C20XE

[off your marks]

Well, I guess that if the title meant something to you then you may agree with me.

The Astra GTE 16V - red top engined chav charriot. When I was younger and the GTE was a common sight I really wanted one; and eventually got one ( we are talking 12 years ago now ) I loved driving it and was amazed how brutal the acceleration was.

Now 12 years later its still like an ex-girlfriend from Uni or something - glad you moved on but remember some great ragging sessions. More of a porsche bloke now ( steady on now ) but still like the idea of a barn find GTE 16V in mint condition; ie no rusty arches, head problems and the rest of the usual unreliable guff that comes with the ownership.

are there still minters out there or have all the council estate warriors ruined them all?

I would pay top dollar for a low mileage, mint, one or two owner example.....

Matt

[NotNormal]

Theres still a few good ones about but like you say a lot have been molested over the years, Vauxhalls Heritage center has one now, white early non sunroof low mileage 16v example and it wasn't cheap for them to acquire as I understand.

Awesome engines and IMO should be destined classic status so hopefully a few will be put back original when restored due to the rusty arch & sill issues

[Le Mans Visitor]

Chav Chariot, you cheeky mofo!!


Here is mine, 56,000 miles from new and totally standard as Vauxhall intended......



and here are a few local to me....

[Dave_]

I had one , bought it in the dark. Never ever saw the road , the thing was rotten.

Didnt learn my lesson though ive now got a C20XE nova and a C20XE corsa.

[mat205125]

To those in the know, the digits C20XE are as meaningful as BDA or YBT

[aw51 121565]

Don't see many of these at classic car shows... which is a shame, as they were "top of the pile" and raised the hot hatch game in their time .

[mat205125]

aw51 121565 said:

Don't see many of these at classic car shows... which is a shame, as they were "top of the pile" and raised the hot hatch game in their time .

Did they?

I remember them as being the car of choice for those who wanted to go fast in a straight line, and quote stats to their friends. Woefully inadequate brakes and suspension, and eclipsed as a package by the 205 and Mk2 golf.

How did they move the game on from what came before?

Whilst I appreciate the OP's fondness for a mint timewarp car, the astra is sadly best described (IMO) as a donor car for a Nova, Caterham, Mk2 Escort, Manta, Chevette ... etc etc etc

[Nickyboy]

mat205125 said:

To those in the know, the digits C20XE are as meaningful as BDA or YBT

Indeed, my old Astra GSI

[Marquis_Rex]

Go on and find out! Get it out of your system. I did with a Golf Mk 2 G60!

[Adz The Rat]

I had a MK3 Astra GSI, loved it.
That engine was great, especially with some cams, some headwork and a full stainless

[absolutely]

Very good engine if a little heavy. We've got 1 in our racing car, 188bhp running on twin 40s.

[Psimpson7]

My caterham SLR had an XE engine. 267bhp at a smidgen over 10000 rpm. Predictably not standard. Had slide throttles and all sorts of other toys. Sounded amazing. Went even better! Would probably have run to 300bhp but 267bhp was plenty!

[LuS1fer]

I bought one. Three words. Pile of utter sh***. OK, four.

Couldn't wait to sell it.

[supermono]

Mine was superb over ~50k miles. Loved it -- I'd like another too.

SM

[mat205125]

LuS1fer said:

I bought one. Three words. Pile of utter sh***. OK, four.

Couldn't wait to sell it.

The car maybe, but the Cos-cast red top engine is just legendary. 250bhp is a pretty easy home tune build (mapping on bodies releases the full power), and there are very few 2 litre NA engines that can do that reliably and (relatively) cheaply.

[DennisTheMenace]

Keep thinking about dropping a red top in the mazda , inlet and exhaust are on the right sides , just a case of a lot of wiring etc , and finding one ... and will it fit the gearbox

[willisit]

Le Mans Visitor said:

Chav Chariot, you cheeky mofo!!


Here is mine, 56,000 miles from new and totally standard as Vauxhall intended......



and here are a few local to me....

Except that the second one in from the back is now dead since Jamie broke it for parts... :P

[Shropshiremike]

mat205125 said:

aw51 121565 said:

Don't see many of these at classic car shows... which is a shame, as they were "top of the pile" and raised the hot hatch game in their time .

Did they?

I remember them as being the car of choice for those who wanted to go fast in a straight line, and quote stats to their friends. Woefully inadequate brakes and suspension, and eclipsed as a package by the 205 and Mk2 golf.

Actually very good brakes on the 16v for a hot hatch of the time - read the road tests of the time and they'll confirm that fact. Maybe over-servoed but no lack of stopping power.
Autocar and CAR mag both rated it above the 16valve Golf for driving fun in their back to back tests when they were new. Like all these car tests though it depends on the individual testing it.
Hence why some journos like the modern Mini Cooper S..............and loads of people don't. Performance Car were so-so about the 16 valver when they tested it first, then ( a current EVO writer) liked it far more when they tested it again a year later ( sort of like the Focus RS ). UK cars under-tyred as standard, although the Opels had an optional 195/55x15 size ( as did the Champions in UK ) which was much better.
I had a nice example for 3 years and whilst it wasn't as "fluid" as the 309GTi/Saxo VTS on twisty roads it was nowhere near as bad ( on GY F1 GSD3 and new std suspension with the geo set up properly ) as internet folklore would have you believe - most people haven't driven one. Like the 205 Gti, they can bite back if you lift off quickly in a bend. I think rather like the Focus RS, individual cars varied widely in geometry/build quality as they came from the factory so I'm quite prepared to believe I got a good one though