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[Pacman11]

Hi, I am hoping to pick up an omega in the next few weeks, first time buying/driving one and bar reading/googling know that I want one but dont know which engine/trim I want..

Must be a manual, just had my first (and last) auto, hated it..
Must be a saloon.
Must have lots n lots of toys, more the better! (so long as they work!)
Leather would be nice but could always pick up a leather interior and fit it myself.
Petrol, don't know nowhere near enough miles to justify a diseasal.
MPG, mostly local stop start city driving, 20's would be nice.
Reliable! must be able to cope with early morning starts Mon-Fri for the school run..

I have a nice double din head unit (TV/dvd/bluetooth ect) I would like to fit, I wouldnt want to go older than 1999 so would it fit??

And lastly (might sound stupid but, its a big want.. sick of using a key) must have remote central locking..

So could I get say a 2.0 manual Elite?? My old frontera had the x22 2.2i eco, it was never built for speed, but was scarily slow trying to pull out into traffic, had to consult a diary for 3 years ahead if another car was within the horizon.. Not after a speed machine but ability to overtake a double decker bus would be a bonus! (the shame of making a hasty retreat from being defeated by an arriva bus, driving a slow frontera that costs more than a 4 bed semi to run is not something I wish to repeat!)

A lot to ask I know! but I do love the looks of the omega and for the few times I have been a passenger in one, it seemed a nice place to be..

Thankyou

[Ken T]

Forget a 2.0 elite, no such animal. The Omega started off as a 2.0 8Valve, select spec, the moved up to GLS spec, and then headed upwards in refinements.They were designed as crusin' machines to wisk company directors around the country in style and speed, eating up motorway miles. You chuck it into a corner, it weighs 2 tonnes, it will not behave like a skoda 

School run/Omega Elite eh... not really the the intended use. Maybe not the ideal car ?.

My 2.2 Omega was fine at acceleration, not mega fast but fine, no problem overtaking buses !.

Most generations of Omega's have plenty toys, the early GLS may be not but most early Elites, Prefacelifts and Facelifts have plenty toys.

Auto's have their place, my morning commute is the M62, and its so easy, one pedal for stop, one for go, cruise, power steering, its there. 

Saloon are nice, however the estate's have a cavernous boot, I have heard of 3 piece suites going in. It all depends on your needs.

Petrol is a problem, it depends on your right foot    however one plan of action is to get it LPG'd asap. That halves your fuel costs. OK you loose a bit of boot space but fuel at 67.0p/L 

So to summarise, most of the Omega's out there are excellent choices, lots of bargains. My 03 2.6CDX was £750, and the engineering is a class above other makes with their stick on LEDs etc. On here we know most of the problems, things to be serviced regularly, and there is a thriving community of people breaking cars so spares are easily obtainable.

Ken

[Ken T]

Just remembered the double din unit should fit, Facelift Omegas have a double din spacing.

Ken

[Pacman11]

School run/Omega Elite eh... not really the the intended use. Maybe not the ideal car ?.

I cannot fathom people who, soon as they become a parent feel the need to rush out and purchase a people carrier with 7 seats, a 2 door convertible was more than suitable for 2 kids/2 car seats/double buggy, was a bit tight but it all fitted! plus at the cheapy cheap prices they are going for at the moment, it would be rude not to at give one a go!

Do agree with your auto comment, the hundred or so miles I used an auto on a motorway was effortless but just a bit meh to me, wanted to try one, did but prefer manual..

So I would be looking at a 2.6 v6 to get into an Elite? For the sake of a little bit of extra hunting around, might as well as get the best I can get, not as if its going to make a difference in price!

[blackviper90210]

Bear in mind that if you buy an Omega with a BOSE system fitted, you'll have to replace the speakers etc as it's not compatible with non BOSE kit. iirc, it's to do with impedence, but DaveDND is the man to speak to!

HTH's

[Kevin Wood]

Bear in mind that if you buy an Omega with a BOSE system fitted, you'll have to replace the speakers etc as it's not compatible with non BOSE kit. iirc, it's to do with impedence, but DaveDND is the man to speak to!

HTH's

Good point. Avoid the Bose system like the plague if you want to fit an aftermarket head unit, unless you're also going to be replacing all the speakers anyway because the whole lot will have to come out.

Other than that, 2.6 manual MV6/Elite sounds good. Elite has more toys, MV6 has a better suspension setup.

[05omegav6]

Don't foget the ex plod ones, many are manual, and changing the interior, (if not already done) is an easy days work

Got a proper engine too

Several CDXs have leather, and are quite well equipped in the scheme of things, so don't rule them out

[Pacman11]

Nice one, will give them a wide birth, I know its just a badge and a few extra toys but I am sure we have all been there when you get a car and wished you had waited and got the higher trimmed version.

There is an 2003/53 2.2i GLS on gumtree for a paultry 400 quid! no leaks/dash like a xmas tree and no overheating! just exhaust blowing! (whether there are any other bits who knows) Fella says its going to the scrappy if not gone by Thursday, what a shame..

Would an 03 2.2 GLS have much kit in it, I suppose I could fit a leather interior, as said a days work, no BOSE.. hmm.. the bottom has fell out the scrap prices aint they... an omega cannot weigh anymore than a frontera can they??? I had a 2.2i LWB weighed in at 1800kg. thats what?? about 170/180 quid?

Might offer him a cheeky 200 quid, more than the scrappy will offer and it will be keeping one more omega on the road..


Do omegas have that metal plate on the bulkhead, top of the engine bay that gives you the codes to get the factory kit and options if fitted?

[GastronomicKleptomaniac]

Do omegas have that metal plate on the bulkhead, top of the engine bay that gives you the codes to get the factory kit and options if fitted?

It can be looked up on a computer system by reg. If you ask some members nicely.

[TheBoy]

2.6 CDX manual sounds like it could meet your needs. Well specced, more cost effective than Elite (which you'd have to remove BOSE on - although that said, I'd put better speakers in CDX anyway).

2.2 CDX worth a look, but probably not much better on fuel, but way down on power.  2.2 is easier to work on if you do your own maintainance.

[cem_devecioglu]

Hi, I am hoping to pick up an omega in the next few weeks, first time buying/driving one and bar reading/googling know that I want one but dont know which engine/trim I want..

Must be a manual, just had my first (and last) auto, hated it..
Must be a saloon.
Must have lots n lots of toys, more the better! (so long as they work!)
Leather would be nice but could always pick up a leather interior and fit it myself.
Petrol, don't know nowhere near enough miles to justify a diseasal.
MPG, mostly local stop start city driving, 20's would be nice.
Reliable! must be able to cope with early morning starts Mon-Fri for the school run..

I have a nice double din head unit (TV/dvd/bluetooth ect) I would like to fit, I wouldnt want to go older than 1999 so would it fit??

And lastly (might sound stupid but, its a big want.. sick of using a key) must have remote central locking..

So could I get say a 2.0 manual Elite?? My old frontera had the x22 2.2i eco, it was never built for speed, but was scarily slow trying to pull out into traffic, had to consult a diary for 3 years ahead if another car was within the horizon.. Not after a speed machine but ability to overtake a double decker bus would be a bonus! (the shame of making a hasty retreat from being defeated by an arriva bus, driving a slow frontera that costs more than a 4 bed semi to run is not something I wish to repeat!)

A lot to ask I know! but I do love the looks of the omega and for the few times I have been a passenger in one, it seemed a nice place to be..

Thankyou

a car is as reliable as its previous owners.. try to buy from members here with known history and service .. and latest models..
so you can at least estimate how much you need to spend extra.. but be prepared..
 
and I recommend manuals, 2.6 or 3.2..
 

[Andys VXR]

yep agree with last post and yes 2.6 man is the one for you