Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: tunnie on 15 November 2019, 21:27:01

Title: No Omega...
Post by: tunnie on 15 November 2019, 21:27:01
So the 3.2 was driven off with it's new owner, I no longer have one after owning 2 as my main drivers since 2005. Took my 2.2 to 194k on it's original head gasket, which was rare! Lost my 3.2 to HG which had a rare failure!

The problem came with replacement, my budget was £10k. The issue is, there is nothing out there. Nothing. Two cars came close:

2009-15: Jaguar XF. Problem was, I would need the XF-S version. The standard ones just lacked those little touches, plus I would have wanted the toys. Another problem was the boot, it was just super small, you could barely fit anything it. Our pram could not fit for starters, let alone other stuff it would carry some times.

Then there was the price, £10k for something 8 years old and having 100,000 miles on the clock.

2010+ Jaguar XJ, had the bigger boot (just) but finding one with dark interior and low miles was hard, but again. 10 years old and 100k miles? No thanks!

The only thing that came close was a 2016 newer shape XF-S 3.0d, I found that to be very nice. But I need £18k, infact I needed to double my budget to £20k to actually find something I really liked. Looked at Volvo S90's but needed the posher ones with better seats again, £20k.

Every BMW I sat in/drove had utterly appalling ride. (inc 4's 3's, 5's) felt no better build wise that the Omega either.

£10k budget Mercs gets you the crap era, with serious ugly cars with appalling seats, crap fuel use given 4 pot diesels as well. Glad I ran MotherT's 2014 EClass for a while, as it enabled me to rule them out. I could barely crack 40mpg in that, cracked my back in the seats though!

--------------

I then had to put my sensible hat on, MrsT is expecting Little Miss or MrT No3, and is quite poorly. It's not just morning sickness, it's night/morning/day/afternoon/evening. (history suggests this lasts the whole 9m) So a few changes took place, I now drive every day but still car share (to be able to park!) as I drop little MissT off at breakfast club before school.

So I began driving the 2014 Zafira Tourer we have as a daily, plus this summer I drove it over 2,000 miles around Ireland. I found it a comfy, capable, quick enough, economical enough cruiser. The MV6 Cloth style seats, with extending thigh support make it, sorry to say actually more comfy than the Omega. The cabin has less noise as well, no doubt due to age/seals. But at 75mph it's a nice silent place to be. As I found on the long drives to and around Ireland. So I decided I would take this on and I would by MrsT another one, but this time a petrol one as she only does town stuff.

So this is now mine....

(https://i.postimg.cc/7Lbzv19F/PHOTO-2019-11-03-17-22-48-1.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/JzrJxCk4/PHOTO-2019-11-03-17-22-48.jpg)

It has 400Nm of torque (165bhp) so once rolling it never feels lacking in power, join motorways/leave around-about and it gets up to 80 quick enough for me. Recently went to Cambridge in it with just BabyT and quite enjoyed the country drive. I got 470 miles to last tank as well, so happy with that vs 280 in the 3.2.


And this is for MrsT.

(https://i.postimg.cc/fyQS0Gss/PHOTO-2019-11-03-17-03-20.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/R08Hv3bN/PHOTO-2019-11-03-17-09-36.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/DZXb02t5/PHOTO-2019-11-03-17-03-20-1.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/Bb5L5mZK/PHOTO-2019-11-03-17-09-36-1.jpg)


It's a 2016 1.4 Petrol Turbo SE so higher spec, has auto dipping mirror, auto lights, auto wipers, ambient lighting, climate control, bluetooth etc. It has just 16,000 on the clock and it was £10k.

Captain sensible now with a mummy and daddy bus, but they are easy to service which was another factor. I can do oil change, filters, fuel filter, pollen etc. The little 1.4 looks a gem to work on, the oil filter is actually easily accessed from above!

Both cars, being able to take all 5 of us was a factor as well.

Although I could have spent £20k, I feel I can spend that £10k saved on better things for the family......
Title: Re: No Omega...
Post by: Andy B on 15 November 2019, 21:36:46
 :y I like the Zafiras, especially the newer shape

and I note that they both only have 2 pedals ....  :y
Title: Re: No Omega...
Post by: tunnie on 15 November 2019, 21:40:48
:y I like the Zafiras, especially the newer shape

and I note that they both only have 2 pedals ....  :y

Yes, MrsT prefers them. I do now as well, but petrol Auto limited search a bit.

Fatty admin will hate me, but I put LED bulbs in the projector headlights, better than HID's now the Omega had....
Title: Re: No Omega...
Post by: biggriffin on 15 November 2019, 21:43:39
:y I like the Zafiras, especially the newer shape

and I note that they both only have 2 pedals ....  :y


As does my slab, and works motor.. :y

You only have two feet, why complicate things.
Title: Re: No Omega...
Post by: biggriffin on 15 November 2019, 21:45:20
:y I like the Zafiras, especially the newer shape

and I note that they both only have 2 pedals ....  :y

Yes, MrsT prefers them. I do now as well, but petrol Auto limited search a bit.

Fatty admin will hate me, but I put LED bulbs in the projector headlights, better than HID's now the Omega had....


Considering pair for posh vectra, :y so do you have a linky thinky. :)
Title: Re: No Omega...
Post by: Andy B on 15 November 2019, 21:49:43
:y I like the Zafiras, especially the newer shape

and I note that they both only have 2 pedals ....  :y


As does my slab, and works motor.. :y

You only have two feet, why complicate things.

exactly .... a pedal for each foot (which confused me the other day driving my daughter's manual for the first time in yonks .... the left pedal doesn't slow down a manual car!  ;D ;D)
Title: Re: No Omega...
Post by: STEMO on 15 November 2019, 21:50:10
The 2.0cdti engine is very good. 165bhp is plenty for today's roads. When I go to Liverpool on the M1, M62 the only thing that overtakes me is an aeroplane.
The zaf must be heavier than my astra, I can get over 500 miles out of a tank.
Title: Re: No Omega...
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 15 November 2019, 21:57:09
Good stuff, but what a weird feeling not having an Omega after so long in them. At the time of selling the Omega Vauxhall sold a 7 seat version of the Bedford Midi van, before the Sintra, then Zafira etc... Just shows how far MPVs have come since mid 90s.
Title: Re: No Omega...
Post by: tunnie on 15 November 2019, 22:03:17
The 2.0cdti engine is very good. 165bhp is plenty for today's roads. When I go to Liverpool on the M1, M62 the only thing that overtakes me is an aeroplane.
The zaf must be heavier than my astra, I can get over 500 miles out of a tank.

Plus I sit in a lot of traffic, is yours a manual?  But yes agree the horses are more than enough  :y

Astra J: 1515 kg

Zafira C: 1685kg

Title: Re: No Omega...
Post by: Andy B on 15 November 2019, 22:08:10
...., I can get over 500 miles out of a tank.

My Merc will too ....  :y
Title: Re: No Omega...
Post by: STEMO on 15 November 2019, 22:15:39
The 2.0cdti engine is very good. 165bhp is plenty for today's roads. When I go to Liverpool on the M1, M62 the only thing that overtakes me is an aeroplane.
The zaf must be heavier than my astra, I can get over 500 miles out of a tank.

Plus I sit in a lot of traffic, is yours a manual?  But yes agree the horses are more than enough  :y

Astra J: 1515 kg

Zafira C: 1685kg
It's auto, same as yours.
Title: Re: No Omega...
Post by: tunnie on 15 November 2019, 22:16:59
The 2.0cdti engine is very good. 165bhp is plenty for today's roads. When I go to Liverpool on the M1, M62 the only thing that overtakes me is an aeroplane.
The zaf must be heavier than my astra, I can get over 500 miles out of a tank.

Plus I sit in a lot of traffic, is yours a manual?  But yes agree the horses are more than enough  :y

Astra J: 1515 kg

Zafira C: 1685kg
It's auto, same as yours.

I think weight and size would have factor, plus about 50% of the commuting time is in traffic.
Title: Re: No Omega...
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 15 November 2019, 22:22:30
Congratulations on No3wee-T Tunnie!  :y

In about 20 years time you'll be able to get a nice car.  :D  ;D  :P
Title: Re: No Omega...
Post by: Andy B on 15 November 2019, 22:24:58
....
In about 20 years time you'll be able to get a nice car.  :D  ;D  :P

and then you start having to take grand kids into consideration ...  ;D ;D
Title: Re: No Omega...
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 15 November 2019, 23:05:28
That consideration was mentioned to me recently. My reply was that Im actually planning on moving into two seater cars soon, as my kids are grown and gone, so they can now drive their own kids around when they have them. It will be far call to do with me.
Im not joking either.
Title: Re: No Omega...
Post by: STEMO on 16 November 2019, 07:02:34
That consideration was mentioned to me recently. My reply was that Im actually planning on moving into two seater cars soon, as my kids are grown and gone, so they can now drive their own kids around when they have them. It will be far call to do with me.
Im not joking either.
Don't be so mean, grandad Albert.  ;D
Title: Re: No Omega...
Post by: tunnie on 16 November 2019, 08:26:09
Congratulations on No3wee-T Tunnie!  :y

In about 20 years time you'll be able to get a nice car.  :D  ;D  :P

Thanks  :y :y

Funding for the better car can still be spent on me though, my shotgun license came through a few weeks ago.  8)

Will need to wait until the summer though before I can go clay shooting again.
Title: Re: No Omega...
Post by: BazaJT on 16 November 2019, 08:27:11
A  fair bit of my mileage these days is taken up by being "great grandads taxi" their mother and her bloke don't have a car or licences.I love doing it as it means I get to spend more time with two of my great grandkids than I otherwise would do.
Title: Re: No Omega...
Post by: Jimbob on 16 November 2019, 10:09:52
Bad luck to Mrs T on the hyperemesis, Ljay had that, and lived on pretty much just milk for the whole pregnancy!

My zafira did me well for over 100k  no regrets at all, but im less keen on the newer ones styling.

out of interest, esp given I've LED lights already, which did you buy?
Title: Re: No Omega...
Post by: TheBoy on 16 November 2019, 11:44:50
...., I can get over 500 miles out of a tank.

My Merc will too ....  :y
Even I can get 500m for a tank.

Granted, a tank is £100 though ;D
Title: Re: No Omega...
Post by: TheBoy on 16 November 2019, 11:48:10
but I put LED bulbs in the projector headlights
Chavtastic!

Keep an old bulb in the car as a spare, as many of the shittier LEDs blow the drivers quite quickly, and the aftermarket "upgrade" ones don't get any cooling.

IME, they do flicker before they die, but YMMV.
Title: Re: No Omega...
Post by: tunnie on 16 November 2019, 14:30:52
Bad luck to Mrs T on the hyperemesis, Ljay had that, and lived on pretty much just milk for the whole pregnancy!

My zafira did me well for over 100k  no regrets at all, but im less keen on the newer ones styling.

out of interest, esp given I've LED lights already, which did you buy?

I remember your views on Zafira as the “enough” car, fast enough, comfy enough, fuel etc. Do tend to agree  :y

I bought some off Amazon, ZoomSomething. I had to ensure they rotated to right position in the housing, they came with an adjuster so you can angle it as per original.

Been in mine for a few months now, need to fit them to the other one.

Output and and range far, far better than standard. Pure white as well, not chavvy blue.
Title: Re: No Omega...
Post by: tunnie on 16 November 2019, 14:31:54
...., I can get over 500 miles out of a tank.

My Merc will too ....  :y
Even I can get 500m for a tank.

Granted, a tank is £100 though ;D

470 miles to £60 of diesel, can’t grumble at that. Not coming from 270 for £65  ;D
Title: Re: No Omega...
Post by: tunnie on 16 November 2019, 14:32:41
but I put LED bulbs in the projector headlights
Chavtastic!

Keep an old bulb in the car as a spare, as many of the shittier LEDs blow the drivers quite quickly, and the aftermarket "upgrade" ones don't get any cooling.

IME, they do flicker before they die, but YMMV.

Yes kept spares in the car  :y

As mentioned, white though so not chavvy blue.
Title: Re: No Omega...
Post by: Andy B on 16 November 2019, 15:45:01
...

Granted, a tank is £100 though ;D

and a bit .... £103.01 the other day from the low fuel light   :'(
Title: Re: No Omega...
Post by: dave the builder on 16 November 2019, 15:49:55
...

Granted, a tank is £100 though ;D

and a bit .... £103.01 the other day from the low fuel light   :'(
......and a penny
nervous trigger finger  :-\  ;D :D
Title: Re: No Omega...
Post by: dave the builder on 16 November 2019, 15:56:40
Best of luck with the new family addition and Omega replacement Mr Tunnie  :y
I quite like the Zafiras ,very practical
Title: Re: No Omega...
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 16 November 2019, 16:18:39
Looks like a car that does what is says on the tin. :y

I would have suggested the magnificent Vauxhall Signum but I get the feeling it would fall on deaf ears........23MPG and £600 a year road tax. :y
Title: Re: No Omega...
Post by: Andy B on 16 November 2019, 16:20:33
...

Granted, a tank is £100 though ;D

and a bit .... £103.01 the other day from the low fuel light   :'(
......and a penny
nervous trigger finger  :-\  ;D :D
The b'stard went up a penny at a time  .... 96 97 98 99 then 01  ???
Title: Re: No Omega...
Post by: Andy B on 16 November 2019, 16:22:04
.....

I would have suggested the magnificent Vauxhall Signum but I get the feeling it would fall on deaf ears........23MPG and £600 a year road tax. :y

Pardon? Someone say something?  ::)
Title: Re: No Omega...
Post by: TheBoy on 16 November 2019, 17:26:33
...

Granted, a tank is £100 though ;D

and a bit .... £103.01 the other day from the low fuel light   :'(
All the pumps around here cut off at £99, unless you're prepared to queue whilst people do their daily grocery shop and buy coffee.
Title: Re: No Omega...
Post by: Andy B on 16 November 2019, 17:31:06
....
All the pumps around here cut off at £99, unless you're prepared to queue whilst people do their daily grocery shop and buy coffee.

they do around my way if you 'pay at pump' .... I like to pay the cashier inside  ;) ;) and the shop at the fuel bit at the big Tesco isn't  that big and doesn't sell coffee  ;) ;)