226 replies to this topic

[Thorney]

We seem to have a lot of new people joining who are looking to get a car, both new VXT and NA. I think it would be useful if we could post up our thoughts and experiences on the good, bad and ugly out there. If there is enough reponse I can set up a dealer forum (if thats what we want). If someone is doing it right then we should be aware and if someone is doing it wrong we should be warned. Anyone want to start?

[johnvx220]

I live in Plymouth and have had the car for a month. The local dealer is CD Bramall and they are a vx garage. The guy who is soul charge of service and warranty work is Richard, and very helpful. The sales could not give me a good deal and until last week was trying to sell a vx220 leather etc for 25k. They have a tubo marked up at 28k

[mal_dun]

Thorney I live in Wilmslow in Cheshire and my nearest dealer is Grimshaws in Manchester. They are great. Malcolm Taylor is very knowledgeable about the VX. All the info he has given me has been spot on. They've also always given me a VX as the courtesy car Their techy seems OK and does a good job. No complaints what so ever

[andym172]

I must put a good word in for Ray at Slaters Vauxhall in Colwyn Bay. Allowed me to take a nice long test drive, was very friendly and knowledgable and topped it off by giving me a good deal on both my trade in and the VX. If/when I get a Turbo I'll definitely be going back there again... Andy.

[Mick43]

Underwoods at Colchester. First class pre and post sales including service. Mick

[Thorney]

Well to add my two pennies worth in. I can only vouch for pre-sales but Martin at Burnham Garage is very keen and knowledgable on the car, Wayne at Crownhill and Graham at Picador get big honorable mentions for being really into the car as well. I can't comment on aftersales/service yet obviously.

[Thorney]

Lots of positive views but no negative, fantastic if thats the case but........ If anyone is worried about dealers seeing this then let me know and I'll post it annoymously. I want us to be able to voice our opinion openly.

[vx220turbo]

My comments are more about Vauxhall than any specific dealers but you asked for the negative side !!. I have had a few bad experiences with Vauxhall cars and Cam Belts. First Vauxhall I owned was an Astra Sport. The Cam Belt failed when it had only done 17k miles and was less than 2 years old. Vauxhall weren't interested and only after a month of arguing did they agreed to pay 95% of the repair bill which ran into 1000's. My wife bought a Tigra and the Cam Belt went after 9k mikes but was covered under warranty luckily. I bought a Vectra GSI 4 years ago. The service book stated the Cam Belt should be changed at 60,000 miles. When I went last year to get a 50,000 mile service done I was told that I was way past the service interval for the Cam Belt and it needed to be changed. When I pointed out the service book times the Garage informed me that Vauxhall had been suffering major Cam Belt issues and were recommending they were changed at 40k. The decision was mine but I was advised to change it. Why didn't Vauxhall mail shot people to advise of this ?? I am sure you know how much a cambelt on a vectra GSI costs. A bill I wasn't expecting !!! Vauxhall have not issued a recall on Cam Belts apparently which I find amazing given the problems they are aware of. I don't think Vauxhall always offer a particularly good service or customer care in general. A recent post of mine is typical. If Vauxhall are increasing prices next week then surely they should inform all their dealers. (Assuming they haven't ?) and the general public. Even if they are not increasing prices there is confusion in dealerships where some think there is an increase and others don't. Poor communications !!!! Why when they have just released a new version of the VX220 does the Vauxhall web site still state it's a future model and offer no information about it ? Poor publicity A slightly differnet subject. New Car Delivery. When I bought my Vectra GSI I ordered it in March 1998 for an August the 1st Delivery on a new plate. I checked regularly on progress and was told everything was fine. 1 week before delivery I checked with the dealer and yes it was due to arrive and would be ready. So I sold my old car. 5 days before I was due to take delivery the garage phoned to say there was a 6 week delay caused by Motor Sports Development running behind. 5 days before I should be driving it. They must have known well before this date. I called Vauxhall who weren't interested, offered no compensation and said if I had a problem I had to take it up with the dealer. Very helpfull as their supplier caused the problem !! My dealer offered me free extended warranty but it in no way compensated for the lack of a car for 6 weeks or the fact I wanted a new August register and got a car late September eventually. When I bought my Astra sport a few years ago it was factory ordered and new. Why then did it have 467 miles on the clock when it arrived ? The dealership could not explain and were not very happy when I refused to accept it and they had to try and source me another one including the extras I had fitted. Unfortunately they couldn't and I would have had to wait weeks for another to be made. So I reluctantly took delivery with a small amount of compensation. I do seriously question myself when I am considering buying a VX220. I have seen comments about poor built quailty, failing components etc. Accept that the car is for the enthusiast and you have to accept some problems. But spending £26000 you expect the car to be of an acceptable build quality and not fall apart. I am concerned when I see comments about bits being added and extra washers used to make things line up. I know it's hand built... etc etc. I know other manufacturers have problems and none are perfect. A high proportion of Vauxhall's cars and built welll and their customers are very happy. But I canot help thinking I am mad to consider buying another. But the car is just such good fun!! Obviously these are my personal experiences and opinions and don't reflect those of anyone else.

[garyk220]

I do seriously question myself when I am considering buying a VX220. I have seen comments about poor built quailty, failing components etc. Accept that the car is for the enthusiast and you have to accept some problems. But spending £26000 you expect the car to be of an acceptable build quality and not fall apart. I am concerned when I see comments about bits being added and extra washers used to make things line up. I know it's hand built... etc etc.

To be fair to Vauxhall, the VX220 is built by Lotus. Perhaps I'm in the minority but I think it's actually put together pretty well. Most of the washers/shims you've heard about are there to allow adjustment of the suspension geometry (camber & castor). The clams may need the odd washer to align them correctly, but I'd be surprised if any hand-built cars don't need these... Zondas and Maclaren F1s included

[vx220turbo]

your absolutely right. Hand built is far better and these few small concerns are far outweighed by the care taken when putting the cars together. Wish I had been able to go on the Lotus factory tour and seen them being made for myself. Probably a good job I didn't as I would have probably tried to buy one there and then !!!

[rje]

I bought by VX in early Jan from Lance Owen in Weybridge , after having test driven it on a sunny day when there was snow ont he ground, great funw tiht the roof off. Tony Rios was very helpful and knowledgable about the car, seems a real enthusiast. Car lives in Southampton as weekend toy. Picador have been very helpful with a few warranty issues (repray due to heat bubbles and new heater matix). Would highly recommend them as they seem very keen on the car and also extremely helpful from the mechanic to the boss.

[waverunner]

I bought by VX in early Jan from Lance Owen in Weybridge , after having test driven it on a sunny day when there was snow ont he ground, great funw tiht the roof off. Tony Rios was very helpful and knowledgable about the car, seems a real enthusiast.

I can second this. Tony's been more than helpful with a couple of niggles I had. And it does make a huge difference if the guys at the dealerships are enthusiastic about the car - which Tony most certainly is. Even let me loose in his new turbo demonstrator in the full knowledge that I'm not in a position to change cars.

So, come on Tony - let's have a Lance Owen banner on the dealers page

[Thorney]

So, come on Tony - let's have a Lance Owen banner on the dealers page

Yeah, I'd like to get a few more

[TheRockstar]

In my quest to sort out the steering pull on my car, I've visited 3 VX franchised dealers:

Steve Thompson Cars - Lichfield
Bought the car from them, friendly helpful sales guys. Only recently won the VX franchise, and still enthusiastic - I'm sure I could convince them to put a banner up on here.

Service guys are a great help, doing all they can to sort out the steering pull at the moment - and they gave me a Vectra as a courtesy car, covered on their insurance for no cost.

Lookers Vauxhall - Aston
Rang up to book my VX in for the same problem here, and the service receptionist said 'Is that an Astra?' I said no, she said 'well is it a Vectra or a Corsa then?'......Couldn't perform a full geometry check, and only managed to check the front toe.

I dont understand how a delaer that has won the VX franchise has done so, without having full geometry alignment kit, as is needed for the VX.

Arriva - Leamington Spa
Helpful chaps. Service guy (Mani) was extremely helpful and treated me like a human being.. Reset the geometry on the car, but the car still pulled. This said, they still recognised the fact that it pulled, and didnt try to fob me off with the old 'its the road camber sir, they all do that' line...

Car should be back tomorrow hopefully, with new dampers, and a new drivers speaker..... timed it perfectly - pissing it down today...

Nick

[rubber]

don't think there are any owners down my neck of the woods but if anyone from the maidstone area in kent read this site on the premise of buying a VX/VXT don't go to POMPHREYS BAPCHILD. I have now rung them every day for 2 weeks about my palmer day, sometimes 3 times a day and still no-one has phoned back. Rubber roof sill was ripped when i picked up car still hasn't been replaced. fuel cap and surround was scratched still hasn't been replaced. You can probably guess i'm not to enamoured with them. Will be taking car elsewhere for it's services, there not getting any more money out of me!!!! Ian

[rubber]

right just got back from Pomphreys Bapchild. Have been PROMISED palmer day is now in post to them and all repairs will be done. So if you log on to this site Neil then I appologise IF the work is carried out swiftly. Still think they should of rung back after 2 weeks not wait for me to go down and complain.

[Purebob]

Thats really shabby mate. What a pity that some rubbish dealers ruin teh great ownership experience of the VX. This forum is useful as some very senior VX folks use it, and so do a few decent dealers. Stay tuned !

[cheeky_chops]

Also before taking receipt of the car the mechanic discovered a very small defect during the PDI. A small aluminium housing within the cooling system had a manufacturing defect and would slightly leak when the car was at full temperature. I mean it was a dribble...

Yea, Wayne told me about that the other day. Very true - He is very confident that the product is great, the price is right and he certainly knows and loves Vx's. Plus they have 2 VX specialist mechanics to ensure they deliver the goods. Before i went to Crownhill, I asked about servicing costs at another dealer and the service reception hadnt a clue - "Dont think we have ever had one in mate" was his reply. Whereas the Crownhill service receptionist knew the servicing schedule and prices off the top of her head!! Its little things like this hat gives you that warm feeling

many people say its more niggles than faults(sorry to here about your problems Ian)- its not a merc and its certainly NOT trying to be But i have brought a 51 plate from him and cant wait to pick it up. I am pretty certain that the delivery and post sales will be spot on too.

Keep it up Wayne and crew!