Insignia vxr a good buy?

[TKWC72]

Replacing an aged ST220, and have seen a 12 plate Insignia VXR with 93000 on the clock for 7k which is about on budget. Other half not so impressed due to tax, tyres, fuel consumption and general loudness. However, it seems like value to me. Having previously owned a massively twitchy 200sx rear wheel drive would be off putting, so also thinking of an Octavia VRS, but don’t seem to offer the same value. Comments and advice much appreciated.

[ZX10R NIN]

They're a really underrated but good car there are some things to lookout for the biggest is the Haldex system which needs servicing & if it's not been done then haggle that off the price, the front CV boots seem to like splitting.

The final one is that after you've had it a while you may think it's a bit flat but it's just where Vauxhall flattened the torque curve to make the engine feel like an N/A a remap sorts this & turns a very capable car into a good one.

The tax is a pain but in reality if you're looking at this type of car then it's only an extra £200 over something like the VRS talking of which if you're looking at one of those then go for the Mondeo in Titanium X Sport trim is the better steer & car.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[TKWC72]

Thanks for the advice...again. The vxr went after about 5 mins. The below looks a decent bet if I can get off my lazy a*se and drive the hour required. Any comments on these?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[drgoatboy]

TKWC72 said:

Thanks for the advice...again. The vxr went after about 5 mins. The below looks a decent bet if I can get off my lazy a*se and drive the hour required. Any comments on these?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Not a fan of the illegally tinted windows, nor the black wheels. I would want to know that the car has been looked after and not abused by previous owner!

[ZX10R NIN]

They're good the engine is a detuned Astra VXR engine they're decent that's a good price for one of those,I'm not sure how far away this VXR is from you?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

I can't remember what your budget was but this late VX Line Estate that's loaded with spec is at a good price

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[Pig benis]

I sold quite a few of these back in the day and the owners always loved them. Occasionally I took one home for the weekend and they are capable cars, but fk me are they ugly.

I do recall an issue after circa 60k miles and diff clutches. This cost £800-£1000 to fix
Timing chains tend to stretch and are costly to replace

I don't remember much else tbh. They do sound nice, but I can't get over how chavvy they look

[TKWC72]

Think they generally aren’t bad looking cars, but the big black wheels, and blacked out windows help it not in the chav stakes. However, I do live on a council estate, and if my job disappears soon it will be a useful car to deal drugs from. Won’t go looking at anything until it stops raining. My Dad was in the motor trade 30 years ago, and one of his main pieces of advice is to never look at a car in the rain.

[Pig benis]

TKWC72 said:

Think they generally aren’t bad looking cars, but the big black wheels, and blacked out windows help it not in the chav stakes. However, I do live on a council estate, and if my job disappears soon it will be a useful car to deal drugs from. Won’t go looking at anything until it stops raining. My Dad was in the motor trade 30 years ago, and one of his main pieces of advice is to never look at a car in the rain.

[TKWC72]

Not sure if anyone will still be picking up on this thread, but I wanted to say thanks for the advice I have received, and let you know how the story ended. I have just bought a SAAB 9-5 Aero. A 58 plate, and a saloon, so not exactly what I was after. 54k miles, perfect history, great nick all round, and drives beautifully. Came in at £5250, but got a decent px on the old ST to take off that. Love the midrange power and understated style despite the Dame Edna specs. The DIC will go for sure, (as it did on an old 9000 I had), but I think/hope I can look forward to 5 odd years of fun, and it will still be worth something. Got to buy a bloody roof box for the annual camping trip now.

[wiliferus]

TKWC72 said:

Not sure if anyone will still be picking up on this thread, but I wanted to say thanks for the advice I have received, and let you know how the story ended. I have just bought a SAAB 9-5 Aero. A 58 plate, and a saloon, so not exactly what I was after. 54k miles, perfect history, great nick all round, and drives beautifully. Came in at £5250, but got a decent px on the old ST to take off that. Love the midrange power and understated style despite the Dame Edna specs. The DIC will go for sure, (as it did on an old 9000 I had), but I think/hope I can look forward to 5 odd years of fun, and it will still be worth something. Got to buy a bloody roof box for the annual camping trip now.

Being that you bought something £2k under budget, it would be rude not to get it to Noobtune (think I spelt it right) for a Stage1. Will transform the car.

[SpanishTony]

I had one of those, lots of power on tap. I used to keep it in 4th gear and it drove around like an automatic.

[TKWC72]

Call me a total pussy if you will, but it will probably be quick enough for me anyway, though if I get bored....

[wiliferus]

TKWC72 said:

Call me a total pussy if you will, but it will probably be quick enough for me anyway, though if I get bored....

A noobtune remap isn’t all about the increased power. It’ll give you more midrange so make it more drivable.

[ZX10R NIN]

TKWC72 said:

Call me a total pussy if you will, but it will probably be quick enough for me anyway, though if I get bored....

Glad you got sorted OP the Aero is a good pick.