Originally Posted by jamie's

i look after a fleet of taxi that are vectras, we have both 120bhp 8 valves and 150bhp 16 valves,
the 8 valves are far more reliable, the 16 valves have a lot of problems with swirl flap sticking causing no end of probs,
you get 2 differant gearbox's, the m32 and the f40 fitted to the 8 valve(all 16v's have the f40),
the f40 is by far the better gearbox, pretty much bulletproof
the m32 is basicaly the opposite, dont look at it the wrong way or it'll do in the diff bearings and check the crownwheel out the casing
if you do buy an early 1 then it will prob have a f40 fitted anyhow,
but for 3k you should be able to get 1 much newer than a 03, we get 57/08 at that money
as above water pumps and timing belts are routine maintenance but they are actualy quite reliable if looked after
we have 15, all over 150k, most well over 200k, even had 1 at over 300k but that came off fleet las year due to age restriction, but its still going strong as a private car now