1993 Vauxhall Senator CD 3.0 24v from UK and Ireland
Summary:
Comfortable, unassuming driver's car
Faults:
Internal plastic plunger on cap for expansion tank has since crumbled - also common fault with Carlton meaning radiator level warning light stays on.
Bizzare fault where door courtesy lights come on all at once or just down either side seemingly at random irrespective of whether or not doors are open.
Central locking can be quirky.
Key/lock worn meaning sometimes undignified wrestles to get key back out of lock..!
Above are minor niggles which will be sorted once I have the time, ie never...
General Comments:
This is an x police wagon.
Excellent visibility for such a large car, rear spoiler shows where the boot finishes for easier parking.
Huge boot and fold down rear seats make this a good load lugger.
Not too good in town - wide boy car not too good for nipping thru tight spaces!
Manual gearbox bit of a drag in stop start traffic, but brilliant on open road.
Need to spend time getting used to powerbands to make most of awesome performance. After 4k rpm, 2nd ram comes into play then things really start happening.
Very capable, comfortable cruiser - quiet and soaks up bumps well.
Handling good for such a heavy car - speed sensitive power steering is weighted well, but feedback from steering not always to my liking - but then again, I'm used to the Manta!
Bought as a donor car for my Opel Manta (engine transplant), but having had it for 3 month & realising it's too good to break have bought a rotten Sennie for the engine and gearbox and other spares to keep this Senator on the road.
Watch for rot on bottom of rear doors and spot welded area above rear arches - road crud accumulates here and inner arches at back high impact areas.
Seems to get fair amount of respect on the road, but not so blatant the spuddy boys give you hassle or the police are always eyeballing you.
Average consumption I get is 27mpg - mixture of city commuting and open road, mostly trolling along with spririted moments. If you're worried about fuel costs why are you reading this???
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 12th April, 2005
16th Sep 2005, 14:49
I have just bought a 93 senator 2.6 (high miler) but FULLY loaded on an 'L' Reg (I think it must be one of the last, and thought the review I just read was very helpful... I know I'll grow to like this car very much!... will do a review on it as soon as I have some miles under my belt! Thanks.