1990 Vauxhall Senator CDi 3.0i 12v petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Electric window motor.

Cruise control.

Window switch light won't go out.

Air con not very good.

Petrol leak.

Thermostat stuck open, only 10 miles to the gallon.

General Comments:

100,000 miles on the clock, goes very well, burns no oil really.

Tail dragger for a big car.

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

Review Date: 2nd December, 1998

1990 Vauxhall Senator CDXi 3.0 24v petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Blower for heater - there's a fuse which is part of the motor assembly. DON'T let the dealer sell you a new motor for 170 quid when a new fuse for a fiver will sort it. Takes about 4 hours to get to it though! Ended up buying motor from breakers (MegaVaux ) for 35 inc.

Dodgy wheel hub, bodged by a dealer no doubt. Cost 90 quid not inc labour.

Cruise control a bit peculiar, sometimes doesn't work at all, sometimes goes mad, usually in rain. When working is great on motorways.

Air-con needs recharging.

General Comments:

Find a good independent mechanic (I use Andy Fenn, St. Ives, Cambridgeshire) whom you can trust.

Ensure you know mileage is genuine, too many around which have been clocked!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th March, 1998

1990 Vauxhall Senator CD 24v 3.0 24v petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Major/Mechanically? - Distributor drive mechanism disintegrated, head gasket leaks.

Minor/Electrically? - Air conditioning leaks, Blaupunkt CD player reluctant to play discs. Night illumination dashboard bulbs.

General Comments:

What's good? - Superb performance. Just keeps on accelerating when everything else runs out of steam! No wonder it's still the all-time police favourite. Can get across country unfeasably quickly. Overtakes trucks and caravans effortlessly. Excellent auto box with 4th/3rd Sport-mode switch on top of gear selector, plus winter mode. Loaded with goodies. Digital speedo enables you to keep eyes on the road, as it remains clearly visible in your peripheral vision. Independently selectable temperature on the climate-control for driver and passenger means you stay air-con cool while the girlfriend/wife toasts herself! Very comfortable, smooth and quiet. Good economy for the performance available, when treated gently (around 30 mpg at a steady 70mph). Enormous boot & fold down rear seats enable van like loads. Withstands high mileage well.

What's not so good? - Withstands high mileage well - ideal clocking material! Distributor drive failure and head gasket leaks on mine makes me suspect 160,000 miles, not 80,000! Could be an electrical nightmare, if you end up with a dodgy one. Clueless Vauxhall dealers.

Overall? - The best combination of performance, comfort and space, combined with reasonable purchase prices and parts that I've ever had. No wonder prices are still holding firm.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd November, 1997