11 replies to this topic

[Coupe2t]

Hi All, I used to own an Astra coupe turbo, with the Z20LET engine, which I believe is the same 2ltr turbo engine that the VXT's use? I sold that though and bought a Vectra Diesel family car as my wife was pregnant, since the birth of my daughter though she has now bought a nice little 4 door Focus, so that is now really the main family car, so I am cosidering ditching the Veccie and picking up a VX220. I just wanted some more info about the running costs etc though really, Petrol wise I can guesstimate from when I owned the turbo previously, which was stage 1 mapped and just about ready for stage 2 when I sold it. I had literally had the new intercooler fitted 3 days before selling. What are the costs like for tyres etc, and how much does it eat tyres? I know that will obviously depend a bit on my driving style etc, but just looking for average yearly costs associated to these cars? Also, what are they like for winter use? Do they keep warm enough etc, as I would be using it a fair bit. I certainly would buy with no intention of ever selling again, so although I would be clocking up a few miles in it, that isn't a concern for me as such. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Cheers Jay

[Goosenka]

Hey Jay Fuel is ok if you don't rinse the hell out it. Some owners return 36 mpg but as you say depends on driving style. Running costs are not too bad but you can't run it on a fiver Tyres dependant of course what you want are anywhere from £120 ish. Some maybe cheaper but the sky is your limit. As far as winter well you will get different stories there! My heater is like a moth coughing and never really blows hot but other heaters are fine. Few mods around to maximise the benefit of what you get but it can be a chilly place at times. Defrosting and clearing the windscreen can be a ball ache but some have installed heated windscreens, heated seats and the like so it's all very do able as a year round car. HTH

[FLD]

Hmm, this is a toughy. Despite the similar engine the VX is a whole different animal. They can be rather 'high maintainance' in terms of suspension components etc. If you get one seek out the best example you can afford. I bought one needing a little sprucing up as I dont mind getting my hands mucky. Its been pretty tough, cost a lot but I now have a reasonable wagon. WRT actual running costs: Petrol and tyres aren't too bad, overlap parts aren't too bad, VX exclusive parts are outrageously expensive. Try and find a local owner and have a look round theirs.

[-Dab-of-Oppo-]

Hi Jay welcome to the forum. Where abouts in hants are you? If your close enough to me your welcome to a run out in and look around my car. If your looking at the VXT then it will almost certainly return better economy than your astra. It's shifting a lot less weight so is less stressed and generally very reliable. If you really tried you could see 40mpg + on a good run.

[jonnyboy]

A nice low mileage one should cost less to run than a Vectra. As mentioned before its just when you start with things like suspension refreshes that things get expensive. My VX has cost me £30 this year so far for an engine mount and that's it so far!

[Kieran McC]

Like Joe said you cant run a VX on a fiver a week

[Coupe2t]

Hey Jay

Fuel is ok if you don't rinse the hell out it. Some owners return 36 mpg but as you say depends on driving style. Running costs are not too bad but you can't run it on a fiver

Tyres dependant of course what you want are anywhere from £120 ish. Some maybe cheaper but the sky is your limit.

As far as winter well you will get different stories there! My heater is like a moth coughing and never really blows hot but other heaters are fine. Few mods around to maximise the benefit of what you get but it can be a chilly place at times.

Defrosting and clearing the windscreen can be a ball ache but some have installed heated windscreens, heated seats and the like so it's all very do able as a year round car.

HTH

Thanks mate, very helpful. Where do the heated windscreens and seats come from? Were they fitted as standard on some VX's or are they from an Astra or something of that sort?

I would defo want it as an all round car and I suspected that most things would be similar costs to my Astra, I just wasn't sure how different things were etc.

Hmm, this is a toughy. Despite the similar engine the VX is a whole different animal. They can be rather 'high maintainance' in terms of suspension components etc. If you get one seek out the best example you can afford. I bought one needing a little sprucing up as I dont mind getting my hands mucky. Its been pretty tough, cost a lot but I now have a reasonable wagon. WRT actual running costs: Petrol and tyres aren't too bad, overlap parts aren't too bad, VX exclusive parts are outrageously expensive. Try and find a local owner and have a look round theirs.

I assume the exhaust is a different set up as well? I know the exhaust on my Astra was the same as on the VXR's bar the back box section, I assume that's not the case here though?

The suspension you have mentioned, is that bespoke to the VX's? Or was it used on any of the other cars etc? Is it aftermarket as standard or Vauxhall own suspension?

What Exclusive Vauxhall parts are there that I should be aware of?

Hi Jay welcome to the forum. Where abouts in hants are you? If your close enough to me your welcome to a run out in and look around my car.

If your looking at the VXT then it will almost certainly return better economy than your astra. It's shifting a lot less weight so is less stressed and generally very reliable. If you really tried you could see 40mpg + on a good run.

Cheers mate, Appreciate the offer. I live in a smallish town called Andover, not sure how close that is though, Will have to google map it. I may well take you up on the offer though if I do go for picking one up myself. Just to get a good look before I start shopping round etc.

A nice low mileage one should cost less to run than a Vectra. As mentioned before its just when you start with things like suspension refreshes that things get expensive. My VX has cost me £30 this year so far for an engine mount and that's it so far!

My Vectra has cost me a ton more than that this year! lol. Had a suspension coil snap, new tyres all round, I have a water leak, which is coming from behind the water pump so I guess that's going to be an expensive job, as the cam belt etc will need to come off to get to find the water leak. If I was mechanically minded myself then I would have a go, but i'm not overly good at that sort of thing, I work in IT! lol. I might do an evening mechanics class though at some point, be good to be able to do a bit more hands on myself.

Like Joe said you cant run a VX on a fiver a week

Haha, yeah I wouldn't expect to, just wanted to get a rough idea on costs and/or things to look out for that might catch me out as a big expense.

[FLD]

The exhausts are unique to the VX although standard ones change hands for around 20 quid! Most people want one that sounds a little more 'sporty'. Wishbones can be had from lotus so aren't too bad. Dear bits are odd little things like the rear mud flaps (70 quid each), headlamps (1200 each), mats (600 a pair I think).

[Boombang]

All the bits you had go wrong in the last year can and do go wrong on vx's, plus a lot more. Even a mint well maintained vx can spring huge cost on you in a very short space of time.

[Hark]

As others have said service and wear and tear items aren't expensive. I've spent quite alot on parts that have failed and not the easiest to work on. Very low and tight access due to the clams.

[Goosenka]

Heated windscreens and seats were not standard.just after market modifications. Do a search on the site ::

Edited by Goosenka, 21 July 2012 - 05:09 PM.

[Coupe2t]

Thanks for all the info guys. I've been having a browse about on the site and slowly getting all the info together.