RE: Driven: Vauxhall Astra GTC
Discussion
Luca Brasi said:
thewheelman said:
My thoughts exactly when you made a pointless comment about Lexus 
Please do tell me how a car, any car can look like an "awful looking piece of s
t", as you so put it?
Shouldn't be that difficult.Please do tell me how a car, any car can look like an "awful looking piece of s
t", as you so put it?Edited by thewheelman on Monday 31st October 15:23
Pontiac Aztec, Ssangyong Rodius, Fiat Multipla, Lexus CT200h,...
Bit OT but judging by your profile wheelman you seem pretty bitter about something. Why not post up your car history as like you, I'm not bothered what people think?
Riggers said:
dave_s13 said:
£21,000.00p
Fack off.
When you can get something like a new Octavia Vrs DSG for £16.5k at the moment you'd have to be mental. But then, I hate Vauxhalls, for no real reason.
Give me the Octavia without the DSG and i'll be happy... but that's a heck of a bargain for what is theoretically a £20k car...Fack off.
When you can get something like a new Octavia Vrs DSG for £16.5k at the moment you'd have to be mental. But then, I hate Vauxhalls, for no real reason.
I don't think you can compare a mass market list price to a mass market discounted price though. These astras will be going through DTD etc as often as the octavias do. At 16k, they make more sense.
It's interesting that they chose a hillclimb because it's clearly MUCH closer to that 'b road drive' experience which we all (at least should be) so keen on.
I'm not in the slightest bit interested in cars tuned-for or shown-off-at a racetrack - I don't want the level of harshness which is required to lap one of those quickly - I don't want a car which expects nice clean smooth tarmac and has no concept of anything else.
So kudos for that idea to Vauxhall!
I'm not in the slightest bit interested in cars tuned-for or shown-off-at a racetrack - I don't want the level of harshness which is required to lap one of those quickly - I don't want a car which expects nice clean smooth tarmac and has no concept of anything else.
So kudos for that idea to Vauxhall!
Seems as if the Astra's getting a hard time on here. I've not driven it but going by other reviews i've read it seems to be well up there with the best, if not THE best for handling. As for looks, always very subjective, I like it. White isn't doing it any favours and i'm pretty sure in maybe red it would look even better.
As for the interior, it's very similar to the Insignia which i'm very familar with and would rate very highly. The VW is always regarded as the benchmark, but I find them quite dull. Price? Performance? On par with the competition, no?
As for the Octavia VRS which has been mentioned, as tempting as it is I don't think someone in the market for a 3dr hatch/coupe will end up buying a fast family car.
As for the interior, it's very similar to the Insignia which i'm very familar with and would rate very highly. The VW is always regarded as the benchmark, but I find them quite dull. Price? Performance? On par with the competition, no?
As for the Octavia VRS which has been mentioned, as tempting as it is I don't think someone in the market for a 3dr hatch/coupe will end up buying a fast family car.
Flanders. said:
Riggers said:
True that... Still could do with a better interior IMO...
I've always wanted to ask a Journo this, What did you mean by the interior not being great? As I don't normally drive around taping the Dash and pushing the glove box handle in.The key is really how easy, effective and intuitive the interior is to use as a whole, as well as the (utterly subjective) measure of how the whole thing hangs together in design terms.
In these respects, the Astra GTC doesn't feel quite as good as some of its competitors - not bad by any means, just not as good.
not as easy to use, as pleasing to the eye, or as reassuringly squidgy to the fingertips...
Hope that's of some help...
Flanders. said:
I've always wanted to ask a Journo this, What did you mean by the interior not being great? As I don't normally drive around taping the Dash and pushing the glove box handle in.
For my recent experience, this example. Compare a mk2 MX5 to a mk2 MR2. The MR2's interior is much better. Better materials, which feel more solid and look of a higher quality. The layout of things is better, easier to use whilst driving and more 'common sense'. The cabin ambience is important (I love dark, close cabins but the MX5 was tiny inside). The use of space; for instance the MR2 is not much bigger than the MX5 and they're both small, two seater sports cars, but the MR2 feels bigger and comfier inside. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOhGszwzg2M&fea...
Some pictures taken at a Preview evening before the GTC was released to the public/press. In the flesh this car is unlike anything else VX Manufacture.
Some pictures taken at a Preview evening before the GTC was released to the public/press. In the flesh this car is unlike anything else VX Manufacture.
Riggers said:
Flanders. said:
Riggers said:
True that... Still could do with a better interior IMO...
I've always wanted to ask a Journo this, What did you mean by the interior not being great? As I don't normally drive around taping the Dash and pushing the glove box handle in.The key is really how easy, effective and intuitive the interior is to use as a whole, as well as the (utterly subjective) measure of how the whole thing hangs together in design terms.
In these respects, the Astra GTC doesn't feel quite as good as some of its competitors - not bad by any means, just not as good.
not as easy to use, as pleasing to the eye, or as reassuringly squidgy to the fingertips...
Hope that's of some help...
St John Smythe said:
badboyburt said:
....loads of pics.....
It's a good looking car but does anyone else think that they've blatantly ripped off Alfa styling? Also, 21 inch wheels? On UK roads?Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff