1998 Vauxhall Omega Eite 2.5 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Let someone else take the high depreciation, then you have a real bargain

Faults:

Very heavy front tyre wear, especially on the inside edge. Typically last only c. 25000 miles. Dealer assures me "it is an Omega problem". Tyre fitters agree.

Climate control: has never actually gone wrong, but always gives front seat passenger cold feet. Better to switch it off and use "economy" mode, which by-passes air conditioning unit giving more control over heat distribution in the car.

Recent instance of battery going flat. Dealer couldn't find reason - suspected relay on heater rear window.

General Comments:

Lovely car; quiet, comfortable and reliable. It smooths out bumps in country roads exceptionally well.

Sound system excellent.

Fuel consumption reasonable - I get around 29-30 mpg with mix of motorway and urban driving.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th September, 2002

29th May 2003, 09:27

I have a Vauxhall Omega Elite 2.5 Turbo diesel. I had the same problem with the front tyres wearing excessively on the inside edge, worst I had was 10000 miles on two front tyres. I took my car to a Chemix garage and they set up the camber, toe and alignment by laser as they advise the car should be set up, not as the Vauxhall recommendation. The car handles superbly and I get in excess of 30000 miles out of the tyres now. Well worth the £27 to get the wheels aligned.

1998 Vauxhall Omega Elite 2.5 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

It's a nice car--when it works

Faults:

I have had the car for a month and all the faults have been electronic.

The airbag malfunction warning light came on.

The roof light controls have failed.

The battery has died on me three times.

General Comments:

Shame about the electronics.

The one thing that is really bad--and I mean really, really bad--about this car is that when the battery dies, it is impossible to open the door since the lock depends on at least a minimal electrical activity.

The only manual lock on the car is on the boot. Going through the boot is neither a comfortable nor a reliable way to get into the car in an emergency.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 13th September, 2002

31st Dec 2005, 13:28

I had the same problem of being unable to get into my Omega (1995 model). I could open the boot, but I couldn't get any further.

Then I worked out that the boot courtesy light should be on - so that meant it would provide a circuit through to the battery. I connected my battery charger in place of the courtesy bulb (!) and hey presto - 30 seconds later there was enough juice (just) to be able to open the driver's door.

Then I could open the bonnet and transfer the charger to connect directly to the battery.

They could make it a bit easier, I think!

1998 Vauxhall Omega CDX 2.5 V6 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Executive car at a Non Executive price!!

Faults:

Absolutely nothing!

General Comments:

I bought the car as I was travelling to the coast from the Midlands every week and wanted something comfortable. I wasnt disappointed.

This car oozes luxury.

The only things I have a complaint about are, the horn buttons on the steering wheel are stupid!. If the wheels are not pointing straight, it takes a while to find out where the horn buttons are. If you need to beep someone who is reversing towards your car, its touch and go.

When I bought the car it didn't have the anti-theft wheel cover key. The main dealer wanted 12 quid per wheel, the market sold a pair of pliers for 1 quid which did the job just as well!.

The rear centre head rest stays in the boot as it creates a bit of a blind spot when reversing.

Apart from those very minor niggles, I'm VERY pleased with my purchase.

The "TrafficMaster" system impresses everyone who hears the voice, but its expired now and I can't be bothered to re-licence it.

Petrol consumption on motorways is fantastic, but journeys to the local town are certainly not.

The engine is built for cruising and mine HATES small journeys.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st August, 2002

2nd Sep 2002, 08:59

I agree the Omega is a super cruiser, I have a GLS 2.0 16V and came back from a 1300 round trip to scotland feeling as though I'd driven to the corner shop and back! During our trip to scotland, we aimed to reach one destination, but then said to ourselves, lets carry on and so on we went! Very economical on the motorways (36mpg) but thirsty on urban runs! Although my auto 2.0 16V is sufficient, I do miss the V6 powerhorses.. though guess they cost that little bit more to run and maintain!

Agree about the silly horn buttons, but then that's airbags for you! Also find reversing a pain as the rear headrests (and front solid headrests too) are blind spots.. so I fitted a set of reversing sensors - job sorted!!!

Simon

SVPworld.