RE: Vauxhall to sell off more heritage cars

[Pommy]

Buzypea said:

Pommy said:

I've never seen a Vauxhall win a group test in a car magazine. Ever.

Look no further...

https://www.carwow.co.uk/blog/vw-golf-vs-ford-focu...

Lol funnily enough that Astra model is my daily hack. Decent but wouldn't have thought it good.enough to win a group test.

[Pommy]

s m said:

Pommy said:

I've never seen a Vauxhall win a group test in a car magazine. Ever.

I’ve seen a few of the older performance ones win

e.g. Astra GTE 16v won in CAR mag group test (2) , Autocar, What Car

Vectra GSi

Carlton GSi

Firenza Droopsnoot

If you count Opels then a couple more

Mk2 Cavalier won a few

Edited by s m on Thursday 1st April 16:26

Which tests as the Astra always got beat by the Golf, the Vectra by the Mondeo ST and the Carlton by...everything else

I used to sell Vauxhalls.mid 90's and we'd always have the monthly mags come through and never saw a Vectra GSi win

Anyone have actual links as I'd be keen to be wrong. Don't mind Vauxhall, hell I have one, but perpetually fell short.

Their launch reviews on a solo test always said they're decent and then get them in a group test and they just don't win.

Edited by Pommy on Friday 2nd April 03:48

[Nu57jez9639]

Shame it's not some of the good stuff they have made some nice.cars,at 23 I bought a 3 years old cav gsi 2000 H290 PWE my brother's MK2 8v Astra Gte.and not forgetting my partner's Nova sr ,my gsi only.car I was.upset to see.it go never gelled with the year old A4 1 8t I replaced it with, would love.another gsi and remanise or a ,16v gte.

[howardhughes]

MarkwG said:

Does this help - https://www.vauxhall.co.uk/about/awards-and-accola...

Accolades for quite possibly the worst looking range of cars/vans

[Bobtherallyfan]

Pommy said:

Which tests as the Astra always got beat by the Golf, the Vectra by the Mondeo ST and the Carlton by...everything else

I used to sell Vauxhalls.mid 90's and we'd always have the monthly mags come through and never saw a Vectra GSi win

Anyone have actual links as I'd be keen to be wrong. Don't mind Vauxhall, hell I have one, but perpetually fell short.

Their launch reviews on a solo test always said they're decent and then get them in a group test and they just don't win.

Edited by Pommy on Friday 2nd April 03:48

On line test count?

[Rob 131 Sport]

Nu57jez9639 said:

Shame it's not some of the good stuff they have made some nice.cars,at 23 I bought a 3 years old cav gsi 2000 H290 PWE my brother's MK2 8v Astra Gte.and not forgetting my partner's Nova sr ,my gsi only.car I was.upset to see.it go never gelled with the year old A4 1 8t I replaced it with, would love.another gsi and remanise or a ,16v gte.

Your correct they did and still have some some great cars. In the 80’s car for car in my opinion they beat Ford hands down. I’ve had a few Cavalier’s and my first car a Mk2 1.6GLS (bought when I was 17 in Easter 1990) was just superb.

Back in the day I had an early 2.0 Vectra. What a swift comfortable and quiet A Road / Motorway cruiser that was. I was less keen on the end of line MK3 2.0 Cavalier it replaced as that felt very dated in the mid 90’s.

[Quadcamboy]

All rubbish?

Would you really prefer an asthmatic ford cvh or indeed any of the rest of a MK3 escort to the contemporary Astra 1 or 2?

Any of the sri were flying machines compared.

2.0gte or xr3i? No contest.

[s m]

Pommy said:

s m said:

Pommy said:

I've never seen a Vauxhall win a group test in a car magazine. Ever.

I’ve seen a few of the older performance ones win

e.g. Astra GTE 16v won in CAR mag group test (2) , Autocar, What Car

Vectra GSi

Carlton GSi

Firenza Droopsnoot

If you count Opels then a couple more

Mk2 Cavalier won a few

Edited by s m on Thursday 1st April 16:26

Which tests as the Astra always got beat by the Golf, the Vectra by the Mondeo ST and the Carlton by...everything else

I used to sell Vauxhalls.mid 90's and we'd always have the monthly mags come through and never saw a Vectra GSi win

Anyone have actual links as I'd be keen to be wrong. Don't mind Vauxhall, hell I have one, but perpetually fell short.

Their launch reviews on a solo test always said they're decent and then get them in a group test and they just don't win.

Edited by Pommy on Friday 2nd April 03:48

Ok Astra GTE 16v won in CAR June 89 group test, also May 88.
Autocar 4/5/88, What Car Feb 89, couple of others too

Vectra GSI Autocar 22/4/98

Carlton GSi Autocar 17/1/1990, Performance Car, What Car

Carlton normal model won a few group test as COTY 1987

I suspect there will be something ‘wrong’ with the verdicts in those cases though

[Pommy]

s m said:

Pommy said:

s m said:

Pommy said:

I've never seen a Vauxhall win a group test in a car magazine. Ever.

I’ve seen a few of the older performance ones win

e.g. Astra GTE 16v won in CAR mag group test (2) , Autocar, What Car

Vectra GSi

Carlton GSi

Firenza Droopsnoot

If you count Opels then a couple more

Mk2 Cavalier won a few

Edited by s m on Thursday 1st April 16:26

Which tests as the Astra always got beat by the Golf, the Vectra by the Mondeo ST and the Carlton by...everything else

I used to sell Vauxhalls.mid 90's and we'd always have the monthly mags come through and never saw a Vectra GSi win

Anyone have actual links as I'd be keen to be wrong. Don't mind Vauxhall, hell I have one, but perpetually fell short.

Their launch reviews on a solo test always said they're decent and then get them in a group test and they just don't win.

Edited by Pommy on Friday 2nd April 03:48

Ok Astra GTE 16v won in CAR June 89 group test, also May 88.
Autocar 4/5/88, What Car Feb 89, couple of others too

Vectra GSI Autocar 22/4/98

Carlton GSi Autocar 17/1/1990, Performance Car, What Car

Carlton normal model won a few group test as COTY 1987

I suspect there will be something ‘wrong’ with the verdicts in those cases though

Love to read those tests, what's the source for the dates? Would be good to read them.

[MarkwG]

Pommy said:

s m said:

Pommy said:

s m said:

Pommy said:

I've never seen a Vauxhall win a group test in a car magazine. Ever.

I’ve seen a few of the older performance ones win

e.g. Astra GTE 16v won in CAR mag group test (2) , Autocar, What Car

Vectra GSi

Carlton GSi

Firenza Droopsnoot

If you count Opels then a couple more

Mk2 Cavalier won a few

Edited by s m on Thursday 1st April 16:26

Which tests as the Astra always got beat by the Golf, the Vectra by the Mondeo ST and the Carlton by...everything else

I used to sell Vauxhalls.mid 90's and we'd always have the monthly mags come through and never saw a Vectra GSi win

Anyone have actual links as I'd be keen to be wrong. Don't mind Vauxhall, hell I have one, but perpetually fell short.

Their launch reviews on a solo test always said they're decent and then get them in a group test and they just don't win.

Edited by Pommy on Friday 2nd April 03:48

Ok Astra GTE 16v won in CAR June 89 group test, also May 88.
Autocar 4/5/88, What Car Feb 89, couple of others too

Vectra GSI Autocar 22/4/98

Carlton GSi Autocar 17/1/1990, Performance Car, What Car

Carlton normal model won a few group test as COTY 1987

I suspect there will be something ‘wrong’ with the verdicts in those cases though

Love to read those tests, what's the source for the dates? Would be good to read them.

there's copies on eBay if you're that interested.

[s m]

Pommy said:

s m said:

Pommy said:

s m said:

Pommy said:

I've never seen a Vauxhall win a group test in a car magazine. Ever.

I’ve seen a few of the older performance ones win

e.g. Astra GTE 16v won in CAR mag group test (2) , Autocar, What Car

Vectra GSi

Carlton GSi

Firenza Droopsnoot

If you count Opels then a couple more

Mk2 Cavalier won a few

Edited by s m on Thursday 1st April 16:26

Which tests as the Astra always got beat by the Golf, the Vectra by the Mondeo ST and the Carlton by...everything else

I used to sell Vauxhalls.mid 90's and we'd always have the monthly mags come through and never saw a Vectra GSi win

Anyone have actual links as I'd be keen to be wrong. Don't mind Vauxhall, hell I have one, but perpetually fell short.

Their launch reviews on a solo test always said they're decent and then get them in a group test and they just don't win.

Edited by Pommy on Friday 2nd April 03:48

Ok Astra GTE 16v won in CAR June 89 group test, also May 88.
Autocar 4/5/88, What Car Feb 89, couple of others too

Vectra GSI Autocar 22/4/98

Carlton GSi Autocar 17/1/1990, Performance Car, What Car

Carlton normal model won a few group test as COTY 1987

I suspect there will be something ‘wrong’ with the verdicts in those cases though

Love to read those tests, what's the source for the dates? Would be good to read them.

Astra GTE Mk1 won group test in Motor 20/4/83

Have posted several in threads on here but it’s just one/or a group of journos opinions at the time like all tests
If it doesn’t correspond to the current hive mind or peoples personal perspectives then like all contrary opinions it is dismissed


Interesting to see how cars were regarded differently at different times in the past though

[Pommy]

s m said:

Pommy said:

s m said:

Pommy said:

s m said:

Pommy said:

I've never seen a Vauxhall win a group test in a car magazine. Ever.

I’ve seen a few of the older performance ones win

e.g. Astra GTE 16v won in CAR mag group test (2) , Autocar, What Car

Vectra GSi

Carlton GSi

Firenza Droopsnoot

If you count Opels then a couple more

Mk2 Cavalier won a few

Edited by s m on Thursday 1st April 16:26

Which tests as the Astra always got beat by the Golf, the Vectra by the Mondeo ST and the Carlton by...everything else

I used to sell Vauxhalls.mid 90's and we'd always have the monthly mags come through and never saw a Vectra GSi win

Anyone have actual links as I'd be keen to be wrong. Don't mind Vauxhall, hell I have one, but perpetually fell short.

Their launch reviews on a solo test always said they're decent and then get them in a group test and they just don't win.

Edited by Pommy on Friday 2nd April 03:48

Ok Astra GTE 16v won in CAR June 89 group test, also May 88.
Autocar 4/5/88, What Car Feb 89, couple of others too

Vectra GSI Autocar 22/4/98

Carlton GSi Autocar 17/1/1990, Performance Car, What Car

Carlton normal model won a few group test as COTY 1987

I suspect there will be something ‘wrong’ with the verdicts in those cases though

Love to read those tests, what's the source for the dates? Would be good to read them.

Astra GTE Mk1 won group test in Motor 20/4/83

Have posted several in threads on here but it’s just one/or a group of journos opinions at the time like all tests
If it doesn’t correspond to the current hive mind or peoples personal perspectives then like all contrary opinions it is dismissed


Interesting to see how cars were regarded differently at different times in the past though

You came up with the specific dates quite quickly, I thought you might have the links or sources to hand.

[s m]

Rob 131 Sport said:

Your correct they did and still have some some great cars. In the 80’s car for car in my opinion they beat Ford hands down. I’ve had a few Cavalier’s and my first car a Mk2 1.6GLS (bought when I was 17 in Easter 1990) was just superb.

Back in the day I had an early 2.0 Vectra. What a swift comfortable and quiet A Road / Motorway cruiser that was. I was less keen on the end of line MK3 2.0 Cavalier it replaced as that felt very dated in the mid 90’s.

Yes the Mk2 Cavaliers did manage to win a few group tests against the Sierra and Passat




A friend had one of the last of the line Cavalier V6s - I thought it was a brilliant car - engine felt pokier and sounded nicer than even the Mondeo V6 and it seemed to punch a lot harder. He bought it as a cheap runabout and it took so much abuse. One of those cars I wished I’d bought but missed out on. Gave my friend’s M3 a helluva scare on a flat out run. Not a group test winner but smiles per mile

Still, the MSD Vectra was another level up

[s m]

Pommy said:

Which tests as the Astra always got beat by the Golf, the Vectra by the Mondeo ST and the Carlton by...everything else

I used to sell Vauxhalls.mid 90's and we'd always have the monthly mags come through and never saw a Vectra GSi win

They were probably all decent cars and different facets will appeal to different people.

Generally people just remember whatever cars they favour as the ‘best’ overall.

Classic case for hot hatches in the early 90s was the Tipo 16v

Never hear a peep about them now!

[s m]

Pommy said:

You came up with the specific dates quite quickly, I thought you might have the links or sources to hand.

I think there’s a fair few more even for ordinary stuff but I tend to just like the higher performance variants

Here’s the Firenza getting the nod over a Dolly Sprint and Escort RS





I’ll maybe dig some more out later but the sun’s out here so I’m off out to drive my old cronks!

[Pommy]

Let me be clear, I'm fine with Vauxhalls, I drive one each day, sold em and family had a bunch, but it's such a shame in the last 40 years so few have hit the mark.

I do stand corrected a few won their tests but it's a shame only 3 or 4 specific models did, not even the entire model variety did, just a specific model with the range.

[Rob 131 Sport]

They would hit the mark better if more people bought them and supported British Industry.

I cannot understand why all public service vehicles such as Police Cars, Medical Support Vehicles etc are not made here. That in itself would be a huge support for Vauxhall and Jaguar, to name just two manufacturers.

[eliot]

JerryF said:

Vauxhall have made some great cars:

Lotus Carlton
Chevette HSR
Astra 16v GTE
Monaro
VXR8
Calibra
VXR - Insignia - Astra

There will be loads more. VX4-90, Firenza.......

Monaro and VXR8 are both Ozzie Holdens - not VX at-all

[MightyBadger]

Would happily drive that Frontera, have always loved the design. Wouldn’t say no to a manual V6 Omega or Senator.

Edited by MightyBadger on Friday 2nd April 14:58

[MarkwG]

eliot said:

JerryF said:

Vauxhall have made some great cars:

Lotus Carlton
Chevette HSR
Astra 16v GTE
Monaro
VXR8
Calibra
VXR - Insignia - Astra

There will be loads more. VX4-90, Firenza.......

Monaro and VXR8 are both Ozzie Holdens - not VX at-all

Could make that argument for or against lots of cars: they're a GM product, badged as Vauxhalls = Vauxhall, as far as the UK is concerned. The early Porsche Boxsters were built in Finland by Valmet, no-one seems to worry about that.