Each week, for about 48 weeks of the year, I test a different car. I test sports cars, luxury cars, Audis, BMWs, Jaguars. You name it. Not once has the car park manager mentioned the fact that I change my car every week. We talk about his football and horse bets. He’s better at the former than the latter. But, as I walked in at the end of a long day last week he sprung from his chair with unusual vigour, “Hello Matt, I see you’ve got the new Vauxhall in. I’ve always been a Vauxhall man. I’ve got an Omega. It’s the 2.7. I know they’re not rated but I like it. I don’t need to trade it up yet, but I wouldn’t mind one of them new ones. Looks like a Volkswagen or BMW.”
It’s an interesting thing, the car brand. You see, Geoff the car park manager, wouldn’t buy a BMW. He’s a Vauxhall man. But he accepts that people think more highly of BMWs. So to have a Vauxhall that is as good as a BMW, well that’s nirvana. Just as it will be for the many company car drivers whose employers have a deal with Vauxhall.
When the Cavalier was replaced with the first Vectra, which looked just like a Cavalier, Jeremy Clarkson spent an entire Top Gear feature saying nothing. The car was so dull or terrible, he couldn’t think of a thing to say. It is tempting to leave these two pages blank, because I too am struggling to know what to say about this car. But for the exact opposite reason: the Insignia is perfect.
Not perfect in that it can beat a Porsche round a race track or be used to chauffeur the Queen. But it’s perfect at what it set out to do. To the extent that a friend of mine, who last saw me when testing a 2 year old Audi A6 said he couldn’t tell the difference. He knew one was an Audi, the other a Vauxhall. He knew therefore there was a difference in new price and perception of quality. But, sitting in them, just a few weeks apart, with his mind on what the next family car should be, couldn’t discern any tangible advantage that one car had over another.
He’s right – up to a point. The shut lines, plastics and leather choices, equipment, touch of the buttons are of as high a quality as any premium brand. Vauxhall engines are economic refined but potent. The cruise up the M1 in the Insignia was hushed – better than a Jaguar XF. The acceleration and handling along the short stretches of A-road between the millions of Milton Keynes roundabouts was every bit as gratifying, exciting and safe as the Audi and Mercedes I tested on the same routes. As you will see in the price and stats section, there is an engine, spec and budget for everyone too.
The seats, driving position, boot space, leg room, head room, are all absolutely first class. I hate to be gushing about things, in case you think I have been bribed. But the Insignia is worthy of the praise.
Who is buying them?
Fleets. Which will see lots pour into the nearly new used market, via main dealers and supermarkets. This means there will be some scruffy ones (mainly at supermarkets) and lots of well maintained and perfectly prepared ones, all at lots less than new prices.
What’s the market like?
The Insignia is around in small numbers, but fleet sales will increase this significantly over the car’s life, increasing choice and softening prices. It is performing better than its predecessor, the slightly less desirable Vectra, but will largely follow the same patterns. Petrols will be cheaper, diesels will be higher mileage, the first year will see a big chunk of value come off, then typically, low to mid-teens depreciation year-on-year.
What else can this budget buy?
The new Ford Mondeo is the direct competitor. £16,000 - £20,000 buys nearly new cars from the upper end of the Ford and Vauxhall spectrums. Peugeot and Citroen compete by offering cheaper nearly new prices and lots of kit, even if design and quality are not in the same league as the other two. It will also buy some 2 year old Audi A6s and BMW 5-Series.
Summary
Better than the brilliant new Ford Monedo. As stylish as A Volkswagen or Audi. Capable in every driving respect. Plus, with Vauxhall running costs and used prices. It is the ultimate automotive all rounder.
By: Matthew Tumbridge