Opel Vectra B – a lot for a little

Most people want to buy a big car sooner or later. Usually a station wagon, because the offspring was born, and a car with a large trunk is synonymous with a new family member, or a sedan, because it is representative. Cars get old and prices go down, so you don't have to play darts to buy something like that. The only question is what to choose? If you're allergic to the Passat, you're afraid of F cars, and "Asians" are as mysterious as the food they eat, there's also the Opel Vectra.

Vectra B was released back in 1995. But she had a couple of aces up her sleeve. The designers made sure that he received almost everything that an inexpensive premium car should have. True, most of the add-ons weren't free, but the customization options encouraged me to break the night over the catalog, especially since the prices didn't scare me away. In addition, Vectra offered something that competitors often did not have - three body styles. Station wagon for a businessman at one time, a sedan for a lawyer, and a hatchback for the rest. Everything is seasoned with such an interesting silhouette that if it had not been dressed, and there are a lot of it on our roads, it would be stubbornly sold today. Especially restyled versions were carried out in 1999. Its modernity is evidenced by the low coefficient of air resistance Cx=0,28, against which even modern cars are like sails. In short - Vectra B is interesting, but there is a problem.

The models that come out of the factory are different, but if you talk to a few guys from the garage, it turns out that this car is not as reliable as it might seem. The fact that the suspension surrenders on our roads is not news. Here, however, it can be very annoying that, according to statistics, this happens too often, especially when it comes to the “rear” - in addition, if there is play on the wishbones, the geometry of the wheels changes dramatically and the tires transform into slicks. from F1. The Vectra B is usually pretty well-equipped, but it's actually all a pleasure when it works. The failure of the central lock, power windows and reverse gear sensor is considered the norm. Each version has a display on the cab, large or small, which is also “buggy” in some instances - usually the tape comes off from it and stops glowing. It can be repaired, of course, but it will look like a home repair - you will have to remove half the dashboard, unless someone has already invented a better patent. Another thing is the controls - they like to glow without much meaning, although in the case of ABS or ESP it sometimes happens that the system also refused to cooperate. However, if somehow everything is hacked, the benefits will come to the surface. And most of them can influence the choice of this model.

True, the salon is ugly in color and visually plastic, like women rubbing anti-wrinkle cream in advertising, but it is impossible to hide the fact that it is spacious and ergonomically arranged. And in general, in the versions after the facelift, it is easier to hunt for flowers that have a positive effect on the psyche. Even with ergonomics - just, perhaps, only two buttons, one to start the air conditioner, and the other to close the air circulation in the cabin, stuffed into a meaningless place. A piece of bare plastic remained next to the radio, and someone came up with the idea to transfer these two switches here from the cabin ventilation control panel. Bravo - thanks to this, out of 7 plugs, only 5 extra ones remained. Someone may be confused by the power window control buttons that went to the gearbox - such a solution reduces the cost of production, but I never really bothered and I won’t find fault with it. The design itself, for a German car from the 90s, is quite original. The upper part of the dashboard is trimmed with soft material, and the doors are completely upholstered in velor. However, the influence of the accountant is visible - where the driver has a button that controls the mirrors, the passenger has ... another plug. Fortunately, the chairs were made for a German, so they are spacious and, in addition to the lever for adjusting the height of the seat, you can sometimes find a second one for adjusting the lumbar section. In addition, there are several storage compartments - in the headliner, all doors and in the armrest, and the compartment in front of the passenger has space for cups on the inside of the door. I am writing about this because these cups can really be put here, and even taken away with you - the stand is quite deeply profiled. In many other models, after the first meters, the passenger would look as if he had problems with the bladder. However, the main advantage of the cabin is its spaciousness. Are the front and back okay? Also! Two round Americans will fit easily. High ones too. The three of them would have been cramped, but a bag of fast food could easily fit between them. There is another point that cannot be ignored - the trunk. It can be opened with a button from the outside, and is also a good trump card. The sedan has the largest - 500 liters, and who has the smallest? You won't guess. Station wagon - 460l. However, the latter also has a catch. It is enough to fold the backs of the sofa to turn the car into a cave with a capacity of almost 1,5 thousand people. liters.

As for the ride itself, this car loves cornering. The suspension has a rather strange design, but the effect is that the car rides well, maintains comfort, and also when braking on different surfaces, i.e. when one side of the car travels on asphalt and the other on slippery manure to be smeared on the road by the tractor, the wheels are aligned in such a way that the risk of unforeseen behavior of the car is minimized. The good thing is that there are only emergencies on our roads. As for engines, petrol 1.6 l 75 and 100 hp. and diesel 1.7 82 hp the least problematic. Borrowed from Isuzu. While the 1.6l 100km variant is still running rough, the other two are blocking traffic on the road. Of course, there are more powerful units - gasoline engines 1.8 l 116-125 hp, 2.0 l 136 hp. and 2.2 l 147 hp Especially the last two are quite quick to deal with the car, but unfortunately they are all cunning and love to break. The exhaust gas recirculation valve is often clogged, the ignition system and various sensors also fail. Also, do not panic when you look at the dipstick from time to time, and there will be almost no oil there. These bikes love to drink, just like people do. Branched units, apart from good performance and a pleasant sound, offer nothing else - not only are they expensive to repair, they also burn strongly. There is also something for diesel lovers. If the 1.7L proves too weak, then the 2.0L 101KM and 2.2L 125KM will remain - unfortunately, they will not be as reliable as the weakest brother, because they are more difficult and resistant to repairs with a hammer and a dangerous mechanic's face. Here, high-pressure fuel pumps and high-pressure fuel pumps can fail, sometimes head gaskets burn out and, of course, turbochargers fail. However, these units have important advantages - they burn little, are maneuverable and rather quiet. You just have to choose between performance and reliability.

Approximately 10-year-old Premium cars are no longer an indicator of prestige, they are becoming family cars. Vectra B already dressed, but still looks good and costs little. This is an interesting alternative in its class for two reasons - it offers good transportation options and in fact, unlike Ford and "F" cars, this brand has not yet come up with stupid chants so that people are not afraid to buy it from the other side. .

This article was created thanks to the courtesy of TopCar, who provided a car from the current offer for a test and photo session.

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