Vectra C: 2.0T or 3.2V6?
Discussion
Still weighing up my options for a replacement car and have been looking at these lately. 2.0T SRi or 3.2V6 GSi.
Plus points for the 2.0T:
Easy to tune(though i'd only go stage 1 map)
Reliable (from what i've heard)
Lighter
Cheaper to insure
Turbo power
Slightly better on fuel
Plus points for the 3.2 V6:
Sounds great (especially with an induction kit)
Smooth power/torque delivery
Good power as standard (I wouldn't bother with trying to remap)
GSi is slightly better equipped.
These are only my personal opinion. Both can be picked up fairly cheap now.
So any views on which is the better option? No fighting now
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Plus points for the 2.0T:
Easy to tune(though i'd only go stage 1 map)
Reliable (from what i've heard)
Lighter
Cheaper to insure
Turbo power
Slightly better on fuel
Plus points for the 3.2 V6:
Sounds great (especially with an induction kit)
Smooth power/torque delivery
Good power as standard (I wouldn't bother with trying to remap)
GSi is slightly better equipped.
These are only my personal opinion. Both can be picked up fairly cheap now.
So any views on which is the better option? No fighting now
.I had the 2.0T in a Vauxhall Signum until this week (part exchanged it). The Signum is pretty much a Vectra C with a different arse on the end of it.
The 2.0T is a fantastic engine, with plenty of tuning opertunities, I'm guessing you've been on the vectra-c forum- there's a whole wealth of information on there. The 2.0T is pretty bulletproof, nothing reported to go wrong with it on the majority of these engines and even after a stage 3 remap the only concerns would be with the clutch and flywheel.
It's got a lovely kick to the acceleration and will do you well.
The 2.0T is a fantastic engine, with plenty of tuning opertunities, I'm guessing you've been on the vectra-c forum- there's a whole wealth of information on there. The 2.0T is pretty bulletproof, nothing reported to go wrong with it on the majority of these engines and even after a stage 3 remap the only concerns would be with the clutch and flywheel.
It's got a lovely kick to the acceleration and will do you well.
You should do a test drive, I had a Vectra C 1.8 Design and then a Signum 2.0T Design and it felt much better screwed together, the sound system was better and there was a lot more soundproofing. It definitly felt a bit more premium. The only thing is the specs are different on the Signum, there's only:
Elegance (Base Model w/ Sat Nav),
Design [equivalent of SRi+Design Vectra](Sporty Model w/ Colour Sat Nav - sports suspension/half-leather seats, tinted rear and front lights, larger alloys) and
Elite (Top spec w/ Colour Satnav - full leather heated seats and a few other toys, but the suspension is standard, and lights aren't tinted)
Whereas the vectra has both Design and SRi, the Design having more toys but standard suspension, wheels and non-tinted windows. Whilst the Vectra SRi has not many toys, but the exterior options, so a Design Signum is IMO the best.
Elegance (Base Model w/ Sat Nav),
Design [equivalent of SRi+Design Vectra](Sporty Model w/ Colour Sat Nav - sports suspension/half-leather seats, tinted rear and front lights, larger alloys) and
Elite (Top spec w/ Colour Satnav - full leather heated seats and a few other toys, but the suspension is standard, and lights aren't tinted)
Whereas the vectra has both Design and SRi, the Design having more toys but standard suspension, wheels and non-tinted windows. Whilst the Vectra SRi has not many toys, but the exterior options, so a Design Signum is IMO the best.
I'd read that about the Signum, it was just that bit better put together than the Vectra was. More use of capscrews etc instead of clips for example and as you say more soundproofing.
I will need to do some test-driving. My dad had a Vectra C 1.8 Life which was a nice enough car to drive and felt well built but was seriously underpowered.
It was the Design Signum I'd been looking at, not bothered about the Elite as I don't want full leather. In terms of the Vectra it was the SRi or the SRi 100 Edition i'd looked at.
Did you find a big difference in size when you changed to the Signum? In terms of parking and visibility out the back?
I will need to do some test-driving. My dad had a Vectra C 1.8 Life which was a nice enough car to drive and felt well built but was seriously underpowered.
It was the Design Signum I'd been looking at, not bothered about the Elite as I don't want full leather. In terms of the Vectra it was the SRi or the SRi 100 Edition i'd looked at.
Did you find a big difference in size when you changed to the Signum? In terms of parking and visibility out the back?
I've got both a Vectra (GSi) and a Signum Design. The Signum is actually slightly longer, but parking is as easy as you can pretty much see where the back of the car is!
As much as I love the GSi, I do honestly prefer the Signum for some reason I can't fathom. My wife is equally happy in either car too. She can get as comfortable as I can, which considering she's 5ft nothing, is pretty good.
Visibility is pretty much the same in both cars. The rear screen wraps a bit on the Signum, where the GSi has quaterlights. The mirrors are actually pretty good on them too, so you'd have to be quite unfortunate to have issues there!
Build quality is slightly better on the Signum, which isn't to say the Vectra is badly built - it isn't, it's just the Signum, like you say, uses different clips and fixings on certain parts.
The 3.2 was available in the Design Signum for a period of time, but only in the pre facelift shape. Also, please note, the SRi never had the 3.2 fitted, only the GSi and Elite.
As much as I love the GSi, I do honestly prefer the Signum for some reason I can't fathom. My wife is equally happy in either car too. She can get as comfortable as I can, which considering she's 5ft nothing, is pretty good.
Visibility is pretty much the same in both cars. The rear screen wraps a bit on the Signum, where the GSi has quaterlights. The mirrors are actually pretty good on them too, so you'd have to be quite unfortunate to have issues there!
Build quality is slightly better on the Signum, which isn't to say the Vectra is badly built - it isn't, it's just the Signum, like you say, uses different clips and fixings on certain parts.
The 3.2 was available in the Design Signum for a period of time, but only in the pre facelift shape. Also, please note, the SRi never had the 3.2 fitted, only the GSi and Elite.
Edited by Magictrousers on Saturday 19th June 13:51
Edited by Magictrousers on Saturday 19th June 13:52
I found personally that the Signums rear windscreen was much easier to see out of than the Vectra because the vectra rear windscreen was on a slope so it was a bit of a letterbox view rather than with the signums full view, plus the window is basically where the boot ends, rather than having a foot and a half of boot after the window in the vectra.
Although, I did have parking sensors fitted on the signum which helped a lot.
Although, I did have parking sensors fitted on the signum which helped a lot.
Yeah I knew the V6 wasn't offered in the SRi. I am swaying more towards a Signum, had a look at some online brochures and it's not a great deal longer than the Vectra hatchback. The wheelbase is a lot longer which gives it the increased interior space but it actually has a shorter overhang at the back than the Vectra.
spaceship said:
Yeah I knew the V6 wasn't offered in the SRi. I am swaying more towards a Signum, had a look at some online brochures and it's not a great deal longer than the Vectra hatchback. The wheelbase is a lot longer which gives it the increased interior space but it actually has a shorter overhang at the back than the Vectra.
yeah IMO it makes it easier to drive as wheels are right at the corners rather than having a big overhang, plus it looks sportier :PGassing Station | VX | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff