Opel Rekord Reviews - Page 2 of 4

Changed the Carburettor to Double Weber 15 years ago.

Because of age and rust the front bridge / suspension etc. was replaced 20 years ago.

Rear arms and springs replaced 15 years ago.

Shock absorbers changed front and rear to Gabriel / Koni.

Brake-discs replaced 2 years ago, Rear drums replaced 15 years ago.

Lot of small stuff replaced/repaired - not necessarily cause they were broke - but because it was fun...

Once it locked the gearbox in 4th gear because of a missing lock-pin, but I drove it home anyway - through town, on country roads and freeway - no problems - cause it has torque down where it matters - in the bottom, repair took 10 minutes afterwards.

In 1988 smoke suddenly came from the dashboard while driving - all gauges went mad - pulled over for 2 minutes - started the car again - problem never came back?! (Bad earth?)

Once the distributor went hay-wire - repaired it the creative way - lost some HP - max Speed before 185 - now 160 Km/h.

Well, this car have belonged to my parents until 1988, I took over maintenance and repair that year, and have had a lot of fun with this car since then.

The Car is pretty roomy in the front and rear, its very reliable (Except for some age-related issues), It drives like a dream - its one of those cars where you just wanna keep on driving (Gliding).

It doesn't have a lot of horsepower, it doesn't have much comfort equipment, it doesn't have a lot of things, but its got soul - and it always gets you where you are going to - relaxed and smiling.

Dammit - have to say that this is one of the last Real Opel Cars - one of those models without crap.

Pick up on crank pulley packed up at 150000km.

Started jumping out of reverse and clutch went at 160000km. Could not find reverse idler from agents, thus not repaired, car is worth approx. R15000.00 and new clutch kit from agents cost over R7000.00. Had Clutch and pressure plate rebuilt, but now it shudders.

Very little rust under rear windscreen, had repaired in 2005.

Seats have worn badly, headrests started falling apart. Had all repaired as well.

Speedometer has never worked properly, first jumping up and down all the time, now the needle stops at 40km when not going and never goes higher than 110 km.

Air conditioning is really weak and the car never really cools down inside on a hot summer day.

This car goes extremely well. She does approx. 140 km/h at 2400 rpm. I tow a boat and sometimes a caravan and never have I driven a car with so much torque.

She is fun to drive and handles really well.

I think this car was only built with these specs in South Africa with a Holden 3.8L V6 from Australia and a Borg Warner T5 V8 Gearbox.

Spare parts are a problem because you only get them from the agents and most parts are no longer available. Second hand parts are also a problem because very few of these cars end up in scrap yards.

Water pump fails.

Problems with cooling system (main radiator often jams) due engine overheat.

Dashboard lights potentiometer works wonky due dashboard lights turns off itself.

The 1st gear joins hard.

There is one lever "ALL-IN-ONE" for turn signal, long headlights and wipers. It's useful for use, but problematic for serve. There is many cables near each other. Sparkling starts when at least one cable break off. This may be start of fire. (For me smoke appears few times).

Problems with fuel level indicator.

Rust level average.

2.0L/100hp engine is too weak for this car. Acceleration is poor, but top speed is good (I was reach 160kmph and driving was very good).

High fuel consumption in city.

* In highway 8 litres / 100 km.

* In city 13 litres / 100 km.

In general this is good car. Maintenance isn't very difficult. Even some major repairs could be produced at your own garage.

Spare prices is average and bellow average.

Driving and traveling very comfortable. Very good passive aeration. No fug without electric fan even at low car speed.

Spacious interior, comfortable seats, wide doors.