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.

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. 

Grumpy wrote on 25. Sep 2007 at 16:07:


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 ..

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.

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

     
He always like to give the pro's & cons of an auto a manual!!    

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 !

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

Its a choice you have to make...