Vauxhall astra alternative

cyborg · 1 Feb 2006 at 17:51

I've posted loads of threads before about a new car, and still i have my 1995 1.4 8v astra. Paying so much for the insurance that i can't save up for another car, so im going to stop the insurance and save up for a new car in the summer. I liked the astra, yea the 1.4 8v are really slow, but i learned everything i needed to know about them, and they were easy to fix and reliable.

So i was thinking of going for a mk4 astra, 1.6 16v, give me alternatives, cars need to be around £2500.

cyborg · 1 Feb 2006 at 23:56

Hmm so thats it, focus and no others. I thought someone would have another suggestion.

cyborg · 2 Feb 2006 at 00:13

What is 'Climate pack'?

I did think of the saxo VTR, but i prefer the medium sized cars, and i also am wary of the image of it. In my area it would become a possible target to be stolen also.

cyborg · 2 Feb 2006 at 00:32

Heated front screens and washer jets :O i never even knew you could get such things!

cyborg · 2 Feb 2006 at 13:39

I really like the xsara 1.6VTR (cheaper on insurance. However it only seems like the facelift model of the VTR has the 0-60 below 10 seconds, if i am to believe parkers, and these seem to be hard to get for that price range.

I also like how the colt looks, but then, its a Mitsubishi, doesn't that mean expensive parts?

I just can't see myself driving a focus, or Astra again, id rather not have one, I'd like to drive down the street and people recognize my car because its at least a little unique.

I think i will wait untill a nice VTR comes up for sale, whats the interior like on these cars, hard to find pics of it.

cyborg · 2 Feb 2006 at 14:16

MikeWarner said:
How about a 1.6 astra? There is a big difference in power betweent the 1.4 and 1.6. Or do what my mate did with his 1.4 Astra - he fitted a 156bhp 2.0 16v engine and it shifts now (although insurance would not be good!). Have a look at the link in my signature for more Vauxhall related crap.

I fitted a 2.0 8v with 130bhp, and the f16 gearbox, but, the brakes for some reason screwed up, and even after changing absoloutly everything, still didn't work right, so i gave up on it, too high insurance anyway. After the amount of trouble i had with it, and the amount of work i put into it, my confidence for working on cars is shattered.

that Perodua Nippa is one ugly mofo.

cyborg · 2 Feb 2006 at 14:45

Well maybe unique was the wrong choice of wording, surely you know how i mean with astras and focus', theres a lot of them around. My friend has a focus also, but if one comes up at the price range i'll be sure to give it a look anyway.

yes mike i know where the nipples should be, i went through 3 sets of front calipers, including some from a v6 vectra. The brakes were constantly locking and would completly lock after about 20 minutes of driving due to the friction createing heat, i went through all the possiblities, and still the problem occured, the car is stripped out now anyway so too late.