Faults:

Whining rear differential near the end of the time I had it. Mechanically suspension tie rods and various parts were replaced, brake discs and so on. All as expected when age and mileage rose. I kept the car serviced on time and changed the cam belt. Alternator failed at around 100K, replaced quickly and cheap enough.

Interior wise the cruise and air con stopped working. Locks could be funny, sometimes worked, sometimes did not work with central locking.

On the outside cosmetically it was a little rough in its final years with me, no major rust but the last yearly MOT (Ministry Of Transport Test) required a bit of welding.

General Comments:

No car I have had previously brings up good memories for me like the Carlton. Top spec "Diplomat" model had leather and all the electric extras you could want at the time. Think of a mid-range or top end Mercedes and you have the idea. The only that let this car down was the Vauxhall badge, but it did not bother me. Most people actually quite liked them and respected them as a quality executive car.

Mine was a unique/rare color called metallic "Rjoca". Think of a dark red/purple metallic and you get the idea. Looked stunning when washed in the summer sun. Diplomat alloy wheels looked great also, deep dish style. This car really stood out.

Inside looked great also, electric everything and the seats were among the best and most comfortable I had sat on. Could have done with more holding though, things got a bit slidey with spirited driving. The car handled OK but was sloppy taking corners too fast. Get a 3.0 24V GSi if that is more your thing - this car was a comfortable cruiser, nothing more.

The 2.0 with the auto box will not win any races, but made progress and you could use sport mode to overtake. MPG wise it averaged around 30, you could get a little more on a long cruise. Would have preferred the 2.6 engine to be honest.

Miss it a lot, sold it to a Vauxhall enthusiast in 2008, doubt it is still around, but who knows, you do not see many of these cars anymore.

Faults:

Lots in the 11 years I had it;

Cruise control stopped working at around 100K. Did not bother fixing. Ditto for air-con.

Electric windows in rear jammed.

Handbrake warning light would sometimes come on randomly.

Replaced battery and alternator at around 90K.

The rest was wear and tear - suspension, brakes, oil changes, etc.

Rust got the better of it at MOT time and sadly I had to let it go in 2011. At 17 years old with 170K on it, I find this acceptable. Was generally a reliable car and I got my monies worth out of it.

General Comments:

Carlton 2.6i auto CDX in blue. Fast and luxurious car. Very rare now. I had this car for 11 years and it was one of the best cars I ever had, even today. Last of the Carlton's on an L reg.

The six cylinder engine with the auto box were so well matched. Power delivery is very smooth. Nothing like the famous 3.0i 24v models, but this car could move when it needed to. Forget people's claims of 30 mpg however - 25 at best is more likely, and much less in town. Shocking by today's standards.

The car handles OK. Ride was quiet and smooth. Interior was excellent with optional leather seats - CDX is near top of range, but mine had all the options as well, very similar to the "Diplomat" top spec. Original wire wheels are lovely if a bit of a pain to clean.

If buying one today... you will pay lots for a mint example as they are so rare, but it is worth it; do not buy a rusty one, they will rot real quick, the only really bad point about this car.