1995 Vauxhall Monterey Diamond from UK and Ireland - Comments

Hydraulic clutch failure (3 times), twice under warranty.

Shattered back brakes.

Radiator rupture causing cylinder head to crack and damage to piston bores.

Interior plastic nut and bolt covers fall off.

Seat belt damage.

Interior door lining ruptured due to non retration of seat belts.

Electric windows stick.

All these problems inside 60,000 miles.

While this is a very solid comfortable car we have experienced no end of problems with the vehicle.

Whenever there is a fault it is very expensive to have it repaired. Costs of spare parts seem to be at least 50% more than other manufacturers.

I have a Monterey M reg and it's done 114,000 miles, most of it motorway and in the Alps so the car has been used for its four wheel drive capacity and for towing trailers in the above conditions. Its been dealer serviced since new.

Failures.

1/ Fuse operating the sunroof failed at 6000 miles. Fuse under rated for the wiring installed. No problems since.

2/ Hydraulic failure of the clutch at 104,000 miles. This was an unusual failure as I will explain. The car had stood in the drive for 7 days after a 1000 mile journey that had not given a problem. On starting the car the clutch pedal went straight to the floor with no resistance. The garage took it in and installed a new master cylinder for 170 pounds.

Everything worked fine and I went to France for 2 weeks. The journey passed without incident but the car was left standing for 2 weeks and a repeat performance took place. The clutch pedal had no affect. Looking under the car a pool of oil had collected under the drivers side and the master cylinder reservoir was empty. I filled this then bled the system using the vent point on the passenger side inside the engine compartment. This worked and I managed to get home without incident, no loss of fluid.

I returned the vehicle to the garage and it was difficult to explain the problem as there was no evidence to prove it. I left the vehicle with them and they used it daily for a week on short journeys without incident. They returned it and we left it in the drive for ten days and a repeat performance of no pedal actuation returned and a pool of oil was under the drivers side making you believe it was the master cylinder.

They towed it away and renewed the clutch hydraulic system without charge and since it's been perfect. With no other problems I think it's an extremely reliable vehicle and what type of owner plays as big a part in reliability as the vehicle itself.

I thought that the garage hadn't fully bled the system the first time around and that air was slowly replacing fluid when it stood, but now I feel that the slave unit may leak when it's cold and slowly release the fluid onto the guard underneath and that transports the leak to the driver's side. If no joints are leaking then only porous tubing and fittings seem to be the problem. The garage couldn't find anything wrong and every part was replaced. Any information you might have on this subject would be welcome.

I have just purchased a Monterey it's a p (97) it has done 42 thousand miles and I love it it is so nice to drive its not very economical, but you don't buy a 3.2 v6 for economy you buy it for pleasure and its very pleasing to drive it has got loads of luggage room because I own a shop its ideal for cash and carry.

I have owned a 3.2V6 petrol Ltd diamond N reg for 18 months It had 108,000 mile on the clock when I bought it, but was otherwise in immaculate condition. I use it to tow a caravan which it does brilliantly, as a family bus as it can seat seven people in comfort, and as a truck as it can hold lots of DIY/building materials or rubbish to the skip when the need arises.

The fuel consumption is about 20mpg, but a gas conversion with any decent range was too expensive.

The only faults have been:

1. A seized viscous coupling on the fan which I replaced with two ford fiesta electric fans (£10 from a scrap yard) and a thermostat for £15. These rarely come on and the car is a lot quieter now.

2. The radiator water level keeps dropping, but as there are no obvious leaks so I just keep topping it up.

3. The car uses oil especially when cold, but again I just keep topping it up and just mutter Diesel if anyone sees the smoke.

4. Any parts are horrendously expensive and usually have to be ordered through your Vauxhall dealer.

Otherwise the car is great to drive, but you have to keep a eye on your speed as you can go a lot faster than you appear. Likewise when you get back into "normal" cars they feel like go-Karts and you will be tail-gated for going too slow.

Best car I ever Bought!

Derek from Cheshire.

I have recently bought a Monterey 3.2V6 Diamond 1995 model. It's only done 26,000 miles and is in excellent condition for the year.

It's a bit thirsty, but a pleasure to drive. So far, (touch wood) the only problem I've had is a leaky sunroof which was immediately repaired by the garage I bought it from with no quibbles.

Hopefully it will give me many happy motoring miles.

Does anyone know where I might get hold of some third row seats?

I have a '96 Monterey Diamond, LWB, V6.

The car has been a real Trooper (sorry - couldn't resist it) with no significant problems. The only adverse comment about the car is very possibly a slight feeling of it being a very tiny smidgen underpowered.

The only big let down has been Vauxhall's support and spares cost. There can be no justification for £18 for a 4 inch strip of rubber for the headlamp wipers or £350 for a wing mirror.

Vauxhall's customer and technical support helplines know little about the Monterey, presumably because it is really an Isuzu and isn't properly integrated into their systems.

Already such critical parts as the immobiliser can no longer be supplied by Vauxhall. Other parts such as towing looms can also no longer be purchased.

The technical / workshop manuals and electronic parts catalogues supplied to Vauxhall dealers are full of errors and generally quite amateur in execution.

I would definitely buy another, but it would be a Trooper from Isuzu as neither Vauxhall, nor the Vauxhall Network Q main-dealers that I have experience of just don't cut the Customer care and support mustard.

I have bought a 1997 Monterey. The remote control for the alarm system has become defective. I cannot buy a new remote or alarm system rendering the vehicle useless. It is also wired through the vehicle control box which means that it cannot be by-passed . £6000 for 4 weeks running. If anyone can be of assistance please contact me gordonj.brown@virgin.net.

I have a Monterey 3.2 V6 LTD LWB 1994. I have previously owned a Trooper Citation 3.1TD which was great. The "Monty" comes with no end of problems. I currently need a new part exhaust. The part I need is in front of the Cat and is "Y" shaped, I have been quoted over £400 for this. Scandalous. When I took it to a Vauxhall Dealership, I was told it would be close to £600 plus fitting at £55 per hour. I don't want an exhaust made of gold for gods sake. Vauxhall are utterly useless when it comes to the Monterey. I even had one guy in their service department ask a colleague "Who makes the Monterey?" I will definitely return to Isuzu next time. In just under a year from purchase, the Monty has cost over £3000.

This is my second Monterey V6 3.2 Diamond 4x4 and I must say it has been as good as the first.

The car is very comfortable on short or long runs, has a very quiet engine and a smooth automatic gear box.

Both cars have been very reliable and have never let me down. I get an average of 24 miles to the gallon and never have to top up the oil or the water.

Isuzu technology with a vauxhall badge makes this car great value for money, its just a shame that Vauxhall know more about the dark side of the moon than they do about their own car!

Make life simple, buy a monterey and use an Isuzu dealer, they know what they are talking about and can also order vauxhall monterey parts.

I've had my 96 N Monterey V6 diamond for a couple of weeks now and found no problems at all despite it's 126k mileage. As expected for a big petrol 4x4 it's not the cheapest car I've ever run, but the drive and sheer presence on the road more than make up for this. As for some of the reviews I've read about it being a lesser car than the Isuzu Trooper - how is this the case when it's the same car simply badged Vauxhall (mine even has the Isuzu engine plates and stickers, it was even supplied originally by an Isuzu dealer!)?

Having driven many 4x4s this is one of the most competant and comfortable cars I've found. It's backed by Japanese reliability and huge UK support (both Isuzu & Vauxhall dealers recognise it by chassis number). Only MINOR niggles are that the remote immobiliser should operate the locking aswell and side steps should have been standard fitment (my other half is only 5'4" and finds it a bit of a climb especially in a skirt), although aftermarket accessories are easily available.

The biggest plus point is that it's supported worldwide. It has been badged under different names by Isuzu, Vauxhall, Honda & Holden (and probably others I am unaware of) so I can go anywhere and find a local garage that can work on it with confidence - couldn't say that about some 4x4s!

Overall, brilliant people carrier, excellent long distance drive, capable off roader, possibly a little large for the supermarket carpark, but that's expected, lacks lugguage if all seats are down, tows ANYTHING up the side of a mountain.

I'll happily buy one again.

To the Gentleman who commented above.Sir, all you need to do is replace the Battery inside your remote alarm Keyfob. This is hardly the fault of the Manufacturer Sir.

Got one it's great. Gas conversion works very well indeed. 70 litre gas tank in boot (removed 6th seat) 200 miles for less than £20.

I am 19 yrs old and have owned a Vauxhall monterey for about 8 months it is the 3.2 v6 diamond with a gas conversion the car had 103 thousand miles on when I bought it it now has 112 I have not had any problems with the car as yet touch wood the car is a pleasure to drive on and off road and can cope with almost any situation I would advise almost anybody who wants a 4x4 car to purchase one.

Hi, I have Vauxhall Monterey ltd 3.1 TD.

The electric sunroof has never worked. I have located the fuse in the fuse box well. If the fuse was there on the cover, it says B/C-2 30 amp. Does anyone know where I can get one from? Thanks.

I've owned my monty for a couple of years now and I find it the best car I have ever owned, it's a pleasure to drive and its great for a weekend away, last year I went to the lake district and I managed to fit 6 of my friends, 4 tents, sleeping bags and essentials into it. a tad cramped, but not too bad. I had the starter motor replaced this year for a very reasonable cost of £100. I would highly recommend this vehicle to anyone and hopefully will continue to enjoy driving it for as l, long as possible. Mr Bano.

Monterey 3.2 V6 Best car I have ever had, the worst problem I have had which put it off the road for 2 months as soon as I bought it (Vauxhall hadn't got a clue what the problem was) was the immobiliser.which made the car cut off while driving or unable to start. My cousin bought one at the same time as me and we both had problems. We managed to work out the problem between us as Vauxhall had no idea. Apart from that I can't knock it,I only use it at weekends and for towing, but love driving it. (1.4 astra for running round Town)