Looking at a used insignia 2.0 cdti,any advice!!...
Discussion
Had a 160 from new for 2 years. Unmapped its as dull as dishwater and the dash squeeked and rattled so much I eventually got rid of it.
It was an auto and it was impossible to drive at 50mph without it constantly changing up and down the box either. Vauxhall's eventual answer ws to drive a bit faster (Hard to do through the 10 miles of roadworks on my commute.)
It was an auto and it was impossible to drive at 50mph without it constantly changing up and down the box either. Vauxhall's eventual answer ws to drive a bit faster (Hard to do through the 10 miles of roadworks on my commute.)
Edited by crisisjez on Friday 11th January 13:05
I've had one as a company car now for over a year, a 160bhp SRi diesel Nav version.
160bhp diesel is a strong engine with a smooth power delivery, reasonably refined. Economy with mine over mixed roads is about 43, lower if around town. Does 80 in 3rd.
Mines got sat nav which is one of the best I've used. Handling is OK for most, steerings a bit light if you're hooning. Firm suspension but nice and quiet and a good place to be - seats and ergonomics very good.
Vision out the back is terrible, the rear window is tiny. Unless you've got rear parking sensors you will bump stuff but the bumpers are quite flexible... the front's not much better.
Space in the rear isn't as bad as some reports, I've had 3 adults in the back for a 3 hour trip and although restricted in the middle seat (which really isn't a seat) it's acceptable. Boot space is good but the bumper/lip is high so you'll get wet and dirty trousers if you have to lean over to fetch stuff from behind the back seats.
Toys and stuff on the SRi is good, IPod connectors, good radio and stuff and mine has bluetooth which works well. The control for the menu on the sat nav screen (which doubles as the radio, phone and menu screen) is good and even I can find my way around all the setings. All knobs and buttons work well.
Electric handbrake is a ridiculous idea. Some like them, I don't. Yes it works, but I hate it. Heating system is rubbish. Takes ages to warm up and although it has a climate control setting all that happens is that the fan speed increases to higher you set the temp, it's not at all intelligent like the Audi one. Cold start, set it to max heat and it just blows out cold air, it doesn't ramp up as the engine warms like it should. Pathetic really, and inexcusable. May as well not have it, just a rotary dial would be better.
Reliability - mine's done 35k and is 2 years old. Some niggles with creaky interior trim (it looks good but when you have a feel around it's cheap tat) but all sorted. I've had front discs and pads replaced as they warped, common apparently. Lots of them have a weird running problem in the summer but not in the winter... during 'warm up' there's a hesitation or stutter on part throttle until it gets to normal temperature. Annoying but not the end of the world. I hear some have problems with DMF's and EGR valves (usual modern diesel problems) but as mine is driven hard and not pootling around town stopping and starting so far so good.
VX dealers nothing special - they try but unless the computer says so they don't know. Also they never admit to a problem that you know exists 'cos everyone else has it.. again, annoying but not the end of the world.
So in conclusion, nice to drive, relatively fast and economical, has some niggles but if you can find one where you can speak to the previous owner and find out if it's a good one or a bad one on the reliability side you could end up with a half decent car.
160bhp diesel is a strong engine with a smooth power delivery, reasonably refined. Economy with mine over mixed roads is about 43, lower if around town. Does 80 in 3rd.
Mines got sat nav which is one of the best I've used. Handling is OK for most, steerings a bit light if you're hooning. Firm suspension but nice and quiet and a good place to be - seats and ergonomics very good.
Vision out the back is terrible, the rear window is tiny. Unless you've got rear parking sensors you will bump stuff but the bumpers are quite flexible... the front's not much better.
Space in the rear isn't as bad as some reports, I've had 3 adults in the back for a 3 hour trip and although restricted in the middle seat (which really isn't a seat) it's acceptable. Boot space is good but the bumper/lip is high so you'll get wet and dirty trousers if you have to lean over to fetch stuff from behind the back seats.
Toys and stuff on the SRi is good, IPod connectors, good radio and stuff and mine has bluetooth which works well. The control for the menu on the sat nav screen (which doubles as the radio, phone and menu screen) is good and even I can find my way around all the setings. All knobs and buttons work well.
Electric handbrake is a ridiculous idea. Some like them, I don't. Yes it works, but I hate it. Heating system is rubbish. Takes ages to warm up and although it has a climate control setting all that happens is that the fan speed increases to higher you set the temp, it's not at all intelligent like the Audi one. Cold start, set it to max heat and it just blows out cold air, it doesn't ramp up as the engine warms like it should. Pathetic really, and inexcusable. May as well not have it, just a rotary dial would be better.
Reliability - mine's done 35k and is 2 years old. Some niggles with creaky interior trim (it looks good but when you have a feel around it's cheap tat) but all sorted. I've had front discs and pads replaced as they warped, common apparently. Lots of them have a weird running problem in the summer but not in the winter... during 'warm up' there's a hesitation or stutter on part throttle until it gets to normal temperature. Annoying but not the end of the world. I hear some have problems with DMF's and EGR valves (usual modern diesel problems) but as mine is driven hard and not pootling around town stopping and starting so far so good.
VX dealers nothing special - they try but unless the computer says so they don't know. Also they never admit to a problem that you know exists 'cos everyone else has it.. again, annoying but not the end of the world.
So in conclusion, nice to drive, relatively fast and economical, has some niggles but if you can find one where you can speak to the previous owner and find out if it's a good one or a bad one on the reliability side you could end up with a half decent car.
I have had my 160bhp ecoflex 18 months and 25k been back once for none service due to grating power steering pump. They are a best adequate a to b transport. I spent a couple of days in a 140 bhp c class merc a few weeks ago getting back in to mine really highlighted all the rattles and its short falls. We have 2 higher mileage insignias on our fleet one has been an absolute dog. A massive list of problems which have taken weeks at a time to try resolve with limp mode returning soon after collection. The other has just turned 60k 2 years old, turbo , rad and manifold all needing replacing. We also have several newer ones with far less miles on them so far no problems. Tread with caution!
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