RE: PH Blog: Astra timeline
Discussion
Had a MKII CDi which used the same 1.8i lump, great car, loved it until the door locks got punched, then the ignition before becoming a statistic.
Always loved the MKI and seem to remember a few 'specials' over the years at various car shows with Calibra lumps dropped into them.
But have to say my favourite Vauxhall Hot Hatch was..............
Always loved the MKI and seem to remember a few 'specials' over the years at various car shows with Calibra lumps dropped into them.
But have to say my favourite Vauxhall Hot Hatch was..............
I do have a soft spot for any Vauxhalls and they get a lot of bad press, but they make some of the most competent cars in their class. The styling may at times be boring, but I like the current range on offer. In fact, my family has had about 12 VX in the past.
The new VXR looks great.
The new VXR looks great.
Don't like Vauxhalls in general but have always fancied a Mk1 or Mk2 GTE. The Mk1 would have to be Polar White as in the pictures though, the other colours are much more understated (less colour-coded parts?). A friend had a red one, quite understated, rather swift and lovely seats. Nasty dash though and weird ear trumpet style mirror adjusters which I always remember for some reason.
Just remembered that I used to have a free poster, from Autocar I think, on my bedroom wall of a Mk2 Astra with something about the New Zealand Rally 1989. Just googled the results, and sure enough Malcolm Wilson finished 3rd in one, behind a couple of Mazda 323s. A Kadett GSi was 4th, with Colin MacRae 5th in a Sierra Cossie
Although what I really wanted was a Warsteiner E30 M3
Seem to remember from somewhere that the Mk2 was more aerodynamic than the Mk3
Although what I really wanted was a Warsteiner E30 M3
Seem to remember from somewhere that the Mk2 was more aerodynamic than the Mk3
Clivey said:
Really, even if yore the most senseless Vauxhall hater this does look silly coming from someone with a Mk4 Golf. Are we not forgetting the Mk4 2.0 (115ps) "GTi"? The equivalent Astra was a keen handler (certainly better than said Golf) AND a good 2+ seconds faster to 60 (The 2.2 SRi with 145ps did it in around 8 seconds).
The Mk2 GTE was an absolute riot, and if you wanted to play with the suspension you could do and the great thing was that ti wouldn't cost you the Earth. OK, the Mk3 didn't set the world on fire but the Mk3 Golf GTi wasn't exactly a rocket ship either. As for the Escort; please. The RS can't even be considered in the same class due to the massive price difference.
The last Astra VXR was also faster than all of it's competition on release. I've driven one and it's a properly exciting hot hatch. Yes; it torque steers but unless you're built like a mouse you can easily drive through it, usually with a wide grin on your face. It all adds to the fun, reminding you that you're not just driving another synthesised computer game car like some of the others in it's class. It also helps that it looks great too.
There really is a whole s
theap of unjustified bandwagon jumping going on on this forum. It would be amusing, akin to watching idiots trying parkour on YouTube, but this is meant to be a place for enthusiasts who are intelligent enough to think for themselves...hence the sense of humour failure.
You are Ronnin The Mk2 GTE was an absolute riot, and if you wanted to play with the suspension you could do and the great thing was that ti wouldn't cost you the Earth. OK, the Mk3 didn't set the world on fire but the Mk3 Golf GTi wasn't exactly a rocket ship either. As for the Escort; please. The RS can't even be considered in the same class due to the massive price difference.
The last Astra VXR was also faster than all of it's competition on release. I've driven one and it's a properly exciting hot hatch. Yes; it torque steers but unless you're built like a mouse you can easily drive through it, usually with a wide grin on your face. It all adds to the fun, reminding you that you're not just driving another synthesised computer game car like some of the others in it's class. It also helps that it looks great too.
There really is a whole s
theap of unjustified bandwagon jumping going on on this forum. It would be amusing, akin to watching idiots trying parkour on YouTube, but this is meant to be a place for enthusiasts who are intelligent enough to think for themselves...hence the sense of humour failure.
You mention the Golf as that is the only car i own right?
And what do you drive? a 110 hp Citroen C4 
On topic i really meant what i said,would you get a mk2 astra over a 16v GTI/1.9 GTI or 5 GTT ? The bloody things rust to bits so badly even the engine block is rusty in most of the cases.
the mk3 isn't better either,rust is their enemy,and driving wise as i said go french,Pug/Renault equivalents were same raw driving experience but way more fun.
And have you really driven all the Astra VXR rivals calling them "synthesised computer game car" ? I really think the dose of unnecessary fanboyism is ruining PH.
Really don't wanted to open a comparison debate as such but you made me do it,if you like these cars fair enough,surely they were fast at the time but i said what sounded right,80's especially had a big number of great hot hatches but Astras weren't the most preferable/desirable.
Edited by Hoygo on Tuesday 12th June 00:04
Hoygo said:
You are Ronnin
Nope...no nut washing requests / questionable (homo)sexual frustration here. Also the nearest thing to "the canyons" locally is probably the Peak District. 
Hoygo said:
You mention the Golf as that is the only car i own right? And what do you drive? a 110 hp Citroen C4
I'm not the one proclaiming that all hot Astras are the worst cars in their class though, am I? I was simply reminding you of the Mk4 Golf GTi, which hardly set the world alight itself. Your diesel is probably faster on the road if it's the 110BHP model or above! As for my C4: It's a commuting / shopping / town car which I got for the same price as a Corsa / Fiesta and I'm under no illusion that it's anything other than S-L-O-W. It's very comfortable and handles tidily for what it is though and now you come to mention it, better than the average Mk4 Golf. And what do you drive? a 110 hp Citroen C4 Hoygo said:
On topic i really meant what i said,would you get a mk2 astra over a 16v GTI/1.9 GTI or 5 GTT ? The bloody things rust to bits so badly even the engine block is rusty in most of the cases.
Actually, yes I would (get the Mk2 Astra over the 205 / Golf). All three of those if not taken care of would've succumbed to tin worm by now. We had a Mk2 Astra stolen in the early '90s by some (possibly blind) knuckle draggers in Nottingham...I say possibly blind because I wonder how long it took them to realise it was in fact a special edition 1.4 with a spoiler and the performance of a milk float.
The Police found it a couple of days later in a hotel car park - they'd slashed the interior and dumped it after realising their mistake. It only had a couple of miles more on the clock. Stupidly they also left evidence of other robberies behind in the car (other people's possessions), which the Police found very interesting.
But yes; The Mk2 GTE was a little firecracker (that's why the thieves nicked our car after mistaking it for one) and I'd happily not join the herd.
Hoygo said:
the mk3 isn't better either,rust is their enemy,and driving wise as i said go french,Pug/Renault equivalents were same raw driving experience but way more fun.
I can't imagine a 19 or 309 would be any better for rust at that age. We also had a 19 in the family and it couldn't wait to fizzle away back into the ground, whereas up until last year we were still using a Mk3 Astra estate as a workhorse. We made the mistake of swapping it for a Ka van because we thought it'd be cheaper to run - the joke is that the Ka is an "02" plate and has rusted worse than all of the above put together!Hoygo said:
And have you really driven all the Astra VXR rivals calling them "synthesised computer game car" ? I really think the dose of unnecessary fanboyism is ruining PH.
I've not driven all of the rivals, no...but I have driven the Golf GTi & Mazda 3 MPS and a 1-Series (123d), Focus and of course C4 of the same generation. In fact, the Astra was more exciting than all of them and comparable to a 350Z IMHO. As for fanboyism: Another look on my profile will show you that I own a BMW and a Citroen. I'm not exactly sure if you understand the term but trolling will get you nowhere.Hoygo said:
Really don't wanted to open a comparison debate as such but you made me do it,if you like these cars fair enough,surely they were fast at the time but i said what sounded right,80's especially had a big number of great hot hatches but Astras weren't the most preferable/desirable.
That's a matter of opinion, but I stand by what I originally said in that they certainly weren't the worst in class...
A mate of mine was a traffic copper in the late 80's/early 90's, back when car crime was a big problem. Everyone in the office used to fight over the Sierra and Escort Cosworth keys, though the Sierra was generally considered the superior car.
He always used to take the keys for the mk2 Astra GTE. No-one else ever wanted it, fighting for the Cosworths (I would have been too mind). He thought it was great around town, easily able to keep up with the Sierra Cosworth around tight streets and just as quick on those roads. Of course, on the open roads and B roads it was no match for the Cosworth but he was fond enough of it and still talks about it now as one of the best cars he has driven on traffic.
He always used to take the keys for the mk2 Astra GTE. No-one else ever wanted it, fighting for the Cosworths (I would have been too mind). He thought it was great around town, easily able to keep up with the Sierra Cosworth around tight streets and just as quick on those roads. Of course, on the open roads and B roads it was no match for the Cosworth but he was fond enough of it and still talks about it now as one of the best cars he has driven on traffic.
I had a lovely 1989 G reg black mk2 GTE back in the day, sadly only the 8v.
I absolutely loved it! It was my first 'decent' car and properly quick after the crappy bangers I'd run about in before.
130bhp doesn't sound like anything special now, but in the mid 90's it was still loads in a hatchback, as it was a 2.0l lump it had plenty of torque too and in a straight line she really flew. She was a handful in the wet with no traction control, no LSD and crappy nearly bald ditchfinders though! To be honest the engine was quicker than the rest of the car could really handle - but that's what made it so exciting and surely the whole attraction of hot hatches!!
I still miss that funky LCD dash too, not only did it look like something cool NASA had designed for the space shuttle but it actually worked brilliantly as well - I've never seen the point of dials since.
I absolutely loved it! It was my first 'decent' car and properly quick after the crappy bangers I'd run about in before.
130bhp doesn't sound like anything special now, but in the mid 90's it was still loads in a hatchback, as it was a 2.0l lump it had plenty of torque too and in a straight line she really flew. She was a handful in the wet with no traction control, no LSD and crappy nearly bald ditchfinders though! To be honest the engine was quicker than the rest of the car could really handle - but that's what made it so exciting and surely the whole attraction of hot hatches!!
I still miss that funky LCD dash too, not only did it look like something cool NASA had designed for the space shuttle but it actually worked brilliantly as well - I've never seen the point of dials since.
Bloody hell thats a good looking car 
. Could upset the other newcomer the ST pretty badly if it drives as well as it promises too, this is stunning in my eyes and Im not a huge fan of modern 'coupe' hatches. The ST looks at best bland and at worst ugly, overstyled in some areas and generally left wanting in others. That is just plain sexy, love the lines from the doorhandle back.
On another note, always thought the MK4 GSi was an underrated hatch. In Arden they looked great, the interiors were pretty nice places to be and they handled very well. Sounded absolutely brilliant with a decent performance exhaust too.
. Could upset the other newcomer the ST pretty badly if it drives as well as it promises too, this is stunning in my eyes and Im not a huge fan of modern 'coupe' hatches. The ST looks at best bland and at worst ugly, overstyled in some areas and generally left wanting in others. That is just plain sexy, love the lines from the doorhandle back. On another note, always thought the MK4 GSi was an underrated hatch. In Arden they looked great, the interiors were pretty nice places to be and they handled very well. Sounded absolutely brilliant with a decent performance exhaust too.
Adored my VXR, stuck 50k miles on it in just over a year and found with the 19" wheels the handling was in no way as lairy as told - a bit right field but not silly and you could really hook the little (actually quite big)beast up and use the power to get things done.
Also the only car I ever had that exactly matched its fuel consumption claim - supposed to get 30mpg and that is exactly what i got (though did a tank in Germany at 12!!)
The only odd thing was that when I moved it along and despite how much I liked it I never imagined for a second having another - I've known people have gaggles of Golfs and we are on our second Mini, but I'd never have signed up for another VXR, it really was a "been there done that" car and I really can't get excited about the new one which I'm sure is brilliant, yes I'd run it as a hack, but not for my own cash! I couldn't tell you why this is...
Also the only car I ever had that exactly matched its fuel consumption claim - supposed to get 30mpg and that is exactly what i got (though did a tank in Germany at 12!!)
The only odd thing was that when I moved it along and despite how much I liked it I never imagined for a second having another - I've known people have gaggles of Golfs and we are on our second Mini, but I'd never have signed up for another VXR, it really was a "been there done that" car and I really can't get excited about the new one which I'm sure is brilliant, yes I'd run it as a hack, but not for my own cash! I couldn't tell you why this is...
Edited by Numeric on Tuesday 12th June 06:35
thewheelman said:
MonkeyMatt said:
Bezza1969 said:
The Mk3 GSI is unfairly maligned. My mate had one and it was a very rapid car in a straightline...the problem was the traction control system. It was an early system and cut in way too early when you got on the power too soon. In terms of outright grip, the GSI was as grippy as anything from 1992, which lets face it must be the worst period in the history of the hot hatch.
I have fond memories of the Mk2. my cousin had an early one (1.8) and I remember in 1990 caning it down Keevil Airfield up to 112 MPH, 3 up. We were given really dirty looks by the local gliding fraternity!
New car looks nice!
My mk3 GSi was the worst car I have ever owned and Ive had a Metro!I have fond memories of the Mk2. my cousin had an early one (1.8) and I remember in 1990 caning it down Keevil Airfield up to 112 MPH, 3 up. We were given really dirty looks by the local gliding fraternity!
New car looks nice!
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