Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Hudson on 14 December 2015, 14:21:29
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I keep coming back to this forum :y looking at all the posts on the v6 elite's and trying to convince myself that they can be a decent used car ? But everytime i come to look for one on the ebay/autotrader/gumtree sites all i tend to find are cars with ' a story ' or they seem to forget to mention any service history etc..... are there any ' secret ' places where a decent (would like mint but not likely to find) low (ish) miles elite would come up ? Saloon would be best but estate is also fine. 2.6 or 3.2 and as late a year as poss. Ta :)
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Depends on your budget... They can be found but generally demand top money
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Depends on your budget... They can be found but generally demand top money
I know a lot of tatty ones are under a grand so i would expect to pay a decent amount, given their low prices the budget is not an issue to be honest, hopefully by finding the right one i may try and keep the onging costs to a reasonable amount, lpg would also be nice but again adding this makes the search even a harder thing.
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OP, I would say there's no 'be all and end all' with an Elite, or, to put it another way, consider a CDX, given the differences between the two are minimal, and the most obvious one being leather seats. (and you could order your Elite with velour, should you wish, there are non-leather Elites out there)
Differences in reality are (without splitting hairs, there'll be a couple I've missed I'm sure)...
-Leather interior
-Self levelling suspension (which will most likely have been replaced for a non-SL setup by now)
-Xenons/HID lamps (however on the FLs both CDXs and Elites got Xenons)
-Different alloys
-Electrically operated rear blind
-Auto-dimming rear view mirror
Omegas were always very well specced, and even base models/most models get such as alloys, climate control, electric windows, cruise control, nice woody trim etc
If you find the perfect car, excluding spec, there's really not much money you'd need to put into it to 'elite-ise' it. All can be retro-fitted with the minimum of hassle. Certainly the cost of 'speccing your car up', will pale into insignificance compared with the cost of maintenance in a year! (I'm thinking the usual list of, geo setup, suspension, bushes, timing belt)
Also there's frankly really nothing overtly sporty about an MV6, and I'm sure no MV6 owners on here feel 'short-changed' by owning one. My CDX has MV6 suspension, and to be honest, doesn't really feel anything but soft and comfy. Certainly no 'sports car' :)
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Bose sound system, inbuilt sat-nav, heated rear seats, memory drivers seat, fully electric front seats, auto wipers, also on Elite.. Probably also missed a few other things. :y
Only major drawback is the lack of a 3.2 in the CDX lineup.
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Yep, car condition is more important than exact spec. Nothing on an Elite would make me seek out just that model specifically, and all specs of Omega are a comfortable car. You'd be better off just buying the tidiest model you come across with the engine you want.
Omegas have got to the age where most will probably be starting to show signs of corrosion (doors, tailgate on estates and saloon rear arches go first), and most will have high mileages (although they are mechanically robust if cared for so that's not necessarily a problem).
Most Elite bits can be retro fitted fairly easily and enthusiastic drivers tend to find the Elite suspension a bit wallowy, so swings and roundabouts.
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This is true, Mr OmegaMan :) And of course there's difference depending on year - HIDs and Bose, and autowipers being good examples, you mention. On the flip side, the earliest Elites didn't get climate control!
Obviously I lumped all the 'seats' things in one category, if the OP wished to buy, for instance a CDX FL, with around £100 he could secure an Elite leather interior which would gain him not only leather, but memory seat, electric front seats, heated front and rears, all in one :) Taxi Al was giving away a pair of front seats only the other day! Another £40ish and he'd get a autodimming mirror and electric rear blind. CDXs came with 4/6 CD autochangers as standard the OP should know, so worry not if, OP, if you're thinking that CDXs only get an LW/AM radio and cassette player!! ;)
Out of pure interest I've got a PFL CDX which is standard aprt from
Sporrrrty(ish) MV6 suspension
Rain sensing screen for auto wipers (when I do the wiring!)
Auto dimming rear view mirror (when I do the wiring!)
Electric rear blind
FL leather gear/handbrake levers
Elite leather door cards (didn't fancy the whole interior, too cold in winter/hot in summer)
Very much a car tailored to my personal tastes, as everyone's is, of course. :)
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The hardest Elite item bit to retrofit to a CD/CDX/MV6 (ignoring the sunroof) is the memory seats/mirrors function, due to amount of cabin loom required.
If this does not bother you, and if you're the only driver why would it, then buying a lesser model and speccing it up may be cheaper.
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Actually, Bose in a FL is a bit of a pain as well, unlike PFL.
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In built sat nav not necessarily an Elite item.My F/L doesn't have it as it was fitted from new with that useless TM system instead.
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In built sat nav not necessarily an Elite item.My F/L doesn't have it as it was fitted from new with that useless TM system instead.
TM fitted across range on higher models from 1998 to about 2002. Bloody useful it was too, I miss it.
Post 1998 3.0/3.2 Elites got Satnav as standard (CARiN on MFL, NCDC on FL)
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My fault sorry badly stated.Meant TM was useless now not particularly when new,but my Elite hasn't got an NCDC it's got a ccr600 or some such thing.
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My fault sorry badly stated.Meant TM was useless now not particularly when new,but my Elite hasn't got an NCDC it's got a ccr600 or some such thing.
The superiour 3.2 Elites came with the NCDC + GID series as standard, sure the only option was the colour CID screen such as this one LINK (https://youtu.be/_52BzU1CYXs?t=19) :y
Not had an Omega with TM though..
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Not had an Omega with TM though..
I took mine out within days of getting the car ...... did a swap with someone for a none drilled trim panel ;) ;)
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My fault sorry badly stated.Meant TM was useless now not particularly when new,but my Elite hasn't got an NCDC it's got a ccr600 or some such thing.
Some very early 3.0l facelifts came with CCR2006 due to the NCDC not being ready.
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Not had an Omega with TM though..
I took mine out within days of getting the car ...... did a swap with someone for a none drilled trim panel ;) ;)
It was silent if you didn't subscribe (unless battery was a bit tired), and bloody useful if you did :)
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My 3.2 Elite has 233.000 miles on its original engine/Remapped and runs perfectly,Irmscher springs/Bilstein shocks,3.0Ltr Cats,MV6 interior etc, sort of gives you an idea on how an Elite can end up being a 'mongrel' BUT still a nice old street sleeper which still surprises the boy racers ;)) you've just got to decide wether you could live with something like mine or look harder and go for something that's been kept bog standard but probably knocking on the door of £1400+ :-\
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Not had an Omega with TM though..
I took mine out within days of getting the car ...... did a swap with someone for a none drilled trim panel ;) ;)
It was silent if you didn't subscribe (unless battery was a bit tired), and bloody useful if you did :)
Mine was very silent ....... I never heard it ;) ;)
I knew I wasn't going too use it & didn't like the look of the TM switch :y ....... it was a looooong time ago
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My fault sorry badly stated.Meant TM was useless now not particularly when new,but my Elite hasn't got an NCDC it's got a ccr600 or some such thing.
The superiour 3.2 Elites came with the NCDC + GID series as standard, sure the only option was the colour CID screen such as this one LINK (https://youtu.be/_52BzU1CYXs?t=19) :y
Not had an Omega with TM though..
NCDC2013 with GID and Bose was standard on 3.2 Elite, options being CID and NCDC2015 :y
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You'll struggle to find a car without an issue or two to sort out to be honest, once you start shortening the odds with specific colour / trim combinations then be prepared for a very long disappointing wait.
As far as the best place to purchase one is concerned, you have to look everywhere! Local papers, all the web sites, free adds cards in shop windows, I've even knocked on the door of one owner whose car hadn't moved for a few months....
Ultimately these cars are either being driven into the ground and / or scrapped with the fuel costs and there's fewer and fewer being saved these days. Anyone who has a decent example probably doesn't want to sell it in all honesty!
But, just occasionally, one appears that ticks all the boxes, you just have to decide if the asking price is acceptable to you for a minimum 12 Year old car....
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My fault sorry badly stated.Meant TM was useless now not particularly when new,but my Elite hasn't got an NCDC it's got a ccr600 or some such thing.
The superiour 3.2 Elites came with the NCDC + GID series as standard, sure the only option was the colour CID screen such as this one LINK (https://youtu.be/_52BzU1CYXs?t=19) :y
Not had an Omega with TM though..
NCDC2013 with GID and Bose was standard on 3.2 Elite, options being CID and NCDC2015 :y
There was also the 'no cost' option of Velour in Lieu of Leather on a 3.2!
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Like the mv6 seats a lot compared to the cloth ones in the CD or leather..
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Actually, Bose in a FL is a bit of a pain as well, unlike PFL.
The reason for the elite (not just because its the top spec) is the Bose, i borrowed one back in the day and really did like the way it sounded, all the other models don't have it.... thats the main reason otherwise i would have a CDX instead. I also like to keep the car standard, i did see a really nice Elite a while ago but the owner had ripped out all the standard headunit and fitted some shiny led hideous system which just ruined the whole interior. Not for me.
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http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201512149448553
Might be worth a look, not long been on Auto Trader few hours maybe more than likely still available but at that price probably not for long :y
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http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201512149448553
Might be worth a look, not long been on Auto Trader few hours maybe more than likely still available but at that price probably not for long :y
Thanks ..... that actually does look very nice... bit late now but i will give the owner a call tomorrow, thanks again :y
Agree with you... i know that big petrol v6 engines are a no no in these days of eco/blue eco engines but still :-X that is cheap.
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Unusual colour for an Elite too..........
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Unusual colour for an Elite too..........
Yes you don't see too many of them, my two fav colour combo's are the oyster silver and cream leather and the star silver and the grey interior, they both look very nice. I called about the elite and its still there but someone is going to see it Thursday so i think it will go, its in London and i am in Manchester so there is no way i can get there before the weekend.
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It would seem then that my Elite[a W reg year 2000] is one of the early F/Ls pre NCDC.
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It would seem then that my Elite[a W reg year 2000] is one of the early F/Ls pre NCDC.
My Mates old Omega (W, F/L) was pre NCDC, and didn't have heated rear seats, either. :-\
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Looks like the early 3.0 FL Elites where a lucky dip.
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Buy Bazas car!!! That right Baza? Never given you any trouble, and well worth £2500, yes? (I'm helping you out here, buddy :y)
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There's a perfectly good for sale section, if he wishes to sell it :P
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It would seem then that my Elite[a W reg year 2000] is one of the early F/Ls pre NCDC.
My Mates old Omega (W, F/L) was pre NCDC, and didn't have heated rear seats, either. :-\
All Elites had the seats. Must have been changed at some point.
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Nice try DBG but I think you got the decimal point at least 2 digits too far to the right :D ;D
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Look, I like a good haggle, but your car is nowhere near worth £250,000 ;)
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Just seen this... it's broken, but frankly looks easily repairable, and after the usual culprits have been sorted seems a fine motor, all look very clean and tidy cosmetically.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-VAUXHALL-OMEGA-ELITE-V6-AUTO-GREY-/231786923640?hash=item35f793c678:g:dx4AAOSwJcZWcshb (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-VAUXHALL-OMEGA-ELITE-V6-AUTO-GREY-/231786923640?hash=item35f793c678:g:dx4AAOSwJcZWcshb)
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Right on Terbert's Door step..
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Just seen this... it's broken, but frankly looks easily repairable, and after the usual culprits have been sorted seems a fine motor, all look very clean and tidy cosmetically.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-VAUXHALL-OMEGA-ELITE-V6-AUTO-GREY-/231786923640?hash=item35f793c678:g:dx4AAOSwJcZWcshb (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-VAUXHALL-OMEGA-ELITE-V6-AUTO-GREY-/231786923640?hash=item35f793c678:g:dx4AAOSwJcZWcshb)
Nice wee project :)
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Aye :) Suppose we could start up a whole new thread on that car I linked to, but it's saying oil in the water, and suggests Head Gasket... I'd suggest the issue is in fact the far 'nicer' job of oil cooler.
Car £150
Cats £50-£100 used,
Oil cooler £100+ plus labour
Battery £50
MoT £45
= £445 + for a £106k Omega that's looking rather nice. With a Terbert not far away for a 'viewing/once over'. Sounds good to me :y
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Its ideal if you are in no rush to get it on the road and take your time to go through it all :) Still a bargain for a 3.2 . Think that mite be someone who's a member on here :-\
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Certainly reads like an enthusiast. They clearly know the cars..
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Certainly reads like an enthusiast. They clearly don't know the cars..
Otherwise they wouldn't be advertising it as HG failure ::)
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Aye :) Suppose we could start up a whole new thread on that car I linked to, but it's saying oil in the water, and suggests Head Gasket... I'd suggest the issue is in fact the far 'nicer' job of oil cooler.
Car £150
Cats £50-£100 used,
Oil cooler £100+ plus labour
Battery £50
MoT £45
= £445 + for a £106k Omega that's looking rather nice. With a Terbert not far away for a 'viewing/once over'. Sounds good to me :y
Your forgetting the cost of moving it with no MOT or Tax. Can be expensive if it needs to move a fair distance.
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Can't get to the link to see,but if you're going oil cooler,cats etc.would not a new timing belt be a wise move thereby increasing the bill yet more?
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Certainly reads like an enthusiast. They clearly don't know the cars..
Otherwise they wouldn't be advertising it as HG failure ::)
I am enthusiastic about E-Type Jags, but I don't know the first thing about working on them. :)
If I didn't already have two Omegas - one broke, one SORN - then this would be a tempting way of me getting a very very well specced car. :)
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Just seen this... it's broken, but frankly looks easily repairable, and after the usual culprits have been sorted seems a fine motor, all look very clean and tidy cosmetically.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-VAUXHALL-OMEGA-ELITE-V6-AUTO-GREY-/231786923640?hash=item35f793c678:g:dx4AAOSwJcZWcshb (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-VAUXHALL-OMEGA-ELITE-V6-AUTO-GREY-/231786923640?hash=item35f793c678:g:dx4AAOSwJcZWcshb)
I might be interested in that if I could get it transported to here cheaply enough.Not worth going much above the start price though as the cost of oil cooler, cambelt kit, possibly tyres and god knows what else, will soon add up.
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Engine got to be worth 150 notes alone :-\ A good buy if it near you , got to add at least £100 for delivery truck or trailer hire £50 . Soon adds up but if its a keeper then no brainer :)
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Certainly reads like an enthusiast. They clearly don't know the cars..
Otherwise they wouldn't be advertising it as HG failure ::)
I am enthusiastic about E-Type Jags, but I don't know the first thing about working on them. :)
If I didn't already have two Omegas - one broke, one SORN - then this would be a tempting way of me getting a very very well specced car. :)
Did a fair amount of work on my old 3.8 E Type back in my youth in the late 60s. Fairly easy and straightforward caar to work on including setting up and balancing the triple SUs ;) Wish I'd still got it, along with a few other tasty cars I've owned.
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Whoa!!! having taken a much lower mileage non running car from a salvage company,I can only impart my own experiences about such a venture. Because if, it's a non runner there could be a range of other problems that may only become apparent once you get your hands on the car and it has been thoroughly worked through.I can tell you that the £650 paid for the car quickly turned in to a project that has cost in excess of £5-£6000,this includes low loading fees,a replacement engine/cambelt kit etc,replacement auto trans/filters etc,all new steering/suspension parts,shocks springs etc,brakes,new cats and a complete exhaust system,tyres,wheel arches replaced, condenser, radiator,full respray.Also the car being ex police had hidden ''operational damage'' requiring it to be jigged to straighten it out,and that's really not all of it, as it still continues up to present time!with more fettling planned for the coming year.
I think that there's an element of optimism about cars like this,and you have to be careful not to have eyes to big for your belly,because it's an Omega and it will start sucking up your hard earned very quickly and that usually ends up as bad news for the car as the money starts to get tight,which ultimately then seals the fate of the car. So as the man says ''buyer beware'' and the other one is ''a fool and his money are easily parted'' I fit both of those catergories........regretfully!! ::) ::) ::) so just be a bit careful not to end up in my select club!!
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To be honest that ebay non runner '' bargain '' could be ok but its not for me ! I am after a well looked after but running car, a car like the one on ebay could be a total money pit. I will keep looking and no doubt in time one will turn up.
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To be honest that ebay non runner '' bargain '' could be ok but its not for me ! I am after a well looked after but running car, a car like the one on ebay could be a total money pit. I will keep looking and no doubt in time one will turn up.
Could someone ppease use a bit of imagination... ::)
Any Omega you buy will most likely need a full service, cambelt, wishbones and a decent geometry set up... You could potentially pick up that one linked to for sub £300 or you could spend ten times as much, but either way you'll be spending on the above list regardless at some point in the first year..
If that one is relatively rust free, and straight and tidy, then it has serious keeper potential. Whilst you're working through it making it just right, you can cross off all the usual items and at the end of the process you will have the car you want just how you want it...
If you need a car now or don't have time/space for a keeper project, then the Omega probably isn't for you...
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To be honest that ebay non runner '' bargain '' could be ok but its not for me ! I am after a well looked after but running car, a car like the one on ebay could be a total money pit. I will keep looking and no doubt in time one will turn up.
Could someone ppease use a bit of imagination... ::)
If that one is relatively rust free, and straight and tidy, then it has serious keeper potential. Whilst you're working through it making it just right, you can cross off all the usual items and at the end of the process you will have the car you want just how you want it...
If you need a car now or don't have time/space for a keeper project, then the Omega probably isn't for you...
I don't need a car now i have two already but wanted the Omega for ' sentimental ' reasons, i do have somewhere to keep it but want to find one that is owned by someone like me ..... who does not ignore items when they need doing or does them before they become a problem, thats how my cars are, anyone buying my car or my wifes car would have zero issues, both cambelts and waterpumps have been done on time all the service items are up to date, my wifes 06 plate has just had new discs and pads all round and had the 2 front tyres replaced as they were getting close to 3mm......they have never seen the inside of a car wash and are very well looked after, surley not ALL omega owners are shed merchants ? Those who just run them into the ground ? I will look for a normal driver who just looks after their car but simply wishes to change it.
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To be honest that ebay non runner '' bargain '' could be ok but its not for me ! I am after a well looked after but running car, a car like the one on ebay could be a total money pit. I will keep looking and no doubt in time one will turn up.
Could someone ppease use a bit of imagination... ::)
If that one is relatively rust free, and straight and tidy, then it has serious keeper potential. Whilst you're working through it making it just right, you can cross off all the usual items and at the end of the process you will have the car you want just how you want it...
If you need a car now or don't have time/space for a keeper project, then the Omega probably isn't for you...
I don't need a car now i have two already but wanted the Omega for ' sentimental ' reasons, i do have somewhere to keep it but want to find one that is owned by someone like me ..... who does not ignore items when they need doing or does them before they become a problem, thats how my cars are, anyone buying my car or my wifes car would have zero issues, both cambelts and waterpumps have been done on time all the service items are up to date, my wifes 06 plate has just had new discs and pads all round and had the 2 front tyres replaced as they were getting close to 3mm......they have never seen the inside of a car wash and are very well looked after, surley not ALL omega owners are shed merchants ? Those who just run them into the ground ? I will look for a normal driver who just looks after their car but simply wishes to change it.
The down side is that most people who treat their cars like you are enthusiasts and, probably, members here. That means they probably won't want to part with it until it gets to the point where it starts needing things ;)
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Engine got to be worth 150 notes alone :-\ A good buy if it near you , got to add at least £100 for delivery truck or trailer hire £50 . Soon adds up but if its a keeper then no brainer :)
Have you ever tried selling a 3.2 (or any other v6) engine ? You cant give them away, unless your prepared to wait, possibly years, for someone who wants / needs one.
When metal prices were higher it was a better bet to leave them in the car and weigh it in. ;)
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Can't quite agree with the last comment,to a point you are right,but I have nine messages in my inbox asking me to sell my cars to them and two guys where I work also keep on at me for first refusals.I'm also of a mind that a lot of Omegas that come up for sale have never been cared for properly and I'm sure that's why so many are for spares or repair,thus making them money pits as you have to go through them looking for the regular faults caused by lack of proper care.It's taken me fourteen years of ownership to figure out that it's a beast that needs constant watching and being ready to put your hand in your pocket to give it what it needs. Also Al is right,if you are going to buy a non runner,then it's a project car which with a bit of hard work/money the car can end up being something to be proud of,conversely you could get it up and running using s/hand parts etc,getting it legal and the rag it to death for a year or two, or wait patiently for a low miler time capsule to pop up.It does happen occasionally as I'm sure there are a few squirreled away,but they don't come cheap and there's always a bit of a feeding frenzy when one appears.Also I've got to say that a couple of years back I would have certainly gone and had a look at that car,but I've had my bumps read recently and I now have closed the home for Omega waifs and strays, have now seen sense and won't ever buy any more projects or even a brand new barn find Omega(if there were ever to be one) :-\ :-\
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Wouldnt disagree with any of that. My comment was purely in response to the quoted post about the engine alone being worth £150. ;)
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Sort of fingers crossed that they'll get as rare as hen's teeth, and then it will be only genuine buyers looking to keep the cars long term,but for the present I'll keep them until the time comes when I can come to terms with seeing one of mine going down the road to a new home :'( Will happen a lot sooner if SWMBO has anything to do with it!! :)
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Sort of fingers crossed that they'll get as rare as hen's teeth, and then it will be only genuine buyers looking to keep the cars long term,but for the present I'll keep them until the time comes when I can come to terms with seeing one of mine going down the road to a new home :'( Will happen a lot sooner if SWMBO has anything to do with it!! :)
I agree that decent ones are like hens teeth but from my limited search...... tatty ones are in abundance !!!
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Define tatty... Have you actually looked at any :-\
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Define tatty... Have you actually looked at any :-\
Yep, saw one yesterday.... a 2003 elite, 2.6 in manual (want auto so did not notice this in the ad but it was local)...... both arches gone, said svc history..... he could not locate it when i visited !!! rips in the seats.....no idea if cambelt had been done, did not know when the gearbox oil was changed, need i go on.... TAT. They are so cheap now that price is not the issue, i simply want one that i have a reasonable chance to trust will not all light up like a christmas tree the moment i drive down the road ! I see other makes of cars older than 2003 where its clear the owners have taken care of them... i fail to see why an Omega owner should be any different.
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They're about. ;) Be patient, keep an eye on the For Sale board here and all the usual places and you'll find what you are looking for! :y
Eventually..... ;D
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Define tatty... Have you actually looked at any :-\
Yep, saw one yesterday.... a 2003 elite, 2.6 in manual (want auto so did not notice this in the ad but it was local)...... both arches gone, said svc history..... he could not locate it when i visited !!! rips in the seats.....no idea if cambelt had been done, did not know when the gearbox oil was changed, need i go on.... TAT. They are so cheap now that price is not the issue, i simply want one that i have a reasonable chance to trust will not all light up like a christmas tree the moment i drive down the road ! I see other makes of cars older than 2003 where its clear the owners have taken care of them... i fail to see why an Omega owner should be any different.
Are we supposed to change the gearbox oil? I never have on an Omega, I thought it was only a check level matter.
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Are we supposed to change the gearbox oil? I never have on an Omega, I thought it was only a check level matter.
GM sya they're sealed for life ...... but an oil & filter change does more good than harm ;)
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Are we supposed to change the gearbox oil? I never have on an Omega, I thought it was only a check level matter.
GM sya they're sealed for life ...... but an oil & filter change does more good than harm ;)
Agree, the '' sealed for life '' guff just makes me laugh, its a marketing tool.
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You could hold out for that mint, modest mileage, one owner car with full Vauxhall history, pay £3-4k and then still spend a grand sorting all the bits that VX overlooked... if that's what you prefer to do ;)
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Or a Mercedes trained mechanic owner who allegedly serviced it >:( >:( Ive spent the best part of £600 getting it properly sorted ::)
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You could hold out for that mint, modest mileage, one owner car with full Vauxhall history, pay £3-4k and then still spend a grand sorting all the bits that VX overlooked... if that's what you prefer to do ;)
I can not see any 13 year old Vauxhall with a v6 petrol engine and near mid teens MPG fetching that kind of money.... what ever the condition. I have seen a few which look ' nice ' on the web with reasonable miles (80k) but they are the other side of the country and just too far to go for a look, even then they top out at around the £1500 mark.
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Have you ever owned one? If fuel economy of a two ton petrol car is a worry, it might be prudent to buy a nice 1.3cdti Corsa...
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Have you ever owned one? If fuel economy of a two ton petrol car is a worry, it might be prudent to buy a nice 1.3cdti Corsa...
No i am quite happy with that mpg if i pay around the grand mark but 4k ;D ;D ;D You would be mad to pay that. The mpg, general costs of running and the RFL all add to the fact that they will not reach high money.
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Have you ever owned one? If fuel economy of a two ton petrol car is a worry, it might be prudent to buy a nice 1.3cdti Corsa...
No i am quite happy with that mpg if i pay around the grand mark but 4k ;D ;D ;D You would be mad to pay that. The mpg, general costs of running and the RFL all add to the fact that they will not reach high money.
Eh? Tax is cheap, compared to something similar of a newer vintage. General running costs are no different to any other car. MPG is quite good, in my opinion.
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Tut tut clock :-X ::) ;)
To the OP. I was in the same boat when I was looking for my current estate. I searched long (2.5 years) and hard to find what I wanted. It was low mileage, full SH (mostly VX), good condition, the works. I paid top money for it from a dealer knowing I would spend a further £1.5-2k on it within weeks to get it sorted, although this did include LPG kit to convert it. All in I reckon it owed me around £5k when I bought it, more than our pal Roger Budden was charging but it was exactly what I wanted, how I wanted it! Admittedly it was LPG converted at that price too.
But, and here's the thing... My 63k, FSH car didn't (and still doesn't) run as well as the 177k car that was 4 years older that it replaced. I would say that mileage is fairly irrelevant on these, focus on condition and history. By history I mean enthusiast maintained ;) I would much rather see a pile of receipts from spares shops than a pile of garage receipts, even though there is nothing to guarantee the work has been done with the former (or the latter come to think of it!) ::)
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Or a Mercedes trained mechanic owner who allegedly serviced it >:( >:( Ive spent the best part of £600 getting it properly sorted ::)
You got off lightly :y
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Just seen this... it's broken, but frankly looks easily repairable, and after the usual culprits have been sorted seems a fine motor, all look very clean and tidy cosmetically.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-VAUXHALL-OMEGA-ELITE-V6-AUTO-GREY-/231786923640?hash=item35f793c678:g:dx4AAOSwJcZWcshb (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-VAUXHALL-OMEGA-ELITE-V6-AUTO-GREY-/231786923640?hash=item35f793c678:g:dx4AAOSwJcZWcshb)
I too saw this, but what does the seller mean, the cats have "blown through". I'm really confused about this.
Unless it's been misfiring over a prolonged time etc I can't see how a 102k cat would be damaged?
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Tut tut clock :-X ::) ;)
To the OP. I was in the same boat when I was looking for my current estate. I searched long (2.5 years) and hard to find what I wanted. It was low mileage, full SH (mostly VX), good condition, the works. I paid top money for it from a dealer knowing I would spend a further £1.5-2k on it within weeks to get it sorted, although this did include LPG kit to convert it. All in I reckon it owed me around £5k when I bought it, more than our pal Roger Budden was charging but it was exactly what I wanted, how I wanted it! Admittedly it was LPG converted at that price too.
But, and here's the thing... My 63k, FSH car didn't (and still doesn't) run as well as the 177k car that was 4 years older that it replaced. I would say that mileage is fairly irrelevant on these, focus on condition and history. By history I mean enthusiast maintained ;) I would much rather see a pile of receipts from spares shops than a pile of garage receipts, even though there is nothing to guarantee the work has been done with the former (or the latter come to think of it!) ::)
Agree the miles are not the top deciding factor but it would be nice to keep below the triple figures, the condition and the servicing are key but they do tend to be a lot of tatty ones out there, i do know they may cost me more to run than your average modern car, example being my wifes diesel fabia which is so silly on fuel that it only visits the petrol station once a month and cost £20 a year to tax, couple that will the fact it has cost exactly zero over the 5 years of ownership in regards things going wrong (excluding the usual service bits and bobs) and i know a car like the Omega can be viewed as a ' toy ' and something you must understand will cost more to run than your average car.
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Hoblokcocks...
My 274k ex plod, ex Taxi thrice written off white car can be reasonably expected to drive to Greece and back using nothing but fuel.
My 169K 3previous owner Elite would reasonably be expected to do the same. And I have no history for that car.
Point is, the Omega is a perfectly reasonable car for doing absolutely everything you would expect a brand new car to do.
As for Vw products... :-X
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I bought my 2 owner 17K car in Feb 2014 privately and paid top dollar for it but don't regret it. I've spent a bit on it since but use it every day on the commute. Now 64K. Only wish it was black like my previous one. :-*
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Where else would you get a superbly comfortable well built car with all the toys for relatively little money? I get a great deal of pleasure driving my Omegas, but it depends whether you would prefer to get from A to B in mondane modern Eurobox, yes, that may do a few more miles per gallon, may cost less to tax, but also are still depreciating in value. A good Omega will now not lose much value, if any at all, and this forum will guide you through the possible issues that may, not will, may crop up. Would a small cheaper to run car give you as more pleasure than an Omega - I know it's a personal thing, but I think not. I also have a high performance Audi; its costs a frightening amount of money to run in both depreciation and actual running costs, I am always wary of where I park it and whether it will still be on my drive in the morning, and although I think it's a fantastic car, I get as much pleasure with the luxuries and the driving experience that the Omega affords for a faction of the cost.
I have run Omega V6 Elites for over 15 years, and penny for penny, have not cost as much as you think to keep running sweetly and returning 30mpg on a run. Some insurance companies will now insure Omegas on classic car policies, which means your no claims can be used on another car, and the premiums are drastically less if you can keep,the annual mileage to around 6k.
A no brainier in my opinion!
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I bought my 2 owner 17K car in Feb 2014 privately and paid top dollar for it but don't regret it. I've spent a bit on it since but use it every day on the commute. Now 64K. Only wish it was black like my previous one. :-*
Wow.... now that is low miles !!!
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Where else would you get a superbly comfortable well built car with all the toys for relatively little money? I get a great deal of pleasure driving my Omegas, but it depends whether you would prefer to get from A to B in mondane modern Eurobox, yes, that may do a few more miles per gallon, may cost less to tax, but also are still depreciating in value. A good Omega will now not lose much value, if any at all, and this forum will guide you through the possible issues that may, not will, may crop up. Would a small cheaper to run car give you as more pleasure than an Omega - I know it's a personal thing, but I think not. I also have a high performance Audi; its costs a frightening amount of money to run in both depreciation and actual running costs, I am always wary of where I park it and whether it will still be on my drive in the morning, and although I think it's a fantastic car, I get as much pleasure with the luxuries and the driving experience that the Omega affords for a faction of the cost.
I have run Omega V6 Elites for over 15 years, and penny for penny, have not cost as much as you think to keep running sweetly and returning 30mpg on a run. Some insurance companies will now insure Omegas on classic car policies, which means your no claims can be used on another car, and the premiums are drastically less if you can keep,the annual mileage to around 6k.
A no brainier in my opinion!
All that makes sense and my annual miles are around 6k, i see an Omega purchase as a nice toy and something of an extravagance but i also see it could work as a normal daily car for shorter annual mileages, how much exactly is the annual RFL for a 3.2.... a few sales sites have had different figurs on it.
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Depends on the year, but no more than £290...
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As others have said, miles are irrelevant. Even if well into the 6 figures, here is my 160k 2.2 making the blast to Austria in -18 conditions. (stacked full of snowboards, beer and supplies) Never missed a beat :y
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=111494 (http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=111494)
It's now on 185k - Running just as well :)
My 3.2 is on 152k - That one feels barely run in, inside it's so tidy - I could reduce the miles on the clock by 75% and I bet no one would question it ;)
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Or a Mercedes trained mechanic owner who allegedly serviced it >:( >:( Ive spent the best part of £600 getting it properly sorted ::)
You got off lightly :y
Im still spending on it as you do ::) It does look nice though , sat on the drive doing nothing ;D
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Just seen this... it's broken, but frankly looks easily repairable, and after the usual culprits have been sorted seems a fine motor, all look very clean and tidy cosmetically.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-VAUXHALL-OMEGA-ELITE-V6-AUTO-GREY-/231786923640?hash=item35f793c678:g:dx4AAOSwJcZWcshb (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-VAUXHALL-OMEGA-ELITE-V6-AUTO-GREY-/231786923640?hash=item35f793c678:g:dx4AAOSwJcZWcshb)
I don't suppose anyone has an oil cooler for sale? ::)
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;D ;D ;D ;D ;D you only just got rid of two of them...Told the wife yet ? :-X
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;D ;D ;D ;D ;D you only just got rid of two of them...Told the wife yet ? :-X
No. My life won't be worth living when I come clean...
I don't have any use for it at all. But it went for pocket money and is less than 6 miles away from me. Being what appears to be a pretty straight and unmolested 3.2 elite, I didn't want it getting in the hands of a breaker. If it's straight enough body wise, I will give it a new lease of life :y
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;D ;D ;D ;D ;D you only just got rid of two of them...Told the wife yet ? :-X
No. My life won't be worth living when I come clean...
I don't have any use for it at all. But it went for pocket money and is less than 6 miles away from me. Being what appears to be a pretty straight and unmolested 3.2 elite, I didn't want it getting in the hands of a breaker. If it's straight enough body wise, I will give it a new lease of life :y
Most of the elite's i see are all down with you southern jessies :)
Up in the grim north is a lot harder to find any let alone a decent one.
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Here's one up north :
3.2 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-OMEGA-ELITE-3-2-SALOON-MET-BLACK-/262199982110?hash=item3d0c56381e:g:STIAAOSwHQ9WZdVL)
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Here's one up north :
3.2 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-OMEGA-ELITE-3-2-SALOON-MET-BLACK-/262199982110?hash=item3d0c56381e:g:STIAAOSwHQ9WZdVL)
Looks lifted at the rear
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Here's one up north :
3.2 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-OMEGA-ELITE-3-2-SALOON-MET-BLACK-/262199982110?hash=item3d0c56381e:g:STIAAOSwHQ9WZdVL)
Looks lifted at the rear
It do , if that were nearer and cheaper i would of snapped that one up .. There's a decent 3.0 knocking around too in fast black . 3.0 is the engine to go for :P
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Here's one up north :
3.2 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-OMEGA-ELITE-3-2-SALOON-MET-BLACK-/262199982110?hash=item3d0c56381e:g:STIAAOSwHQ9WZdVL)
Not for me i am afraid...... i want to pay a tad more than that one ;D To much to say on what is wrong with it to really inspire confidence that what he is saying is not just the tip of the iceberg !
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Here's one up north :
3.2 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-OMEGA-ELITE-3-2-SALOON-MET-BLACK-/262199982110?hash=item3d0c56381e:g:STIAAOSwHQ9WZdVL)
:oNot for me i am afraid...... i want to pay a tad more than that one ;D To much to say on what is wrong with it to really inspire confidence that what he is saying is just the tip of the iceberg !
You're chasing something that simply isn't out there.
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One posted by EMD looks tidy enough, it's body work and condition to look for. I spy a new coolant bottle in that bay, looks straight enough inside too, seats look good.
You will need to budget for suspension, cambelt, general service on anything.
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One posted by EMD looks tidy enough, it's body work and condition to look for. I spy a new coolant bottle in that bay, looks straight enough inside too, seats look good.
You will need to budget for suspension, cambelt, general service on anything.
That one didnt last long , its already sold .
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One posted by EMD looks tidy enough, it's body work and condition to look for. I spy a new coolant bottle in that bay, looks straight enough inside too, seats look good.
You will need to budget for suspension, cambelt, general service on anything.
That one didnt last long , its already sold .
Not surprised. Looked a good example :)
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That 3.2,is a potential shed/money pit >:( take it from one who has seen the light ::) obviously been neglected reading between the lines ???
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Here's one up north :
3.2 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-OMEGA-ELITE-3-2-SALOON-MET-BLACK-/262199982110?hash=item3d0c56381e:g:STIAAOSwHQ9WZdVL)
:oNot for me i am afraid...... i want to pay a tad more than that one ;D To much to say on what is wrong with it to really inspire confidence that what he is saying is just the tip of the iceberg !
You're chasing something that simply isn't out there.
About right there :y
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That 3.2,is a potential shed/money pit >:( take it from one who has seen the light ::) obviously been neglected reading between the lines ???
yep, what i thought...... oil leaks etc and jobs that the owner says are easy to do but he could not be bothered to do them ! Speaks volumes as to the kind of owner he is. Like any car which is looked after all through its life the overall condition will reflect what has been done under the bonnet, most owners of cars who bother to not take it through car washes and take pride in how they look tend to do the mechanical things as well, everytime i see cars for sale with dent's in the wings etc but with the owner's blurb of '' easy fix at a bodyshop '' i would simply ignore it. Its a guarantee that the rest of the car will be neglected to the same standard but you will not see it so easily.
As an example of what can be found out there this is currently on autotrader, i know its not an Elite but it could of easily been and if this CD exists with these miles and condition then an Elite can.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201511128636484?page=4&sort=default&make=vauxhall&radius=1500&postcode=M3%204HH&search-target=usedcars&onesearchad=used&model=omega&logcode=p
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Swapped a 27K 2.2 for.my current 170K Elite Estate...
The catches...
No history and needed a top half respray... Dealer I sold it to sold it for £2250 as it was :-X
Hadn't been on the road for over a year.
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I don't see why people get so hung up on miles, I bought my BMW GS with 35k miles on it. I test rode others with less than 15k, mine went better, looked better and went like new.
My 151k 3.2 Elite goes better, looks better and has a better interior than those of half the mileage. TheBoy here got a 50k? 3.2 Elite, body wise underneath, mine was in far far better condition.
Even if you buy a 65k Elite, or the one you linked to, you will still need to budget for:
Cambelt
Wishbones
Drop links
Springs/Rear shocks
Cam Cover gaskets
Breathers
Plugs
All service stuff.
All same stuff as 6 figure mileage example, except you won't be paying a premium for a "low miles mint" example. :)
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People won't be told T...
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Before buying my first 3.2 a few years ago I went to see a clean inside and out 2003 2.6 CDX with 45,000 for £1,100 but the engine had no poke, didn't sound right plus it had leaking oil around the cam covers a loud ticking sound, still on the original belt apparently etc..
Same goes for a '53' black 3.2 Elite with 75,000 with an engine with so many rattles and noises, plus the body work had a load of lacquer peel and dents, ripped seats etc.. So left them well alone!
Then shortly after I saw a 2002 51' 3.2 Elite with 188,000 at the time thought it would be a right dog but took the chance to go 200 miles to see it, yes it needed a few suspension/steering parts in need of replacing and a general service but the engine was pretty much perfect with plenty of power on demand... It's still going strong with around 202,000 now..
Basically what I'm saying is don't dismiss high mileage Omegas without giving them a try..., there is likely to be more issues with a low mileage car that hasn't been treated well or used regularly enough... over a high mileage car, after all it's likely to have been looked after to some extent to reach the high miles to begin with ;)
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TheBoy here got a 50k? 3.2 Elite, body wise underneath, mine was in far far better condition.
Indeed, it was sub 60k at the time (now, well into 6 digits, as its "her" car), and was not bad for its age. But yours was a minter.
For those that don't know, the 3.2 tunnie now owns, I bought from Gixer, purely for the Irmscher stuff, and intended to break the rest. However, it was, without doubt, the tidiest Omega I'd seem on the outside, even with all the bumpers removed, not a spot of rust. Tunnie saw it (as we were using his garage as storage) and agreed it was too good to break, and bought it. Apart from a pesky lifter, and 3.2 economy, I think tunnie loves it. And rightly so :)
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That 3.2,is a potential shed/money pit >:( take it from one who has seen the light ::) obviously been neglected reading between the lines ???
yep, what i thought...... oil leaks etc and jobs that the owner says are easy to do but he could not be bothered to do them ! Speaks volumes as to the kind of owner he is. Like any car which is looked after all through its life the overall condition will reflect what has been done under the bonnet, most owners of cars who bother to not take it through car washes and take pride in how they look tend to do the mechanical things as well, everytime i see cars for sale with dent's in the wings etc but with the owner's blurb of '' easy fix at a bodyshop '' i would simply ignore it. Its a guarantee that the rest of the car will be neglected to the same standard but you will not see it so easily.
As an example of what can be found out there this is currently on autotrader, i know its not an Elite but it could of easily been and if this CD exists with these miles and condition then an Elite can.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201511128636484?page=4&sort=default&make=vauxhall&radius=1500&postcode=M3%204HH&search-target=usedcars&onesearchad=used&model=omega&logcode=p
Looking at the pics on the link i am always wary when the engine bay is tarted up and polished. Is it done to hide various little leaks etc.? :-\
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http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201511128636484?page=4&sort=default&make=vauxhall&radius=1500&postcode=M3%204HH&search-target=usedcars&onesearchad=used&model=omega&logcode=p
[/quote]
A very clean example., over priced tho.
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I bought a similar car 2.6 03 reg in similar condition in Jan2010 64000 mls for £3300.00.So nice car but very expensive. :y
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Also note the leather interiors : i would not have another leather due to the drivers heated seats failing ...all the cloth heated seats ive had have always worked :)
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Also note the leather interiors : i would not have another leather due to the drivers heated seats failing ...all the cloth heated seats ive had have always worked :)
To be honest i do like leather but i would also be happy to have an elite with a cloth interior, its warmer in winter and more forgiving in terms of providing comfort, the issue is i only want an Elite and as far as i am aware (apart from the 2.5/2.6) they all came with leather as standard and even the smaller engined ones were often spec'd with it as an option, to find a 3.0litre or a 3.2 with cloth will be highly unlikely.
The Omega CD on the link is expensive but given its miles and condtion i would be happy to pay that, as i have said befoe the price of these cars is so low in real terms that its a none issue, its finding the car that will cause the problem as nice ones (aka unmolested) is getting harder and harder.
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Also note the leather interiors : i would not have another leather due to the drivers heated seats failing ...all the cloth heated seats ive had have always worked :)
Mine has cloth seats - heated front and rear.
I have never needed to use the heaters so they probably still work ::)
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Also note the leather interiors : i would not have another leather due to the drivers heated seats failing ...all the cloth heated seats ive had have always worked :)
My Elite's heated leather driver's seat worked ..... well it did after I fixed it.
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Also note the leather interiors : i would not have another leather due to the drivers heated seats failing ...all the cloth heated seats ive had have always worked :)
My Elite's heated leather driver's seat worked ..... well it did after I fixed it.
So is mine sort of , it burns your bottom ::) I believe yours was the superior p/f though andy ;)
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...
I believe yours was the superior p/f though andy ;)
Indeed it was :y :y :y
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Also note the leather interiors : i would not have another leather due to the drivers heated seats failing ...all the cloth heated seats ive had have always worked :)
To be honest i do like leather but i would also be happy to have an elite with a cloth interior, its warmer in winter and more forgiving in terms of providing comfort, the issue is i only want an Elite and as far as i am aware (apart from the 2.5/2.6) they all came with leather as standard and even the smaller engined ones were often spec'd with it as an option, to find a 3.0litre or a 3.2 with cloth will be highly unlikely.
The Omega CD on the link is expensive but given its miles and condtion i would be happy to pay that, as i have said befoe the price of these cars is so low in real terms that its a none issue, its finding the car that will cause the problem as nice ones (aka unmolested) is getting harder and harder.
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I sold my 2 owner 2.6 CDX manual back in November full history all receipts in great condition one tiny spot on the rear wheel arch to a member on here via the bay for £755 , he was well pleased with it ,so there are good ones around consider a CDX they are excellent.
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Also note the leather interiors : i would not have another leather due to the drivers heated seats failing ...all the cloth heated seats ive had have always worked :)
Cloth ones fail as well. My old tractor only had 1 working seat out of the 4 ;D. Doesn't matter with cloth, though.
Both my current Omegas each have 4 working seats, admittedly, the front passenger one in the MV6 has been repaired once, and I think the drivers soon will due to a hotspot.
IMHO, Elite cloth is more comfortable than Elite leather, even without taking the leather temperature discomfort into account.
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TheBoy here got a 50k? 3.2 Elite, body wise underneath, mine was in far far better condition.
Indeed, it was sub 60k at the time (now, well into 6 digits, as its "her" car), and was not bad for its age. But yours was a minter.
For those that don't know, the 3.2 tunnie now owns, I bought from Gixer, purely for the Irmscher stuff, and intended to break the rest. However, it was, without doubt, the tidiest Omega I'd seem on the outside, even with all the bumpers removed, not a spot of rust. Tunnie saw it (as we were using his garage as storage) and agreed it was too good to break, and bought it. Apart from a pesky lifter, and 3.2 economy, I think tunnie loves it. And rightly so :)
Indeed. The 3.2 drives so well, it really needs a cambelt though ::)
The tints really set it off, not something I would have ever thought to fit personally. But they do look good and make driving at night in the motorway a real pleasure, no glare. Must be getting old ;D
I need the 2.2 to meet its end, to force me to part with it now. It's worth penny's yet it's so, so, so cheap to run on LPG.
But for now the 3.2 is our family car :)
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Indeed. The 3.2 drives so well, it really needs a cambelt though ::)
Do lifters first or at same time. Save doing it twice :)
The tints really set it off, not something I would have ever thought to fit personally. But they do look good and make driving at night in the motorway a real pleasure, no glare. Must be getting old ;D
Obviously the Elite has a pretty reasonable autodip mirror, so I never have an issue without them, expect in door mirrors. I suspect with rear tints, your mirror never dips anyway?
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But for now the 3.2 is our family car :)
As we've said time and time again, though, despite the fuel consumption:
it's comfortable
It's capable
It's roomy, with plenty of room for adults in the back
It's cheap to run (fuel aside), service, insure and tax
I'd rather be in an Omega that a lot of other cars in a pile up
Its an easy, effortless drive that can crunch miles easily and comfortably, even with 4 adults and luggage in.
Or buy something similar for £10k for a 10yr old model, that at best will be equal to it, maybe better on fuel if you plump for diesel. £10k is a lot of fuel - lets say a replacement is a third better on fuel, you'd have to burn through £30k of fuel to break even purely on fuel, before you even take into account the savings the Omega has with servicing, tax etc etc.
No brainer, really, from a purely financial point of view (and ignoring desires, little wanters, and keeping up with the Jones' etc)
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Indeed. The 3.2 drives so well, it really needs a cambelt though ::)
Do lifters first or at same time. Save doing it twice :)
The tints really set it off, not something I would have ever thought to fit personally. But they do look good and make driving at night in the motorway a real pleasure, no glare. Must be getting old ;D
Obviously the Elite has a pretty reasonable autodip mirror, so I never have an issue without them, expect in door mirrors. I suspect with rear tints, your mirror never dips anyway?
To point one yes, I'm hoping to arrange a timely curry at the same time. Been a while since done weekends car work plus a curry.
I've bought all bits, cambelt kit (3.0 one) - I have lifters, black goo for cam covers. GM for o-rings, but was looking to try dbugs gaskets. Just need to find a time with you and your new neighbour :)
To the second point I've had to unplug the auto dip, as it never undipped. Bright sunshine and it would be ok, but normal conditions it was too dark looking into it. So with it unplugged your can see a lot better
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Surprised the mirror is always dipping - I'd expect the it wouldn't really see the lights behind as bright. But as you don't need the function anyway :)
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But for now the 3.2 is our family car :)
As we've said time and time again, though, despite the fuel consumption:
it's comfortable
It's capable
It's roomy, with plenty of room for adults in the back
It's cheap to run (fuel aside), service, insure and tax
I'd rather be in an Omega that a lot of other cars in a pile up
Its an easy, effortless drive that can crunch miles easily and comfortably, even with 4 adults and luggage in.
Or buy something similar for £10k for a 10yr old model, that at best will be equal to it, maybe better on fuel if you plump for diesel. £10k is a lot of fuel - lets say a replacement is a third better on fuel, you'd have to burn through £30k of fuel to break even purely on fuel, before you even take into account the savings the Omega has with servicing, tax etc etc.
No brainer, really, from a purely financial point of view (and ignoring desires, little wanters, and keeping up with the Jones' etc)
Yep. I've had offers to buy it, also seriously considered a Zafria. But if have to spend at least 3 times what the 3.2 is worth to get a half decent Zafria. What would gain? Won't be as comfy or as fast, look as good, go as well. No Bose sounds, leather and effortless drive.
MrsT has really grown to like the 3.2 as well, she switches between both. Never driven an auto before, but now she always goes for the 3.2's keys.
I've mentioned it before, but when we need 3 seats in the back row, that is when a decision will need to be made. That's if both are still running then, as it will be around 3 years at least I think before little MissT has two brothers or sisters.
I do like the Merc CLS 320's - but even 10k there means oldish example. No cheap service any more either!
If 3 back row seats are not needed, we might look at XC90's :)
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I've mentioned it before, but when we need 3 seats in the back row, that is when a decision will need to be made. That's if both are still running then, as it will be around 3 years at least I think before little MissT has two brothers or sisters.
Whilst, like virtually any RWD car, 3 adults in the back is a squeeze, its fine for "smaller ones", and having 3 real seatbeats in the back keeps safety up :)
Mrs TB always tends to go for the 3.2, as deep down, I think she quite likes the Chav. I rarely get to drive it ;D
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I've mentioned it before, but when we need 3 seats in the back row, that is when a decision will need to be made. That's if both are still running then, as it will be around 3 years at least I think before little MissT has two brothers or sisters.
Whilst, like virtually any RWD car, 3 adults in the back is a squeeze, its fine for "smaller ones", and having 3 real seatbeats in the back keeps safety up :)
Mrs TB always tends to go for the 3.2, as deep down, I think she quite likes the Chav. I rarely get to drive it ;D
The problem we have found is that small babies require enormous car seats.
The centre belt isn't long enough to go round a modern baby seat and there are no isofix points.
We bought a cheap Garahambra (galaxy/sharan/alhambra) with 5 full size seats in the back to allow us to carry everybody.
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To be honest i like the spec of the CDX but the main reason i want the Elite is Bose, the others just do not have it fitted, so its and Elite.
Maybe the new year will have a few for sale in a similar way to the house market which tends to pick up after xmas.
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I've mentioned it before, but when we need 3 seats in the back row, that is when a decision will need to be made. That's if both are still running then, as it will be around 3 years at least I think before little MissT has two brothers or sisters.
Whilst, like virtually any RWD car, 3 adults in the back is a squeeze, its fine for "smaller ones", and having 3 real seatbeats in the back keeps safety up :)
Mrs TB always tends to go for the 3.2, as deep down, I think she quite likes the Chav. I rarely get to drive it ;D
The problem we have found is that small babies require enormous car seats.
The centre belt isn't long enough to go round a modern baby seat and there are no isofix points.
We bought a cheap Garahambra (galaxy/sharan/alhambra) with 5 full size seats in the back to allow us to carry everybody.
I find that putting little ones front facing seat in the middle is perfect... Leaves space for 2 adults, albeit a bit cozy
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To be honest I like the spec of the CDX but the main reason i want the Elite is Bose, the others just do not have it fitted, so it's an Elite.
Interesting, the Bose stereo is the part I like least about the Elite as it restricts me to an old CD player that won't play copied discs. With a 'normal' amp and speaker setup, I would have fitted an all-in-one headunit soon after buying the car.
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To be honest I like the spec of the CDX but the main reason i want the Elite is Bose, the others just do not have it fitted, so it's an Elite.
Interesting, the Bose stereo is the part I like least about the Elite as it restricts me to an old CD player that won't play copied discs. With a 'normal' amp and speaker setup, I would have fitted an all-in-one headunit soon after buying the car.
Proof if needed that we are all different and looking for different things from our cars, all my cd's are original, i don't download from the net and tend to listen to the radio the most so a system like the Elite's would be fine for me. I did see a really nice Elite a while ago but the owner had ripped out the OEM headunit and fitted an all singing and dancing DVD unit, nice enough but for me it simply spoilt the whole interior.
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99% of Elites with Bose will all have shagged NCDC lasers by now.
Odd you want to restrict car hunting based on the stereo, replace the current speakers in standard spec and you would have a better system than Bose.
It a system that has hardly changed since 1998.
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99% of Elites with Bose will all have shagged NCDC lasers by now.
Odd you want to restrict car hunting based on the stereo, replace the current speakers in standard spec and you would have a better system than Bose.
It a system that has hardly changed since 1998.
Arse monkeys...
An afternoons work to fit aux leads to a CDC head unit... Hell if I can do it, anyone can...
All your music, however sourced in BOSE with No issues :y
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99% of Elites with Bose will all have shagged NCDC lasers by now.
Odd you want to restrict car hunting based on the stereo, replace the current speakers in standard spec and you would have a better system than Bose.
It a system that has hardly changed since 1998.
Arse monkeys...
An afternoons work to fit aux leads to a CDC head unit... Hell if I can do it, anyone can...
All your music, however sourced in BOSE with No issues :y
So you could attach an ipod classic etc and listen to music ? Along with the radio of course.
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some clever git on here has soldered in one of these and documented it.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151553153657?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
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Yup... You lose the original 4disc changer facility, but a bit of imagination will see an ipod/Bluetooth head unit running a disc changer or three...
Summat like this...
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DSXS310BTX-Bluetooth-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B005J7YD98
Running a CDX-656
Gives you an extra 6 discs to play with plus all the head unit features, and only six connections required:
12v, ignition, illumination and ground from the telematics loom, plus two Rca leads. Job done :y
(http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y486/05omegav6/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150824_183340_zpst3gsbozs.jpg)
(http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y486/05omegav6/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150824_185312_zpskcfnyyiq.jpg)
(http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y486/05omegav6/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150824_221419_zpsiyflxvc2.jpg)
:y
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You don't have to lose the 4 disc changer if you wire in a DPDT switch. :y
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You don't have to lose the 4 disc changer if you wire in a DPDT switch. :y
Probably not, but with three ten disc changers in the boot, I am still 26 cds ahead :D
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99% of Elites with Bose will all have shagged NCDC lasers by now.
Odd you want to restrict car hunting based on the stereo, replace the current speakers in standard spec and you would have a better system than Bose.
It a system that has hardly changed since 1998.
Arse monkeys...
An afternoons work to fit aux leads to a CDC head unit... Hell if I can do it, anyone can...
All your music, however sourced in BOSE with No issues :y
We say "homosexual" round here lot more pc. :)
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As VXL says, possible to keep CDC as well, but you need to switch it. I'm part way through doing that via a PIC. With the direct wiring, as shown in HTK's post, the impedance is slightly off, resulting in having to mess with volume and treble between sources, but it "works". Obviously, the soldering needs to be far better ;D
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Nothing wrong with my soldering :P no apparent impedance issues either... out put volume and characteristics can be easily tweaked to suit, and with those four connections made securely at the telematics plugs, no settings memory issues either. Simply set it up once and you're away. Even the bluetooth side of things works as it should... and no worries about faffing around in the glovebox to control it as the head unit has a remote 8)
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That's not the Telematics plug, it's the Telephone pre-wiring plug. As such I would check how much current draw the head unit is consuming as it's a relatively thin 12V feed wire compared to the gauge used on the ISO. Appreciate your HU's may not be drawing much as you are using line out rather than an amplifier stage.
Telematics plug arrangement uses dual pins for +12V and 0V to overcome the wire gauge issue.
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Will investigate that further re current draw/ loom temp and report back... Worst case I double up the feeds...
All seems in order thus far ;)