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[terry paget]

I'm wondering how to replace my beloved 20 year old Omega estate, now that I am less able to mend cars. I quite like the Vectra, know little about the Insignia, though I did once drive one, that a guest had hired, seemed all right. Is there an estate version? Which engine is best? Are there any known faults? There is a 2017 1800 car, 30000 miles, at Glastonbury, for £7995.I presume that is the same engine as in my Vectra.

[Doctor Gollum]

That will be the current one, so not sure if it's the same 1.8

My Insignia experience is only of the first one.

£7995 seems expensive for a radiator

[terry paget]

That will be the current one, so not sure if it's the same 1.8

My Insignia experience is only of the first one.

£7995 seems expensive for a radiator

Thanks for the opinion, Doc.
I have a spare radiator in stock, but car also has a noisy exhaust in the maniifold region, is due for MOT in April, and I fear is beyond sensible repair. Just glancing at ebay, this Insignia seems cheap for a dealer car with 3 months warranty, and is nearby.

[Doctor Gollum]

If NetworkQ, probably an ex hire car

[STEMO]

I've just had a quick look on the trader and that seems very cheap.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

That will be the current one, so not sure if it's the same 1.8

My Insignia experience is only of the first one.

£7995 seems expensive for a radiator

Thanks for the opinion, Doc.
I have a spare radiator in stock, but car also has a noisy exhaust in the maniifold region, is due for MOT in April, and I fear is beyond sensible repair. Just glancing at ebay, this Insignia seems cheap for a dealer car with 3 months warranty, and is nearby.

I imagine the exclusions list is lengthy.

[Entwood]

If it's a trade sale and it's cheap .. there's a reason ......  extreme care needed IMHO ...

[terry paget]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2017-Vauxhall-Insignia-1-8-VVT-Design-5dr-Manual-Hatchback/264509634927
That's the car. Is it worth a test drive?

[Doctor Gollum]

I would say yes, because it's a late registration facelift Mk1 Insignia rather than the current model... Hence the seemingly low price.

You should find it an improvement on the Vectra, but be mindful that it is no Omega, good or bad. Obvious really, but Omega owners are generally a sentimental bunch

[terry paget]

I don't like the arrogant way the small print contains an additional charge - 'Please note, the retail price stated is in addition to our admin fee of 159 (Inc VAT)'. Last car I bought from a dealer, the Vectra, I knocked the man down with an offer of £50 less than the asking price. This man expects me to pay an admin fee of £159 on top of the asking price.
The Insignia I drove had an electric handbrake, and I could not start the engine until I had depressed he clutch pedal. I never discovered whether it had engine stop-start. I imagine this car is th4e same.

Any more thoughts welcome. I might have a look at it on Friday.

[terry paget]

I note it has only an emergency tyre inflation kit, not a spare wheel and jack. It does not even mention 2 keys. I imagine there is a spare wheel well in the boot, and my spare Omega wheel might fit therein. I must enquire.

[Doctor Gollum]

Forget your Omega spare. Completely different bolt dimensions. Spare wheel easy enough to come by

[Andy B]

..... It does not even mention 2 keys.  ....

If this car doesn't have 2 keys, there'll be plenty more that will have. Or get something knocked off the price to reflect the cost of a new key.

[Diamond Black Geezer]

If gearbox in any way vaguely reluctant to engage, run. Common fault apparently, the bearings I beleive fail. Mate had his go weeks after he bought his. The thing exploded. Got a replacement box... gearbox specialist fitted it for him, only to tell him needed the bearings doing in the replacement box, too 

Shame as I like them fine, hard ride, like everything has now. Tiny rear visibility...like everything has now. No spare wheel...like, of you get the idea! 

[78bex]

VED for NX17LCM
VAUXHALL INSIGNIA DESIGN 5 DOOR HATCHBACK

VED rate   Band H
Annually   £235.00
Six-monthly   £129.25
Six-monthly Direct Debit   £123.38
Monthly Direct Debit   £20.56
Fuel   PETROL
CO2 emissions   169 g/km

Date of registration   28 Mar 2017

MOT history
Date tested 7 January 2020 PASS
Mileage 30,714 miles
MOT test number 5682 2532 0751
Expiry date 6 January 2021

[biggriffin]

Buy a Saab, basically a Vectra in a Posh frock.

[terry paget]

If gearbox in any way vaguely reluctant to engage, run. Common fault apparently, the bearings I beleive fail. Mate had his go weeks after he bought his. The thing exploded. Got a replacement box... gearbox specialist fitted it for him, only to tell him needed the bearings doing in the replacement box, too 

Shame as I like them fine, hard ride, like everything has now. Tiny rear visibility...like everything has now. No spare wheel...like, of you get the idea! 

Thanks for that warning.
That Insignia is sold. There# another one in Frome, but it has darkened rear windows.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2015-Vauxhall-Insignia-1-8-i-SRi-Hatchback-5dr-Petrol-Manual-164-g-km-138-bhp/114101158588?hash=item1a90f582bc:g:UacAAOSwi7ReO5-1
I quite like the Vectra, but it's nice to have a change.

[Doctor Gollum]

That's an SRi thing. Buy the car on spec if it has particular features you require/want. Buy it on price/condition if they are important.

If you simply want an appliance, buy accordingly.

[Andy B]

... but it has darkened rear windows.
 .....

And .....  Lots do .... SWMBO Citroen C3 & daughter's Yaris

Don't confuse the more restricted vision through aftermarket film tint and factory tinted glass. There's a heavy tint on my Merc's rear glass but doesn't cause any vision problems whether day or night.

[biggriffin]

Limo tint on my last Omega,, have the same on the Saab.
 

[Raeturbo]

Get it fixed don’t change👍

[terry paget]

Limo tint on my last Omega,, have the same on the Saab.
 

I have owned two silver Omega estates, one had a light tint on the rear windows. I bought an Astra from a large site near Bournemouth, but that had quite a dark tint, which neither I or my daughter (it ws to be her car) liked. Happily some clown ran into it in London, and his insurer paid me £2000 to write off that car, that had only cost me £800, and I replaced it with a better Astra for £750. The experience made me wary of tinted windows.

[Andy B]

. Happily some clown ran into it in London, and his insurer paid me £2000 to write off that car, that had only cost me £800, and I replaced it with a better Astra for £750. The experience made me wary of tinted windows.

Did the clown run into your car because it had tinted windows?  Or did the tinted windows cause him to drive into your car? 

[Doctor Gollum]

I am going to change my advice. Buy an approve used Corrola and let the 'kids' source their own cars.

You will be pleasantly surprised by how much of a relief both will bring you.

[biggriffin]

. Happily some clown ran into it in London, and his insurer paid me £2000 to write off that car, that had only cost me £800, and I replaced it with a better Astra for £750. The experience made me wary of tinted windows.

Did the clown run into your car because it had tinted windows?  Or did the tinted windows cause him to drive into your car? 

  ....

 Terry if you don't like the tint, just peel it of..  lots of cars now that have privacy glass, it's film, that's done by the dealerships,, unless it's a jaaag, or high end and I think that's proper glass.

[Andy B]

. Happily some clown ran into it in London, and his insurer paid me £2000 to write off that car, that had only cost me £800, and I replaced it with a better Astra for £750. The experience made me wary of tinted windows.

Did the clown run into your car because it had tinted windows?  Or did the tinted windows cause him to drive into your car? 

  ....

 Terry if you don't like the tint, just peel it of..  lots of cars now that have privacy glass, it's film, that's done by the dealerships,, unless it's a jaaag, or high end and I think that's proper glass.

As above, there are plenty of lower end cars with privacy glass too.  It's not all film 

 This like my daughter's car .... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2013-62-Toyota-Yaris-ST-1-33-VVT-I-Only-18-800-miles-New-MOT-FSH/333506974384?hash=item4da69092b0:g:NJsAAOSw1kxeMyeY

[terry paget]

. Happily some clown ran into it in London, and his insurer paid me £2000 to write off that car, that had only cost me £800, and I replaced it with a better Astra for £750. The experience made me wary of tinted windows.

Did the clown run into your car because it had tinted windows?  Or did the tinted windows cause him to drive into your car? 

I did wonder on the Astra, but it looked like dark glass. If it happens again, I will try peeling it off. I see some Vauxhall models include it in the specification, I presume they incorporate it in the glass.
 Terry if you don't like the tint, just peel it of..  lots of cars now that have privacy glass, it's film, that's done by the dealerships,, unless it's a jaaag, or high end and I think that's proper glass.

[terry paget]

I am going to change my advice. Buy an approve used Corrola and let the 'kids' source their own cars.

You will be pleasantly surprised by how much of a relief both will bring you.

I suspect you are right, Doc. This game I play of providing the kids with cars has gone on quite long enough, and this forum has advised me to desist from heavy car repairs for my own safety. Are you serious about the Corolla, or are you just saying buy any car I fancy?

[Doctor Gollum]

By all means buy any car you fancy, but a nearly new petrol Corrola will give you space for golf/tennis bat's and a bit of interior space with essentially zero worries beyond routine servicing/tyres.

Starter for 10...

https://usedcars.toyota.co.uk/en/used-toyota/Toyota/Auris/16-V-Matic-TR-5-Dr-u3b9dp2

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

... but it has darkened rear windows.
 .....

And .....  Lots do .... SWMBO Citroen C3 & daughter's Yaris

Don't confuse the more restricted vision through aftermarket film tint and factory tinted glass. There's a heavy tint on my Merc's rear glass but doesn't cause any vision problems whether day or night.

I'm surprised a car as brown as this passed it's MOT.

[Andy B]

....
I'm surprised a car as brown as this passed it's MOT.

It's vermilion! 

[terry paget]

By all means buy any car you fancy, but a nearly new petrol Corrola will give you space for golf/tennis bat's and a bit of interior space with essentially zero worries beyond routine servicing/tyres.

Starter for 10...

https://usedcars.toyota.co.uk/en/used-toyota/Toyota/Auris/16-V-Matic-TR-5-Dr-u3b9dp2

That sounds like what I need. I have never considered a Toyota, driven one, sat in one, noticed one. I must do some research. The word 'matic' in the name infers something automatic about it, though the blurb says manual transmission.

[ronnyd]

By all means buy any car you fancy, but a nearly new petrol Corrola will give you space for golf/tennis bat's and a bit of interior space with essentially zero worries beyond routine servicing/tyres.

Starter for 10...

https://usedcars.toyota.co.uk/en/used-toyota/Toyota/Auris/16-V-Matic-TR-5-Dr-u3b9dp2

That sounds like what I need. I have never considered a Toyota, driven one, sat in one, noticed one. I must do some research. The word 'matic' in the name infers something automatic about it, though the blurb says manual transmission.

Na Terry, he,s one of these overpaid football chappies who plays for Man Utd.

[terry paget]

 quick browse through my recenr Which car buying guides, either new or used, brought up many Japanese cars, Toyota, Nissan and Honda. Which base their viesw partly on members' reports of breakdowns, or the lack of them. As DG suggested, Toyotas give little trouble. I have a mate in Oxfordshire who has been running a Honda Accord estate for some years, and likes it. Looking at Toyotas on ebay, many seem to have CVT transmission.

I notice Vectras on e bay are mainly dealer fixed price sales, as are Astras. I have bought Astras in the occasional auction at about the half the price dealers ask. I happened to see an 08 Vectra auction end at about £320, very cheap. I am watching one, a 2007 Vectra, at about £310 with a day to go. Hey ho.

[Doctor Gollum]

If you're going to stop working on cars, you need to buy something that doesn't need work, not £300 Vauxhall’s

[Sir Tigger KC]

Toyota Auris? Corolla?      Has Terry given up on life? 

Buy something that makes you smile when you plant your right foot Terry, whatever that may be! 

[biggriffin]

If you're going to stop working on cars, you need to buy something that doesn't need work, not £300 Vauxhall’s

 Yes but Terry's a poor pensioner,, his kids are still expecting him to buy them cars, and repair them, ....

Terry but something that suits your needs, but you've got to spend a couple of grand,  and stay away from eBay auctions.

[Nick W]

By all means buy any car you fancy, but a nearly new petrol Corrola will give you space for golf/tennis bat's and a bit of interior space with essentially zero worries beyond routine servicing/tyres.

Starter for 10...

https://usedcars.toyota.co.uk/en/used-toyota/Toyota/Auris/16-V-Matic-TR-5-Dr-u3b9dp2

That sounds like what I need. I have never considered a Toyota, driven one, sat in one, noticed one. I must do some research. The word 'matic' in the name infers something automatic about it, though the blurb says manual transmission.

and Kia/Hyundais are similar to own, but are noticably cheaper. I30 is a good car if you're not susceptible to status symbol marketing bullshit

[dave the builder]

OR...
Terry could take his OMEGA to a garage, have the car checked ,find the coolant leak,find the exhaust leak and get a price
have the garage check it over as far as the next MOT goes
many local mechanics will come to you to do work.

If the cost is reasonable ,Terry could be driving a car he's comfortable in , familiar with , an OMEGA

yes the OMEGA would be worth peanuts and repair cost could be 500 quid , so what 
better than spending 5 grand on a euro sh!tbox that he's not familiar with, won't feel comfortable in

Just because a car is newer does not mean it won't have exhaust leaks,coolant leaks or very expensive repairs

buying any car OR owning any car is a gamble ,choose wisely ,low mile examples that have been loved ,serviced etc are a better bet than a newer car that's been abused

IF the Omega IS past it , Terry has tried and/or owns a vectra c and various astras , low mile ,cared for examples can be had IF you shop wisely , again , putting Terry in a car he's familiar with, comfortable in

there are still some GOOD ,cared for OMEGAs out there, sadly Terry is not keen on auto gearbox transmissions
maybe Terry should try one
I've lowered my standards and drive an auto 

[Doctor Gollum]

If it's true that reliable crank sensors are no longer available, then every Omega has a finite life expectancy. Also finding a decent garage at reasonable rates who can actually be bothered to understand the Omegas' foibles.

A Toyota or Hyundai is no more dull than a Vectra, the youngest of which is 12 years old, so smack in the middle of needing suspension work, and radiators and Cambelts, and undoing all the neglect of 12 years in the life of an unloved rep mobile.

The difference being that buying something a couple of years old may well have problems (hence the approved used suggestion), but they will be 20-30k mile problems rather than 120-150k mile problems.

It's a different way of doing things, but that doesn't make it a bad idea.

Alternatively, knock some equity out of the house and get one of these...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201906299533934

[terry paget]

Last week Hunter Davies wrote in the Sunday Times how some old men, natural misers, only buy used bargains, even though they could afford to buy new. His wife died of cancer a few years ago, and he confessed in the article that he had just purchased a new garden cabin, for £16K, three times what his London house cost.

I used to buy Senators at West Oxfordshire Motor Auctions for £2K-£4K each, bought an ex-police Omega there too. Thereafter I bought Omegas on ebay, and they got cheaper and cheaper, last one cost me £190.

While typing this my old Panasonic TV set died, went blank and silent. My wife reminded me we have a spare old set, given to us by son Jonny, who had bought a better set. We plugged it in, it worked perfectly.

I must readjust.

[Sir Tigger KC]

Alternatively, knock some equity out of the house and get one of these...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201906299533934

It may well be the case that Terry could buy that from the petty cash jar in his kitchen and has been buying old cars simply because he enjoys tinkering with them.   

[dave the builder]

......


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201906299533934

That's an auto DG So ,not one for Terry   

whilst I agree with many of your points 
Terry's crank sensor in his Omega is working (and he's probably got spares in his parts store) and i'm sure Terry is aware of the Omegas' foibles. and can point ANY spanner monkey at the issue ,plus Terry is a member of a forum ,who know omegas too 

you can get 30K vectras , you can get 30K newish cars with major problems
each car should be judged individually , and a budget for repairs be set ,because all cars need work 

I guess my main point being that at Terry's age ,driving a car that you are comfortable in,know well ,feel confident in ,is a big plus

[Doctor Gollum]

......


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201906299533934

That's an auto DG So ,not one for Terry   

whilst I agree with many of your points 
Terry's crank sensor in his Omega is working (and he's probably got spares in his parts store) and i'm sure Terry is aware of the Omegas' foibles. and can point ANY spanner monkey at the issue ,plus Terry is a member of a forum ,who know omegas too 

you can get 30K vectras , you can get 30K newish cars with major problems
each car should be judged individually , and a budget for repairs be set ,because all cars need work 

I guess my main point being that at Terry's age ,driving a car that you are comfortable in,know well ,feel confident in ,is a big plus

As is not having the worry of it breaking. Again.

[dave the builder]

......


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201906299533934

That's an auto DG So ,not one for Terry   

whilst I agree with many of your points 
Terry's crank sensor in his Omega is working (and he's probably got spares in his parts store) and i'm sure Terry is aware of the Omegas' foibles. and can point ANY spanner monkey at the issue ,plus Terry is a member of a forum ,who know omegas too 

you can get 30K vectras , you can get 30K newish cars with major problems
each car should be judged individually , and a budget for repairs be set ,because all cars need work 

I guess my main point being that at Terry's age ,driving a car that you are comfortable in,know well ,feel confident in ,is a big plus

As is not having the worry of it breaking. Again.

use a taxi you mean ,and not own a car 

all cars break

[Doctor Gollum]

No, you can own a car that isn't a rolling project. Unfortunately, most sub £2,000 cars are just that... rolling projects.

Big difference between servicing and constant fettling.