USED Vauxhall Omega Saloon (94 - 03)

My car

Firstly, I have driven a Leux IS200 with an auto box and that was much quicker! The omega is very sluggish as it has to shift a lot of metal around.

On the other hand the handling is great and the suspension soaks everything up! Recently is has snowed and a single laned country road that I use daily had froze over and the road was basically a sheet of ice - the omega was spinning everywhere and i had to tread extremly carefully so not to end up in a ditch!

I am comparing the car to a Lexus IS200, which I also had the chance to drive to wales in at the end of feb when it was snowing at the end of february and driving through the welsh countryside in snow was the easiest thing ever in the Lexus! I would advise anybody who was thinking of getting an omega to look at the depreciation costs and then look at buying a Lexus!

My car

Having spent 35 years in the motor industry and worked for both Vauxhall and Mercedes dealerships, I agree that the Omega is a cheap (after initial depreciation) luxury motor.

My own car is a 2000 reg. automatic and is a very comfy, safe vehicle to drive. There's just one point to make - Vauxhall now recommends that the cam belt is changed every 40,000 miles and it is possible to buy a cam belt kit from a main dealer for approx £44 + VAT, so it really is not worth fitting a factor part.

The 2.0 16v is perhaps down on power but, let's face it, if you want to razz about, buy a Calibra (another fine motor car). The Omega is a quality family saloon. It's just a pity that Vauxhall stopped production.

My car

The car is a 'wolf in sheep's clothing'. Performance and reliability are two of the main charectarisitcs of this superb motorcar. Performance is second to none with its V6 24 valve engine and reaches speeds quickly and safely without any trouble.

If you are going to purchase an Omega, be sure to get one which is fully equipped and has a V6 engine or above. 2.0 is to underpowerd for the cars shell and drivers will be disappointed.

I can honestly say that mine is reliable and well maintained to the highest degree. Incidentally, stay away from high mileage Omegas, too much will or already has gone wrong with it if it has done in excess of 100,000k. Another good point is that they are affordable to joe public and don't cost the earth!

My car

The car is a great example of value for money. The mpg is very good for the size of the car.

For economy and comfort, I feel that the 2.2-litre version is the best bet.

The velour interior gives a smarter look than the leather because the leather is not quite up to the standard of a luxury car leather.

The reliability is good and the on board computer is a vast improvement on the earlier versions.

Driving the car is a pleasure on long journeys because there is a noticeable lack of fatigue, and an average fuel economy on the motorway in the high 30s is easily obtainable.

All in all, it is a fine car.