31st Dec 2005, 23:35

The Chevrolet Venture, which is the American version of the Sintra, is far more reliable.

18th May 2006, 14:54

Hi we got our Sintra CD 2.2 16v 1998 version in may 2003, we have been extremly pleased with it, but it too has cost a bit when gone wrong, but parts are not that difficult to find, we have just got a few parts on ebay for a fraction of the main dealers cost. but as all cars they cost money when they go wrong, but she is worth it, so comfortable and most of all I and my family feel safe in her. the main problem has been the alarm. she was good on impact when a deer ran out in front of me, any smaller car would have failed me and I may not be here writing this. so less of the slagging off, you get what you pay for, and I would not change her for anything.

5th Jun 2006, 09:23

I have had an 'S' plate 3.0 cdx for one and a half years now and had no problems with it. Very reliable and goes well under acceleration when needed. Proper 7 seater accommodates the family and weeks shopping easily. took it to the airport for holiday abroad. 6 passengers and bags and buggy. got to Spain and hired a Zafira, what a squeeze to get all in.. would definitely get another if this one croaks.

12th Jul 2006, 04:06

I've got a 99 T reg 2.2 CDI model.

The air con does not work properly, the fuel gauge is hit and miss, but overall I do like it.

It's a lot bigger than my old Renault Scenic, which was not as fast as my Sintra. Good old Vauxhall engines - a lot better than Ford.

21st Aug 2007, 05:04

I have owned a CDX 3.0 1999 for 4 years. I have replaced the battery and cambelt and nothing else! I also like driving it. It is a limo, mini-bus, van, excellent tow vehicle, (it tows my 2 ton boat) all in one. It seems to me you get one driving programme, where the presenters only want to drive the flash sports cars, etc. and they deride a decent vehicle like the Sintra. ("It's a van," they whinge.)

All cars need spare parts, etc. and most are more expensive. Have you recently bought a spare part for a BMW, Merc, Audi, etc? They all break down, you know!

30th Jan 2008, 05:55

Best MPV? Oh come on! All the Sintra was, was a cynical attempt at minimising losses for the two years until the Zafira was ready. GM's product planners completely misread the growing market for MPVs, and by the time they realised how many Scenics and Espaces Renault were selling, they realised they had no product. Development on the (excellent) Zafira was started, and the Sintra launched as a gap filler for 2 years until the Zafira was launched. And all they did was take an American minivan, add 75% to the price, move the steering wheel to the other side of the car, and badge it as a Vauxhall / Opel.

As with most cars for the American market, safety standards, build quality, reliability and driveability are years behind European standards, and nothing like the other models in Vauxhall's range. Parts are harder to find, reliability is patchy at best, and the NCAP front impact test result was little short of disgraceful.

I can't think of a single reason why you'd buy one, besides price.

19th Nov 2014, 00:29

I have owned the Sintra 2.2 petrol for about 10 years and it has never let me down. It now has 190,000 miles on the clock. The main repairs have been head gasket, clutch and LPG conversion.

It is in the garage due to a engine noise, which I hope is not terminal.

It has been a great family car as I have four kids.

The ABS warning light kept coming on, so I took out the bulb - problem solved.

The trick to its survival is yearly oil/filter changes and new cam belts.