I went ahead with the Insignia VXR
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Wait...
So if I'm to believe MikeHiow, an engine's lifespan is going to be greater when the car is being hammered around a race track all day, despite the huge extra strain on the components and extra friction and therefore heat induced with the engine pretty much always being at WOT under load? Rrriiiggghhttt
And the rest of the car? The gearbox, differential, heck the whole drivetrain is obviously going to be happier to be constantly under load having to transmit huge amounts of continuous torque than cruising along the motorway, too. Oh and the suspension components, wheel bearings etc will also last much longer while constantly having forces exerted on them than travelling sedately in a straight line.
Am I missing something?
Yes, the brakes can be replaced, the tyres can be replaced, the clutch can be replaced, they can change the oil every 2 laps if they want, but these things to not add up to the overall health of the car.
I know it's widely believed that an engine which is driven in a "healthy" fashion from the beginning, i.e. warmed up before using the entire rev range rather than pottering around never exceeding 2,500rpm is likely to be in better "condition" from a bedding-in point of view, but what we're talking about here is somewhat different.
So if I'm to believe MikeHiow, an engine's lifespan is going to be greater when the car is being hammered around a race track all day, despite the huge extra strain on the components and extra friction and therefore heat induced with the engine pretty much always being at WOT under load? Rrriiiggghhttt
And the rest of the car? The gearbox, differential, heck the whole drivetrain is obviously going to be happier to be constantly under load having to transmit huge amounts of continuous torque than cruising along the motorway, too. Oh and the suspension components, wheel bearings etc will also last much longer while constantly having forces exerted on them than travelling sedately in a straight line.
Am I missing something?
Yes, the brakes can be replaced, the tyres can be replaced, the clutch can be replaced, they can change the oil every 2 laps if they want, but these things to not add up to the overall health of the car.
I know it's widely believed that an engine which is driven in a "healthy" fashion from the beginning, i.e. warmed up before using the entire rev range rather than pottering around never exceeding 2,500rpm is likely to be in better "condition" from a bedding-in point of view, but what we're talking about here is somewhat different.
Gearbox, diff etc are irrelevant - cars only have 2 components, the engine block and brakes.
As bad as MikeiHow is etc, and each to their own opinions, just look at the numpties who are on a constant crusade to attack and belittle him, with such ferocity too... Just ignore him, I don't agree with half of what he says either, but I don't feel compelled to be on some self righteous crusade to pick on him...
As far as the OP's car is concerned, it seems to receive reasonable praise in the press, and it's not like it's a new Golf 1.4 on horrific finance, so although it's not how I'd spend £20K, it's a perfectly OK choice IMO, considering it has reasonable poke, a decent interior (for it's class), and a generous kit list.. It's a bit in your face, but that's VXR for you, and in a way, I kind of like that!
As far as the OP's car is concerned, it seems to receive reasonable praise in the press, and it's not like it's a new Golf 1.4 on horrific finance, so although it's not how I'd spend £20K, it's a perfectly OK choice IMO, considering it has reasonable poke, a decent interior (for it's class), and a generous kit list.. It's a bit in your face, but that's VXR for you, and in a way, I kind of like that!
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Soldato
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LOLVauxhall
I quite like the Insignia VXR to look at I think they look impressive without going over the top with the melted plastic effect that you get on the Corsa and Astra.
Those wheels though, are you going with any aftermarket wheels by any chance?
I quite like the Insignia VXR to look at I think they look impressive without going over the top with the melted plastic effect that you get on the Corsa and Astra.
Those wheels though, are you going with any aftermarket wheels by any chance?
I was told on the VXR trackday that all the cars would be crushed at the end of the 'season' after I remarked that I wouldn't want to buy one of their 'ex demo' cars 
.
Re: the Insignia, it's a hell of a lot of car for the money. Build quality is solid (considering the market it's in), it looks great and is smooth and effortlessly powerful to drive. Keep it a few years and depreciation is irrelevant. I don't think I'd buy one but at £18,000, it's a pretty sound choice IMO.
.Re: the Insignia, it's a hell of a lot of car for the money. Build quality is solid (considering the market it's in), it looks great and is smooth and effortlessly powerful to drive. Keep it a few years and depreciation is irrelevant. I don't think I'd buy one but at £18,000, it's a pretty sound choice IMO.
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
Motors has always been like this, for as long as I can remember. It isnt every thread and the threads it is in are obvious and easy to ignore.
Some people enjoy the debate and banter, some don't. If you dont thats cool but the 4+ page threads are easy to avoid and the debates dont tend to start until after the thread has run its course anyway.
Bit like your crusade against some on this forum and the fact you dont like what they post
MikeH consistently posts things that are wrong or misleading and in the interest of accuracy if somebody posts wrong or misleading information they should be challenged. Just as I am rightly challenged when I post piffle.
The reason it seems like an onslaught is because its rather unique in that it literally is only him that thinks these things, therefore those who disagree amount to the rest of the internet
Soldato
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OP: I like it. Looks many times better than the last Vectra did. Whilst I cannot comment on how it drives or the reliability, it certainly looks the part.
That isn't what I said, perhaps you should read the thread properly.
Yes, providing it had been maintained properly, its a great opportunity to save a lot of money, but that is besides the point here.
iaind said:
Blame Fox; http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=17691546&postcount=193
Don't agree with what I've said? I'd be interested to hear why you feel an engine that isn't maintained as well, run from cold several times a day and smokes up and down the motorway at a constant rpm is going to be in any better condition than one being used hard all day every day for a few weeks.
You don't have a reason? Fine, don't bother posting. This happened with the 'Fast' thread*, people didn't like what I said because it didn't sound right and it wasn't just the event in question it was right down to whether you could do 100MPH in two thirds of a mile for christ sake. Until of course, I proved that and people began to lay off a little.
My point is, Fox and a select few (Peerzy, Wicksta, DRZ) have a bone, and they are trying to run with it across other threads (including this one). None of these people are capable of entering discussion ie. "Well, I don't agree with that because of X Y and Z", but instead you get the "LOL, QUESTION CREDIBILITY, MISQUOTE, YOU ARE FUNNY, THIS IS WRONG, QUESTION CREDIBILITY, ARENT YOU ALWAYS WRONG, BUT OH I ACTUALLY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE SUBJECT"
It is becoming tiresome. Like I say, these threads wouldn't spiral down so quickly if someone could say "well, you're wrong because of X Y Z" rather than people just blinding claiming I'm wrong without quantifying their comments.
I'm always willing to involve myself in decent discussion, I'll even admit I'm wrong if it is shown inside said discussion. Hell, it is even possible I'm wrong on this account, but no one has shown why.
*(which, may I add said M3 owner requested a link to the thread and wishes to clarify my account when he next gets on the internet)
Says it right here.
It's clear they haven't been looked after, had you of seen how they were treated you'd run a mile. Yet you'd rather buy one based on the assumption they were 'looked after' over and above the service schedule. Forgetting the fact they've been properly abused over the course of a couple of months.
I think the key for you not to keep getting 'mauled' by the 'usual suspects' is to think what you say before posting, rather than the other way around. I've bought it on myself once, you're doing it now and after the nth lolthread, you still haven't learnt that posting outlandish and foolish statements often end up with an angry mob with burning internet pitchforks.
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That is a different discussion than the one we're on here, but yes, that statement is accurate.
[TW]Fox;17692571 said:
It's laughable because it doesn't sound right to you, this is exactly my point. Quantify why it is laughable.
[TW]Fox;17692364 said:Bit like your crusade against some on this forum and the fact you dont like what they post
At least it took 3+ pages of the bitchfesting before I opened my mouth, before that, my brain was fully engaged and on ignore mode
Shame others don't have such a measured response isn't it? And At least my 'crusade' is about getting people to be more balanced and tolerant, shockingly bad I know...
Seriously, no point arguing over it, we all know that never ends well either! and it's not exactly as if I remotely would side with his statements on this, I'd rather just ignore..
In fact, I'd rather talk about the fact the Alloys look a little marmite and aftermarket, one thing I'd rather see toned down.. But I think that's going to get lost in this thread..
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I'm glad, we've managed to ascertain that you are completely bonkers. Well done.
FWIW, every single one of those Insignias were abused very hard, smelly clutch and burning brakes ahoy. Managed to clip the curb a couple of times and I don't doubt many before me did too. I wouldn't pay 5k for one, let alone 18-20k. If I wanted a fast Vauxhall for that money, I'd be sitting in a VXR8 right now.
The sheer fact you are arguing with people who have seen first hand how these cars have been treated and still choose to argue the toss is amazing.
Soldato
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Oops, please ignore
Based on my own experience of maintaining and racing a car for three years at places like Silverstone and Spa Francorchamps I can categorically say that the life of an engine is greatly reduced when it is constantly being pushed to the limit, even if its only for a short duration of say 50 laps a weekend let alone what these VXR cars do. I know my motor racing background probably isn't a patch on yours but that's my experience.
What was said "racing car"?
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