1990 Vauxhall Senator CD 24v review from UK and Ireland

Major/Mechanically? - Distributor drive mechanism disintegrated, head gasket leaks.

Minor/Electrically? - Air conditioning leaks, Blaupunkt CD player reluctant to play discs. Night illumination dashboard bulbs.

What's good? - Superb performance. Just keeps on accelerating when everything else runs out of steam! No wonder it's still the all-time police favourite. Can get across country unfeasably quickly. Overtakes trucks and caravans effortlessly. Excellent auto box with 4th/3rd Sport-mode switch on top of gear selector, plus winter mode. Loaded with goodies. Digital speedo enables you to keep eyes on the road, as it remains clearly visible in your peripheral vision. Independently selectable temperature on the climate-control for driver and passenger means you stay air-con cool while the girlfriend/wife toasts herself! Very comfortable, smooth and quiet. Good economy for the performance available, when treated gently (around 30 mpg at a steady 70mph). Enormous boot & fold down rear seats enable van like loads. Withstands high mileage well.

What's not so good? - Withstands high mileage well - ideal clocking material! Distributor drive failure and head gasket leaks on mine makes me suspect 160,000 miles, not 80,000! Could be an electrical nightmare, if you end up with a dodgy one. Clueless Vauxhall dealers.

Overall? - The best combination of performance, comfort and space, combined with reasonable purchase prices and parts that I've ever had. No wonder prices are still holding firm.