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[hotel21]

As the title, really.  

Not wanting to sound like a blowhard but recent personal circumstances now allow me to be in a position similar to Toneavenger in that I have a couple of squids available to purchase a replacement steed.  Given due consideration, my 48 year apprenticeship as a tightwad Scot means that it will remain an Omega.           I simply cannot justify an alternate cash/toys equation to my other half.....

Looking for as late a model/low mileage as I can find, 3.2 preferred, LPG converted a bonus.  Irmscher option can be considered but, given various parts replacement costs (twin outlet rear rear box?) probably quite low on the scale now.

I have posted previously what I consider to be the various merits and demerits of auto and manual boxes.  My personal preference is a manual but, given the market economics and availability, there are a damn sight more auto's available than manuals.  I have resigned myself to the fact that I may have to give up use of my left leg....    

The saloon/estate argument, I am not really fussy for.  I can hustle an estate along the road just as quickly as I can a saloon.   Not interested in the posted performance figures.  The estate bonus I suppose is that, at holiday time, I can load in more French rouge in an estate than I can in a saloon....  Depending on what is available at the time, my cash can buy either.

My million dollar question is thus....

Is it worth holding out for the holy grail 3.2 manual saloon/estate in either MV6 (non plod, 'cos I know how they are driven..) or Elite with all the toys or accept the relatively easily available auto versions?  

Or get the auto and thereafter convert to manual, perhaps using my existing MV6 as donor?    :-/

Your learned and constructive comments appreciated.

B



 

[MaxV6]

posting this just coz i rather fancy it ... sort of in a general, if i woke up and my car was gone... what general sort of thing would I go out to buy kind of way... although   i'd also prefer the 3.2....

http://www.westridgemotorco.com/vehicle-110.html

it be a manualated gearcruncher dontchya kno!

[Taxi_Driver]

Hi B

Estates are pretty hard to find too.....i spent 2 months looking for mine.....1st estate i found.....i was looking for a 03 or 53 one....found it in a vx dealer about 100 miles away and bought it.

Saloons were everywhere.....just my 2p worth  

I wouldnt bother converting it to lpg tbh.......unless you do a LOT of miles and you are going to keep it for quite a few years.....also means you carnt pop thro the channel tunnel which i used to do  

[Admin]

3.2 maual was only ever done for the Police. All others are autos.

I would get a late 3.2 Elite, saloon or estate is your choice but expect the estate to be around 10% more.

I know there were some done with LPG conversions, but certainly would not be something I would pay extra for.

[JamesV6CDX]

I get the impression you don't like LPG do you Dave?

[TheBoy]

As LB says, if you want a manual, it will be ex-plod.

Good spec facelift estates do seem fairly rare, but should be able to find something.

Auto 3.2 MV6 or Elite saloons are common enough to have a choice...

LPG is a personal choice, but some carry a silly premium. Also, remember on a saloon, you lose about 1/3 of your boot, which may be an issue on family holidays...

[hotel21]

Thanks for the comments thus far.

Was the late 3.2 definately only available in manual for Police use or did any slip through the net to the general public?  

Any late model specific points to check for before purchase, other than the usual cambelt, rockers, cooler, suspension etc?

[TheBoy]

Thanks for the comments thus far.

Was the late 3.2 definately only available in manual for Police use or did any slip through the net to the general public?  

Any late model specific points to check for before purchase, other than the usual cambelt, rockers, cooler, suspension etc?

manual = plod only. Not even option for retail...

[Markie]

Well its a route i hope to go down shortly too - either that or i will be moving away from Omegas. I do love the late 3.2`s  

Broocie - why not simply confiscate ( in the line of duty) Big Rods 3.2  

[hotel21]

Might need to road test it, making sure the ABS and TC work and that the lamps haven't simply been pulled.    

[tunnie]

i have seen a 2.6 MV6 manual (non plod) never seen a 3.2 manual thats was not a plod car  

[Martin_1962]

I wouldnt bother converting it to lpg tbh.......unless you do a LOT of miles and you are going to keep it for quite a few years.....also means you carnt pop thro the channel tunnel which i used to do  

Channel tunnel - that sucks!

Payback on installation if paying is about 2 years with 10,000 to 12,000 miles a year.

I have to admit I would DIY any install from now on, with better kit than I have now as well.

[hotel21]

Not bothered about the Chunnel.  Its far too many miles away from me and I prefer to use a boat.

[Admin]

James, I have nothing against LPG. I just would not pay extra to have it fitted. Also if it is not done properly, it is a real pain!

To clarify on what has a manual box on a facelift.

2.2/2.6 were available with manual option.

3.2 was only ever an auto. The Police specified a manual gearbox but retail was purely auto.

Checks on a facelift are much the same. Coil per plug set up seems to have a few issues though, so be cautious on anything that is not totally smooth and quiet.

[Nickbat]

Don't know if you missed this on a thread I started a week or so back, but it looks like the sort of thing that might interest you. (It certainly interests me, but I haven't the readies at the moment!):

http://www.compucars.co.uk/vehicle-details.asp?model=392&rsPage=1&vehicle=195352&Distance=-1