Discussion
Now, I know this won't be to everyones taste, but bear with me! I've previously run an Astra VXR for 4 years, but with a change of circumstances at work, and general feelings of having had the car long enough, I ended up buying this last month. I wouldn't say it was on a whim, as I'd been looking around for something a little more economical for a while. What I was struggling with though was the total lack of drama from the 320d's and the like which I had been looking at. I very nearly bought an 159 1.9 JTDM, but couldn't live with the lack of go despite falling in love with the looks. I eventually found this Astra 888 CDTi which was a limited run of 100 cars built by Triple Eight Race Engineering in partnership with Thurlby Motors back in 2005/2006. All the performance of my old VXR, but with the diesel engine achieving 45mpg+. Cheaper tax and rarity to boot!
I paid a little more than perhaps I should have, despite getting a good deal on the frankly stupid advertised price. The car was local to me and it had been through a family friends' dealership a few years ago. And with only 48k on it is still one of the lowest mileage 888s around.
This is the blurb from when it was new:
I paid a little more than perhaps I should have, despite getting a good deal on the frankly stupid advertised price. The car was local to me and it had been through a family friends' dealership a few years ago. And with only 48k on it is still one of the lowest mileage 888s around.
This is the blurb from when it was new:
- Engine ECU remapped to 200 BHP and 330 ft/lbs torque.
- 18" lightweight alloys with low profile tyres.
- 335mm front disc brakes are fitted with four-piston callipers.
- Suspension is uprated with Eibach springs and VXR shocks.
- Stainless steel exhaust silencer.
- Privacy glass.
Nice car mate and they sure do move....
I remember taking out the development car (before the launch)up around the tight back roads of 888 a number of years back and was very impressed, even had a STi work hard to stay with me. A mate of mine was behind the development of the 888cdti while he was working at 888, only downside was the tight budget, a number of upgrades had to be shelved, but still a great car none the less.
Enjoy.
I remember taking out the development car (before the launch)up around the tight back roads of 888 a number of years back and was very impressed, even had a STi work hard to stay with me. A mate of mine was behind the development of the 888cdti while he was working at 888, only downside was the tight budget, a number of upgrades had to be shelved, but still a great car none the less.
Enjoy.
Thanks for the nice comments, I'm really pleased with it. 
But yes, I thought long and hard and going diesel was the best option. I've gone from having a 5 minute walk to work, to a 25 mile commute. So it makes sense. And doing it this way means I normally have enough money to cover the weekend hoons!
AZZLES said:
The only thing letting it down is the standard SRi interior, although this was addressed in the Stealth edition
Yes, the only disappointment so far. Coming from the VXR, which wasn't the best interior, this is pretty bad. This one has the bog standard SRI interior, with just the cloth seats and crappy silver dash. This is the ONLY thing I'm considering modifying. I understand when new, you could option some leather Recaros which I'm going to try and find second hand somewhere, or even just swap in some VXR seats. That being said, I've got the driving position spot on in the SRI seats, something I never quite found in the VXR despite owning it for 4 years!Chunkychucky said:
Awesome car op, how much do these tend to go for if you don't mind me asking?
I paid £8,000 for this, which I know was too much. But I really wanted it, and keeping in mind that I knew the history up to a 2 years ago and the locality then it made sense to me. Others tend to fetch between £6,500 and £8,000. But of the ones that have been for sale recently, this has considerably lower mileage. One recently was up for almost £11,000, which considering it had more miles on it than this, was a ripoff, regardless of its condition. So in summary, I have no idea what a typical price would be! CraigMST said:
I'm sure the 888 wouldn't see which way the VXR went if the VXR was remapped?
When I tend to compare a remapped car I do it to a remapped version of the car I'm comparing it to.
A good point. A VXR running stage 2 would probably leave this for dead. But having said that, a standard CDTi would be nowhere near a standard VXR. Its subjective. I prefer to just consider it a quick car, regardless of it being non-standard or not. When I tend to compare a remapped car I do it to a remapped version of the car I'm comparing it to.
Pints said:
There's a clue in CDTI.
I hope the OP does enough miles to warrant a diseasel.
I hope the OP does enough miles to warrant a diseasel.
But yes, I thought long and hard and going diesel was the best option. I've gone from having a 5 minute walk to work, to a 25 mile commute. So it makes sense. And doing it this way means I normally have enough money to cover the weekend hoons!Edited by akz0rrr on Tuesday 30th October 13:22
aussieinlondon said:
Nice car mate and they sure do move....
I remember taking out the development car (before the launch)up around the tight back roads of 888 a number of years back and was very impressed, even had a STi work hard to stay with me. A mate of mine was behind the development of the 888cdti while he was working at 888, only downside was the tight budget, a number of upgrades had to be shelved, but still a great car none the less.
Enjoy.
That's very interesting. I've not had a proper chance to give it some on really nice roads yet. A combination on being ill recently, and work seemingly taking over my life... But there are a couple of passable B-roads round my way and it really is impressive. The tight budget was a shame, I'm interested to know what other upgrades were planned if you know? Was the development car you drove the same as the cars that went on sale?I remember taking out the development car (before the launch)up around the tight back roads of 888 a number of years back and was very impressed, even had a STi work hard to stay with me. A mate of mine was behind the development of the 888cdti while he was working at 888, only downside was the tight budget, a number of upgrades had to be shelved, but still a great car none the less.
Enjoy.
akz0rrr said:
That's very interesting. I've not had a proper chance to give it some on really nice roads yet. A combination on being ill recently, and work seemingly taking over my life... But there are a couple of passable B-roads round my way and it really is impressive. The tight budget was a shame, I'm interested to know what other upgrades were planned if you know? Was the development car you drove the same as the cars that went on sale?
Development car had a few options added like xenons, sat nav etc, and the colour was like a terracotta but was the same thereafter from the revalved VXR dampers and eibach springs and so on. If I can remember correctly there was also a 5 door used for development and later found it's use in the T9's Thurlby sold there after with improvements on the brake side of things etc, same guy built the cars as the 888cdti.The brakes were one area that took a cut such as the 1 piece brake disc and cast bell over the 2 piece floating disc and alloy bell Alcon supply, the recaro sportline seats where too costly so become an 'option' but found there way into the stealth edition. Other areas such as LSD's etc never made the production line.
aussieinlondon said:
Development car had a few options added like xenons, sat nav etc, and the colour was like a terracotta but was the same thereafter from the revalved VXR dampers and eibach springs and so on. If I can remember correctly there was also a 5 door used for development and later found it's use in the T9's Thurlby sold there after with improvements on the brake side of things etc, same guy built the cars as the 888cdti.
The brakes were one area that took a cut such as the 1 piece brake disc and cast bell over the 2 piece floating disc and alloy bell Alcon supply, the recaro sportline seats where too costly so become an 'option' but found there way into the stealth edition. Other areas such as LSD's etc never made the production line.
Awesome, thanks alot. The previous owner of mine had fitted two piece discs, so thats a plus point. I understand the Triple 8 branded Recaro Sportlines didn't get on many cars and are going for quite a bit when they, rarely, come up for sale. I may just go for some regular Sportlines as they're considerably cheaper and I can't imagine custom frames and runners would be too pricey.The brakes were one area that took a cut such as the 1 piece brake disc and cast bell over the 2 piece floating disc and alloy bell Alcon supply, the recaro sportline seats where too costly so become an 'option' but found there way into the stealth edition. Other areas such as LSD's etc never made the production line.
Only ever seen 1 of these on the road, was a really odd colour (almost like a flip colour?!)
My dad had the 150 CDTi sport hatch when they first came out, bone-shaking suspension but the engine just pulled and pulled!
It's somewhat ironic you picked this over a 1.9JTDM Alfa, since by and large the engines are identical (I think!) as are the gearboxes, but I'm sure someone else could confirm!
My dad had the 150 CDTi sport hatch when they first came out, bone-shaking suspension but the engine just pulled and pulled!
It's somewhat ironic you picked this over a 1.9JTDM Alfa, since by and large the engines are identical (I think!) as are the gearboxes, but I'm sure someone else could confirm!
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