Vauxhall Omega Saloon (1994 - 2003) 2.5i V6 CDX 4d (1999/T) Owner Review
Want to know everything there is to know about this car?
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Summary
What does this car say about you?
Not a lot. Because its a Vauxhall and relatively image free most people are unaware of what it can do so just ignore it, making it a very discreet luxury motor. To those in the know it can command respect though.
What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?
My dad calls it "the evil car" and I agree finished in black it does have a slightly menecing presence about it, which I like. I have fitted a K&N filter cone to it which has improved the engine note immesurably! It now growls like a beast and turns some heads when you put your foot down too! Surprises (pleasantly) everyone who rides in it though.
Would you buy this car again and why?
No. I would buy the BMW engined 2.5 straight 6 diesel as that is a much easier engine to maintain and is also a lot more frugal. The 2.0/2.2 are much cheaper to service but not very quick. the 3.0/3.2 I would consider because they are genuinely quick, but ony if it were perfect with FSH and wasn't coming upto its major (40k miles) service, as you can easily spend all your money again on one of these cars thanks to the complex servicing procedures this V6 engine requires.
What are you likely to buy next?
A BMW 5 series. I have had BMWs before and they are generally more reliable and also cheaper to run (parts prices from vauxhall for this car seem to exceed even those of BMW!!!)
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Buying experience
Type of dealer you bought from?
Didn't buy from a dealer
Did you buy this car new?
No
What price did you pay?
£600
When did you buy the car?
September 2008
Did you get a good deal and why?
Looked like a bargain on the face of it, but do not assume that because they are a Vauxhall and cheap to buy they are cheap to maintain. They are not! The V6 engined models are very complex to service, so the costs can be huge as I have since found out!
Is there any special reason why you bought this car?
A reasonably new car with very high spec for very little money! Or so it seemed...
What was the dealer like?
N/A
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Driving it
What's it like to drive?
Excellent. A worthy competitor to the much more expensive (to buy) BMW 5 Series. The police used them as persuit cars so that tells you something! The RWD chassis corners great and is fun and controlable enough to get the tail out now and then. The 2.5 V6 while not exactly sports car quick, is smooth and flexible and hooked up to a slick, if fairly weighty manual box which makes maintaining speed easy and enjoyable. Very smooth and refined on the motorway.
What's it like to park?
Clearly its a big car so city driving is not its favorite environment. But the turning circle is pretty good, and the smooth and easy controls mean its not hard to manouver about, although rearward vision is poor.
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Living with it
Have you had any problems with the car?
Seems pretty solid overall, although the elecrtics can be a bit tempramental. The computer keeps telling me I have blown bulbs when I haven't, the passenger side window refuses to work occasionally and the sunroof has packed up, though with climate control and power windows all round there's not much need for it anyway. The tappets were starting to rattle and the cam cover oil seals needed replacing, this is where it starts to get expensive.
What's most practical about your car?
Its very spacious. The boot is huge, but although the seats do fold down the crossbeams remain so it can't take long and wide loads, unlike the estate version.
Favourite gadget, option or accessory?
The dual zone climate control is good in summer (although it did need re-gassing to restore the coldness) while the heated seats and mirrors are great in winter. The computer has lots of different functions and is a fun gadget but seems to have a mind of it own!
