Corsa VXR - purchase advice

[Raman Kandola]

Hi,

Long story short ive written off my current car and my insurance has increased. Was saving up for a 330 however this is no longer possible. Still wanting something reasonable to insure but fun at the same time.

What i want to know is things that go wrong to look out for so i can budget for them and what mileage would be sensible? I have read previous threads and the main issue that crops up is the piston 4 issue. However lots of people are saying this due to mods or not allowing the car to warm up or cool down properly.

I've looked at a few and have found a few for around 37k miles, 57-58 plate for around 7k with full history. Does this sound about right?

Thanks in advance

p.s. I have no issue with chavvy image of the car

[Quhet]

Are these really easier to insure than a 330?

[okie592]

buy a fiesta st instead.

[Northernchimp]

He's about £5k short of an ST by the sound of it. I'd have a Clio 200.

[SnailTrail]

Piston 4 is made out to be a bigger problem than it is - there's only really be a handful of reported cases. Mecahnical sympathy is all that's required really - let the engine warm up before utilising boost and let it cool down by driving reservedly after having utilised boost extensively.

Common faults that's I'm aware of:

• Rust on the rear arches at the joint with the bumper
• Seizing rear callipers
• Failing rear wheel bearings (caused by water ingress and Vauxhall now supply a fix)
• Paint issues on the bonnet
• Radiator splits at one of the hose connectors - requires replacement
• Gearbox bearing failure

Some cars get all of the above and more, some get none, some get some. It's down to luck. Mine, for example, has had most of the above, the most recent being a failed wheel bearing and now a seized rear calliper. I had the rust on the arches which I had repaired last year, and the radiator also split. Luckily, all of the issues I've encountered have been fixed under warranty bar the rust - so haggling a good deal on a warranty is a must.

• The callipers can be checked by feeling if the wheels are excessively hot after driving, get a good whiff as well to see if you can smell burning brake pads too.
• The bearings you will be able to hear if it's bad as it will groan whilst driving if severely worn or if not too bad will groan when turning to the direction opposite to the side of the car the faulty bearing is on - they're fairly cheap and easy to fit anyway so I wouldn't worry too much about this.
• For the radiator - check coolant level and look for any signs of coolant under the engine compartment on the passenger's side. Also check the lower radiator hoses for signs of leaking coolant (moisture and/or residue).

The main one - the gearbox. I've lifted this straight from MG Motor Works' website who specialise in rebuilding the M32 gearbox (shows how reliable it is that they have a special service dedicated to it):

MG Motor Works said:

There are a number of early signs you can look for:

• When lifting the clutch in 1st gear while holding onto the gear stick, it will move backwards by sometimes 10-20mm
• When driving in 5th or 6th the gear stick will move backwards and forwards as you come on and off the throttle.
• Whining noises can be heard while in 1st, 2nd, 5th or 6th gear. Sometimes it is more audible in certain gears than others.
• On Corsas when turning right you will gear a metallic rubbing or grinding sound

On the other hand they are reasonable cars, especially the Nurburgring edition or the new Clubsport one as they have upgraded suspension and an LSD, so they handle fairly well and get the power down. Standard Corsa VXRs aren't exactly known for their exquisite handling - though for what it is they're fairly quick in a straight line and do fairly reasonably in the corners considering. They can be tuned fairly easily with minimal cost and can make quite good figures - an intercooler upgrade, exhaust upgrade and a remap can see them quite easily into 240hp.

However, having just read everything I typed there are probably better cars out there - the Fiesta ST as mentioned is a good shout. However, my friend has one and for willy waving purposes my car is faster . However, he has heated seats and a heated windscreen, meanwhile I have to scrape ice from the inside and the outside of my windscreen on some mornings and my arse is perpetually freezing on the drive to work.

[Raman Kandola]

SnailTrail said:

Common faults that's I'm aware of:

• Rust on the rear arches at the joint with the bumper
• Seizing rear callipers
• Failing rear wheel bearings (caused by water ingress and Vauxhall now supply a fix)
• Paint issues on the bonnet
• Radiator splits at one of the hose connectors - requires replacement
• Gearbox bearing failure

Some very useful info especially what to check for and i wasnt aware of the gearbox issue so will do some more research, thank you

Fiestas st are consireably more expensive and for some reason the corsa is alot lower isnurance wise than its rivals (clios,fiesta etc) and i dont understand why tbh when they're all really in the same class and i presume generally younger people buy them

[Raman Kandola]

bump