Fast Vauxhalls from the ‘80s and ‘90s
Discussion
I'm not well, I'm clearly in need of help.
Im currently finding myself obsessing over late 80's early 90's Astra GTE's and Cavalier turbos.
I've never so much as sat in an Astra let alone driven one but I've always thought they looked pretty cool and the digital dash reminds me of my old UR quattro.
I have however had a chavalier before, albeit just a 2.0 ecotec and always wanted a turbo one when I had mine.
Of the two I'm leaning towards the astra as it's smaller (easier fit into my garage) and I think just edges it on retro cool.
I was going to post this in the relevant section on pistonheads but there isn't even a Vauxhall section which says a lot about my choices right now!
Anyone got any words of wisdom on what to look for, where to buy or even just to tell me to give my head a wobble - vauxhalls aren't cool!
Im currently finding myself obsessing over late 80's early 90's Astra GTE's and Cavalier turbos.
I've never so much as sat in an Astra let alone driven one but I've always thought they looked pretty cool and the digital dash reminds me of my old UR quattro.
I have however had a chavalier before, albeit just a 2.0 ecotec and always wanted a turbo one when I had mine.
Of the two I'm leaning towards the astra as it's smaller (easier fit into my garage) and I think just edges it on retro cool.
I was going to post this in the relevant section on pistonheads but there isn't even a Vauxhall section which says a lot about my choices right now!
Anyone got any words of wisdom on what to look for, where to buy or even just to tell me to give my head a wobble - vauxhalls aren't cool!
Rayny said:
Fast enough for you?
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/lotus/carlton
Yep, also wanted a Lotus carlton but wife vetoed it when they were £50kish as she thought i tlooks ugly! Think I've missed out on owning one now!https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/lotus/carlton
It was the various lotus carlton articles I've read recently and seeing a near immaculate Astra GTE 16v in lilac that got me started down this road!
LuS1fer said:
I was fooled by the hype and bought an Astra GTE 16v.
I sold it, 4 months later as it wasn't a great car at all. My old R5 GT Turbo was far better.
See, this is my worry. Unlike fast fords which seemingly only go up in value I'm at the risk of buying one, not loving it as much as I'd hoped and then find myself taking months to sell and/or taking a loss on resale. Especially if I end up going for one that needs some work.I sold it, 4 months later as it wasn't a great car at all. My old R5 GT Turbo was far better.
I've only had a few Cavaliers but liked them all, especially my last one a 1992 SRi. My sister loved her 8V Calibra too.
Late MK2 16V Astras with the red-top engine were once the most stolen car in the UK, so they must have got something right!
A mate had an early Mk3 GSi with the same engine as his company car, used it on a track day at Brands Hatch and loved it.
I suppose the Cavalier Turbo was the ultimate although a Calibra Turbo is better looking. If size isn't an issue another mate had a lovely Opel Monza with the digital dash but a 24V Carlton GSi would be great if budget doesn't quite stretch to a Lotus Carlton!
FWIW Vauxhall engines were way better than Ford ones in the 80s and early 90s IME.
Late MK2 16V Astras with the red-top engine were once the most stolen car in the UK, so they must have got something right!
A mate had an early Mk3 GSi with the same engine as his company car, used it on a track day at Brands Hatch and loved it.
I suppose the Cavalier Turbo was the ultimate although a Calibra Turbo is better looking. If size isn't an issue another mate had a lovely Opel Monza with the digital dash but a 24V Carlton GSi would be great if budget doesn't quite stretch to a Lotus Carlton!
FWIW Vauxhall engines were way better than Ford ones in the 80s and early 90s IME.
The most frightening experience (of quite a few!) Was being driven in an Astra GTE 16v.
Absolutely petrifying, I really thought we were going to leave the road multiple times.
But they look cracking amd that engine. I hear the ones on the continent were loads better so perhaps can be improved?
Absolutely petrifying, I really thought we were going to leave the road multiple times.
But they look cracking amd that engine. I hear the ones on the continent were loads better so perhaps can be improved?
The only thing wrong with a fast 80's or 90's Vauxhall is rust! Crack that and you're on to a winner.
There will always be haters (there is with any marque) and it has been a trend to bash Vauxhalls for quite sometime now. Most probably because of a certain Mr Clarkson!
Just remember the obvious, a 1990 Astra Mk2 isn't going to drive like a Golf mk8! So limit your expectations!
But, IMO they are cool. They will feel sort of fast, raw and connected. They're a modern classic and unlikely to lose money now. Finding a good one will be tricky, but a project could also be fun.
Mechanically simple, but reliable and tough.
There will always be haters (there is with any marque) and it has been a trend to bash Vauxhalls for quite sometime now. Most probably because of a certain Mr Clarkson!
Just remember the obvious, a 1990 Astra Mk2 isn't going to drive like a Golf mk8! So limit your expectations!
But, IMO they are cool. They will feel sort of fast, raw and connected. They're a modern classic and unlikely to lose money now. Finding a good one will be tricky, but a project could also be fun.
Mechanically simple, but reliable and tough.
Castrol for a knave said:
I have a real love for pre 130 Cavalier SRi, black or red over black, with black cross Rostyles and the Recaro interior and Pioneer sound.
Yes!Close...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/226750283134?_skw=caval...
Edited by Lincsls1 on Saturday 23 August 22:13
Thanks to company cars, my dad was a serial Vauxhall driver throughout the 80s and early 90s so I have a lot of fond childhood memories of being driven fast in sporty Astras, Cavaliers, (Mantas … technically Opel 
), Carlton’s and Calibras.
However, I had a drive of a Senator 24v a few years ago and was left massively disappointed. Maybe a case of never meet your childhood “heroes”…
Chris
), Carlton’s and Calibras.However, I had a drive of a Senator 24v a few years ago and was left massively disappointed. Maybe a case of never meet your childhood “heroes”…
Chris
Remember all cavalier gsi and turbo models had independent rear suspension, all others (including the V6) had a beam. To my recollection they drove differently (but there were all sorts of oher differences too). Early '93 turbos were the sweet spot - no ugly airbag steering wheel (that was also non adjustable!).
I think all calibras were IRS, they always felt a bit floppy compared to a cavalier.
Had you considered a mk3 asta gsi as well ?
Assuming it drives vaguely straight the best thing you could do (even years ago) would be to do all the suspension bushes/top mounts/tie rods.
As said, none of them are going to have the manners of a modern car, but thats part of the attraction I guess.
I think all calibras were IRS, they always felt a bit floppy compared to a cavalier.
Had you considered a mk3 asta gsi as well ?
Assuming it drives vaguely straight the best thing you could do (even years ago) would be to do all the suspension bushes/top mounts/tie rods.
As said, none of them are going to have the manners of a modern car, but thats part of the attraction I guess.
Lincsls1 said:
Castrol for a knave said:
I have a real love for pre 130 Cavalier SRi, black or red over black, with black cross Rostyles and the Recaro interior and Pioneer sound.
Yes!Close...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/226750283134?_skw=caval...
Edited by Lincsls1 on Saturday 23 August 22:13
ScoobyChris said:
Thanks to company cars, my dad was a serial Vauxhall driver throughout the 80s and early 90s so I have a lot of fond childhood memories of being driven fast in sporty Astras, Cavaliers, (Mantas … technically Opel ), Carlton’s and Calibras.
However, I had a drive of a Senator 24v a few years ago and was left massively disappointed. Maybe a case of never meet your childhood “heroes”…
Chris
That's where my love of Vauxhalls comes from too, my dad had a series of Cavaliers as his company car and I have fond memories of going with him to the dealership every time he was ordering a new car or taking his in for a service and sitting in all the cars in the showroom and taking copies of the brochures to read through when I got home.), Carlton’s and Calibras.However, I had a drive of a Senator 24v a few years ago and was left massively disappointed. Maybe a case of never meet your childhood “heroes”…
Chris
I too loved the senator but not driven one, I had a 3.0 omega that replaced it and was very underwhelmed but it was only a briding car whilst mine was being built so I didn't have to suffer it long.
Stop worrying about the perceived stigma of driving a Vauxhall would be my first suggestion. 90's Vauxhalls are as rare as hens teeth nowadays and will attract positive attention anywhere you go. A few people on PH may snort in derision, who honestly gives a s
t?!
Fine, they might not be as highly regarded as MK2 Escorts, and the succession of Cosworth's that followed, but old cars of any ilk are cool.
205 GTIs, R5 Turbos, E30 BMWs, Astras, Cavaliers, they're all good fun cars - they've got raw engines and no driver aids.
If you want one and can afford it, then get amongst it. The owners clubs, for the most part, are a decent bunch and the cars are relatively simple to work on and improve. For me the sweet spot for saloons are the late model Cavalier GSIs.
t?! Fine, they might not be as highly regarded as MK2 Escorts, and the succession of Cosworth's that followed, but old cars of any ilk are cool.
205 GTIs, R5 Turbos, E30 BMWs, Astras, Cavaliers, they're all good fun cars - they've got raw engines and no driver aids.
If you want one and can afford it, then get amongst it. The owners clubs, for the most part, are a decent bunch and the cars are relatively simple to work on and improve. For me the sweet spot for saloons are the late model Cavalier GSIs.
CouncilFerrari said:
Stop worrying about the perceived stigma of driving a Vauxhall would be my first suggestion. 90's Vauxhalls are as rare as hens teeth nowadays and will attract positive attention anywhere you go. A few people on PH may snort in derision, who honestly gives a st?!
Fine, they might not be as highly regarded as MK2 Escorts, and the succession of Cosworth's that followed, but old cars of any ilk are cool.
205 GTIs, R5 Turbos, E30 BMWs, Astras, Cavaliers, they're all good fun cars - they've got raw engines and no driver aids.
If you want one and can afford it, then get amongst it. The owners clubs, for the most part, are a decent bunch and the cars are relatively simple to work on and improve. For me the sweet spot for saloons are the late model Cavalier GSIs.
Thanks for positive words. Genuinely my comments around stigma are tongue in cheek as I'm of an age and headspace where I truly don't care about what strangers think about me or my choices.t?! Fine, they might not be as highly regarded as MK2 Escorts, and the succession of Cosworth's that followed, but old cars of any ilk are cool.
205 GTIs, R5 Turbos, E30 BMWs, Astras, Cavaliers, they're all good fun cars - they've got raw engines and no driver aids.
If you want one and can afford it, then get amongst it. The owners clubs, for the most part, are a decent bunch and the cars are relatively simple to work on and improve. For me the sweet spot for saloons are the late model Cavalier GSIs.
I was at port solent car meet around a month ago and a mint looking dark grey Astra GTE 16v turned up, it drew quite the crowd. Got more attention than my mustang, but then again around 10 mustangs turned up! Sadly the guy wasn't looking at selling.
Never done any of these car lotteries but look what's turned up and ends tonight!
https://www.redline-competitions.com/competition/w...
https://www.redline-competitions.com/competition/w...
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