Vauxhall Signum 2.8T: PH Carpool
"Nobody from the future came back to tell me it was a bad idea" says PHer Adric of his left-field choice
Car: Vauxhall Signum 2.8T
Owned since: August 2014
Previously owned: "Mk2 Scirocco GTX; Astra(s); Focus ST170."
Why I bought it:
"Needed something spacious for the family and dogs. Didn't want to go down the usual MPV road, liked the way Clarkson slated the Signum on Top Gear and how it was an utter sales disaster (howmanyleft reckons < 300 ever made). Also, as my friend put it, 'nobody from the future came back to tell me it was a bad idea...'"
And you thought cycling was good for the environment?
"Always worth remembering that a high mpg is good, and a high litres/100km is bad. Don't compare the two side by side!"
Things I love:
"Mostly liking the look of surprise of other drivers in usual repmobiles when it gets floored - its a Q-car alright. The space and equipment is great for the price - eight years old, < 65k miles, full MoT, all the Elite sat nav and heated leather goodies with change from £2,500. Effortless distance covering, especially good for the kids as there is a fridge in the back for them. People mistaking it for an Astra/Vectra. Calling the garage for a service quote, being surprised when they knew what it was, and even more so when they said 'what diesel engine is it?' When I told them 'petrol 2.8 V6 turbo' they laughed and called me bonkers. Finally, there is a cracking owners' group on Facebook."
Leather, lots of space and - yes - a fridge!
"The autobox - never again. Fuel consumption is hilarious in these days of BlueEcoBoostTecDrive nonsense - 25mpg is about right on average. With care you possibly will see 30mpg. I would also like to know what was going on when the first buyer specced it up: 'Let's have north of £20K of Vauxhall barge that has been such a disaster it will surely be discontinued by the weekend. Let's drop in a £500 a year tax bracket engine. Bolt on the optional Speedline alloys (oh yes!) but leave the parking sensor option alone, despite it being longer than a Defender 110.'"
Costs:
"Tax is a known quantity; it is what it is. Insurance is eerily low at £240 fully comp. It's had new tyres, service, air-con regas, etc. New navigation CD (£10) as the roads have been tweaked since 2006. Fridge and loom (factory option previously missing on mine) was about £150. And petrol. Lots and lots and lots of petrol - more so when I put my four-bike roof rack carrier on. Then we see about 21mpg average."
Lots of time (and money) spent here
"Mainly on family runs - Scotland (300 miles each way); North Wales, many MTB centres. I have tried the backroad thing with it, but it corners like a Tesco trolley. It's a lover not a fighter."
What next?
"I have toyed with the idea of chipping it, taking it from c. 230hp to 270hp, but for the £300 it turns it into a premium petrol only thirsty monster. Volvo S80 V8s keep looking at me funny. Phaetons with the 'W' engine have a siren-esque attraction I am trying to avoid..."
Want to share your car with PHers on Carpool? Email us at carpool@pistonheads.com!
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