We're talking later built ones, manufactured from 2000 - after the last facelift, that is. Yes, I'm aware of its image and HJ's car-by-car-breakdown stories. There are plenty to choose from, however I won't be picking up a diesel. Also, no less than 6 cylinders will do. And an autobox, please... Speaking of which - are they all 4-speed ? ZF perhaps ? Any expensive rebuilts on the horizon ?
I heard stories about 2.5 powerplant being as thirsy as its 3.0 bigger brother which also comes with 17" alloys that spoil the ride.
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Friend. Unequivocally. No image, fantastic to drive, great to own.
Do a search on "Omega" in the forum search (top right) and you'll get every viewpoint you could imagine, plus a view on problem areas (door locks, rocker cover oil leak...can't remember any more).
I did a thread on overall running costs of pre-facelift at:
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=15063&...f
In summary, so much car for so little money.
V
PS Don't worry, someone with a more objective view will probably be along later.
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Fine car.. but
I always found that the suspension felt a little baggy after relativly low miles (the ones i drove were around 10-15k a couple of years ago) and steering quite loose and lifeless. The cars felt like they'd done 3 times that mileage.
Would I buy and run one now?
Yes.
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The new-shape ones had most of the problems ironed out, and are a significant improvement over the previous one.
The later new-shape 2.5TD was the only 5 speed auto, there weren't many made at all before Vauxhall put there own 2.2 4 cylinder in
The last BMW units were completely different 24valve ones Y25TD they had plastic inlet manifolds which makes them easy to distinguish from the older, U25TD and X25TD.
These cars are great value for money, and ebay is quite a good place to see what you can get and for how much, even if you don't buy one off there, it is useful for reference.
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Don't worry, someone with a more objective view will probably be along later.
I hope so. Someone like... Aprilia himself ;)
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always liked these , but was behind a v6 today and thought it looked ugly ,dont know why as i said i always liked them..strange. ...cheers...keo
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I kept my Omega 2.5, which I bought new, for over nime years. It was the most reliable car that I've owned and when I traded it in for my Accord it still drove like a new car. I had the cam belt changed twice, three sets of tyres, one set of front pads, one battery and a new exhaust system.
It was a lovely, comfortable car, and superb for travelling across France, and towing my caravan. The only downside was the fuel consumption.
Pity Vauxhall never made a RWD replacement as I'd have bought one.
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My opinion is somewhat jaundiced by having had to work on the wretched things. Thankfully they seem to be fading away into the sunset (or being scrapped) because I haven't seen one for long time now.
Autoboxes are GM and not too bad. Quite a few things to watch on the engine (coils, HT leads, sensors - crank and cam) and the infamous oil cooler! Heads can go on the V6's and basically it'll scrap the car. Cam belt problems are well known.... I also find them a bit 'clunky' to drive with rather 'rubbery' feel to the steering. Some I've driven also seem to handle a bit odd (overly sensitive to steering input) although the service manager at local GM dealer told me that's due to the tracking being out.
Not my favourite car - how about a nice Toyota Camry V6 instead - much more reliable, very quiet and handles as well, if not better, than the Omega.
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I wanted to buy one a couple of years ago to replace my old Volvo estate. Test drove a couple and found them OK if not as solid as the Volvo inside. My real concern was the reliability issuse of which there seem to be plenty over in Technical. Lots of bang for the buck I suppose but that's mainly because of all the problems. It's a shame 'cos I really wanted to like the car. A close friend had one as a company car for 3 years and it had numerous problems. Likewise a neighbour who's just got shot of his (3.0 elite) for peanuts after having gearbox troubles to add to a very long list. Both said they liked the car but hated the problems. That sums it up for me which is why I kept my Volvo 940 for 2 more years and then bought a Mazda MPV. I'm touhing wood though :)
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I've no experience of the Omega, but would offer alternative suggestions to the Camry (good car though it is). Find a Nissan QX or Mazda MX9 or Mitsubishi Galant. All large cars with withering depreciation but supremely reliable. Much better to live with than an Omega.
--
Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
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Aprilia, I always thought the autoboxes were Aisin-Warner, are the Vectra auto's different?
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I've been told all those problems mentioned above belong to the pre-facelift model ?
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Aprilia, I always thought the autoboxes were Aisin-Warner, are the Vectra auto's different?
Omega is a completely different car to Vectra. Uses GM4L30E gearbox. The 'old shape' Vectras use the FWD Aisan-Warner AF20 (been around since the mid-1980's in the Cavalier).
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Thanks Aprilia, the reason i ask is because i'm thinking of getting an auto vectra or omega and wondered which had the most reliable box.
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Pity Vauxhall never made a RWD replacement as I'd have bought one.
Er, the Monaro.
Or how about the new Omega due out next year apparantly:-
www.germancarfans.com/spyphotos.cfm/spyphotoid/604...l
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In terms of looks, drivability (when on the road) and comfort it is the best I have owned.
BUT........
Having spent £3k on one another £3k keeping it on the road over two years it is by far and away the most unreliable piece of kak I have ever owned.
Previously I have driven bangers and whilst the comfort and feel good factor may not have been there at least I didn't enter the car wondering if I'd ever arrive at B from A.
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Can't complain to much about mine ('98 MV6) - I still love it. OK, it's cost a few bob over the past year (3 way valve, front wishbones, cambelt and a set of tyres) but it gets by on minimal attention other than regular oil changes, it looks good and is a great drive.
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Mine's a 99 2.5 cdx. Had it a shade over two years now and 35K miles. 61K on the clock. I had problems at purchase mainly to do with the climate control (knackered ECU) and then other annoying stuff caused by the dealer trying to fix the CC and replace blown dash bulbs (can you believe it?). But since the warranty work was completed it's been ok. Just standard service maintenance. 40K cambelt changes is annoying, but I can live with it. Tyres wear out more than I would have liked (perhaps it's the way I drive). Oh yeah, failed wishbone bushes caused two front tyres an early demise - that annoyed me. There's a trick to setting up the tracking. Join the omega owners group over on Yahoo - good help. Got a minor problem with the power steering at the moment, but not a show stopper. It's never let me down (err, except when the battery died last summer).
Just tootling round locally on very short trips the mpg is only about 23 - but on my longer trips it manages 32/33 which I think is reasonable for such a heavy car.
Would I buy another - well, time's moved on and I've never had the same car twice, so probably not - but I don't regret buying it (yet!).
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>> Pity Vauxhall never made a RWD replacement as I'd have bought one. Er, the Monaro. Or how about the new Omega due out next year apparantly:-
The Monaro is hardly a replacement for the Omega.
I had owned my Omega for nine years and needed a new car. Pity they didn't have one immediately. Vauxhall delayed the introduction of the Vectra Estate with the new 1.9 Fiat diesel engine. I decided that I couldn't wait any longer and went for the Accord Tourer.
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The Monaro is hardly a replacement for the Omega.
I meant that it was RWD, because I misinterpreted your post as Vauxhall not making RWD's anymore.
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