Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Hudson on 11 January 2016, 22:57:23

Title: Saloon or Estate
Post by: Hudson on 11 January 2016, 22:57:23
If I have no preference, is there any reason to buy an estate ? They seem to have slightly higher prices.......a tad more. I don't need the load space on a regular basis, but as all of us I may need it one day....for an hour or so. :)
Title: Re: Saloon or Estate
Post by: Lazydocker on 11 January 2016, 23:12:23
No where near as many estates around... Took me 2.5 years to find mine :o

I would say that if it comes along, buy it. Whatever the body type :y
Title: Re: Saloon or Estate
Post by: 05omegav6 on 11 January 2016, 23:15:16
Prefer the estate personally, they are the same length, so nothing to choose between really... rear seats fold flat which the saloon ones don't. Good for.ikea trips and tip runs, not to mention holidays...
Title: Re: Saloon or Estate
Post by: Kevin Wood on 11 January 2016, 23:36:49
Boot space aside, the only real difference is that the passenger compartment in the saloons is noticeably quieter.
Title: Re: Saloon or Estate
Post by: Nick W on 11 January 2016, 23:49:55
Estate for me. Its usable as a posh van, which means I can easily I can easily justify owning it.
A large saloon would be a Lexus if it had to be useful, or a Jag for a toy.

Estates are so useful that at the end of a models lifespan the numbers compared to saloons tend to even out, and this is currently happening to Omegas.
Title: Re: Saloon or Estate
Post by: Broomies Mate on 12 January 2016, 00:53:25
Saloon:
Looks nicer (opinion)
More fuel efficient
Faster
Quieter
No rusty tailgates

Estate:
Larger load area
Rear Wash-Wipe (which is handy, but crap doesn't build-up as much on a saloon/hatch)

Each to their own, but only buy the estate if you need the load space.
Title: Re: Saloon or Estate
Post by: pauls on 12 January 2016, 09:01:30
I have had both and prefer saloon.

I do miss the load space. cant get a lot in the elite due to positioning if the amp.
Title: Re: Saloon or Estate
Post by: Hudson on 12 January 2016, 09:24:35
Saloon:
Looks nicer (opinion)
More fuel efficient
Faster
Quieter
No rusty tailgates

Estate:
Larger load area
Rear Wash-Wipe (which is handy, but crap doesn't build-up as much on a saloon/hatch)

Each to their own, but only buy the estate if you need the load space.


I do like the look of the saloon more than the estate but by no means do I think they are ugly. There is a nice looking estate for sale at a dealer for £1300 with 82k on the clock, I am waiting to find out what history there is.....if any ! What I have learnt from the forum is the number of routine items that often need fixing and the maint which is needed on a regular basis, this estate may not have this done or there could be no proof they have. Calling the dealer this morning.
Title: Re: Saloon or Estate
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 12 January 2016, 09:31:05
Certainly there's nothing 'wrong' with the estate and they swallow anything but very much rarer, as said. For some reason they seem to suffer a very ugly rust patch from under the rear screen. Sort this (or buy one so mint that it doesnt have one) and you're about there  :)
Title: Re: Saloon or Estate
Post by: 2boxerdogs on 12 January 2016, 12:57:38
Either is good 2.2 estate is underpowered in my opinion, very little difference in fuel consumption I had a 2.6 & a 2.2 the 2.6 was the better of the two, never had a 3.2 but that should be even better, performance wise.
Title: Re: Saloon or Estate
Post by: 05omegav6 on 12 January 2016, 14:36:33
2.2 is perfectly adequate as an auto, competent as a manual... it's quite a rev happy engine, so can make very good progress, if at the expense of noise/economy... V6 is obviously smoother and quicker, but the 3.2 is juicier, if only because it goes so well... driven gently, they can make the 2.2 seem thirsty for the power on offer.

If you drive quickly, then get a 3.0/3.2. if you like to potter around, then get a 2.2. If you're undecided, then get a 2.6 regardless of shape or spec. It's that simple :D

Estates are also more likely to hold value longer compared to saloons... look at Mercedes W124 prices... :y
Title: Re: Saloon or Estate
Post by: EMD on 12 January 2016, 14:54:13
Either is good 2.2 estate is underpowered in my opinion, very little difference in fuel consumption I had a 2.6 & a 2.2 the 2.6 was the better of the two, never had a 3.2 but that should be even better, performance wise.

Funny you should say that as i was considering a 2.2 estate . Are they gutless when overtaking unloaded ?  :-\ :-\
Title: Re: Saloon or Estate
Post by: Gaffers on 12 January 2016, 15:17:20
I am on my first estate and I can concur about the noise.  But then I got it to be a multi purpose vehicle:

- commuting to/from work
- lugging stuff to the tip
- lugging big DIY stuff to home
- something that can be used as a safety vehicle for club triathlon events
- as a sleeping den and carrier for my spearfishing trips.  Something that can carry the deflated boat, the safety gear, outboard, fishing guns, etc yet still have enough space to lie down flat and get some kip on those multi-day trips.  I may even augment it with a leisure battery and entertainment system.
Title: Re: Saloon or Estate
Post by: johnnydog on 12 January 2016, 15:28:04
Having had a 2.2, 2.6 and a 3.2, I wouldn't have another 2.2 (personally) as they are ok on the motorway once on the move, but generally under powered. They are noisy in my opinion. I like the note of the V6, and they are more pleasurable to drive and sound better, but the 3.2 is a beautiful car - more responsive than the 2.6. The 2.6 is slightly better on fuel, but there's not much in it in reality. I would definitely recommend the 3.2, but they seem to command more money and are more difficult to find. The trim level is higher in the 3.2 as they were all Elites (except Police Spec). All depends what you want out of it at the end of the day - a workhorse, a tow car or a bit of luxury with the toys!
Title: Re: Saloon or Estate
Post by: Hudson on 12 January 2016, 15:44:25
I do drive like miss daisy and really potter about, luxury is where it's at with me. ........the dealer said there was no paperwork at all with the car ! Looks nice but.....
Title: Re: Saloon or Estate
Post by: johnnydog on 12 January 2016, 16:00:16
As far as saloon or estate, only you can answer that one! Looks, preferences, personal uses for the car come into it. I would go for the best example you can find irrespective of body style, and if you subsequently decide you prefer the other then at least you will have got a good one until you find a replacement. I think estates will hold their value better. Ultimately, good ones are getting few and far between. You need to make decision and go for it - you won't regret it!
Title: Re: Saloon or Estate
Post by: tunnie on 12 January 2016, 16:31:50
We had an Estate in the tunnie fleet for a good few years, have to say the Saloons are better for road noise and general cabin knocks and rattles.

You are limiting your choices with Estates, far more Saloons out there.
Title: Re: Saloon or Estate
Post by: 2boxerdogs on 12 January 2016, 16:45:22
Either is good 2.2 estate is underpowered in my opinion, very little difference in fuel consumption I had a 2.6 & a 2.2 the 2.6 was the better of the two, never had a 3.2 but that should be even better, performance wise.

Funny you should say that as i was considering a 2.2 estate . Are they gutless when overtaking unloaded ?  :-\ :-\
.     



Compared to a 2.6 they are gutless , 2.2 is all noise & no grunt whatsoever.
Title: Re: Saloon or Estate
Post by: 05omegav6 on 12 January 2016, 16:49:26
I do drive like miss daisy and really potter about, luxury is where it's at with me. ........the dealer said there was no paperwork at all with the car ! Looks nice but.....
My Elite had 167K and no history/short Mot... But had decent tyres, Michelin PS3s, and recent stainless sports cats/new exhaust... There was no paperwork with it, but that was due to the dealer I bought it from buying it as a trade sale from another garage who in turn had aquired it as a main dealer part ex. Ok I had to rebuild all the suspension and it needs a cambelt, but it was clean enough for the mileage and at a price iwas happy with.

Point is don't let a lack of paperwork put you off, at this stage in the Omega life cycle you're better off buying purely on condition. A well cared for car will sell itself. Unless you want a specific model in a particular spec/colour... In which case buy the first one you see and be prepared to spend serious money on it :y
Title: Re: Saloon or Estate
Post by: Keith ABS on 12 January 2016, 18:47:06
  What area are you in Hudson? One of the experiance OOFers may be able to have a look around it for/with you

Keith ABS
Title: Re: Saloon or Estate
Post by: terry paget on 13 January 2016, 08:39:43
I have 2 estates and 4 saloons at the moment. One estate in the fleet is essential for carrying vast loads, and long things on the roof - most have roof rails as standard. Estates ar a bit heavier, a bit noisier, and a bit less secure. When an Omega dies, I just look around and buy another. Last year I planned to scrap Cath's Opel 2.5 saloon (rust) and Jonny's 2.2 saloon (HG), bought a 2.6 saloon (Plymouth) and a 2.5 estate (Clacton). I scrapped the Opel, then attempted to change the HG on the 2.2, succeeded, then wife's 2.0 estate blew its HG, so I scrapped that instead.
Title: Re: Saloon or Estate
Post by: Hudson on 13 January 2016, 13:50:43
  What area are you in Hudson? One of the experiance OOFers may be able to have a look around it for/with you

Keith ABS

I am in manchester, close to the trafford centre.