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[V8S]

Hi all,

Found this site through a post on VXON. I'm hoping some learned people here can help me.

I want to buy a facelift Omega saloon in the next couple of months, but, ideally, I want a manual. That's obviously my first problem. I've always driven manuals and it wasn't until Saturday that I first drove an automatic, which was also my first drive in an Omega. It was only a short round-the-block test and I hope to have a longer test soon, but I still have the nagging doubt that I'd never be able to live with an auto for long. Gearchanges are part of the driving experience for me. As you all know, finding manuals can be a bit difficult and I'm looking for a reasonably specific spec because it will be a car I'll keep for a long time.

But with all the automatics out there, I would be stupid, I think, to overlook some great auto cars in preference for a possibly average manual. Does anyone have any pros and cons for the auto / manual. I have driven a couple of manuals but not the right spec. My girlfriend says I should just go for a good auto and keep my toy car for manual driving but I'm really not sure.

I'm looking for a 01 or later Elite or MV6 2.6 V6 petrol with dark leather interior, FSH and under 80k miles. Nationally there just doesn't seem to be any when I look in the usual places.

I have also seen a 3.0 MV6 but that's an older car than I would prefer.

I've looked online and can't find a very specific guide to what the difference is between an MV6 and an Elite, apart from the sportier suspension. Do they both have the self levelling suspension and all the toys? Wisebuyers suggests they are the same spec.

[Dazzler]

Hello and welcome.
The Elite has a couple more toys than the MV6-heated rear seats, maybe satnav, better stereo, self leveling suspension, leather as standard, wood trim, blah, blah.
Finding a manual Elite MV6 is a very nice car with the right amount of toys.IMHO.
You will just have to keep looking
Manual or Auto- all down to individual choice...

[Grumpy]

I find that a used Auto is usually in a better mechanical condition
than a used Manual.
It compensates for the useless or lazy driver and reduces the wear
and shock loading that they put on the drivetrain.

If they are not slamming the clutch off and shocking every bearing
from the Big Ends back to the diff, they drive lazy in too high a gear.

Remember back to when you used to ride a push bike. Can you remember
the creaks and groans you used to subject your crank to, when you tried
to ride up that hill, or along the flat at too slow a speed, without swapping down a cog or two?
Now transpose that into the loading on your car's engine and drivetrain
when the lazy or incompetent driver does that to his car.

Driving a car in too high a gear will do more damage than the typical typecast
'yoof' in a baseball cap revving the nuts off his 'personalised' motor.

An Auto is always driven smoother with the optimal engine/drivetrain loading
controlled by the car's electronics/autobox, and will have been subjected to
far less abuse and shock loading.

Don't really see the point of manuals, myself. You spend most of your time
cruising motorways/dual carriageways without changing gear,
or stop starting in town traffic pumping your left leg up and down on the clutch.

Why not just use an Auto and go to the gym to exercise your left leg.  

[mel64]

I've only had my 2.6 V6 auto for a couple of weeks and I had the same thoughts before I bought mine. Mine is an 02 reg with 40k on the clock.

Never owned an auto before... but was a pleasant surprise.. the drive is very relaxing. And put some weight on the throttle and boy she will take off!   Thats without the sport mode selected...

Take one for a lenghty test drive first...  

[Entwood]

I find that a used Auto is usually in a better mechanical condition
than a used Manual.
It compensates for the useless or lazy driver and reduces the wear
and shock loading that they put on the drivetrain.

If they are not slamming the clutch off and shocking every bearing
from the Big Ends back to the diff, they drive lazy in too high a gear.

Remember back to when you used to ride a push bike. Can you remember
the creaks and groans you used to subject your crank to, when you tried
to ride up that hill, or along the flat at too slow a speed, without swapping down a cog or two?
Now transpose that into the loading on your car's engine and drivetrain
when the lazy or incompetent driver does that to his car.

Driving a car in too high a gear will do more damage than the typical typecast
'yoof' in a baseball cap revving the nuts off his 'personalised' motor.

An Auto is always driven smoother with the optimal engine/drivetrain loading
controlled by the car's electronics/autobox, and will have been subjected to
far less abuse and shock loading.

Don't really see the point of manuals, myself. You spend most of your time
cruising motorways/dual carriageways without changing gear,
or stop starting in town traffic pumping your left leg up and down on the clutch.

Why not just use an Auto and go to the gym to exercise your left leg.  

I agree with everything he said, and would add the following...

Some folks "think" that auto means slow... forget it ... if you want to be a hooligan in a meega auto it is simple, select 2nd, sports mode on, use your right foot as hard as you like dare - don't have present fuel consumption selected on the HID.. it is dangerous to look at, both from the wallet point of view and you should be concentrating on where you are going ... 'cos you are getting there fast !!

Big Auto's ( meega, granny scorpio) are a pleasure to drive, and can be driven hard or soft, but when driven sensibly they are just relaxing and nice ..

[Kevin Wood]

Whilst the Omega has excellent performance and handling for its' size it's no sports car and I think that's when you really need a manual box. The V6 Omegas have plenty of power so there's no real need to be able to keep it on the boil all the time, and the sports mode doesn't doa  bad job of that anyway.

I'd say your first auto will feel strange after a quick test drive but give it a bit longer and you'll learn to like it. After the first traffic jam or congested bit of city driving you'll really appreciate it. My Omega is mainly used for cruising around and an auto was certainly the best choiuce for that. I do also have a manual "toy" car and if it were not for that I'd probably have gone for a manual Omega.

Regarding your spec. You'll probably be luckier finding a manual box on an MV6 but leather was optional on these so that will be harder.

Test drive a few, preferable over a longer distance and see what takes your fancy.

Kevin

[V8S]

Thanks for all your comments, chaps. I'm coming round to the idea of an auto but I do need a longer test. I drive mostly country roads and trips up the motorway so I want something that can handle both.

Is an Elite or MV6 worth getting over a CDX do you think? I do like the thought of the top model as I shall keep it a long time.

Also, I can't work out if there were any 3.0s made after 2000 as I haven't come across any. I'd prefer the 3.0 for the sound (seems more meaty) and extra oomph and the MPG doesn't seem to suffer too much, but the later engines (BMW?) seem to be better.

All the manual MV6s I can find are estates!

Please keep the comments coming.

[jonathanh]

Someone has to sign the praises of a manual....

The V6 can be a bit thirsty (but is actually pretty good) and if you happen to be a tight git (like me) you may prefer the fuel economy of a manual.  Should be able to get 34-35mpg in average driving conditions and close to 40 if you are careful on a long run.  That's what mine is showing at the mo.

Generally speaking a manual box is probably more reliable than an auto as well

Having said all that I only ended up with a manual because of the price of the car, I wasn't specifically looking for manual or auto.

Good luck and the good thing is that all V6's come with a special feature that makes things in mirrors shrink and a big grin appear on your face.  Usually found under your right foot!

[tunnie]

auto's are fun for a while, but quickly loose their appeal. I still prefer a manual

[Kevin Wood]

I drive mostly country roads and trips up the motorway so I want something that can handle both.

There's no significant difference between the two on a motorway (except you can really rest your left foot with no pedal in the way!). Sweeping, fast country roads of the 50-60 +(cough!) speed range aren't bad with an auto. It's the really twisty roads with lower speeds that have me reaching for a gear stick.

Is an Elite or MV6 worth getting over a CDX do you think? I do like the thought of the top model as I shall keep it a long time.

Depends what floats your boat. See how prices compare. Most of the useful gadgets can be transplanted if you feel inclined in any case. I'd say it's more important to get a car in the right condition and the right money than worrying too much about spec level and colour, etc. MV6 has sportier suspension but that's not to difficult to retro fit either. I'm not a fan of having too many gadgets as they tend to be a pain when they start failing so an MV6 was fine for me.

Also, I can't work out if there were any 3.0s made after 2000 as I haven't come across any. I'd prefer the 3.0 for the sound (seems more meaty) and extra oomph and the MPG doesn't seem to suffer too much, but the later engines (BMW?) seem to be better.

The only BMW engines were the 2.5 TD. All the V6s are fundamentally the same Vauxhall engine although the 2.5 and 3.0 got phased out in favour of the 2.6 and 3.2 around 2000. They also got drive by wire throttles, lost some emissions controls and got coil on plug ignition. So, post 2000 it's a 3.2 you need to look out for (no manual gearbox option unless you go ex-police with this engine though).

Kevin

[Andy B]

    [size=18]Where's Paul M?[/size]    
He always like to give the pro's & cons of an auto a manual!!    

[TheBoy]

If you think you want a manual, then thats what to go for.  A few 2.6 MV6 manuals about.  You won't find a 3.2 manual unless its ex-plod.

MV6 facelift is around CD spec (unlike prefacelift, where MV6 is around CDX spec).

Manual Elite will be harder to find.

[cem_devecioglu]

You dont loose with auto unless autobox decides to give up !!.. (really pricey)

Comfy in city traffic..

but if you find a manual good one why not !

[Jay w]

this is my first auto that i haven't converted to manual, mind you all the other autos i have bought have been small engined cars!!!

i love it, i have done over 40K since i got mine less than 16 months ago, smoot, effortless but yet when i want to drive the twisy stiff i still have a degree of control buy knocking it up and down through the box.

Some people will argue that a manual will have more involvement, more control and possibly more fun, i think it does depend on what you will be useing the car for, if there is a risk of being caught up in many traffic jams then i would take the auto everyday of the week......

[TheBoy]

95% of the time I prefer an auto... ...5% of time I wish I had a manual.

Its a choice you have to make...