Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: johnnydog on 18 August 2017, 00:07:24

Title: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: johnnydog on 18 August 2017, 00:07:24
If you need to justify to your other half why you need to keep your Omega, read this interesting article by the Daily Express, but only if you have a V6 version apparently - the a 3.2 Elite preferably....

http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/cars/841995/Future-classic-cars-UK-for-sale-cheap-Jaguar-Mazda-Citroen-Vauxhall
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: Mr.OmegaMan on 18 August 2017, 06:15:53
Also, this Published 04 August 2017 by Honest John.

https://classics.honestjohn.co.uk/news/comment/2017-08/future-classic-friday-vauxhall-omega/
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: BazaJT on 18 August 2017, 08:03:55
All cars have the potential to become "classics",but I reckon my Elite will be a pile of red oxide well before the Omega achieves that staus :D
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: Entwood on 18 August 2017, 09:34:31
To be a "Classic" a car must be roadworthy and driveable ....

as it is getting harder and harder to source mundane parts like seals, let alone complicated electronic bits that vauxhall no longer stock, the marque will die for lack of parts, not lack of support .....   "For want of a nail ........"  :(
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 18 August 2017, 11:41:16
To be a "Classic" a car must be roadworthy and driveable ....

as it is getting harder and harder to source mundane parts like seals, let alone complicated electronic bits that vauxhall no longer stock, the marque will die for lack of parts, not lack of support .....   "For want of a nail ........"  :(

Let us hope some enterprising young chap will come to the rescue. :y
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: Mister Rog on 18 August 2017, 11:57:08

They would need to appreciate in value enormously to cover the cash and time expenditure involved in maintenence.


Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 18 August 2017, 12:17:39
About as likely to come true as most of the Daily Express shocking headlines about the weather.  ::)
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: tunnie on 18 August 2017, 15:43:55
About as likely to come true as most of the Daily Express shocking headlines about the weather.  ::)

Well yes there is that  ;D ;D ;D

Issue is the Omega is not desirable, it was never the best looking car (just average) - Often confused with Vectra's and Astra's, it was never distinct in the range.

Not like the Senator where it was clearly the top line model, spotted a mile off with it's cheese grater grill.

Also just something about them, some had the digi dash, the straight six was a joy to work and nearly bullet proof.
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: TheBoy on 18 August 2017, 16:41:31
About as likely to come true as most of the Daily Express shocking headlines about the weather.  ::)

Well yes there is that  ;D ;D ;D

Issue is the Omega is not desirable, it was never the best looking car (just average) - Often confused with Vectra's and Astra's, it was never distinct in the range.

Not like the Senator where it was clearly the top line model, spotted a mile off with it's cheese grater grill.

Also just something about them, some had the digi dash, the straight six was a joy to work and nearly bullet proof.
The non FL's were distinctive. And better anyway :)
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 18 August 2017, 17:46:04
About as likely to come true as most of the Daily Express shocking headlines about the weather.  ::)

Well yes there is that  ;D ;D ;D

Issue is the Omega is not desirable, it was never the best looking car (just average) - Often confused with Vectra's and Astra's, it was never distinct in the range.

Not like the Senator where it was clearly the top line model, spotted a mile off with it's cheese grater grill.

Also just something about them, some had the digi dash, the straight six was a joy to work and nearly bullet proof.

Spot on.  :y
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: Zirfeld on 18 August 2017, 19:37:43
Of course the "B" Omegas will became classic cars. The V6 ones earlier and the 4 potts later. They will follow the Senators, Diplomats and Kapitaens...

But that will be minimum 5 years in the future. Actually an Omega is not worth to hold it 5 years on the road with professional assistance.

So do it yourself! It is easy!

My two Omegas are like a good wine. They became better every year. It is a long term strategic operation. Ten years from now they will became old timers. They should be like new then.

Let`s work

Rolf

....still looking for a 99 PFL MV6 fully equipped, rust no problem......
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: Nick W on 18 August 2017, 20:01:49
If 'classic car' just means old then they are already are classics.


If classic implies some sort of value or desirability, answer this question: have they ever been particularly desirable or sought after?


so there's your answer: NO!


That is the fate of just about every mass-market car with no image to prop them up. Omegas were street furniture, and are hardly rare now. But the numbers are decreasing rapidly, and soon they'll be as well remembered as cars like the Vx 4/90.
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: ronnyd on 18 August 2017, 20:44:22
No mass produced car really becomes a classic because there were so many ,er well, mass produced. :-[ They only really reach a sought after status when there are only a handfull left. That,s my take on it anyway. ???
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: BazaJT on 18 August 2017, 21:01:42
As an aside to this there was a bloke on the radio yesterday-I don't know who he was or with what authority he spoke-who said classic cars should be consigned to museums and banned from the roads as they break down a lot and while littering the roadside in this fashion cause health and safety problems.Classic trains were lumped into a similar category i.e. breaking down,causing H&S issues,classic boats/ships the same.Classic aircraft-Lancaster,Spitfire and Hurricane were named but all classic aircraft were included-should not be allowed to fly as they don't have the correct and appropriate safety seats :o All causing H&S issues :-X
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: Bigron on 18 August 2017, 22:18:01
Ignore the prat - people like him are removing all the joy from the world, like the PC brigade who have no sense of humour and would have us afreaid to speak lest we offend anyone.
Not on topic, I know, but I felt like a little rant!   >:(

Ron.
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: Andy H on 18 August 2017, 22:33:40
Teenage boys lust after cars that their fathers cannot afford (or are not cool enough to own).

When those teenage boys reach the male menopause they go and buy the car they lusted after (which then becomes a classic)
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: 78bex on 19 August 2017, 00:12:37
It`s been the car of choice for some very infamous famous ppl  :P

 http://yournewswire.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Savile-and-Charles-660x553.jpg (http://yournewswire.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Savile-and-Charles-660x553.jpg)
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 19 August 2017, 04:47:26
Ignore the prat - people like him are removing all the joy from the world, like the PC brigade who have no sense of humour and would have us afreaid to speak lest we offend anyone.
Not on topic, I know, but I felt like a little rant!   >:(

Ron.
Last broken down car I saw was a nearly new Audi... Hopefully said prat ::)
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: TheBoy on 19 August 2017, 09:14:35
If classic implies some sort of value or desirability, answer this question: have they ever been particularly desirable or sought after?


so there's your answer: NO!
Not in the UK, because general UK population is all Hyacinth Bucket, and Vauxhall never did and probably never will have a status about them.

That's why mainland UK prices for Omegas are so low (plus the pressure from the tree huggers), yet remain at more realistic levels throughout the more sensible world.  Now don't get me wrong, the fickleness of our stupid public has served me very well, imagine how much poorer I'd be if I'd been buying german marques for the past 14yrs, even the downmarket ones like VW.


The Senator, a car I desired in the late 80s, I think was something to aspire to...  ...as the other option was the rather sluggish, rather dull, rather old fashioned Grandad 2.8i
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: Kevin Wood on 19 August 2017, 09:44:54
Not in the UK, because general UK population is all Hyacinth Bucket, and Vauxhall never did and probably never will have a status about them.

That's why mainland UK prices for Omegas are so low (plus the pressure from the tree huggers), yet remain at more realistic levels throughout the more sensible world.  Now don't get me wrong, the fickleness of our stupid public has served me very well, imagine how much poorer I'd be if I'd been buying german marques for the past 14yrs, even the downmarket ones like VW.


The Senator, a car I desired in the late 80s, I think was something to aspire to...  ...as the other option was the rather sluggish, rather dull, rather old fashioned Grandad 2.8i

Yep, very true. I remember going test driving with my Dad when he bought his Senator. The competition was a 12v 2.9 Granada and it was so slow in comparison we took it back to the garage and asked if something was wrong with it!

Vauxhall got a little bit of status going with the styling of the Senator, plus the exposure the extensive Police use gave it, then messed it all up with the Omega which had all the road presence of the Astra Merit. I suspect those who bought the Omega were those who knew that, underneath, it was a better car than the Senator and who didn't care about the status.

I suspect the Omega will be one of those "classics" like the Montego where you see one preserved very rarely and think "I remember those" swiftly followed by "but he could have been spending his time polishing something actually desirable instead". ;)
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: Lincs Robert on 21 August 2017, 08:48:33
Not in the UK, because general UK population is all Hyacinth Bucket, and Vauxhall never did and probably never will have a status about them.

That's why mainland UK prices for Omegas are so low (plus the pressure from the tree huggers), yet remain at more realistic levels throughout the more sensible world.  Now don't get me wrong, the fickleness of our stupid public has served me very well, imagine how much poorer I'd be if I'd been buying german marques for the past 14yrs, even the downmarket ones like VW.


The Senator, a car I desired in the late 80s, I think was something to aspire to...  ...as the other option was the rather sluggish, rather dull, rather old fashioned Grandad 2.8i

Yep, very true. I remember going test driving with my Dad when he bought his Senator. The competition was a 12v 2.9 Granada and it was so slow in comparison we took it back to the garage and asked if something was wrong with it!

Vauxhall got a little bit of status going with the styling of the Senator, plus the exposure the extensive Police use gave it, then messed it all up with the Omega which had all the road presence of the Astra Merit. I suspect those who bought the Omega were those who knew that, underneath, it was a better car than the Senator and who didn't care about the status.

I suspect the Omega will be one of those "classics" like the Montego where you see one preserved very rarely and think "I remember those" swiftly followed by "but he could have been spending his time polishing something actually desirable instead". ;)

I worked for GM at the time the Senny was killed off. There was an interesting internal newsletter interviewing the then new incoming American who took the decision. I clearly recall him stating that given the volume of sales (of the Senny) that he couldn't justify making a vehicle whose two largest customers were 1) GM Europe executives for use as company cars, 2) British Police forces. These two categories made up 50% of sales & given that the first lot was loss/funny money and the second was breakeven at best the decision was stated as being taken on business grounds.
Just some background trivia you might find of interest .......
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: Kevin Wood on 21 August 2017, 12:14:44
I worked for GM at the time the Senny was killed off. There was an interesting internal newsletter interviewing the then new incoming American who took the decision. I clearly recall him stating that given the volume of sales (of the Senny) that he couldn't justify making a vehicle whose two largest customers were 1) GM Europe executives for use as company cars, 2) British Police forces. These two categories made up 50% of sales & given that the first lot was loss/funny money and the second was breakeven at best the decision was stated as being taken on business grounds.
Just some background trivia you might find of interest .......

The thing is, they didn't kill it off, they brought out the Omega as its' successor which, I imagine, probably compounded the problems of a limited market beyond the Police and GM executives. I know my car started out as a GM fleet car. I wonder how many more?
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: ronnyd on 21 August 2017, 13:23:41
I worked for GM at the time the Senny was killed off. There was an interesting internal newsletter interviewing the then new incoming American who took the decision. I clearly recall him stating that given the volume of sales (of the Senny) that he couldn't justify making a vehicle whose two largest customers were 1) GM Europe executives for use as company cars, 2) British Police forces. These two categories made up 50% of sales & given that the first lot was loss/funny money and the second was breakeven at best the decision was stated as being taken on business grounds.
Just some background trivia you might find of interest .......

The thing is, they didn't kill it off, they brought out the Omega as its' successor which, I imagine, probably compounded the problems of a limited market beyond the Police and GM executives. I know my car started out as a GM fleet car. I wonder how many more?
Mine was a Network Q car, is that the same thing? ???
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: TD on 21 August 2017, 17:51:22
I worked for GM at the time the Senny was killed off. There was an interesting internal newsletter interviewing the then new incoming American who took the decision. I clearly recall him stating that given the volume of sales (of the Senny) that he couldn't justify making a vehicle whose two largest customers were 1) GM Europe executives for use as company cars, 2) British Police forces. These two categories made up 50% of sales & given that the first lot was loss/funny money and the second was breakeven at best the decision was stated as being taken on business grounds.
Just some background trivia you might find of interest .......

The thing is, they didn't kill it off, they brought out the Omega as its' successor which, I imagine, probably compounded the problems of a limited market beyond the Police and GM executives. I know my car started out as a GM fleet car. I wonder how many more?
Mine was a Network Q car, is that the same thing? ???

No, KW means his car was driven about by a Vx employee, probably a managers car, then sold after about 9 months.

NetworkQ is a dealer thing when selling a second hand car to put 12 months warranty on it and covers consumables like brake pads/etc....so basically the car doesn't cost you a penny in repairs for 12 months  :y
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: ronnyd on 21 August 2017, 17:54:01
Thanks for that TD :y
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: BazaJT on 21 August 2017, 19:00:21
Mine is the same as KW's I believe and was a fleet car.
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: 2boxerdogs on 21 August 2017, 19:13:01
Interesting yes Classic unlikely.
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: VXL V6 on 21 August 2017, 19:45:49
I worked for GM at the time the Senny was killed off. There was an interesting internal newsletter interviewing the then new incoming American who took the decision. I clearly recall him stating that given the volume of sales (of the Senny) that he couldn't justify making a vehicle whose two largest customers were 1) GM Europe executives for use as company cars, 2) British Police forces. These two categories made up 50% of sales & given that the first lot was loss/funny money and the second was breakeven at best the decision was stated as being taken on business grounds.
Just some background trivia you might find of interest .......

The thing is, they didn't kill it off, they brought out the Omega as its' successor which, I imagine, probably compounded the problems of a limited market beyond the Police and GM executives. I know my car started out as a GM fleet car. I wonder how many more?
Mine was a Network Q car, is that the same thing? ???

No, KW means his car was driven about by a Vx employee, probably a managers car, then sold after about 9 months.

NetworkQ is a dealer thing when selling a second hand car to put 12 months warranty on it and covers consumables like brake pads/etc....so basically the car doesn't cost you a penny in repairs for 12 months  :y

In fairness, a lot of Network Q cars are (or at least were) ex Vauxhall Fleet.
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 21 August 2017, 20:48:02
Best taken with a pinch of salt...

Afterall, the Express isn't renowned for its accuracy :D
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: Pmacca2000 on 23 August 2017, 17:18:44
According to Wikipedia there are 16,000 omegas in the uk including Those currently SORN Senators and Carltons have a following and good examples are beginning to command money, so could it be history predicting the future of Omega?
There's one on eBay with 33,000 miles in 2.6 CDX form for about £2.500.
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: johnnydog on 23 August 2017, 20:15:12
I worked for GM at the time the Senny was killed off. There was an interesting internal newsletter interviewing the then new incoming American who took the decision. I clearly recall him stating that given the volume of sales (of the Senny) that he couldn't justify making a vehicle whose two largest customers were 1) GM Europe executives for use as company cars, 2) British Police forces. These two categories made up 50% of sales & given that the first lot was loss/funny money and the second was breakeven at best the decision was stated as being taken on business grounds.
Just some background trivia you might find of interest .......

The thing is, they didn't kill it off, they brought out the Omega as its' successor which, I imagine, probably compounded the problems of a limited market beyond the Police and GM executives. I know my car started out as a GM fleet car. I wonder how many more?
Mine was a Network Q car, is that the same thing? ???

No, KW means his car was driven about by a Vx employee, probably a managers car, then sold after about 9 months.

NetworkQ is a dealer thing when selling a second hand car to put 12 months warranty on it and covers consumables like brake pads/etc....so basically the car doesn't cost you a penny in repairs for 12 months  :y

The Network Q labelling on their used cars is just a way of making VX customers believe they have got a car that has had 101 (can't remember the exact number) checks and therefore is of an excellent standard over and above other use cars out there. When you actually look at what the checks comprise of, it's laughable as they are just routine checks that any car should have prior to sale. Most dealers offer a twelve month warranty on their 'approved' used cars, even if they are out of their initial manufacturers warranty.

Two of my four current Omegas were ex 'Vauxhall Fleet Management' cars with an address in Sale, Cheshire; both having KM and KV registrations. The majority of ex VX cars were reg with similar registrations; UY was one typically used with registrations prior to the current format.
Many manufacturers pre reg vehicles; some are used for a few thousand miles before going to dealers via closed auctions; others have near delivery mileage - eg OV and OY registrations are typical Audi, EO are typical Ford etc, which helps to make them easily distinguishable.

I remember when the Triumph 2.5 PI could be bought for peanuts in the late 70's / early 80's due to a combination of factors - poor reliability through the lack of maintenance knowledge of the new Lucas fuel injection system, and a knock on effect of this causing very poor fuel consumption. Many were converted back to carbs, but still sold for little money. Today, however, it's a different story. The 2.5 PI now commands one of the best values of the Triumph 2000/2500/2.5's range of models.

And if a car built in the 1970's can survive (with loving care!) for 40 - 50 years with the poor rust preventative measures applied to cars then, there is no reason why a Vauxhall Omega can't survive too, if the relative care and attention is given to them. I am, however, the eternal optimist...!
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: aaronjb on 23 August 2017, 21:28:08
You can replace the entire electrical system on a car of that age for all of about £400, though..

..try that in an Omega! Give it ten years and the ECUs will be NLA, let alone the miles of wiring..
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: jimbo125 on 25 August 2017, 01:29:56
Mines SORN but not gone. Rebuilt heads after HG failure piece of piss considering I have never rebuilt an engine before let alone a V6 and now have the welding to do. Can not waite to get her back on the road :y
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: Kevin Wood on 25 August 2017, 09:35:01
You can replace the entire electrical system on a car of that age for all of about £400, though..

..try that in an Omega! Give it ten years and the ECUs will be NLA, let alone the miles of wiring..

Yep, and the flash memory in the ECUs will start failing, then it's goodnight Vienna.
Title: Re: Is the Omega a future classic? The Daily Express says so.....!
Post by: New POD on 25 August 2017, 17:30:56
The omega is on the cusp of future classic status and bargain banger barge.

Back in 2003 I decided to buy a mk2 Cavalier Sri when you could get one for about £450. Within 4 years they were all costing £1000 and now are costing £2000 to £5000

If you have a base 1.3 2 door mk2 cavalier which is standard, there are people who would give you a kidney and £5K

I see the same thing happening with the surviving mk3 cavaliers and soon it will be the turn of the omega. Give it 5 years and people will be offering £5K for a car than is now £500 to £1000.  God forbid that it happens with the Vectra B  :-[