1997 Vauxhall Sintra CD 2.2 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

My best car

Faults:

Just bought the car. It's a lovely car to drive, had a £1K bill for an MOT, but all through with new discs, pads, head, brake pipes.

Recently I have noticed that some electrical items keep coming on / off e. g the heater cuts on/off when on full, then today the fuel gauge empty light flashed on off and also ABS light, but then they go out.

I heard there's a common electrical fault on these. Any info anyone?

hotarmstrong@hotmail.com.

General Comments:

Very nice car, very roomy.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd March, 2008

1997 Vauxhall Sintra S 2.2 Pet rol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Would be an excellent car if build quality were better

Faults:

Persistent minor electrical problems, e.g. Fuel Gauge unreliable, warning lights going on an off, alarm going off randomly.

Water pump jammed causing Cam belt to jump resulting in over £1000 of engine damage

Headlamp glass fell off

Squeaks and rattles in sliding doors.

General Comments:

A really well designed people carrier, which can carry seven adults in comfort that is let down by poor electrics and general build quality problems. Handles OK for a people carrier.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th March, 2005

1997 Vauxhall Sintra CDX 2.2 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A brilliant long distance cruiser

Faults:

Idle control valve failed at 46000.

Steering pump developed oil leak 47000.

Water hose at pump split at 50000.

Core plug leak detected, 52000, major engine strip involved.

Heater fan fails constantly if run on full power for more than two minutes.

Alarm always going off, now silenced and will remain so.

Fuel low warning light comes on in wet weather regardless of fuel state.

Air condition compressor noisy after use.

Various minor electrical problems.

General Comments:

The most comfortable car I've ever driven on a long journey.

Very spacious especially with seats removed.

Good tow car even when fully loaded.

Drives better loaded than when empty, body roll major factor here.

Minor rattles and glove box catch inadequate.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th January, 2003

7th Jul 2005, 15:36

I bought my Vauxhall Sintra CDX in Dec '98- it was 1st Reg on 01-08-98. Its present mileage is 105,00. I love it!! At my present age I think it will last me until I stop driving. It has NOT been cheap to maintain - or run for that matter - the exhaust has been a problem and the hand brake cables have rusted in and been replaced. The brake discs are not very manful - a foreign HGV smartly, without signal, stepped in front of me on the M40. With the 3rd lane full I had no option, but to brake - hard!! No-one hit my back-end, but I did'nt hit him in front either! My front discs were trashed - needed replacements. The original tyres were not great, but this improved greatly when I fitted Michelin Primacy all-round. It quite often kids me and itself that it is a sports car. Great, roomy, comfortable, adaptable, grandchildren from age 22 down to 6 (7 of them) think it's wonderful too!

1997 Vauxhall Sintra CD 2.2 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A good MPV, but not supported by dealers

Faults:

Exhaust manifold gasket has blown twice.

Rear brake disks have warped and been replaced 3 times.

Near side headlight glass fell off.

ABS faults on 3 occasions, which also renders the speedo inoperative!

Air condition compressor failed.

Instrument cluster replaced at 31000 miles.

General Comments:

Performance is good, even when towing a caravan.

Extremely difficult to obtain parts, only part held by dealers are those common to other models.

No manuals, diagrams or other data available for the DIY mechanic.

Vauxhall dealers appear to have little knowledge of this model.

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

Review Date: 2nd November, 2002

25th Nov 2002, 15:31

Have you nothing nice to say about your car? You say that no one else can fix it, what do you expect? For £25000 I expect that I will not be able to put my head under the bonnet, except for the oil and water checks. We have both got these cars and are still driving them, you have covered more than 40000 miles in yours, don't like it? Then get rid... I feel that mine, 3.0 CDX is the best car I have had in a long time, and providing it is serviced on time, it has not let me down. You have to spend money to SAVE money with this type of vehicle. If you fail to look after it, be assured it WILL let you down...

1997 Vauxhall Sintra CDi 2.2 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

An excellent multi-purpose family car

Faults:

The alarm system is very good, but the passenger front door lock sticks when dead locking the vehicle and will not open from the outside.

General Comments:

I am very pleased with the car, it is very comfortable and the extra space makes driving long distances a pleasure.

The ride is a little bouncy at times which I think you either like or dislike.

The storage space is very good and the seating design is brilliant... it can be a 2 seater van... a 5 seat family car with large boot or a 7 seat mini bus.

As with all Vauxhals there are a few odd rattles.

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

Review Date: 6th September, 2002

1997 Vauxhall Sintra CDX 3.0 V6 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A comfortable spacious luxury MPV

Faults:

Steering rack failed at 12,500 miles.

Electric window failed at 17,000 miles.

Major electric problems linked to BCMs and earthing strip at 35,000 miles. Problems still unresolved. Car still in garage!

General Comments:

Great MPV when it works!

Loads of space inside, but the boot is small if you have 5 children like me. The Zafira has less space if you are considering buying it for a large family.

Road performance is fantastic although there are times it can be a little expensive on the petrol costs - but cruise control helps prevent the eager right foot!

The main problem is that garages do not stock most of the parts and do not have the in-depth knowledge to be able to resolve problems quickly.

Garages will replace several things rather than root-cause problems properly because it is superficially cheaper for them to do so.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st June, 2001