2019 Vauxhall Insignia B 1.5T Elite Nav
Discussion
Hello all. First Readers' Cars thread for me. 
I needed a new car after my previous one was given last rites by my mechanic. Although that was disappointing, it's always exciting to go car shopping.
My criteria were something comfy, relaxing and although I do about 20,000 miles a year on motorways and dual carriageways so a diesel would make sense, I wanted petrol as I really don't like diesel.
A friend of mine has a relatively new petrol Vauxhall Insignia and I was in his car a while back. I thought it was rather nice and he's certainly very happy with his having had no problems so that was my starting point this time round.
This is my first Vauxhall although I am no stranger to the brand. My now deceased father had a succession of them growing up so I've always had a soft spot for them and I've driven a fair few at work over the years and always found them to be much better than some people say they are.
My wife's sole wish was for it to have full leather upholstery so that restricted me to the top of the range Elite Nav trim as, from what I could see, everything else was either part leather or cloth seats.
There were only a handful of Elite Nav trim cars available and, of course, none of them were near me. I looked at the same trim level for the Astra and although there were a lot more around and quite a few substantially closer to home, I think if I had bought the Astra I would be wishing I had bought the Insignia, but I don't think I would be wishing I was in an Astra if I bought the Insignia, if that makes sense.
Anyway, I saw this one in Nottinghamshire, about 220 miles away. Two owners, full Vauxhall service history, good MOT history, 87,400 miles.
I made an enquiry and I have to say from start to finish the salesman was great. Really nice, friendly guy, very responsive to communication and arranged for my visit to be a one and done where I could drive the car away that day if all went well.
The car was exactly as described and very well presented. He gave me the key and I went on an unaccompanied test drive. The car drove beautifully and I was really happy with it. It's just had a new MOT and service so we struck a deal and I was on my way.
Obviously the first step was to get some fuel so here's the obligatory petrol station shot. I forgot to take a photo when it was at the pump, so this will have to do.
First job on the list - get rid of those stupid tyre valve dust covers.
Next job was to get rid of these wind deflectors. I think they look totally naff.
Only one place for these...
First impressions of the car are very good indeed. It's quiet, comfy, refined and rides well. I read others say that the engine needs revs to make progress and that's sort of true but even though it's only 162 bhp, it doesn't feel slow at all. What it does have is quite a long pedal. My other cars don't need anything like the same accelerator pedal travel to achieve the desired speed but I'm sure it's something I'll get used to.
No plans for the car other than to pile on hopefully tens of thousands of trouble free miles so I don't know how often I'll update this thread, but I thought it might be useful if someone is thinking of buying one.
One last crap photo at a motorway service station somewhere north of London.
I think my dad would approve.
I needed a new car after my previous one was given last rites by my mechanic. Although that was disappointing, it's always exciting to go car shopping.
My criteria were something comfy, relaxing and although I do about 20,000 miles a year on motorways and dual carriageways so a diesel would make sense, I wanted petrol as I really don't like diesel.
A friend of mine has a relatively new petrol Vauxhall Insignia and I was in his car a while back. I thought it was rather nice and he's certainly very happy with his having had no problems so that was my starting point this time round.
This is my first Vauxhall although I am no stranger to the brand. My now deceased father had a succession of them growing up so I've always had a soft spot for them and I've driven a fair few at work over the years and always found them to be much better than some people say they are.
My wife's sole wish was for it to have full leather upholstery so that restricted me to the top of the range Elite Nav trim as, from what I could see, everything else was either part leather or cloth seats.
There were only a handful of Elite Nav trim cars available and, of course, none of them were near me. I looked at the same trim level for the Astra and although there were a lot more around and quite a few substantially closer to home, I think if I had bought the Astra I would be wishing I had bought the Insignia, but I don't think I would be wishing I was in an Astra if I bought the Insignia, if that makes sense.
Anyway, I saw this one in Nottinghamshire, about 220 miles away. Two owners, full Vauxhall service history, good MOT history, 87,400 miles.
I made an enquiry and I have to say from start to finish the salesman was great. Really nice, friendly guy, very responsive to communication and arranged for my visit to be a one and done where I could drive the car away that day if all went well.
The car was exactly as described and very well presented. He gave me the key and I went on an unaccompanied test drive. The car drove beautifully and I was really happy with it. It's just had a new MOT and service so we struck a deal and I was on my way.
Obviously the first step was to get some fuel so here's the obligatory petrol station shot. I forgot to take a photo when it was at the pump, so this will have to do.
First job on the list - get rid of those stupid tyre valve dust covers.
Next job was to get rid of these wind deflectors. I think they look totally naff.
Only one place for these...
First impressions of the car are very good indeed. It's quiet, comfy, refined and rides well. I read others say that the engine needs revs to make progress and that's sort of true but even though it's only 162 bhp, it doesn't feel slow at all. What it does have is quite a long pedal. My other cars don't need anything like the same accelerator pedal travel to achieve the desired speed but I'm sure it's something I'll get used to.
No plans for the car other than to pile on hopefully tens of thousands of trouble free miles so I don't know how often I'll update this thread, but I thought it might be useful if someone is thinking of buying one.
One last crap photo at a motorway service station somewhere north of London.
I think my dad would approve.
Quhet said:
These are handsome in a slightly anonymous way and look so much better than the previous model. I'd imagine economy is pretty reasonable being a 1.5?
I've done about 600 miles since buying it and according to the car's trip computer I'm getting 47mpg. My friend with the same car gets real life 44mpg so that's probably closer to the real figure.I liked the first generation Insignia but this one looks a lot better, like you say.
CarlosSainz100 said:
These are underrated. My mate at work has a black one and it looks a good shape. He's had no problems with it whatsoever. Do they do a good auto?
Mine's a manual so I have no idea what the auto is like but the manual is very nice indeed. The gears are very slick and there's no judder from the clutch. Everything is very smooth.Raymond Reddington said:
I m also considering a large comfy petrol car even though I do diesel mileage years of failed DMF s, DPFs, injectors, EGR Valves, AdBlue systems, etc etc and I m bored of it. watching with interest.
I did the same, I do 20k a year in a petrol Vectra (its great great grandad...if you like) , after coming from a diesel doing 25k a year - agree with all the above as much as it can never happen, but it is still at the back of my mind.Do like the look of these 'siggy's - very underrated, dont really see many Elite spec ones about, usually in the SRI specs. I like it - very subtle and discreet.
Raymond Reddington said:
I m also considering a large comfy petrol car even though I do diesel mileage years of failed DMF s, DPFs, injectors, EGR Valves, AdBlue systems, etc etc and I m bored of it. watching with interest.
My diesel history started in 2008 when I started a 60 mile a day round trip commute. The Volvo V70 D5 averaged 35mpg, after a 27mpg petrol MG ZT-T.In recent years I am down to around 7,000 miles a year, and this year finally moved on from my second V70 to a PHEV Citroen C5X. Still reckon the Volvo would do 35-50mpg depending on usage. The Citroen is doing everything local on volts, and up to 57mpg brim to brim on a recent 2400 mile roadtrip.
I've seen similar mpg claims on line for the C5X mild hybrid, but I've got 225bhp, and they only have about 140, so there.
I do wonder what level "diesel mileage" actually starts at nowadays.
I always think people who can appreciate a Vauxhall are giving a wry smile at those that can't! and keeping their money in the bank earning some nice interest!
Not me, no I buy German and pay through the nose :-(
I follow these threads with interest though, I think they are decent cars with a bad rap.
I've not driven one for years, but that was probably an early one (work hire car), I just found the drivers seat a bizarre design, it had negative support in the lumbar area, literally crippled my back :-(
Anyway looks decent O.P. I hope it serves you well, any photos of the interior? I know you said leather seats, are they heated?
And of course, how much wonga was it? ££££££££ :-)
Not me, no I buy German and pay through the nose :-(
I follow these threads with interest though, I think they are decent cars with a bad rap.
I've not driven one for years, but that was probably an early one (work hire car), I just found the drivers seat a bizarre design, it had negative support in the lumbar area, literally crippled my back :-(
Anyway looks decent O.P. I hope it serves you well, any photos of the interior? I know you said leather seats, are they heated?
And of course, how much wonga was it? ££££££££ :-)
7 5 7 said:
I did the same, I do 20k a year in a petrol Vectra (its great great grandad...if you like) , after coming from a diesel doing 25k a year - agree with all the above as much as it can never happen, but it is still at the back of my mind.
Do like the look of these 'siggy's - very underrated, dont really see many Elite spec ones about, usually in the SRI specs. I like it - very subtle and discreet.
I had a choice of two on Autotrader. One in Nottinghamshire and the other on Tyneside, which didn't look as nice. Rare indeed! Loads of SRi spec available, as you say., after coming from a diesel doing 25k a year - agree with all the above as much as it can never happen, but it is still at the back of my mind.Do like the look of these 'siggy's - very underrated, dont really see many Elite spec ones about, usually in the SRI specs. I like it - very subtle and discreet.
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