Review
There is nothing outward to see, but you kind of trust that things are happening behind the scenes.
There has been no word from the Stamford Vauxhall dealership on the whereabouts of a previously mentioned ‘lug holder’ that forms part of the plastic casing of the rear seatback locking mechanism that has been requiring replacement since I broke it in November.
It remains the outstanding bit of work required on a job first started in early February.
At the time the car went in to the dealership I was told the part might be in next week, even though it would have to come from Germany. We have not been so lucky.
There is one important caveat to this though – and that is that the missing part has in no way adversely affected the use of the car in its prime role as a load-lugger.
At the recent Fleet News business forums at the Grand Hotel, Brighton, the Vectra was the principal vehicle used for transporting the paraphernalia for the two-day event from our offices in Peterborough – a trip of some 150 miles.
Its boot proved a virtual black hole for the signage, files and folders, computers and the expansive event organisers’ wardrobes and personal effects.
The Vectra is ideally suited to moving goods securely and people comfortably, both driver and passengers. The lengthy journey has also helped us push up the test economy rate from 41.5mpg in February to the current 42.6 mpg. I’ve recently passed the Vectra on to another tester, so the ongoing widget saga is no longer of concern to me, but I’ve appraised the new driver of the situation, so watch this space.
Model: Vauxhall Vectra estate SRi 1.9 CDTi 150
Price (OTR): £20,965 (£24,415 as tested)
Mileage: 6,221
CO2 emissions (g/km): 165
Company car tax bill (2005/6) 40% tax-payer: £154 a month
Combined mpg: 46.3
Test mpg: 42.6
CAP Monitor residual value: £4,975/25%
HSBC contract hire rate: £434
Expenditure to date: Nil
