Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: tunnie on 10 August 2011, 10:47:04
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My 2.2 is going to need fair few quid spend on it soon, although nothing is wrong with it, they are essentially service items given the age. (new exhaust, 4 new tyres, wishbones bushes, rear shocks & rear springs) still about £500 quid there (mostly tyres)
But noticed there are some low millage examples kicking around at the moment & while I have funds and the fact nice examples will become even rarer, I'm wondering if now is the time to upgrade my 155k mile 2.2 :-/
Thoughts?
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And get a lot of new issues?
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And get a lot of new issues?
That is a good point, there is essentially nothing wrong. Its just things that have worn that need replacing
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Better the devil you know Tunnie ..........
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Most things wear with age rather than or in addition to mileage so don't be surprised if you end up with a similar list of items to attend to on a low mileage Omega.
Add to the fact that most examples, even with low mileage, will probably be suffering from a main dealer service history and short journeys.. You have invested in LPG'ing yours, so that will need doing again, although it will help with a sale, I guess.
Then again, 155k is getting on, 4 pots don't seem quite as capable of racking up huge mileages without problems as the V6 and you could get one with a proper engine this time. ;)
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As you know I've just upgraded mine after a long search for the right car. Now don't get me wrong, I'm very happy that I've finally got what I wanted but part of me does regret it... I could have spent less than the new one has cost me and turned my saloon into an absolute minter with all new suspension and a respray :-/
The new one has its problems... The full Vx service history being the main one ::)
That said... Josh is selling his saloon with the right number of cylinders (still 600cc short though :-X :P) and that is a nice car if you're after a manual :-/ :-/
The question is, can you justify the expense of LPGing another car with your current mileage? :-?
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tough decision 3.2 elite is the way to go especially if already has lpg go on treat yourself :y
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Cheers chaps, in answer to few questions...
I would not LPG the replacement, I just don't do the miles anymore, i've done about 2k maybe this year? Compared to over 2k a month before hand!
I do also miss the boot a few times, I would like to do a few road-trips to Holland there is a huge indoor snowpark there, like to do a few runs there next summer. Don't think my 2.2 is really up to those long hauls now. Last did one when it was about 110k...
4 pots tend to hit around 170k before HG needs doing, then again, i've changed the coolant quite often, suspect more than any other 4 potter around!
If I was to get a new one, it would be a 3.2 MV6 or Elite.... I have seen one I like, I would like to treat myself 8-)
But on the other hand the carpark behind my flat is very tight, and my trusty steed has already picked up about 3 knocks from me it there for about a week at a time.
I really am in two minds:
1) spend good amount of cash on mine, nice bit of TLC make it good for another year at least.
2) Spend about £1.5 on something really nice, while nice low mile examples are still around.
But as KW says, low millage does not mean it will be better.
My 155k miller is yet to let me down, its never put a foot wrong, its a trusty old thing! I do get nice feeling when some posh BMW/Audi has parked badly and I sqeeeeze my big barge in close in Tesco's ;D
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Treat yourself Mr Tunnie. Buy one with the correct amount of cylinders this time.... :)
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There is increasingly a lot to be said for driving something that's already a bit tatty these days, IMHO, rather than a complete minter, especially if using communal parking areas. ::)
If you care about keeping your car mint, you can bet that sentiment won't be shared by others around it. >:(
Sort the suspension out and you'll have something cheap to run and reliable that will last a good few more years. If the HG does go it's not a major job on a 4 pot after all.
Then again, with your current usage, a V6 would probably be more suitable.
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There is increasingly a lot to be said for driving something that's already a bit tatty these days, IMHO, rather than a complete minter, especially if using communal parking areas. ::)
If you care about keeping your car mint, you can bet that sentiment won't be shared by others around it. >:(
Sort the suspension out and you'll have something cheap to run and reliable that will last a good few more years. If the HG does go it's not a major job on a 4 pot after all.
Then again, with your current usage, a V6 would probably be more suitable.
Your not helping, thats two exact minds I am in ;D
Everything would be more expensive on V6 too, as I cannot justify LPG, i would pay £1.30 a litre instead of £0.69, tyres cost more, tax...
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You could always buy yourself something more suited to your age this time, instead of a grandadmobile? :-X ;D
*legs it*
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You could always buy yourself something more suited to your age this time, instead of a grandadmobile? :-X ;D
*legs it*
What like a Corsa?
Learned to drive in those little sh!t boxes, my knee's constantly bashed steering wheel. At the time Astra G had a seats about as soft as marble, horrible!
Vectra? Well err no...
I want this....
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2487245.htm
But no can do living in London with that! :(
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You could always buy yourself something more suited to your age this time, instead of a grandadmobile? :-X ;D
*legs it*
Agreed. A young stud about town such as yourself ::) ::) ;) needs something youthful and powerful to attract the ladies. MX5 perhaps? ::) ::) :)
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You could always buy yourself something more suited to your age this time, instead of a grandadmobile? :-X ;D
*legs it*
Agreed. A young stud about town such as yourself ::) ::) ;) needs something youthful and powerful to attract the ladies. MX5 perhaps? ::) ::) :)
Managed to attract a lady with just my charming personality :P
What do they say? Some men compensate other "short" falls with big engines? :-X :-X ;D
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Nice Monaro........but quite expensive for a six year old car I think. :-/
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I meant something more along the lines of Opti's suggestion, not a Monaro (that's still an old mans car, comes complete with chest wig and medallion, I believe) ;)
Y'know.. MX5, MR2, MG.. Alright, maybe not the latter. Something sporty, fun, lightweight, small.. best to own that before you have kids and need a 129376123 seater bus to carry them around in ;D
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Nice Monaro........but quite expensive for a six year old car I think. :-/
Not much more for an M5 :D
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201131408245683/sort/priceasc/usedcars/price-from/11000/model/m5/make/bmw/page/1/radius/1500/postcode/w39ej?logcode=p
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Nice Monaro........but quite expensive for a six year old car I think. :-/
Not much more for an M5 :D
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201131408245683/sort/priceasc/usedcars/price-from/11000/model/m5/make/bmw/page/1/radius/1500/postcode/w39ej?logcode=p
Now we're talking drug dealer's cars. ::)
It'd be something small, light and nimble if I were in your shoes, as Aaron suggests. Especially in london.
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I meant something more along the lines of Opti's suggestion, not a Monaro (that's still an old mans car, comes complete with chest wig and medallion, I believe) ;)
Y'know.. MX5, MR2, MG.. Alright, maybe not the latter. Something sporty, fun, lightweight, small.. best to own that before you have kids and need a 129376123 seater bus to carry them around in ;D
I'm not kidding I cannot fit in an MR2, i tried once, it didn't go well! :-[
RX8's are cheap as....
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201132409190513/sort/priceasc/usedcars/model/rx8/make/mazda/quicksearch/true/page/3/radius/1501/postcode/w39ej?logcode=p
Tempted by those, plenty of space for me
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Do you a swap, My 3.0 litre V6 (possibly chipped) for your fairly tired sounding motor. Drive it down here and drive the other back - have some sun. The bodywork on mine has seen much better days so parking wouldn't be a problem. A can or two of silver paint and days of rubbing down and it wouldn't look much better. It has a radio fitted that doesn't work, air con doesn't work but the tow bar does if you decide to get a pikey palace or tow other members broken down V6's. Good Bilstein B4 rear shockers and spring assisters. Massive boot without LPG tank. Leather seats, rear blind. Tinted glass.Lovely auto box. Might have an LSD but probably doesn't. Long tax and MOT (Feb and Jan respectively 2012).144k (miles not price) :y
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I meant something more along the lines of Opti's suggestion, not a Monaro (that's still an old mans car, comes complete with chest wig and medallion, I believe) ;)
Y'know.. MX5, MR2, MG.. Alright, maybe not the latter. Something sporty, fun, lightweight, small.. best to own that before you have kids and need a 129376123 seater bus to carry them around in ;D
I'm not kidding I cannot fit in an MR2, i tried once, it didn't go well! :-[
RX8's are cheap as....
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201132409190513/sort/priceasc/usedcars/model/rx8/make/mazda/quicksearch/true/page/3/radius/1501/postcode/w39ej?logcode=p
Tempted by those, plenty of space for me
RX8 could be a nice compromise - they're fast, fairly nimble..
Which MR2 did you try, by the way - Mk1, Mk2 or Mk3? I know of several 6'4"+ people who own Mk3's, although one of them did remove the drivers door handle from the door card to get more leg room..
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Nice Monaro........but quite expensive for a six year old car I think. :-/
Not much more for an M5 :D
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201131408245683/sort/priceasc/usedcars/price-from/11000/model/m5/make/bmw/page/1/radius/1500/postcode/w39ej?logcode=p
If there is one car that's been hit with the ugly stick......this is it. The old 400 BHP V8 M5 looked sooooooooooo much better. :)
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I meant something more along the lines of Opti's suggestion, not a Monaro (that's still an old mans car, comes complete with chest wig and medallion, I believe) ;)
Y'know.. MX5, MR2, MG.. Alright, maybe not the latter. Something sporty, fun, lightweight, small.. best to own that before you have kids and need a 129376123 seater bus to carry them around in ;D
I'm not kidding I cannot fit in an MR2, i tried once, it didn't go well! :-[
RX8's are cheap as....
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201132409190513/sort/priceasc/usedcars/model/rx8/make/mazda/quicksearch/true/page/3/radius/1501/postcode/w39ej?logcode=p
Tempted by those, plenty of space for me
Interesting choice. It all comes back to that girlie/gay thing again though... ;)
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Y'know.. MX5, MR2, MG.. Alright, maybe not the latter. Something sporty, fun, lightweight, small.. best to own that before you have kids and need a 129376123 seater bus to carry them around in ;D
I'm not kidding I cannot fit in an MR2, i tried once, it didn't go well! :-[
RX8's are cheap as....
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201132409190513/sort/priceasc/usedcars/model/rx8/make/mazda/quicksearch/true/page/3/radius/1501/postcode/w39ej?logcode=p
Tempted by those, plenty of space for me
Interesting choice. It all comes back to that girlie/gay thing again though... ;)
And the willingness to pay for a £3k engine rebuild at around 70,000 miles. Not to mention the flooding issue(which can be a sign of needing an engine rebuild). Or the woeful economy. The cheap and nasty interior. The need to rev it hard because it has no torque.
Not just no, but hell no.
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My 2.2 is going to need fair few quid spend on it soon, although nothing is wrong with it, they are essentially service items given the age. (new exhaust, 4 new tyres, wishbones bushes, rear shocks & rear springs) still about £500 quid there (mostly tyres)
But noticed there are some low millage examples kicking around at the moment & while I have funds and the fact nice examples will become even rarer, I'm wondering if now is the time to upgrade my 155k mile 2.2 :-/
Thoughts?
Go the whole hog and get something powerful enough to tow a caravan.
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My 2.2 is going to need fair few quid spend on it soon, although nothing is wrong with it, they are essentially service items given the age. (new exhaust, 4 new tyres, wishbones bushes, rear shocks & rear springs) still about £500 quid there (mostly tyres)
But noticed there are some low millage examples kicking around at the moment & while I have funds and the fact nice examples will become even rarer, I'm wondering if now is the time to upgrade my 155k mile 2.2 :-/
Thoughts?
Go the whole hog and get something powerful enough to tow a caravan.
Good point, I could tow them all to Dover and push them off the cliff ;D
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How much dosh do you have spare Mr Tunnie?. For a left field choice how about an Alfa 156 GTA. Lovely 3.2 V6 with 250 BHP that would mark you out as an individual.
Very different from the usual BMW and Audi.... :y
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Personally, I would upgrade since you have got good mileage from your current one and even if you did spend £500 on it would you be happy to keep it for another 3 or 4 years? From the way you have written your post I reckon deep down you feel like a change anyway.
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Here you go..
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PdJQnteg9T4/TiMFof0LA-I/AAAAAAAAO8o/afTfU-H9FtE/s720/For%252520Sale%252520Poster%252520copy.jpg)
Perfect for the gentleman without a family who needs to get into the world of proper engines. Built by a mate of mine too, and it does go nicely. Another advantage is that it's completely unsuitable for towing a pikey wagon. ;)
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But how would it handle with the Student's favourite solid tyres? :o
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My 2.2 is going to need fair few quid spend on it soon, although nothing is wrong with it, they are essentially service items given the age. (new exhaust, 4 new tyres, wishbones bushes, rear shocks & rear springs) still about £500 quid there (mostly tyres)
But noticed there are some low millage examples kicking around at the moment & while I have funds and the fact nice examples will become even rarer, I'm wondering if now is the time to upgrade my 155k mile 2.2 :-/
Thoughts?
Go the whole hog and get something powerful enough to tow a caravan.
Good point, I could tow them all to Dover and push them off the cliff ;D
There,ll be burger vans over
The white cliffs of Dover......... :D ;D ;D
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But how would it handle with the Student's favourite solid tyres? :o
Like it was on ice.. erm.<cough!>
Moving on... :-[
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Here you go..
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PdJQnteg9T4/TiMFof0LA-I/AAAAAAAAO8o/afTfU-H9FtE/s720/For%252520Sale%252520Poster%252520copy.jpg)
Perfect for the gentleman without a family who needs to get into the world of proper engines. Built by a mate of mine too, and it does go nicely. Another advantage is that it's completely unsuitable for towing a pikey wagon. ;)
Not sure I have 11k to spend, interesting option though. Hummmm V8 :-*
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But how would it handle with the Student's favourite solid tyres? :o
Like it was on ice.. erm.<cough!>
Moving on... :-[
Decent rubber might be need with a couple of extra cylinders :-X
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Here is my opinion,
if you decide for an omega, 3.2 manual or 3.0 manual..
or E39 m5.. (while you are young [smiley=evil.gif])
(an keep in mind its parts cost more then a leg and an arm :-/ however M5 owners generally do care about their cars so you can find good examples.. )
small sporty hatches is another option.. but you must choose a reliable model which will be suitable for your legs.. (so buy 2 cars imo and go bankrupt ;D)
ps: fuel prices will never go down again and probably will increase more.. meaning fuel monsters will be cheaper..
pps: dont know how its in UK but here all cars are expensive in summer.. but when the winter knocks the door prices of bimmers drops 1/3
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How much dosh do you have spare Mr Tunnie?. For a left field choice how about an Alfa 156 GTA. Lovely 3.2 V6 with 250 BHP that would mark you out as an individual.
Very different from the usual BMW and Audi.... :y
Not a lot, maybe a grand :-/
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But how would it handle with the Student's favourite solid tyres? :o
Like it was on ice.. erm.<cough!>
Moving on... :-[
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
I mean.. sorry, shouldn't laugh ;)
That is a tasty, tasty Westie though. Shame I'd never fit in it ;D
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How much dosh do you have spare Mr Tunnie?. For a left field choice how about an Alfa 156 GTA. Lovely 3.2 V6 with 250 BHP that would mark you out as an individual.
Very different from the usual BMW and Audi.... :y
Not a lot, maybe a grand :-/
Mk1 MX5 it is, then!
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Here is my opinion,
if you decide for an omega, 3.2 manual or 3.0 manual..
or E39 m5.. (while you are young [smiley=evil.gif])
(an keep in mind its parts cost more then a leg and an arm :-/ however M5 owners generally do care about their cars so you can find good examples.. )
small sporty hatches is another option.. but you must choose a reliable model which will be suitable for your legs.. (so buy 2 cars imo and go bankrupt ;D)
ps: fuel prices will never go down again and probably will increase more.. meaning fuel monsters will be cheaper..
pps: dont know how its in UK but here all cars are expensive in summer.. but when the winter knocks the door prices of bimmers drops 1/3
Thanks Cem :y
Fuel costs are not a massive concern, so maybe now is the time for a big V8? :) :-/
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Here is my opinion,
if you decide for an omega, 3.2 manual or 3.0 manual..
or E39 m5.. (while you are young [smiley=evil.gif])
(an keep in mind its parts cost more then a leg and an arm :-/ however M5 owners generally do care about their cars so you can find good examples.. )
small sporty hatches is another option.. but you must choose a reliable model which will be suitable for your legs.. (so buy 2 cars imo and go bankrupt ;D)
ps: fuel prices will never go down again and probably will increase more.. meaning fuel monsters will be cheaper..
pps: dont know how its in UK but here all cars are expensive in summer.. but when the winter knocks the door prices of bimmers drops 1/3
Thanks Cem :y
Fuel costs are not a massive concern, so maybe now is the time for a big V8? :) :-/
in the future missus wont let you..
personally I would go for e39 m5.. m series bimmers not that hard to sell.. :y
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http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201131408135214/sort/priceasc/usedcars/model/m5/make/bmw/page/4/quicksearch/true/postcode/w39ej/radius/1501?logcode=p
Think for the money, i'd rather have Monaro.....
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http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201131408135214/sort/priceasc/usedcars/model/m5/make/bmw/page/4/quicksearch/true/postcode/w39ej/radius/1501?logcode=p
Think for the money, i'd rather have Monaro.....
m5.. you can sell easily.. not sure for monaro :-/
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Aim for getting £1500 for yours tunnie.....
Thats what i got for my 2.2 estate with £150k on it.....and a few erm.... problems it had...
The lpg conversion sold it, to the first that came to view :y
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if your doing 2k a year.....is it even worth owning a car?
depreciation, fuel, tax, insurance, servicing...
prob more cost effective to use taxis, or hire a car when needed.
boring answer I know...but may be economic sense
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Next car you buy should (always...?) be the car you really want IMO. Otherwise stick with what you have. ESP if it's purely a cost decision. Another omega will be more £ than yours, and will almost certainly need all that same work doing again. Double wammy.
Justifying a 400 odd bhp motor is difficult at the best of times, although from what I gather your driving style will get the best economy from it. :-X ;)
IMO Monaro (although vxr8 is far better) or stick with the 4 pot. But either way, your in a position to do as you please I would have thought...? Personally it woud have to be a four door, no matter what!
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400 bhp and economy doesnt seem to be a matching pair anyway ;D
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Right. Thanks for comments all :y
I've driven home tonight as the BMW needs to be taken for a service, I've decided to keep it. Set cruise control at 80mph (does not even keep pace these days!)
It was smooth, comfy.... I thought, what will i be gaining from a new one? Ok so mine takes a few more seconds to get to 60mph than the V6's
I would get HID's (can fit those, infact got some in the garage! ::)) Bose maybe? Dave DND could point me to some speakers far better if i wanted to.
I do still want a car, getting to Brackley via public transport is just a nightmare! In fact its bloody impossible after 7:30 pm!
So its staying, besides, what would you lot do? Got to take the pi$$ out of the 4 potters :D
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Right. Thanks for comments all :y
I've driven home tonight as the BMW needs to be taken for a service, I've decided to keep it. Set cruise control at 80mph (does not even keep pace these days!)
It was smooth, comfy.... I thought, what will i be gaining from a new one? Ok so mine takes a few more seconds to get to 60mph than the V6's
I would get HID's (can fit those, infact got some in the garage! ::)) Bose maybe? Dave DND could point me to some speakers far better if i wanted to.
I do still want a car, getting to Brackley via public transport is just a nightmare! In fact its bloody impossible after 7:30 pm!
So its staying, besides, what would you lot do? Got to take the pi$$ out of the 4 potters :D
Sounds a wise decision....few hundred to keep a known goodun, thats cheap to run, on the road :y
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I know exactly what you mean Tunnie.
I was in the EXACT same position as you.
2-3k Miles a year, my car was a little tired (very good example with nothing 'wrong' just tired), I was getting itchy feet and fancied a change.
Mine was a 3.0V6 Elite, and I loved it dearly.
I swapped it for a E39 V8 BMW and even though I honestly, truthfully miss the Omega, I cannot compare the two cars from a drivers point of view.
Yes the Omega had more toys, it was more comfortable and had a bigger boot with folding rear seats. The BMW has a reasonable boot (2 sets of Golf Clubs) but no folding rear seats so nothing 'big' is going in there.
It's just listening to that V8 (which you need the window down to hear as the car is so well insulated) and being much more confident that the car WILL go around 'that' corner which catches us all out at times.
I dont love this car like I loved the Omega and if I had £500 to make the Omega perfect, I probably wouldn't have swapped, but for me, it came at a time where the time or money wasn't available to sort the Mig out.
I have no regrets and I dont spend any more time at the Petrol Station. I have an extra 40BHP, an extra billion ft/lb of Torque, an extra gear in the Auto Transmission and I get called a cock a lot.
Whatever you do, do it because you want to and not because you feel you have to. :y
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As I said T, part of me wishes I hadn't changed mine.
But I wanted an estate for some future plans so it was practical... It just took a long time to find ::)
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if your doing 2k a year.....is it even worth owning a car?
depreciation, fuel, tax, insurance, servicing...
prob more cost effective to use taxis, or hire a car when needed.
boring answer I know...but may be economic sense
A mate of mine was in this position, living in London, only occasionally needing a car.
He joined some sort of club where they have all manner of cars available to borrow - from mundane to priceless. You get a certain number of points per year which you can put towards borrowing whatever you need. So, you can get a Fraud Focus if you just want to potter about or an E-Type, Carrera 3.2RS, Mustang, etc. if you want to pose.
He said the cost was about what he was paying to run the manky old Escrot Mk 3 he had before he joined.