Peach or Lemon

Vauxhall Sintra 3000cc V6 MPV 1999

Had this car for 4 years, it rattled a bit on bumpy roads, but it a big box The real fun of the Sintra is the fact it is a real Q car, in a straight line it could see off most things on the road. A real hoot! Just don't enter corners too fast becaus...
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srhayesuk@yahoo.co.uk
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Vauxhall Sintra 3000cc CDX Automatic MPV 1999

Enjoyed reading all the other comments about the Sintra. I actually like my 3.0 V6, but it has had its fair share of problems - a non start traced to a corroded wire connector underneath the body (daft place to put an unprotected connection !) - auto...
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jeff_white54@msn.com
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Vauxhall Sintra 2200cc 7-Seater MPV 1999

This car has been nothing but trouble, we are currently having it investigated by Vauxhall as the entire back axle collapsed we were only driving down our road at 20 miles per hour; had we been on the motorway doing 70mph I would not even be sitting...
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Thanks, PoL.

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Vauxhall Sintra 2200cc MPV 1999

Got a Sintra 2.2 diesel, awful car Since fitting front brake pads pedal goes to floor with engine running but is OK when not. Car has had new brake master cylinder and abs unit but still no good. If anyone has got any ideas on how to fix, please ema...
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nicholas@smiggy72.fsnet.co.uk
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Vauxhall Sintra 2200cc MPV 1999

Like most other comments battery and alarm most troublesome problems. But i still like the car.
Battery drains over night. Vauxhall solved alarm problem after 12 months and a few visits AND they didn't just disconnect it!!.
If any one has a...
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phillyon@supanet.com
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Vauxhall Sintra 2200cc cd MPV 1999

I was surprised to see how many other people had the same experiences I have had! Although I don't think the Sintra is a total lemon, it does get some very weird faults! Having had a Cavalier and Vectra before, I thought the Sintra would be to the sa...
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UPDATE:
I had taken the Sintra to a local tyre/brake place to check out the noise and judder. They had dismissed it "We had another one that did that , could never find what it was. Cost the bloke a fortune! It's a common fault, just live with it."
This put me off. It got worse so I took it to another local brake & tyre place and they were totally different. The diagnosed a warped rear brake disc and replaced it for Â£40.00! Just shows it pays to get a second opinion. At the same time they said they would change the front wheel bearing for me.
These are very expensive as you have to buy a complete hub assembly. They could not source one except via the main dealer. Â£250+!
I managed to find a pattern part for Â£175 and paid Â£50 for it to be changed.
On the whole the car has been going very well since the wheel bearing was replaced.
In fairness the Sintra is ideal for those who need to carry several people AND a reasonable amount of cargo. It is also very versatile. It cruises well, has a fair performance for its size, is very light to steer and I have even worked out that I am getting an average of 29 m.p.g. (Imperial). It always starts first time and climbs hills fully loaded with no problems due to its injection. In torque and pulling power it compares well with a diesel.
My previous advice still holds: If you cannot do maintenance on cars yourself, or do not have access to cheaper car maintainence workshops it is not advisable to buy one as the cost of Main Dealer repairs would be astronomical.

I have now been told by an expert (?) that the Vauxhall/Opel Sintra is actually an American car known as the Chevrolet Venturer. These are still in production in the US as far as I am aware.
When Chrysler launched their Voyager MPV in the UK in the late 1990s GM decided to market the Venturer, rebadged as the Sintra, for the UK market in competiton. In the event only about 3000 were ever sold here (UK). It was decided it was too large for the UK market and the smaller Zafira was brought out to supercede it.
The 3 litre models are rarer than the 2.2, and the diesels are even scarcer. This is as it was told to me. I cannot confirm how accurate this is. If you look up the Venturer on the 'net, however, you will see it is just like a Sintra!
In the event the Zafira has proved to be much more popular, but the problem now is that Sintra is undersupported by pattern part makers, and to some extent by the main dealers who usually need to order Sintra parts specially. They are then quite expensive.

PoL comment.
What I keep on saying, dealers employ spannerless mechanics and staff who find it impossible to think and act for themselves. Its probably because the "system" that is used does not allow for car breakdowns and concerned owners and thus we are treated as a necessary evil.
Go to an independent garage as this owner has done to get the job done properly, PoL.

kdoughty@ntlworld.com
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Vauxhall Sintra 2200cc Diesel MPV 1999

HI THERE,I AM DYING WITH LAUGHTER READING ALL THE COMMENTS THAT YOU MUGS HAVE SENT IN,THEN I REMEMBERED I BOUGHT ONE OF THESE HEAPS OF SCRAP 2 WEEKS AGO.I AM STILL LAUGHING,CAUSE IF I STOP I WILL CRY!WHO ON EARTH DECIDED TO PUT THIS PILE OF JUNK ON T...
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maguire23@btinternet.com
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Vauxhall Sintra 2200cc People Carrier 1999

just got it some problems nice.

What does your comment mean John. Is it nice to have problems, or have you problems that need sorting.
Give some more info and someone might be able to e mail you who have had the same and can put you right. PoL.

john.pm@fsmail.net
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Vauxhall Sintra 3000cc CDX MPV 1998

Just found this site today (Jul 2004) - how I wish I had found it before I bought my Sintra. Like other comments I really like the car, but it's doing it's best to stop me I too have had a headlight lens fall out, and the other headlight is getting ...
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Vauxhall Sintra 3000cc CDX Automatic People Carrier 1998

Pleased with car, good for motorway driving. Suffered headlamp falling out but Vauxhall replaced whole unit free of charge. Alarm kept going off - cured by putting clingfilm over the internal sensors - never had a problem since. Rear wiper just faile...
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paul847martin@aol.com
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Vauxhall Sintra 3000cc CDX Automatic MPV 1998

One to avoid I have owned the car 6 months, all I can say it is a good job I am a mechanic. Let’s see alarm randomly goes off. Rear wiper failed, rear disc cracked but still had lots of metal and was not worn. Head gasket went that was an emotional j...
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duntystorm@hotmail.com
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Vauxhall Sintra 2300cc People Carrier 1998

The Sintra suffers from really bad press, however I have owned my Sintra for 10 years and apart from the usual electrical and battery problems the car has been fine. A pleasure to drive, still the best looking MPV ever, and great with 3 kids and Guid...
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dwilkes@tinyworld.co.uk
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Vauxhall Sintra 2200cc CD People Carrier 1998

We bought the car 3 1/2 years ago and have had numerous faults with our car also. The air conditioning was not working when we bought the car and it was just topped up (and they were trying to charge us £100 each time) instead of fixing the problem....
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hjphillips@supanet.com
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Vauxhall Sintra 2200cc CD MPV 1998

What can I say??? Having read the other comments it would appear that there is a big problem with the alarm, as I to have the same problem. £170+ for a new battery! £240 for a 50k service The design is good, the car overall is good. The pr...
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alan.cummings4@btopenworld.com
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Vauxhall Sintra 2200cc MPV 1998

Bonnet replaced under corrosion warranty (blistered on back edge). Headlights replaced by Vauxhall (damp inside and bonding failing). Alarm goes off for no reason; looked at three times by Vauxhall dealers but no fault found. Car now not driveable a...
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michaeljoyner@onetel.net.uk
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Vauxhall Sintra 2200cc MPV 1998

What a heap of rubbish fault after fault. ABS packed up, radio packed up, numerous electrical faults, and way over the top fuel consumption at times 15 to the gallon. Serious fuel and power problems. Alarm goes off for no reason; headlight glass fal...
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Vauxhall Sintra 2200cc MPV 1998

I have been having problem with the electric on my mpv 1st the alarm keeps going off for no reason then the reversing lights stopped working then the rear washwipe motor the headlight cover fell off I have try to get a manual for the car which is a ...
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Vauxhall Sintra 2200cc Saloon 1998

This is one of the best cars I've had. Only has one minor problem the interior light has a short which has been fixed.

wayneplummer33@yahoo.co.uk
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Vauxhall Sintra 2200cc CD People Carrier 1998

If I had read the reviews on your website first, obviously we would NEVER have bought this car. I have to say it is fairly reliable and so much roomier than most other people carriers but tends to play up around about MOT time....warning lights rand...
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geoff_05@blueyonder.co.uk
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Vauxhall Sintra 2200cc cd MPV 1998

can anyone give me a rough estimate of what abs units cost for the sintra as mine has failed its mot due to the light been on the dash. after having it in a garage they tell me the abs system will not even comunicate with their computer and that it c...
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nikki_a_v_p@hotmail.com
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Vauxhall Sintra 2200cc 16v gls People Carrier 1998

engine check light on my sintra sometimes flashes,and engine wont start anyone know why this is happening.

maddicko@hotmail.es
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Vauxhall Sintra 2200cc Saloon 1998

I have to say that this vehicle has been fantastic! It now as 111k on the clock & never let me down once. I am still on the original clutch. I can't understand the mentality of you idiots who use the main dealer, it's no wonder you have such huge bil...
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Steady on old chap, calling the punters who use main dealer garages idiots is no way to convince them of the errors of their ways. We must reason with them by using the costs as a lever and the friendly attitude when you have a repair done. PoL

REPLY:
Just to say I apologize for calling them idiots. I just want to add that The car is a very comfortable drive & the interior trim has very nice curves. A lot better than many interiors I have seen in much newer vehicles. Ahead of it's time. It pulls really well, even with eight people inside. I have driven a friends Zafira & I much prefer my Sintra. It's such a shame it has been discontinued. A piece of advice, you can still get spares using 1st choice (Breakers) at very reasonable cost. Also the problem with the lights can be easily resolved with silicone sealant. Also you can change the rear light bulbs using an allen key to undo the screws.
Hope this helps.

stevehill@edfenergy.com
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Vauxhall Sintra 3100cc MPV 1997

My Sintra suffers from sudden headlight failure (rather dangerous).

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Vauxhall Sintra 3000cc cdx Automatic People Carrier 1997

ive had this sintra v6 for three years now and had nothing but problems with it.ive approx spent one and a half grand on repairs and now have more repairs to fix.as much as i love my car i also hate it just as much.the problems i have at the moment w...
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philipallan1@yahoo.co.uk
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Vauxhall Sintra 2200cc CD Estate 1997

I have had car nearly a year and have had minimal engine problems just general maintenance requirements. Had slight oil leak recently coming out of the rocker gasket, other than that no problems. I would recommend this car for large families very st...
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pauld115@hotmail.com
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Vauxhall Sintra 2200cc Estate 1997

Oh boy, where do I begin The alarm goes off when you lock it with the remote so just use the key to lock it The biggest problem is the engine oil cooler, if it leaks like mine did, then beware as they don't make them any more, so take it to a main de...
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UPDATE:
As PoL has requested this is my follow up to my original comments Not long after I bought the car the headlights packed up, a corroded wire, replaced by Vauxhall for a mere £100, the lights were ok for about a year then they failed not once but about 3 times. Vauxhall would have it charge £50 and then wait for it to go again. It was a dirty connection from the battery; you try getting to the battery on a Sintra The windscreen wipers never sat where they should, Vauxhall wanted to replace arms & motor the cost £350+ labour, they stayed not sitting correctly The rear wiper sounded so loud when it worked the kids used to jump out of their skins, they got used to it eventually. Water had got into the spindle and corroded it A bulb blew on the LED for the radio, clock etc in it went to Vauxhall when it rained the LED gave up the ghost, there is a fault on the board that powers it, said Vauxhall, we will have to take out the dash and put a new one in, no thanks, that cost TOO MUCH There are a few other tales to tell but I think you get the gist I've sold it and I'm glad.

simonmayer@corby-power-station.com
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Vauxhall Sintra 2200cc People Carrier 1997

Same faults as the rest, light covers fall out. I went to the US and brought a front head light from a Ventura dealer. It was half the price they charge over here It is a big car without the seats, the drive is good but the faults, and the fact that...
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dion.walters@talk21.com
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Vauxhall Sintra 2200cc 7 Seat MPV 1997

Had a few faults. ABS packed-up - now repaired (under warranty). Alarm goes off for no reason (any ideas how to fix?) Rear wash motor stopped working Wouldn’t buy another.

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Vauxhall Sintra 2200cc MPV 1997

Like someone else I have also had problems with the alarm going off. Even more annoying is the fact that I have twice lost the glass of the headlight! I could have coped with that if there were glasses to be bought, but no, you have to buy a complet...
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Vauxhall Sintra 2200cc People Carrier 1997

headlamp failure lost lens, abs hub failure, coils replaced rear wiper and failed led display. Cam belt failure at68K VX coughed up for latter. Still I like the car due to its size performance and versatility and am now at 142K with local garage serv...
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partridm@aol.com
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Vauxhall Sintra 2200cc cd MPV 1997

I own an ex-hire cavalier with heaps of mileage on it and being impressed with its reliability, I fancied the Sintra as the family was getting larger and this being somewhat larger than the Galaxy.

Picked up the 3 year old vehicle Wednesday,...
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gdover24@hotmail.com
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Vauxhall Sintra 2200cc CD People Carrier 1997

I downsized from a mercedes V class to this so the size drop is taking a bit of getting used too, but saying that their is more room in them than a galaxy or sharan! The car drives very nicely and is extremely good on fuel!
I had it 1 week when i...
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trevorsword@hotmail.com
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Vauxhall Sintra cdx Automatic MPV 1997

my sintra was took to a local vauxhall dealer on the twelve of january for the heaters to be fixed.i got my car back late that evening only to find my alarm system was not working.on the monday morning went to the car to find a flat battery back to t...
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philipallan1@yahoo.co.uk
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Vauxhall Sintra 2300cc People Carrier 1996

Beautiful Car to drive, fabulous interior, large and luxurious however definitely a lemon. After buying it I was back in the garage within the week with a list of problems such as rear wash wipe not working, cigarette lighter not working, check engi...
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peter.torrington@ntlworld.com
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Vauxhall Sintra 2100cc People Carrier 1996

Same problems - headlight glass fell out twice, in UK Vauxhall replaces this free of charge. LED display broke, fuel gauge broken The latest is ignition problems - no spark, which miraculously reappears when the car is transported to the garage (5 t...
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Vauxhall Sintra 3000cc CDX Automatic Saloon

Like you all i love my Sintra , begged my other half to get one . Now all I want is to get rid.We've had it about 3 yrs, came home from work one day thought someone had nicked headlight !!. It had fell off -great. rear wiper packed up.Front headligh...
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UPDATE
GREAT NEWS .. WE DIDNT NEED TO PUT THE STARTER MOTOR ON, IT WASNT THE PROBLEM.IT WAS GONNA BE A MAMMOTH TASK AND WE BOUGHT A SECOND HAND ONE FROM A VAUXHALL CAVALIER ..BUT TO GET TO THE STARTER MOTOR ON A SINTRA IS BEYOND ALL HOPE ,, SO HUBBY THOUGHT HE WOULD TAKE OFF THIS PIECE OF PLASTIC THAT IS LOCATED IN THE WHEEL ARCH HIDING ALL THE PULLEY WHEELS .. AND THERE THE LITTLE BLIGHTER WAS ..;. THE WIRE FROM THE BATTERY TO STARTER MOTOR WAS IN HALF !!..CAN YOU BELIEVE IT ?.. WELL, WE HEARD THAT IT COULD COST £100 OR MORE FROM VAUXHALL TO FIX SO WE GOT A VERY LARGE CONNECTOR AND JOINED THE WIRE AND .......HEY PRESTO IT WORKED ..OTHER HALF WAS JUMPING AND PUNCHING THE AIR LIKE HE HAD JUST COMPLETED THE LONDON MARATHON !!. SO THE MORAL OF THE STORY IS . IF IT DONT START CHECK THIS LEAD OUT BEFORE TAKING IT DOWN YOUR LOCAL VAUXHALL DEALER ,SO THEY CAN STAND THERE SUCKING THEIR LIPS AND RUBBING THEIR HANDS TOGETHER. THINKING ABOUT HOW MUCH MONEY THEY ARE GONNA GET OUT OF YOU .......NOW ..WHERE CAN I GET RID OF A STARTER MOTOR FOR A V6 CAVALIER ??

indetaginagin@aol.com
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