Vauxhall Astra CDTI 888: Spotted
A 200hp Astra diesel with motorsport influence? You better believe it!
Moreover, Triple Eight developed Vauxhalls are not just a couple of badges and some fancy paint. There was the 888 Astra Coupe after the 2001 success, limited to 100 units and with Eibach dampers and 17-inch OZ wheels. There was a Triple Eight Astra VXR too, up to 300hp and a properly successful upgrade if the reviews are anything to go by.
Then there's this, the Astra CDTI 888. A St8alth specifically, but we'll come back to the daft name in a bit. There were just 100 Triple Eight diesels, actually priced at just £120 more than an SRI Sports Hatch when launched and £3K less than a petrol VXR. There was another 40hp (now 200hp), bespoke springs and dampers, the VXR bodykit, 335mm front discs with four-pot calipers and those gorgeous Team Dynamics wheels. There was 300lb ft too, enough for 0-60mph in 6.8 seconds and 145mph. How fast was it compared to a VXR? See here.
By all accounts it was a very successful raft of changes, a faster and much more engaging quick Astra diesel. And the St8alth thing? From forum and ad info, four of the 100 were built to this spec (which we'll call Stealth from now on) with Recaro seats and some glossy carbon bits inside and out. Not exactly major changes, but the seats at least look fantastic.
Appropriately enough the fastest diesel Astra actually faces a similar problem to the fastest petrol Astra: the Renaultsport Megane. Remember the DCI 175? Something of an unsung hero in the Renaultsport archive, it was very near the hallowed F1 230 dynamically with the promise of nearly 50mpg. And every single one for sale at the moment is less than the Triple Eight Astra. Hmm.
But the 888 remains an interesting car, an incredibly rare and genuinely talented fast Vauxhall. And it's not every day you can say that, is it? The Renault is more affordable and more numerous, the Vauxhall arguably better looking and should be faster. With diesel hardly being popular currently, there would probably be some room for negotiation too. Just get those St8alth badges off pronto.
VAUXHALL ASTRA CDTI 888
Engine: 1,910cc four-cylinder turbodiesel
Transmission: Six-speed manual, front wheel drive
Power (hp): 200@3,550rpm
Torque (lb ft): 300@2,750rpm
MPG: 45 (est.)
CO2: 149 (standard Astra CDTI)
First registered: 2006
Recorded mileage: 73,000
Price new: £17,995
Yours for: £7,250
See the original advert here.
With an ex wife, three kids and the corresponding maintenance to boot that person is me!
It's why I currently drive a Leon mk2 FR PD170 and in the context of a daily I love it. One day I will return to petrol and satisfy my needs properly but until I can justify (am able to afford) the costs I will be forever grateful for the performance diseasel.
Jimbo
All I'll say is I hope someone has fitted the restrictor plates on the EGR valve or deleted it completely in the ECU....
IMHO the astra is good fun, beats the dullness of a golf hands down.
As far as the 888 car goes, can't help but think if it was white and wore a four ring and s-line badge it'd be seen as a great car.
you buy a diesel cos you are doing high mileage, say 15K per year. You do 15K miles a year in that and the premium you paid will be gone as the miles rack up.
So to hold its value you need to use it as a 2nd car and do 3K per year. If you are only doing 3K per year then buy the VXR.
so either buy a VXR or buy the standard 3dr diesel with the XP kit for half the money + remap it.
also replacement front discs and pads are an eyewatering amount.
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