Faults:

The car started missing as if running on 5 cylinders. I put new plug leads, then a rotor arm and finally a new set of plugs. That did the trick.

General Comments:

When I bought this car I didn't know what to expect. I felt it was running a little flat. But after the new sparks, it cracks me up.

It is so smooth and fast. Taking tight bends and corners means I can really get the back-end going in the strictest confidence.

Just like being at the funfair. The Waltzer.

Faults:

Damp got into the ignition system at 150K.

A main radiator hose blew at 157K.

The headlamps have just decided to stay on dipped even with all the lights switched off and the ignition key removed. If anyone has any ideas on how to fix this one, I'd love to hear from you please.

General Comments:

The performance is breathtaking.

An extremely well built and comfortable car for long distances.

Spares can be pricey (especially rear springs)

Watch out for rust on the front and rear chassis members.

Faults:

Battery needed replacing at approximately 108000 miles.

Front tyres replaced along with track rod ends at approximately 110000 miles.

General Comments:

This car is an excellent long distance load carrier.

It handles and performs very well for such a big car.

The load space is cavernous.

The combination of a big 6-cylinder engine and Vauhxhalls' excellent 3 mode automatic gearbox makes for effortless motoring. I regularly drive from Derby to Exeter, a journey of 250 miles in on go. At the end of the journey, I feel as fresh as when I start.

The equipment level is pretty comprehensive with electric windows all around, electric sunroof, cruise control, heated front seats and a reasonably good CD sound system.

In 6 months of ownership, repair bills have been pretty cheap and reliability has been very good. The car has only let me down once due to battery failure.

There are only 2 criticisms I have about this car: Things can get a bit wallowy in the corners if pressed too far and the car can be thirsty in town. I get about 19 miles per gallon. However, on motorway type high speed and long distance driving, the fuel consumption rises to a more respectable 33 miles per gallon.

That said, the initial cheap purchase price of just £950 and the low cost of spares offset the big fuel bills to a large extent. Even the insurance is fairly cheap.

Faults:

Minor engine oil leak.

Minor Fuel Leak.

General Comments:

Excellent value for money, loads of add-ons, electric mirrors, windows, sunroof, etc. Far superior to the Cav in my opinion. Performance not bad but can be thirsty if your heavy right footed!. Huge boot and rear seats fold down as well giving you loads of luggage room. Mine was 2 owners, ex-fleet car, It'd probably do 200,000 miles easy :-). Cost me £200, spent £100 on having front pads, and discs changed, still £600 for it part-ex. Higher spec models have now fallen in price as well.

Faults:

The fuel sender unit needed replacing at 112,000 miles.

General Comments:

The 2.6 is a very fast car and handles very well, it will see off most cars. The only one that has given me a problem is a 528 BMW.

I have had it up to 147mph and it still wanted to go more.

I have had no problems apart from the fuel sender unit failing, which cost £160 to replace.

Fuel economy is good too, I can average 37 to the gallon doing motorway work and 25 to the gallon urban.

Insurance is relatively low, insurance group 13.

I have looked at getting a newer car, but I will have to go for a BMW or Mercedes to match the gadgets and comfort and spend thousands more to gain a few years.