1997 Vauxhall Omega CD 2.5 V6 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Excellent drive and reliability - if cared for

Faults:

Water pipe failure behind the engine.

General Comments:

Auto with everything! Thought long and hard before buying as it had high’ish miles, we are talking average motorway - not space shuttle.

The guy selling the car had all the service history neatly in a folder, all receipts in order with a note of the mileage on each one, even down to the bulb for the button of the hazard warning lights!

I could see the car had been looked after so I checked the history and bought the car. I have not looked back. I have had the car over a year and covered about 15K in it. I have only had one problem with the car and it was a large loss of water one morning.

I to the car to the local Vauxhall dealer and they advised me they thought it was the head gasket and wanted £500 to investigate. I have some knowledge of cars and was not convinced with their diagnosis.

I went to a small local garage, which looked OK and asked for an opinion only advising of the water loss. They called me about three hours later and said it was a pipe at the back of the engine and would cost about £4.50 and £20 to fit it – sorted!!

It is only my opinion and we are all entitled to one but I don’t think I have ever found a good Vauxhall dealership. You just don’t seem to get the kind of people who take pride in their work or cars in these establishments.

I also believe in replacing before failure. I have replaced many parts over the past year that you would put in the category of wearable parts. Everything wears, and it is much easier to replace in your own time and plan it rather than after a failure on the motorway or something. Failure can also lead damage of other parts.

I love the car and believe it will go on and on as long as it receives good quality oil and filter every 5K miles and you treat it to some new parts occasionally.

Good underneath cleaning is recommended after winter, I have found some hide-holes for crap under the car that could lead to corrosion in later years.

There are loads of really weary Omega’s out there and most of this is from poor servicing. If you can find one of the ‘cared for’ ones you are on to a winner.

Running costs have not been bad. Well.. lets face it we all know what we are getting into.

It is an absolute pleasure to drive and is well worth looking after.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th March, 2001

8th Apr 2001, 12:12

I'm currently doing my own research on 2.5 V6 (CD) auto, Omegas. Either I'm looking in the wrong place or there aren't many reviews out there, so it was a real pleasure to find this review and confirm some of the bits I've managed to get together. (A bit on the thirsty side, but really good overall performance and spec if you can get a good one). I'm currently chasing an M plate with 76000 on the clock for £4000.

Many thanks once again.

Ian.

1997 Vauxhall Omega Estate GLS 2.0 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Workmanlike but uninspirational

Faults:

Idle speed valve sticking, needed repairing.

Central locking does not release the driver's door.

Fascia in the front passenger footwell keeps falling off.

General Comments:

A disappointment after the Renault Safrane in terms of comfort and interior finish.

The demist/defrost is the worst I have had on any car.

The car is generally quiet, fair handling, but as responsive as an old bus.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th February, 2001

8th Apr 2001, 12:02

Hi.

Did you have my Omega - the drivers door central lock sticks and the idle speed just cuts out.

Its got 38K on the clock - 25k being mine- Still a good car though.

Comfy, big and smooth.

29th Sep 2001, 11:08

I have a 1997 2.0 16v GLS Omega.

I must say that I have experienced similar problems to other Omega owners.

Faulty idle control valve that has now been replaced and problem has now been solved. Also had a faulty rpm sensor that made the car lack power on acceleration. This too has been replaced and the problem has disappeared.

All this happened in the first few months of owning this car May 2000 which made me wonder if I had made a big mistake, but since then not another problem has occurred.

If you can put up with the the engine noise from cold for a few miles, the Omega then comes into its own for effortless driving and comfort. OK, it may not be the most responsive car for overtaking manoeuvres and quick acceleration, especially mine with the auto box, but once rolling it's quite capable at eating up the miles at some speed considering the size & weight of the car.

As a family car for comfort and practicability it takes some beating & is also surprisingly economical.

Would I buy another Omega? Yes, but possibly a 2.5 litre for that little extra power.

Shaun Green

Derby.