1991 Vauxhall Senator CDi 3.0 petrol

Summary:

Unbelievable performance bargain

Faults:

ABS doesn't work. No problem, I don't like ABS.

Car mysteriously steered into sluggish Honda Civic. £500 for new bonnet, wing and lights from breakers (inc labour). Mechanic described the Senator as "built like a brick outhouse"; Honda Civic totalled.

Everything else works like a charm.

General Comments:

An unbelievably comfortable car.

The laziest way to drive; an auto with cruise control.

And HOW MUCH performance for £1200? This thing GOES!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th March, 2001

1991 Vauxhall Senator Base 2.6

Summary:

Superb car, destined to be a classic

Faults:

Timing chain rattle - replaced.

Cooling system fan stopped working.

Driver's electric window.

Driver's door hinges dropped.

1 x passenger door central locking solenoid.

Usual service items - exhaust/brake discs.

General Comments:

This car has been fantastic since the day I bought it. Great performance - not a lot to touch it on the road & it's only the 2.6 model.

Starting to show its age a little on the bodywork but still gets admiring glances when polished up.

Used virtually everyday, mix of long & short journeys, 95% reliable. Out of three breakdowns, 2 were due to a main dealers inability to diagnose a faulty battery! Find a good independent garage & you'll have no problems.

It will be a sad day when it has to go.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th July, 2000

1991 Vauxhall Senator CDi 2.0 24V petrol

Faults:

Air con failed at 100,000 - dealer wants 1,200ukp to fix it.

Cruise control stopped working.

Loads of bulbs keep blowing.

Fan intermittent.

Starting problems.

Rear electric window failed.

General Comments:

Great car, has now done 195,000 miles and the engine and auto box are still fine.

Electrics and air con seem to be the weak point. Very fast and loads of space.

Vauxhall dealers don't seem to want to know about the car nor seem to be able to do anything more than a routine service. Would buy another now if Vauxhall still made them and they changed their dealers.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 2nd May, 1999

1991 Vauxhall Senator CDi 24V 3.0 petrol

Faults:

Air Con compressor £600!

Electric Windows (damp affected power socket under passenger seat - check yourself!)

ABS light on permanently - dealer has no clue. All sensors and CPU check out OK.

General Comments:

110K miles and 5 years and going strong.

Best car I have ever owned.

Vauxhall should never have stopped making it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th January, 1999

1991 Vauxhall Senator CDi 3.0 24v petrol

Faults:

110k on clock, had the car for about 6 months and was previously owned by a mechanic. Needless to say not alot has gone wrong, apart from performance is down, due to an engine splutter on acceleration.

Aircon could be better, the cruise control can't seem to make it's mind up, and a slight rattle is coming from the nearside wheel which has been with the car for many years and no Vauxhall dealer has managed to find out what it is!

General Comments:

Superb car for the money and drives like a dream.

Favorite gadget is the suspension adjuster :-)

Get one, you won't regret it!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th September, 1998

1991 Vauxhall Senator CDi 3.0 24v petrol

Faults:

Air Con, several times, given up trying now and just open a window !

CD Player doesn't

Heater Blower switch assy.

Shock absorbers at 155k miles but that's to be expected ! and yes they are expensive.

New exhaust rotted through after ten months but was replaced by dealer under warranty so I expect it was a bad'un.

General Comments:

After 170k miles it still outperforms any other car I've driven. Roadholding is marvellous for such a big car but you do need to make sure the shock absorbers are good !

Franchise dealers are a disaster area, I think they don't know how to deal with these cars. I've tried four and not really been satisfied with any of them.

Generally a big cruiser which eats up the miles and much loved by me and the rest of the family.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th April, 1998

14th Jan 2004, 15:11

Yes suspension is very expensive if you go to a franchise dealer. Ten years of Senators taught me... Do not go to franchise dealers for ANYTHING you can get elsewhere!!!

A full set of Monroe Sensatrac units cost me £200 (self fitted) and are massively better than the stock units. Smoother ride than the stock units set on "soft" and considerably better handling than stock units set on "firm"!!