Performance Center (VXR in the UK) version the Vectra, available only in the hatchback and estate bodies. Power on the Saab V6 Turbo was increased to 255 PS (188 kW), and maximum speed just falls short of 250 km/h (155 mph).

In the UK, the hatchback is not considered a specialty model. In Australasia, the rebadged Holden Vectra ZC is considered more upmarket, though not to the same extent as in Europe. An estate version, called the Caravan in Germany, was released in 2003.

Sales of the Vauxhall Vectra in the UK have not been as strong as its predecessor's. For much of its production life, the original Vectra was the fourth best selling car in the country, yet the current model has never come higher than eleventh in the country's car sales charts, though it is still the second best selling car in its sector behind the Ford Mondeo.

Signum Based partly on the Vectra C, the Opel Signum is an 'executive hatchback' with a completely different layout in the rear, along with a few more refinements than the Vectra C.

Chevrolet Vectra, Holden Vectra and Saturn Aura While the Vectra C is sold in Mexico and Chile as a Chevrolet, it is not marketed in Brazil, where a new, locally designed Vectra saloon, based on the current Opel Astra was released in October 2005. This model replaced the Vectra B, which was still available in Brazil until that date. This new model will also be sold in Eastern Europe as Opel Astra .

Similarly, in Australia and New Zealand, the European-sourced Vectra was dropped and replaced with the Holden Epica, a rebadged Daewoo Tosca in March 2007. Due to stockpiling of 2005 model Vectras for the Australasian market, there was enough supply of the car for deliveries to last through to 2007, as a result facelifted 2006-built Vectra Cs were actually not sold in those markets.

In Mexico the Vectra C has been the only one available and will be the only one. Sales of the Chevrolet Vectra in Mexico will stop after 2007 due to the redesign and the price of the Euro.

The Saturn Aura is based on the Vectra C, with readjustments to be compete better in the North American market, using the long wheelbase variant of the Epsilion Platform.

Criticism The old Vauxhall Vectra built from 1995-2002, was vastly criticized during its seven year run. Main criticisms were the uninspiring handling with a severe tendency to understeer, numb steering, poor interior ergonomics and the appalling reliability as demonstrated in satisfaction surveys provided by Auto Express, Top Gear, Which? magazines, as well the generic styling.

When the Vectra was launched, Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson made what The Independent described as a "characteristically clever" film, which it judged may have damaged its sales.{{cite news | first = Sean | last = O'Grady | title = Vroom with a view: The crown prince of petrolheads; Jeremy Clarkson is the self-appointed scourge of the green movement. | work = The Independent | date = [2005-09-13 | accessdate = 2007-02-05 | quote = It was a characteristically clever trick, but it didn't do the folks who made that car any favours. The Vectra wasn't the smash hit that Vauxhall hoped it would be. --> Clarkson has since described the Vectra as "designed in a coffee break by people who couldn't care less about cars". {{cite video | people =Jeremy Clarkson | year = | title =Top Gear [2006-07-16 | accessdate =2007-02-05 | medium =TV | location = London | publisher =BBC -->

The old Vauxhall Vectra scored only 89% up to 2 years old breakdown-free over previous 12 months in a satisfaction survey provided by Which? in 2004. Based on the survey results, Which? verdict on the old Vauxhall Vectra was:

"'Disappointment on wheels. A slightly depressing driving experience and woeful build quality."

The current model launched in 2002 and face-lifted in 2005, garnered much better reviews and the Estate version even won an award from What Car? magazine in 2007 as "Estate Car of the Year 2007". Handling is reported to be much better than the old car, but reviews still criticise the overlight feel of the steering, complicated indicator switches and the rather ungainly styling of the Saloon version.

Notes

External links

• Official Opel Vectra page
• The vectra owners club
• Used Car Safety Ratings - Holden Vectra
• - Car-by-Car breakdown: Vauxhall Vectra (1995-1999)
• - Car-by-Car breakdown: Vauxhall Vectra (1999-2002)

{| border=0 align=right|-|{{Infobox Automobile|name=Opel Vectra|aka=Chevrolet Vectra
Holden Vectra
Vauxhall Vectra|manufacturer=General Motors– present|predecessor=[Opel Ascona|similar=[Ford Mondeo
Renault Laguna-->]| production = 1988–1995
5-door [hatchback/[4-wheel drive GM2900 platform| related = Opel Calibra
Saab 900 (NG)
Vauxhall Cavalier-->]–2002
5-door [hatchback
5-door estate [GM2900 platform| related = Saab 9-3
Saab 9-5
Saturn L-Series-->]–present| body_style = 4-door saloon
5-door hatchback
5-door estate [GM Epsilon platform| related = Cadillac BLS
Chevrolet Malibu
Fiat Croma
Pontiac G6
Opel Signum
Saab 9-3
Saturn Aura-->] produced by Opel, the main European subsidiary of General Motors Corporation. In the United Kingdom, it is sold as a Vauxhall Motors. It has also been sold in Australasia as a Holden and in Latin America as a Chevrolet, although it has since been replaced in those markets.

The car is produced at the Opel factory in Rüsselsheim, Germany.

Vectra A / Cavalier The first Vectra, known as the Vectra A, was introduced in 1988 as a saloon and hatchback, replacing the Opel Ascona C. A coupe based on the Vectra, called the Opel Calibra, was also sold. Both cars were designed by then-Opel design chief Wayne Cherry. Vauxhall, the name for GM in the UK, did not use the Vectra name initially, calling the car the Vauxhall Cavalier until 1995.

Engines ranged initially from a 71 PS (52 kW) 1.4 L to a 130 PS (96 kW) 2.0 L GM Family II engine.

With the introduction of Euro I emissions regulations, the base model was replaced by a 1.6 L with the same output, while the top of the line was given to a 16-valve version of the 2.0 L engine, which powered the GT version and had 150 PS (110 kW). All-wheel drive versions were added to the lineup in 1990, and in 1993, the car received a limited edition turbocharger version with 204 PS (150 kW). The 1.4-litre engine was not available in all markets, and even then, it was only available in basic trims (Base/L in United Kingdom, LS/GL in Europe). A 2.5 litre V6 engine appeared towards the later stages of the Vectra's life, developing 170 PS (125 kW), turning the car into a relaxed motorway cruiser rather than give it sporty pretensions.

There were a choice of two Diesel engines one was an Isuzu 1.7 L Circle L engine unit, in both naturally-aspirated and turbocharged form (1686cc), this one capable of achieving 82 PS (60 kW), and a GM designed 1.7 "low blow" turbo-diesel (1699cc), and naturally-aspirated diesel unit, delivering up to 76PS. Both units have a reputation for longevity, especially Isuzu developed units, which were also regarded as some of the most refined diesels available at the time.

The Vectra also received a refreshing in 1993.The Vectra gave birth to a coupé version, the Opel Calibra, which shared the Vectra's underpinnings, including the most powerful engines (115 PS and up) and transmissions.

In New Zealand, the Vectra A was offered initially as an Opel, but it wore Holden badges from 1994. It was not sold in Australia, where Holden instead offered a badge engineering Toyota Camry called Holden Apollo until 1997.

In Brazil, the Chevrolet-badged Vectra A was not introduced until 1993, when it replaced the Chevrolet Monza, a restyled version of the last Ascona.

Vectra B The second model, the Vectra B, was introduced in 1995, and the model range included a estate version for the first time. This model replaced the Vauxhall Cavalier in the UK, and the Holden Apollo in Australia. In 1998, Holden began assembly of the Vectra for export to other right-hand drive markets in the region, although this was aversely affected by the Asian economic crisis, and ended in 2001.

Engines started from the 71 PS (52 kW) 1.6 L, GM Family 1 engine but eventually the 8-valve engines were all replaced by 16-valve powerplants. The 2.0 L Family II engine, with 136 PS (100 kW) was developed as a basis for touring car racing, but the top of the line was a 2.5 L V6 with 170 PS (125 kW). Diesel power came once again from Isuzu, but now featured direct injection and a 16-valve head.

In 1999 the Vectra was updated, receiving a mildly modified body (that can be identified by the single piece headlight units and body-coloured bumpers) together with somewhat improved handling characteristics and better equipment.

Sporting limited edition models included the touring car championship inspired i500, Super Touring and GSi. The first model was developed in Germany by Opel Motorsport, with the V6 engine's power increased to 195 PS (143 kW), and the other two were created in Milton Keynes by Motor Sport Developments, the team that run the Vectras in the BTCC. Only 3900 GSi models were ever produced, mostly in saloon and hatchback guise. With only 317 estate versions produced during this time, they became one of the rarest production Vauxhalls ever.

A related model sold in the United States was the Saturn L-Series, introduced in 2000 but dropped from the lineup in 2005. It was replaced by the 2007 Saturn Aura, which is based on the current Vectra.

Vectra C Introduced in the summer of 2002, the current model, the Vectra C, is built in Germany and the United Kingdom, and is based on the GM Epsilon platform. It is available as a four-door saloon, while the five-door hatchback, known as the Vectra GTS, is meant to recall cult models from Opel in the past such as the Opel Commodore GTE of the 1970s.

The engine range was substantially modified to account for an increased curb weight. While a 122 PS (90 kW) 1.8  GM Family 1 engine engine was the base model, a 2.0 L turbocharged GM Family II engine engine with 175 PS (129 kW) and a new 3.2 L V6, with 211 PS (155 kW) was also offered. Diesel power, now important for commercial success in Europe, was first provided by Isuzu (a 3.0 L V6 is still retained), but the four-cylinder diesel engines were replaced by Ecotec CDTI (Fiat-designed MultiJet) units with 1.9 L, capable of 150 PS (110 kW), in 2004.

The Vectra received a facelift near the end of 2005, and the V6 engine was replaced by an Australian-built 2.8 V6 Turbo unit, similar to the one used in the Saab 9-3. More importantly, Opel introduced, for the first time, an Opel Performance Center (VXR in the UK) version the Vectra, available only in the hatchback and estate bodies. Power on the Saab V6 Turbo was increased to 255 PS (188 kW), and maximum speed just falls short of 250 km/h (155 mph).

In the UK, the hatchback is not considered a specialty model. In Australasia, the rebadged Holden Vectra ZC is considered more upmarket, though not to the same extent as in Europe. An estate version, called the Caravan in Germany, was released in 2003.

Sales of the Vauxhall Vectra in the UK have not been as strong as its predecessor's. For much of its production life, the original Vectra was the fourth best selling car in the country, yet the current model has never come higher than eleventh in the country's car sales charts, though it is still the second best selling car in its sector behind the Ford Mondeo.

Signum Based partly on the Vectra C, the Opel Signum is an 'executive hatchback' with a completely different layout in the rear, along with a few more refinements than the Vectra C.

Chevrolet Vectra, Holden Vectra and Saturn Aura While the Vectra C is sold in Mexico and Chile as a Chevrolet, it is not marketed in Brazil, where a new, locally designed Vectra saloon, based on the current Opel Astra was released in October 2005. This model replaced the Vectra B, which was still available in Brazil until that date. This new model will also be sold in Eastern Europe as Opel Astra .

Similarly, in Australia and New Zealand, the European-sourced Vectra was dropped and replaced with the Holden Epica, a rebadged Daewoo Tosca in March 2007. Due to stockpiling of 2005 model Vectras for the Australasian market, there was enough supply of the car for deliveries to last through to 2007, as a result facelifted 2006-built Vectra Cs were actually not sold in those markets.

In Mexico the Vectra C has been the only one available and will be the only one. Sales of the Chevrolet Vectra in Mexico will stop after 2007 due to the redesign and the price of the Euro.

The Saturn Aura is based on the Vectra C, with readjustments to be compete better in the North American market, using the long wheelbase variant of the Epsilion Platform.

Criticism The old Vauxhall Vectra built from 1995-2002, was vastly criticized during its seven year run. Main criticisms were the uninspiring handling with a severe tendency to understeer, numb steering, poor interior ergonomics and the appalling reliability as demonstrated in satisfaction surveys provided by Auto Express, Top Gear, Which? magazines, as well the generic styling.

When the Vectra was launched, Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson made what The Independent described as a "characteristically clever" film, which it judged may have damaged its sales.{{cite news | first = Sean | last = O'Grady | title = Vroom with a view: The crown prince of petrolheads; Jeremy Clarkson is the self-appointed scourge of the green movement. | work = The Independent | date = [2005-09-13 | accessdate = 2007-02-05 | quote = It was a characteristically clever trick, but it didn't do the folks who made that car any favours. The Vectra wasn't the smash hit that Vauxhall hoped it would be. --> Clarkson has since described the Vectra as "designed in a coffee break by people who couldn't care less about cars". {{cite video | people =Jeremy Clarkson | year = | title =Top Gear [2006-07-16 | accessdate =2007-02-05 | medium =TV | location = London | publisher =BBC -->

The old Vauxhall Vectra scored only 89% up to 2 years old breakdown-free over previous 12 months in a satisfaction survey provided by Which? in 2004. Based on the survey results, Which? verdict on the old Vauxhall Vectra was:

"'Disappointment on wheels. A slightly depressing driving experience and woeful build quality."

The current model launched in 2002 and face-lifted in 2005, garnered much better reviews and the Estate version even won an award from What Car? magazine in 2007 as "Estate Car of the Year 2007". Handling is reported to be much better than the old car, but reviews still criticise the overlight feel of the steering, complicated indicator switches and the rather ungainly styling of the Saloon version.

Notes

External links

• Official Opel Vectra page
• The vectra owners club
• Used Car Safety Ratings - Holden Vectra
• - Car-by-Car breakdown: Vauxhall Vectra (1995-1999)
• - Car-by-Car breakdown: Vauxhall Vectra (1999-2002)

Opel.com - The International Website for Opel Cars: Vectra, Corsa ...
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Opel Enhances Vectra and Signum with High-Tech Equipment New Opel Vectra Spy Photos Vauxhall Vectra & Monaro VXR get More Power (UK)

Category:Opel Vectra - Wikimedia Commons
This page was last modified on 6 January 2008, at 07:27. Text is available under GNU Free Documentation License. Wikimedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation ...

Vectra-Sport
This is a discussion forum and International Club for the Vauxhall/Opel Vectra Based in the UK ... Welcome to Vectra-Sport.com: Welcome to www.Vectra-Sport.com Become a member and ...

Opel Vectra | Spy Shots | News | Auto Express
These are the best pictures yet of the all-new Opel Vectra which is to replace the current model by the end of next year The new Epsilon platform will allow a wider and taller body ...