sayerbloke Posted March 1, 2014 Report Share Posted March 1, 2014 Late last year we became a 2 car family when we bought my wife a car. I’ve driven it a few times so here’s a quick review What is it? It’s a ’57 plate Vauxhall Signum 1.9 CDTi Elite, with an automatic gearbox, FSH and 80k miles on the clock. First thoughts? The Signum never sold well when it was new (Mostly because it always looked overpriced alongside the Vectra estate) but secondhand values are much more sensible and you get a lot of toys for your money. To my eyes it looks better than the Vectra estate, albeit at the expense of some practicality due to the sloping rear tail gate, but the boot is a decent size and everyone gets plenty of legroom. We’ve also found it’s easier to get a baby carseat in to it than it is into my Astra coupe You mentioned toys? I did indeed. I think all Signums came well equipped and the Elite was top of the tree. Our car has the leather interior, SatNav, heated front seats, dual zone climate control, Auto-sensing lights (and wipers, I think), CD/MP3 stereo, along with the usual host of things like cruise control and electric windows and mirrors, etc. There are probably other things too, given the number of buttons and functions on the central display but I’ve not had much time to play with those. The only thing it doesn’t have that you might expect it to is parking sensors. Anyway, certainly the best equipped car I’ve ever owned What’s it like to drive? It’s good. Visibility is reasonable all round though everything is probably further away than it seems so far, particularly out of the rear window. The seats are comfortable and I’m sure would remain so over a long drive. I still not keen on automatic gearboxes, but the one in this is smooth enough and not too dim-witted. The ride is well judged; not crashing over potholes without feeling too “floaty”. The steering weights up as the speed increases but is always a bit too light and lacking in feel. That seems a common complaint of electric power steering and isn’t a major drawback in a car like this. On the move, everything feels solid… Good car. Decent engine/exhaust noise? Diesel. 4 cylinder. Automatic. Let’s move on… Running costs? It may be a diesel, but it’s a large car with an automatic gearbox. On the first tank of fuel we managed about 40mpg. Given we were still learning the car, it was all cold weather and mostly short journeys, that’s not too bad. It’s better than my car, so we save money on fuel whenever we take it. Tax is also less than my car and, whilst I hope it shouldn’t need much in terms of maintenance costs any time soon, it’s a Vauxhall so parts are cheap enough and easy to come by. Verdict? We’re both happy with it 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted March 1, 2014 Report Share Posted March 1, 2014 Good review Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted March 1, 2014 Report Share Posted March 1, 2014 Nice review, people used to do lots of reviews of their cars, we should all be doing more. Will do one of my big bus soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinspark Posted March 1, 2014 Report Share Posted March 1, 2014 I nearly bought the Fiat version of this... but luckily found our 156 instead... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 What did the Signum replace? Or was it a new model introduction? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 It was a new model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biscuits Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Good review that.. we've all got very lazy on here... me included Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 I can't be arsed. There are 27 squillion 520d's in the UK. Somebody else can write it. As for the X6, well I'm not going to write something no fecker will read, so that ain't gonna happen either. I guess I could write one for the (big breath as a say this) Audi A1 1.4 TFSI S-Line. But then again no. Who fecking cares. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Ok, I'll have a go. The Vauxhall Vivaro is a van. That is all. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinspark Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 BMW 120d Sport Auto. Better than a Golf or A3. Done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Caterham 7 Roadsport. Great on track, mind the barriers. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Ford Galaxy, best MPV you can buy, unfortunately. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldavo69 Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 BMW 318d touring - competent at everything great at nothing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milo Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Audi S5 - 2.0 Tdi looky-likey but with less soot. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 (edited) We need more of these. I've started a viral review thingy. Definitely more required. One line review of your car. Or maybe I should start a new thread? Edited March 2, 2014 by NewNiceMrMe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 BMW 120d Sport Auto. Better than a Golf or A3. Done.But not as good as the m sport, and even you seem to like blue at the moment, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Chri5, can I write a one line review of your Audi A4 for you? Please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinspark Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Hmmm. Controversial. MSport is a bit harsh for big annual miles and Estoril is far too common when you can have Valencia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-bmw Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 e39 530i Sport - In it's day the ultimate driving machine. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimdiesel Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 M135i - the perfect car (for me) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 Ah, so the thread that now seems to be full of random car review one liners was meant to be us reviewing our own cars? BMW 330d M Sport Coupe. Fast. 40mpg. Mind the potholes. Definitely not gold. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 Yup. Proper honest one line reviews of your own vehicle(s). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dblanc Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 (edited) 335i MSport - just bores me to tears, off for a spirited drive nah I'll stay home and have a cuppa X1 25d - great for surprising Golf GTI drivers but they forgot to install the power steering Z4 35iS - shouldn't have taken the job that didn't allow convertibles when you took the car allowance, best car I've owned by a country mile :0( Edited March 3, 2014 by Dblanc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo - Quick. big, ugly but drives bloody lovely. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted March 4, 2014 Report Share Posted March 4, 2014 Back to Mr Sayerbloke - I rate the Signum! My mate had a few on lease type family thing as his old man worked for Vx. He always had the 3.2 V6 and I must say, they were huge in side and very comfortable. Good drives too. One line review of mine? Like the starship Enterprise, big, fast but less miles and with your foot down, it's black out back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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