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[jereboam]

It would seem that my Omega is beyond economic repair - see this post http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=115848.15.

So I've got to get something else.  Don't know what.  Since I retired, I don't really do much mileage - probably about 6000 a year, including 1500 on the annual holiday.  Most of the rest consists of 4 mile trips to the supermarket or to take my wife to work, or 1 mile trips halfway into town to the bus stop so I can use my bus pass and don't have to pay the extortionate parking charges in Ipswich when I go to do my shift in the charity shop. Once a week I do a 55 mile round trip on the A14 to Bury St. Edmunds, again for voluntary work.

I don't think I can justify another Omega - too expensive to run.  As would be anything of that size.  Speed not an issue - don't go very fast these days.  Would much prefer an automatic, and that probably rules out most diesels, as the 2.0 automatic Mondeo I had before the Omega was diabolically underpowered - never in the right gear.  Don't think I'd be happy with anything less than a 1.5, more likely a 1.8.  Needs to be a reasonable size, and have a reasonably capacious boot.  Not sure about whether I'd want another estate - think I prefer saloons.  Not really enthusiastic about hatchbacks, either.

Don't expect the same level of trim or all the toys the Omega had, but it needs to be reasonably comfortable.  The garage man says to go for something Japanese, but I've got an irrational (but not insuperable) prejudice against Japanese cars.  Wouldn't really fancy anything French, either. 

Don't have any money either, so my top whack is about £1500, but I'd be happier if I can find something around the £1000 mark.  Doesn't have to last forever - I won't (TBH, I thought the Omega would outlast me).

Any suggestions about what I should be looking for? And where?

[MR MISTER]

Can't suggest an actual make or model, J, but why not try auto trader? Just put in the distance you are willing to travel, your £1000 budget, engine size and body style and see what pops up. There really are some bargains out there.
Plus...if you keep an open mind, rather than looking for something in particular, you're more likely to succeed...probably. 

[05omegav6]

With a suitable second hand abs unit fitted for £100-£150, why spend a grand on an unknown car

If you insist on a replacement car, then I would suggest a budget of £600 for the car, plus £400 for a service/cambelt/brake overhaul/tyres No point blowing the budget on a car only to find the exhaust falls off and you've no cash to sort it...

[mantahatch]

Can't suggest an actual make or model, J, but why not try auto trader? Just put in the distance you are willing to travel, your £1000 budget, engine size and body style and see what pops up. There really are some bargains out there.
Plus...if you keep an open mind, rather than looking for something in particular, you're more likely to succeed...probably. 

Dam dam and double dam. I hate it when I have to agree with STEMO. But what he says makes sense. An open mind on cars will pay dividends 

[MR MISTER]

Can't suggest an actual make or model, J, but why not try auto trader? Just put in the distance you are willing to travel, your £1000 budget, engine size and body style and see what pops up. There really are some bargains out there.
Plus...if you keep an open mind, rather than looking for something in particular, you're more likely to succeed...probably. 

Dam dam and double dam. I hate it when I have to agree with STEMO. But what he says makes sense. An open mind on cars will pay dividends 

That's triple dam.

[05omegav6]

I counted 4

[jereboam]

With a suitable second hand abs unit fitted for £100-£150, why spend a grand on an unknown car

If you insist on a replacement car, then I would suggest a budget of £600 for the car, plus £400 for a service/cambelt/brake overhaul/tyres No point blowing the budget on a car only to find the exhaust falls off and you've no cash to sort it...

If I could get it fixed for £150, I'd leap at the chance.  Unfortunately, the prevailing wisdom indicates that it might cost a lot more than that.  It seems to be the ECU that's at fault, and it may not be that easy to get a second hand replacement - has to come from an identical model.  A new one would cost (according to someone on here who investigated this a few years back) upwards of £300.  In any case, I can't fit it myself, and it's apparently quite difficult to do because it's not easily accessible.  The same source quoted £500 for fitting by Vauxhall, so it's obviously several hours labour whoever does it. 

As for a replacement, I'm likely to go to a dealer - don't like buying privately.  May cost a bit more, but when the exhaust falls off, I can go back and shout at them.  Anyway, the man from my local garage, who knows a thing or two about cars, said he'd come with me to have a look at anything I was considering buying.  Don't think a dealer would be too happy about that, but it'll work well if I do buy privately.

[jereboam]

Can't suggest an actual make or model, J, but why not try auto trader? Just put in the distance you are willing to travel, your £1000 budget, engine size and body style and see what pops up. There really are some bargains out there.
Plus...if you keep an open mind, rather than looking for something in particular, you're more likely to succeed...probably. 

Sounds sensible to me.  But as I said above, I'm quite likely to go to a dealer - even if I only get 30 days warranty, I can complain if doesn't do what it says on the tin.

But before I do anything else, I'm going to have an ask round among all my acquaintances to see if anyone knows anyone who's looking to sell a decent runner.

[dbug]

With a suitable second hand abs unit fitted for £100-£150, why spend a grand on an unknown car

If you insist on a replacement car, then I would suggest a budget of £600 for the car, plus £400 for a service/cambelt/brake overhaul/tyres No point blowing the budget on a car only to find the exhaust falls off and you've no cash to sort it...

If I could get it fixed for £150, I'd leap at the chance.  Unfortunately, the prevailing wisdom indicates that it might cost a lot more than that.  It seems to be the ECU that's at fault, and it may not be that easy to get a second hand replacement - has to come from an identical model.  A new one would cost (according to someone on here who investigated this a few years back) upwards of £300.  In any case, I can't fit it myself, and it's apparently quite difficult to do because it's not easily accessible.  The same source quoted £500 for fitting by Vauxhall, so it's obviously several hours labour whoever does it. 

As for a replacement, I'm likely to go to a dealer - don't like buying privately.  May cost a bit more, but when the exhaust falls off, I can go back and shout at them.  Anyway, the man from my local garage, who knows a thing or two about cars, said he'd come with me to have a look at anything I was considering buying.  Don't think a dealer would be too happy about that, but it'll work well if I do buy privately.

Believe you can get your existing ecu repaired for around £100 - other members who have had it done will no doubt confirm.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Can't suggest an actual make or model, J, but why not try auto trader? Just put in the distance you are willing to travel, your £1000 budget, engine size and body style and see what pops up. There really are some bargains out there.
Plus...if you keep an open mind, rather than looking for something in particular, you're more likely to succeed...probably. 

Dam dam and double dam. I hate it when I have to agree with STEMO. But what he says makes sense. An open mind on cars will pay dividends 

I agree with the old reprobate, too.

Very worrying.

[RobG]

http://www.ecutesting.com/vauxhall_vectra_omega_abs_pump.html

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

http://www.ecutesting.com/vauxhall_vectra_omega_abs_pump.html

For £100 this makes sense.

[RobG]

http://www.ecutesting.com/vauxhall_vectra_omega_abs_pump.html

For £100 this makes sense.

...............and the car can still be used whilst awaiting the return of repaired unit

[MR MISTER]

Can't suggest an actual make or model, J, but why not try auto trader? Just put in the distance you are willing to travel, your £1000 budget, engine size and body style and see what pops up. There really are some bargains out there.
Plus...if you keep an open mind, rather than looking for something in particular, you're more likely to succeed...probably. 

Sounds sensible to me.  But as I said above, I'm quite likely to go to a dealer - even if I only get 30 days warranty, I can complain if doesn't do what it says on the tin.

But before I do anything else, I'm going to have an ask round among all my acquaintances to see if anyone knows anyone who's looking to sell a decent runner.

Dealers sell sub-£1000 cars on the trader.

[tidla]

I paid £20 for an abs unit off ebay inc postage. The seller also had the speedo from the same car for sale which showed 170k. My reckoning was that it had already been overhauled. 1.5 hour to fit if you have done it before.