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[Scatmancraig]

Morning All,

My tired Omega is coming to the end of its current MOT, and I'm thinking of getting a possible replacement.  For reasons unknown, I seem to be drawn towards the Vauxhall Signum, particularly in 3.0 V6 CDTi flavour. 

Does anyone have any experience of these cars?  Not sure whether to go for manual or auto.  There seems to be plenty about with varying prices.  I'm also not sure whether to go for the 3.0 diesel, or the 1.9 or 2.2 diesels?  The 3.0 seems to be a massive engine for what is effectively a Vectra hatchback, so I'm guessing it ought to go pretty well, but does that particulary engine have any vices that I should be aware of? 

My other option is to try and find a really tidy 2.5TD Omega, as late a model as possible and this time manual not auto.  Whilst I love the comfort and smoothness of the auto, the difference in economy between round town and the open road is ridiculous.  I can get nearly 45mpg on a run, half that around town.  I've never known a car with such a big difference, I used to get more out of a 3.0 Senator!!

[anV6]

I personally find them extremely ugly! Most people think it's an astra because it looks just like a stretched hatchback. Because it is. Before I would buy a signum I would just buy the equivalent vectra estate. They are basically the same car. But the vectra just looks better.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

The good thing about the Signum is that nobody takes a blind bit of notice of them.

I find mine very roomy and comfortable. The rear seats fold completely flat so the car makes a pretty good 'load lugger'

As already said, the Signum is a Vectra in a different frock, and I personally think it is far better looking than the Vectra......and far more rare.

I would go for petrol every time. The engine and fuel from a canal boat should not be put in a car.

[anV6]

It's definitely a personal matter. I think the signum looks like a fat golf. It seems a bit undecided in what it wants to be. A hatchback or an estate. It's one of those odd designs. But it's definitely more rare, and probably for the same reason.

[Diamond Black Geezer]

Ah, Craig, you've not had a smooth run in that Omega of yours, have you? I would imagine you'd never be able to stomach is, given front wheel drive, but as with anythign, have a drive, see how you like it.

The mpg will be a massive difference, I'm sure. The Omega approaching the end of its life, versus the Vectra/Signum's all-new platform it really is the next generation on... however, it's a totally different 'feel' of car.

To FL Omega owners, the interior is quite familar, but you and I stuck in the 90s it will feel like a car of the future!


As above, just have a play, see how you get on, Signums are rare, and getting rarer, but spares are plentiful. 

[Andy H]

The SAAB 9-5 was also available with the Isuzu V6 Diesel.
There are reports, on the saab forums, of inadequate cooling (in the SAAB) leading to the liners dropping and causing head gasket failure. They also note that the engine seems to be OK in the Signum and surmise that the cooling is OK in the Signum.

My local VX dealer reckons that it is easier to get parts for an Omega than it is for a Signum, despite the Omega having been out of production for over 10 years

[Marks DTM Calib]

The SAAB 9-5 was also available with the Isuzu V6 Diesel.
There are reports, on the saab forums, of inadequate cooling (in the SAAB) leading to the liners dropping and causing head gasket failure. They also note that the engine seems to be OK in the Signum and surmise that the cooling is OK in the Signum.

My local VX dealer reckons that it is easier to get parts for an Omega than it is for a Signum, despite the Omega having been out of production for over 10 years

That surely can only be relevant to body panels and trim as the rest of the running gear is common to loads of the Marque.

It is a more upmarket Vectra C estate at the end of the day

[Andy H]

The SAAB 9-5 was also available with the Isuzu V6 Diesel.
There are reports, on the saab forums, of inadequate cooling (in the SAAB) leading to the liners dropping and causing head gasket failure. They also note that the engine seems to be OK in the Signum and surmise that the cooling is OK in the Signum.

My local VX dealer reckons that it is easier to get parts for an Omega than it is for a Signum, despite the Omega having been out of production for over 10 years

That surely can only be relevant to body panels and trim as the rest of the running gear is common to loads of the Marque.

It is a more upmarket Vectra C estate at the end of the day

That is what I thought too but he didn't go into detail, maybe the Signum specific parts (fridge anybody?) are the bits that drop off first

[anV6]

It is a more upmarket Vectra C estate at the end of the day

I have heard this before and I know it was kind of opel's intention. But I just can't see it. You have to look very hard not to confuse it with an astra. Actually when they first came out and I started seeing the first ones on the streets, I thought they were one of the versions of the astra. I see nothing upmarket in it from the outside.

I think the Vectra C GTS looks much better if what you want is a big hatchback of sorts. And if you need the longer wheelbase, then the estate is much more practical.

[TheBoy]

There is nothing nice to say about the Vectra-C/Signum.  What were GM thinking

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

There is nothing nice to say about the Vectra-C/Signum.  What were GM thinking

I do know that a Signum Elite is to a lower specification than an Omega Elite. It has some but not all of the toys.


My car is also properly quick(ish)

[the alarming man]

The SAAB 9-5 was also available with the Isuzu V6 Diesel.
There are reports, on the saab forums, of inadequate cooling (in the SAAB) leading to the liners dropping and causing head gasket failure. They also note that the engine seems to be OK in the Signum and surmise that the cooling is OK in the Signum.

My local VX dealer reckons that it is easier to get parts for an Omega than it is for a Signum, despite the Omega having been out of production for over 10 years

That surely can only be relevant to body panels and trim as the rest of the running gear is common to loads of the Marque.

It is a more upmarket Vectra C estate at the end of the day

it is BUT the signum drives a little better (if that is possible) stay away from the 2.2 direct petrol

[Doctor Gollum]

There is nothing nice to say about the Vectra-C/Signum.  What were GM thinking

I do know that a Signum Elite is to a lower specification than an Omega Elite. It has some but not all of the toys.


My car is also properly quick(ish)

The earlier '53-'05 cars had much better options lists, including memory front seats and heated rears along with the same NCDC 2013/15 with Bose as the Omega

But agree that if you don't need an Omega sized boot, then the Signed is the best Vectra, otherwise get the estate. And as far as engines go, the 1.8 petrol is a good all-rounder if you don't tear about.

[Doctor Gollum]

The SAAB 9-5 was also available with the Isuzu V6 Diesel.
There are reports, on the saab forums, of inadequate cooling (in the SAAB) leading to the liners dropping and causing head gasket failure. They also note that the engine seems to be OK in the Signum and surmise that the cooling is OK in the Signum.

My local VX dealer reckons that it is easier to get parts for an Omega than it is for a Signum, despite the Omega having been out of production for over 10 years

That surely can only be relevant to body panels and trim as the rest of the running gear is common to loads of the Marque.

It is a more upmarket Vectra C estate at the end of the day

it is BUT the signum drives a little better (if that is possible) stay away from the 2.2 direct petrol

[the alarming man]

The SAAB 9-5 was also available with the Isuzu V6 Diesel.
There are reports, on the saab forums, of inadequate cooling (in the SAAB) leading to the liners dropping and causing head gasket failure. They also note that the engine seems to be OK in the Signum and surmise that the cooling is OK in the Signum.

My local VX dealer reckons that it is easier to get parts for an Omega than it is for a Signum, despite the Omega having been out of production for over 10 years

That surely can only be relevant to body panels and trim as the rest of the running gear is common to loads of the Marque.

It is a more upmarket Vectra C estate at the end of the day

it is BUT the signum drives a little better (if that is possible) stay away from the 2.2 direct petrol

Did they release one as the price of those fuel pumps could write a car off