Opel Insignia

denishurley

Somebody crashed into me on Tuesday and my car, a 04 Volvo S40, is a write-off. Getting €4k in insurance and looking for something around the €12k mark, ideally from around 09.

Been recommended an Opel Insignia by a friend, any stories for me on whether it's a good or a bad call?

Autosport

Have the Insignia Tourer and love it. great power and have had no problems with it. Would recommend them :-)

Celly Smunt

The only experience i've had was from driving a 1.6 (or could've been 1.8,it was 1. something anyway).

Pros:
Very smooth
Nice to drive
comfortable for long journeys
The gearbox was nice.

Cons:
A bit underpowered (bearing in mind the size engine i had)
A little Heavy enough on juice
Interior is a bit boring
A lot of blind spots

I only had it over a weekend,If i was to test drive a 2.0 litre and it took care of my first 2 cons,i would put it on my potential buy list.However,if i had the money for an insignia,i'd follow my heart and splash out on a flashy alfa which would leave me heartbroken a few months down the line.

All and all,i can't comment on reliability but my impressions were good and i'd imagine a large engined insignia would be a good buy.

Yakuza

I'm currently renting a 5-door (in Spain, so the spec might not be the same here), a 2 litre CDTI. Very smooth and no power issues, very good consumption so far (mostly motorway driving to date).

As above, very comfortable to drive, lots of buttons to play with for the "infotainment" system if that floats your boat. Mine has an electric parking brake which took a little while to get used to.

It's massive (great from a travelling-with-luggage point of view) but a bit of a bugger to park. Probably only a matter of practice and getting used to sensing where the car is (rear visibility isn't great and it's barge-like at the front). There aren't any parking sensors or a reversing camera (my last 3 cars have had one or the other) so my own internal parking sensors aren't the keenest at the moment).

All in all, not a bad car at all and would be happy to rent one again. Would I buy one? I'd put the tourer on the test drive list, to be sure.

Syllabus

tyres are foooooookin mad money

245/45 r18

Autosport

Parking takes a while to get used to but shur its like everything Not to bad on diesel if thats the fuel choice you pick, 1 full tank lasts me 2 weeks and thats all types of driving.

road_high

Interesting because I've gone from a 05 S40 1.6d myself just this year, to an Insignia SRI LTD ED 2.0 160.
Cons; To be honest, it's a fine car but I do miss so many of the little touches in the S40. Despite being a much older design. I much prefered the S40 interior, it was far better finished and functual. The S40 seats are superior as well, especially leather with heating. Insignia has neither of these. Think you'd need to be goin up to an Elite trim to get any of the S40 SE stuff. Thought the S40 headlights were better too.

Pros; Insignia is more spacious and way more powerful of course. Better ride and handling as well. And a looker as well.

I guess i'm just biased as I love the S40s. Dissapointed Volvo did not directly replace it. Very popular car here in Ireland. Maybe they'll sticka boot on the new V40!

bazz26

On that budget you will probably be looking at a 2009 or a high miler 2010 model. Aim for a SE or SRi minimum or an Elite if you can find one close to budget. 2.0 Cdti engine is a Fiat engine and available in 130bhp or 160bhp, pre Ecoflex models were considered to have a better power delivery and gearing.

Something like this:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Opel/Insignia/2.0-CDTI/31413542256430410/

I'd also have a look at the Honda Accord, granted it's the older model but they are still a decent car and within your budget:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Honda/Accord/Sport-2.2/32113534233675790/

denishurley

Cheers for all the replies lads, is it just because it's Christmas or does the Motors forums always have people making interesting, informed posts without the stupidity of other sections?

The S40 had been my father's from new so I was well familiar with that before I bought it and this is my first 'real' purchase, so kinds of scared but excited too. Wouldn't mind a Jag X-Type but that's probably just wanting the badge.

If the S40 had had a proper replacement rather than a redressed Focus it'd be top of my list. Might consider another but doubtful it'd be what I'd end up with. If a Hyundai I40 or Kia Optima were available now as four-year-olds they'd be in the mix too

bazz26

denishurley wrote: »

Cheers for all the replies lads, is it just because it's Christmas or does the Motors forums always have people making interesting, informed posts without the stupidity of other sections?

The S40 had been my father's from new so I was well familiar with that before I bought it and this is my first 'real' purchase, so kinds of scared but excited too. Wouldn't mind a Jag X-Type but that's probably just wanting the badge.

If the S40 had had a proper replacement rather than a redressed Focus it'd be top of my list. Might consider another but doubtful it'd be what I'd end up with. If a Hyundai I40 or Kia Optima were available now as four-year-olds they'd be in the mix too

In fairness I had a MkII S40 and it was a decent car, very comfortable with lots of kit and had a pleasant drive. The S40 you had was based on the Mitsubishi Carisma which other than being reliable was a terribly drab car yet Volvo made a decent enough car out of the S40. I would not write off the S40 just because it is based on the Focus.

denishurley

Oh I know that, it's definitely in the mix!

Brabus

denishurley wrote: »

Somebody crashed into me on Tuesday and my car, a 04 Volvo S40, is a write-off. Getting €4k in insurance and looking for something around the €12k mark, ideally from around 09.

Been recommended an Opel Insignia by a friend, any stories for me on whether it's a good or a bad call?

You might want to have a read of this thread from a year ago (especially post no.11) about a few potential problems with Insignias.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=72035624

I seem to remember just recently something came up about issues with fuel injection and there was a recall of some cars over it.

Not wanting to alarm you or anything.

Wicklowandy

Not to alarm either, but might be worth following this to see what way it gets resolved €€€€€

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056839012

slickmcvic

picked my siggy in august,
shes an 09 sri with upgraded wheels and a great bluetooth kit.
...find it a great car,good economy,great spec loads of room and a great drive.
I'd recomend 1 in a heartbeat,shes not low miles but has been trouble free so far and you would get one for your budget if your prepared to go for a higher milage ex-fleet option like I did!

heres a pic

DaveJac

if your buying an Insignia make sure and get a service history and ask what work has been done under warranty ask was the egr cooler, inlet mainfold ever changed they leak and ask was the power steering pipe ever changed they leak too causing no power steering they really need to be serviced in main dealers to get the latest softwear undates, alot of people bought these with a good spec with the 18" wheels and fall over when they see the price of a decent 245/45 18 Tyre so alot will have crappy cheap tyres that will give road noise and the ones with 18's have a rougher ride that the ones on 16/17 inch wheels which are alot nicer to live with

slickmcvic

DaveJac wrote: »

alot of people bought these with a good spec with the 18" wheels and fall over when they see the price of a decent 245/45 18 Tyre so alot will have crappy cheap tyres that will give road noise and the ones with 18's have a rougher ride that the ones on 16/17 inch wheels which are alot nicer to live with

......Or go all out for the great lookin 20's & to hell with the consequences!

DaveJac

slickmcvic wrote: »

......Or go all out for the great lookin 20's & to hell with the consequences!

ya 20's are cool on them alright we have 2 that come into work with them, there were factory fitted they say when you fit them afterwards you need different tie rods probably for less lock so they wont rub

ninty9er

It needs large wheels for good handling, the SRi handles noticeably better than others, but we've had clutched go on a number of low mileage 11 and 12 Insignias.

I like Opels, but I'd only buy an auto Insignia, and only in SRi or Elite Spec. The facelift model is well above your stated budget, but sat nav is standard above SC spec IIRC.

I always liked the Insignia until I gained varied experience of them, I prefer the Astra.

Satts

I'm a Ford person but the one thing that would make me turn to Opel is the Insignia, I love the look of them.

MuppetCheck

Lovely looking car, but no found them a bit woody and creaky. They really need the bigger wheels though as they can look very impressive in the right spec. I don't think any other car in its class can look so miserable in a basic spec compared to a higher spec.

road_high

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Lovely looking car, but no found them a bit woody and creaky. They really need the bigger wheels though as they can look very impressive in the right spec. I don't think any other car in its class can look so miserable in a basic spec compared to a higher spec.

Indeed. The base S on steel wheels and plastic trims looks desperate. The SRI and Elite on alloys look fantastic then in comparison. Have the SRI myself, looks good in red.

MuppetCheck

mfitzy wrote: »

Indeed. The base S on steel wheels and plastic trims looks desperate. The SRI and Elite on alloys look fantastic then in comparison. Have the SRI myself, looks good in red.

I have seen a few in red and they do look well, although they still need the bigger wheels to finish them.

bgaughan

hey - what fleet outfit did you buy from? I am looking for one now...

slickmcvic wrote: »

picked my siggy in august,
shes an 09 sri with upgraded wheels and a great bluetooth kit.
...find it a great car,good economy,great spec loads of room and a great drive.
I'd recomend 1 in a heartbeat,shes not low miles but has been trouble free so far and you would get one for your budget if your prepared to go for a higher milage ex-fleet option like I did!

heres a pic

TheDriver

worse again is the "from 24,995" ad on tv which is for basic S spec with steels, base navy and no delivery, in PETROL!

Quickly gets to 30k with any spec in diesel.
Love my SE though, beautiful car.

denishurley

Thanks again for all the advice and recommendations. Was going to go and look at one for €11,600 in Dublin but a quick search of the dealer's name on here made me change my mind. Going to look at this on Thursday, any particular questions I should be asking?

ninty9er

denishurley wrote: »

Thanks again for all the advice and recommendations. Was going to go and look at one for €11,600 in Dublin but a quick search of the dealer's name on here made me change my mind. Going to look at this on Thursday, any particular questions I should be asking?

That's the model everyone here has rubbished, and I'd agree with them. Unless what car you have doesn't matter to you (and by taking the initiative to come here that isn't the case), you need to be looking for an SE model

The spec lines go
S > SC > SE > SRi > Elite > OPC

bazz26

denishurley wrote: »

Thanks again for all the advice and recommendations. Was going to go and look at one for €11,600 in Dublin but a quick search of the dealer's name on here made me change my mind. Going to look at this on Thursday, any particular questions I should be asking?

That looks very bland imo, they really need larger alloy wheels and it's the base model which is not exactly cheap either.

At least these two are a year younger for similar money:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Opel/Insignia/ECO-2.0/31513571496857610/
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Opel/Insignia/SPORT-2.0/30113455389440590/

denishurley

Cheers lads, thanks for the tips

ninty9er

bazz26 wrote: »

That looks very bland imo, they really need larger alloy wheels and it's the base model which is not exactly cheap either.

At least these two are a year younger for similar money:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Opel/Insignia/ECO-2.0/31513571496857610/
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Opel/Insignia/SPORT-2.0/30113455389440590/

I love how they've branded the second one 'SPORT' :rolleyes:

R.O.R

ninty9er wrote: »

I love how they've branded the second one 'SPORT' :rolleyes:

A lot of them come back as Sport against the reg if you cartell them, especially rental cars for some reason.

SE would be nice, bit SC with the plus pack is adequate.

denishurley

R.O.R wrote: »

A lot of them come back as Sport against the reg if you cartell them, especially rental cars for some reason.

SE would be nice, bit SC with the plus pack is adequate.

Displaying my ignorance more and more with each post, but any reason I should be suspicious as to why this is relatively cheap with low mileage?

TheDriver

ninty9er wrote: »

The spec lines go
S > SC > SE > SRi > Elite > OPC

wouldn't agree that SRi is better than SE but they are equivalent in level but different in taste i.e. comfort vs sporting. I have an SE and love it, wouldn't like an SRi.
Don't get an S unless you really don't care what people think of you and your car, I see 12 S models around and they look desperate, amazing what decent wheels do to a car.

TheDriver

denishurley wrote: »

Displaying my ignorance more and more with each post, but any reason I should be suspicious as to why this is relatively cheap with low mileage?

4 years old, its looks bit poverty model and the first of the insignias had some issues

bazz26

denishurley wrote: »

Displaying my ignorance more and more with each post, but any reason I should be suspicious as to why this is relatively cheap with low mileage?

Its priced ok, would not call it cheap. It's a private sale which means you get no warranty so the price has to be lower than a garage price. The other one is from a dealer who probably factors warranty, servicing, valeting, profit margin and haggling room into their price.