Vauxhall Astra Turbo opinions?
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Friend just bought one, loves it
(If your talking about the MK4 GSI.)
Thats it. This one
Friend just bought one, loves it
(If your talking about the MK4 GSI.)
Test drove the gsi before I got the teg. Was pretty disappointed with it, whenever I put my foot down the electronics interfered and ruined it. Looking online after I got back from the test drive it seems you cant turn it off aswell - I presume this was some TC? It should have been a cool car (~200hp and turbo) but it really wasn't any fun at all. Also not particularly fast ( ~7.5 to 60). Much better cars for the money.
My brothers had one of those, in his long line of hot hatches
Overall it's actually quite a good car,
1. It does not 'handle' as well as some of the other Hot Hatches, mainly turn-in and front end grip, it does however hustle along very very well and is reasonably engaging to drive, although it is one of the cars that does give less feedback through the steering wheel then most would like..
2. The Engine is great, a very linear torque curve, and doesn't run out of breath top end, it's beaten by the 215 LCR,
Tuning is easy and cheap, 230-235BHP is achievable via basic remap..
It's main competitor is a 215BHP Lean Cupra R, this has a trick front end diff arrangement, and 215BHP, so it pips it on most fronts.. however, it's not a night and day difference, but with the same driver, the LCR has the edge..
Problems wise, AFAIK there are no major issues, the Turbo's are reasonably good, and can be swapped for the new VXR turbo for a bit more boost, gearboxes etc are all standard fair and will last the distance..
But, the main issue is the driving style, it's got more power then the chassis can really effectively put down, and you have to adjust your driving style, if you just drive it on a digital throttle, you won't be going anywhere fast, you need to feed the power in, and be more controlled..
I personally would say an LCR is a better bet, as would an TEG of course, but like most vauxhalls, if you drive them reasonably sympathetically they are reasonably quick cars.
My brother never had issues keeping up or pulling away from many hot hatches in his, but then he's a reasonably experienced driver, obviously down to the driver in most cases, which is how it is normally, getting a Lotus Elise does not make you instantly untouchable..
Overall it's actually quite a good car,
1. It does not 'handle' as well as some of the other Hot Hatches, mainly turn-in and front end grip, it does however hustle along very very well and is reasonably engaging to drive, although it is one of the cars that does give less feedback through the steering wheel then most would like..
2. The Engine is great, a very linear torque curve, and doesn't run out of breath top end, it's beaten by the 215 LCR,
Tuning is easy and cheap, 230-235BHP is achievable via basic remap..
It's main competitor is a 215BHP Lean Cupra R, this has a trick front end diff arrangement, and 215BHP, so it pips it on most fronts.. however, it's not a night and day difference, but with the same driver, the LCR has the edge..
Problems wise, AFAIK there are no major issues, the Turbo's are reasonably good, and can be swapped for the new VXR turbo for a bit more boost, gearboxes etc are all standard fair and will last the distance..
Yeah, it is quite intrusive, it can't be completely turned off. although on my brothers, he had a TC switch, that 'lessened' it..
But, the main issue is the driving style, it's got more power then the chassis can really effectively put down, and you have to adjust your driving style, if you just drive it on a digital throttle, you won't be going anywhere fast, you need to feed the power in, and be more controlled..
I personally would say an LCR is a better bet, as would an TEG of course, but like most vauxhalls, if you drive them reasonably sympathetically they are reasonably quick cars.
My brother never had issues keeping up or pulling away from many hot hatches in his, but then he's a reasonably experienced driver, obviously down to the driver in most cases, which is how it is normally, getting a Lotus Elise does not make you instantly untouchable..
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I didnt drive it like a digital throttle
Just tried to make quick progress down some country lanes. I mean, it was quick, but didnt feel as fast as other 200ish bhp cars. I didnt like the gear change either but im comparing it again with the teg (which I test drove before it which I guess is why I dont rate the astra that highly) which has a really precise satisfying change. Much nicer interior on the astra though and less intrusive road noise so as a daily driver I imagine it would be better than the teg. Id say 7k was about the going rate actually for the gsi and they havent dropped much since I was looking this time last year. If you really like it when you test drive it then go for it as it is a capable car, but it just wasnt the car for me - try a few hot hatches etc before you make up your mind. The one car I really regret not test driving was the cupra R but at the time they were going for 10k upwards so were slightly out of my price range.
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I think Vauxhalls get a lot of bad press from people like Clarkson who demonstrates that planting your foot while trying to turn a bend understeers - no **** Sherlock.
My Vectra GSI will understeer like mad if you just plant your foot and turn, if you ease the throttle on you can go quite quick.
Although I do feel that 7k is a little steep for an Astra that is 4-5 years old
My Vectra GSI will understeer like mad if you just plant your foot and turn, if you ease the throttle on you can go quite quick.
Although I do feel that 7k is a little steep for an Astra that is 4-5 years old
The point is, other cars understeer less in the same situation. I agree though, not all vauxhalls are bad, the Vectra is one of the worst for understering - so much so that its dangerous.
I didnt drive it like a digital throttle
Fair, point, I didnt mean to infer you where hamfisted driving it, just in general.. compared to a Teg, it is defo a notch down on most aspects of handling..
And I'd agree that the power delivery is so linear, like most modern turbo hot hatches, it doesn't feel that 'quick'. but it is a 7.0 second 0-60 and 150MPH car..
The LCR is the obvious rival I think to the GSi, and would be something I'd be seriously considering as well..
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Have you driven the MK2 GSI? I wouldn't say they are dangerous, everything is predictable and progressive, in the dry when cornering at an appropriate speed I get good turn in. Infact I have got into some pretty hairy situations (through inappropriate use of speed!) and it has always held on....just
another quality post
all you do is say OMGROFLIAMGAY without actually giving any advice.
why don't just you just fo?
You are talking about power understeer, not static understeer, the chassis isn't class leading, and that's not in doubt (well by me at least), but the main let down is that you can't get the power down cleanly while cornering, and so it understeers 'badly' under power, lift off the throttle, and it grips.. it's not dangerous in the slightest..
Do you have specifics, or have you just been watching Top Gear with the Veccie VXR antics?
[edit]Have you driven the MK2 GSI? I wouldn't say they are dangerous, everything is predictable and progressive, in the dry when cornering at an appropriate speed I get good turn in. Infact I have got into some pretty hairy situations (through inappropriate use of speed!) and it has always held on....just[/edit]
My brothers had 2 GSi veccies, and one of our mates still has one, and yes, they actually handle more then OK for most people. I've always been happy with the grip levels and how predictable the chassis is, it only understeers when off the throttle when right at the limit, which is quite far!..
This is one thing I've always liked about being in a Vx, people just think they handle like crap, and assume all their cars are pants on the road, then get all antsy when you keep up/pull away, simply because any shortfalls in the chassis etc aren't anywhere near the difference the driver makes..
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I dont watch top gear or read reviews from magazines. I drive the cars im interested in and form my own opinions. It was the mk1 vectra ive driven and I would say yes it was dangerous, even with a tiny bit of throttle round corners it was a little unpredictable. In all fairness its not meant to have razor sharp handling but I was less than impressed. The mk2 may well be a big step up in the handling department.
nuff said
i'd rather spent 7k in a brothel then on an astra, rather take the bus too, it has a less chavier image lol
I followed one a while ago when I had my scoob, was quite quick but didn't handle too well. I ended up giving it plenty of room as it looked like it was looking for a ditch to hide in.
We had a MK3 Astra and I'm afraid it put me off Vauxhall for life. If thats the car in the pic, personally I would save some more and buy one of the cars in the background
We had a MK3 Astra and I'm afraid it put me off Vauxhall for life. If thats the car in the pic, personally I would save some more and buy one of the cars in the background