Hello guys,
I've lurked in the mists for a few years and now and the time has come to replace my current car. I require some advice/opinions which will of course be greatly appreciated.
I am after a replacement for my ageing P plate 1.0L Citroen AX. It has served me well having done 13,000 miles during the last year I've owned it (including two 1,000 mile round trips to Cornwall - I must have been crazy).
After enduring the basics I've decided to treat myself with a nicer drive and have around £2,000 to spend on the right car. I don't do many miles and this will only reduce with my new job - around 150 to 200 miles maximum a week so efficiency is not that important.
So the car I'm considering is a facelift (post 2000) Vauxhall Omega Elite with the 2.5 V6 petrol engine and an auto box. The car has all the bells and whistles (aircon, leather, auto box, nippy) I'd like plus I've always admired the subtle styling which in my opinion still looks 'new'. Also I presume the servicing parts are cheaper than similar alternatives.
I've seen these cars selling on autotrader and ebay for between £1500 and £2000 which seems ideal for me.
My questions are -
What are people?s opinions on these cars (I've read the Car by Car breakdown and would like something more specific)?
What alternatives are there in this price range for a similar spec?
Many thanks
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I agree, I keep passing a lovely silver one at a garage. I used to have a pre-facelift Elite, and it was the best car I've ever had. I'm sorry I replaced it with a VW.
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Plenty of info in www.vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk to keep you busy.
I've had my 2.5 CDX estate a couple years now. It's 97R if it didn't have my reg. Prefer the interior on my one, but the exterior & wheels on later model.
It's got all the toys, except leather (pleased to say) & is a VERRRY competent car. It did start out it's life as Police car, escort duties, not pursuit duty, so well maintained throughout.
Your difficulty will be finding a not too many owner model, but they are out there. A 43000mile Y plate was in Derby BCA last week, didn't see it sold, but maybe other Broomers saw it?? £2500ish would have been a bargain!
Not too many on Auctionview, either - only 29 accross the range, but might be worth a clik or 2 to check.
VB
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Well I've never owned a facelfit Omega, but I've done about 150K in older 2.5 and 2.0s.
A few thoughts on the engine at least:-
Vital ( for peace of mind) that cambelt, idler pulleys & tensior are changed every 40K.
The oil cooler seals tend to go eventually, repair is fiddly as the cooler is in the middle of the V.
Like all ECOTECs they seem to eat cam and / or crank sensors every 30-50K for no good reason.
The crankcase breathers block, leading to the idle air control valve gunging up, causing stalling on idle; and oil being pushed out of the cam covers and into the spark plug recesses.
Some parts are silly prices from main dealers ( HT leads for a 2.5 V6 are just under 200 quid), but most are available from various independants now, Autovaux for example.
I'm still happy driving them, just bear in mind that they are a big, relatively complex car, so you won't run it for years on small change.
There's a helpful Yahoo group here, before I forget:-
autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/omega_owners/
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