Paul M wrote on 26. Sep 2007 at 18:52:


If I wanted to go really quick on a B road I wouldn't be driving over a ton & a half of executive saloon, I buy some kind of 'proper' sports car.

Andy B wrote on 26. Sep 2007 at 21:23:


Yes, and in an ideal world I'd own 20 cars and 5 bikes, each specialised to exactly one type of driving/terrain, and to top it all off they'd be able to morph into each other so I could start out in the sports car, then morph into the sensible car when I need to pick up some passengers, then morph into a van when I want to pick up a sofa at Ikea

I have a 1000cc sports bike for the times I want to go really quickly, but the reality is that sometimes I need to carry passengers, sometimes I need to put some large or heavy items in the back of the car, etc. Car selection isn't a binary choice between uber-sports and uber-sensible, often it's about compromise. I'm prepared to compromise a bit of handling to have a spacious 5 seats and 4 doors car. I can still drive it reasonably quickly and enjoy myself in the process, yes the guy in front in the Lotus Exige won't stay in view for long, but he's obviously chosen a different set of compromises.

The difference with getting a 2-seater sports car, and getting an automatic version of an otherwise quite enjoyable car, is that the automatic is a very poor compromise in my opinion -- it offers nothing in return. I don't get more seats, I can't carry more stuff, I don't get better fuel economy, it doesn't look any better. On the contrary, I lose performance, I lose control, I lose driving enjoyment, I lose reliability, and I lose fuel economy. Yes there may be less effort required, but as far as I'm concerned driving involves very little effort anyway -- it's not like you break into a sweat or collapse from exhaustion having to change gear! I get too little exercise as it is, and before anyone mentions it I do have an annual gym membership and attend regularly. Before I moved to Edinburgh I spent some time doing a 150 mile round trip each day, some of which was spent in crawling traffic on the M8 -- even then not once did I consider that I'd prefer an automatic! The most tiring part of journeys like that is mental -- it's so boring that I struggle to keep my concentration levels up. No changes to the car (other than full automation so I can go to sleep!) are going to help out there.

Personally I'd rather be driving a manual Vectra C than an automatic Omega, and if you know my opinion of the Vectra C then you'll realise just how bad that comparison is

V8S wrote on 27. Sep 2007 at 10:01:


Wow that's pretty low geared. I had an Audi that I used as a runaround up until about a year ago, it was super reliable but it was too low geared for my liking, pulling around 3,400 RPM at 70 MPH. It was great for round town though, the low gearing made up for the rather gutless 2.0 8v engine

As for diesels, you should be able to find a 2.2 DTi Elite facelift if you look around -- it was basically the replacement for the 2.5 TD and was only fitted with a manual gearbox. Trying to find manual petrol Elites is very difficult, I know someone who has one but they're rare. You may be better off looking for a 2.6 MV6, personally I prefer the MV6 as you get better seats (not leather as standard but they're much better shaped than the sofa type seats in the Elite), better suspension, nicer wheels, nicer interior trim (aluminium look instead of fake wood) and most of the worthwhile features of the Elite. The only things I missed were the cruise control and electrochromatic rear view mirror, both of which are cheap and easy retro-fits. It depends how desperate you are for leather, as leather MV6s are rare, and the sports leather seats are very desirable in the used market as they're sculpted like the cloth MV6 seats -- much nicer than the Elite leather.

Paul M wrote on 27. Sep 2007 at 11:04:


Have you tried both?

V8S wrote on 27. Sep 2007 at 12:09:

PM received 

Right! In defense of the diesel (of which we have two), it is not slow! One of ours spends most of its time towing a trailer for which, it is perfect, pulls well, cruises well and munches the miles. Put simply, you drive it differently. If you want economy under normal driving, you change gear below 3000rpm so the turbo doesn't have much chance to kick in. If you want it to go fast, rev it and it will fly all the way up to over 100mph (officer  ) just like any other omega. In fact, the 2.2DTi has the SAME torque figure as the 3.2 V6.

As mentioned, I too don't think the omega is the best car for throwing round country roads. It's still very stable at high speeds. If i'm honest, the big V6 does suit the character and nature of the car much better but for some people, as was being discussed earlier, there is a compromise to be made. Diesel does this by returning 46-48 mpg, long service intervals and reliable mechanics. Yes, they are noisy from startup (noisier even that most modern diesels) but that should quieten down nicely after about 20 mins driving. 'M- TEK Performance' user on here does a power upgrade for the diesel to take it up to 140bhp. (I will let you know  )

Spec wise leather is only standard on 3.2 Elite. 2.6 & 2.2DTi, leather was OPTIONAL. Paul, the later Elite wheels are the identical 'star' shape to the later MV6   

MV6 is stiffer suspension, Elite is self levelling. MV6 has a few things lacking.

Mr Mickey, you say you're willing to bet your mortgage...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2001-VAUXHALL-OMEGA-ELITE-2-5v6-24v-A1-CONDITION_W0QQitemZ...

Very close! Do I get a free house when 'the one' is found!?!?!  I've seen quite a few manual 2.6 Elites as well so you might be regretting saying that!