Discussion
I borrowed one of these nutter machines the other day whilst my car was in the garage at Greens.
It was a little bit like a grown up go-kart with 237BhP
I have just read that Vauxhall plan to do an aftermarket upgrade to 297BHP - Holy Hell
I think this would be a match for most Monaro's
Caspy please tell me they are joking - I don't fancy having to face the new breed of boy racer!!
It was a little bit like a grown up go-kart with 237BhP
I have just read that Vauxhall plan to do an aftermarket upgrade to 297BHP - Holy Hell
I think this would be a match for most Monaro's
Caspy please tell me they are joking - I don't fancy having to face the new breed of boy racer!!
Yep great car no doubt, can't wait to see how fast they go modified! 
I think they will be a match for Monaros under 400hp as anyone who has driven a car with headers will be able to testify to the brutal acceleration that ensues... although trying to get that thing off the line with FWD and 300hp will be a challenge and a half - even more so than trying to get a monaro off the line!!
I think they will be a match for Monaros under 400hp as anyone who has driven a car with headers will be able to testify to the brutal acceleration that ensues... although trying to get that thing off the line with FWD and 300hp will be a challenge and a half - even more so than trying to get a monaro off the line!!how long before Vauxhall are in the press being slated when the first half dozen eejits press the go faster pedal too hard too quickly and go sideways across a motorway when joining from slip roads. Its easy to get power out these cars - its much more difficult getting it to the road without making them impossible to drive. Handling on the VXR Astra is already dubious - another 60bhp isnt going to improve the situation.
I used to own the Mk4 Astra GSi Turbo, had it up to approx 270bhp & lowered final drive ratio 
As it was a FWD car it was almost impossible to get it off the line smoothly, 2nd gear wasn't much better. 3rd gear was awesome and I still think it would beat a Monaro VXR between say 60-120. Off the line and speeds 100 or so plus the Monaro would walk it.
As the new model has all sorts of extra electronics and better suspension setup I would be very wary taking on one of these. Incidently you can quite easier tune these even higher than previously stated, 300+ bhp is easily managed.
As it was a FWD car it was almost impossible to get it off the line smoothly, 2nd gear wasn't much better. 3rd gear was awesome and I still think it would beat a Monaro VXR between say 60-120. Off the line and speeds 100 or so plus the Monaro would walk it.
As the new model has all sorts of extra electronics and better suspension setup I would be very wary taking on one of these. Incidently you can quite easier tune these even higher than previously stated, 300+ bhp is easily managed.
The std remap and exhaust takes to about 275. Bit of peotic license on the part of the magazine!! I have driven one, and they are actually better to drive than std. They seem to remap the tc and the torque is better spread. You do have to plan overtakes though, the back of the car in front gets very close when it comes on boost very very quickly!!
Huge fun though, and the handling is far from dubious, it is very rewarding but a drivers car.
Huge fun though, and the handling is far from dubious, it is very rewarding but a drivers car.
caspy said:
Huge fun though, and the handling is far from dubious, it is very rewarding but a drivers car.
As if the monaro isn't a drivers car
FWD with all that power does sound a little scary but I can understand what you mean about the torque been better spread. How would you say it compares speed wise to your monster Caspy?Dan_S V8 said:
caspy said:
Huge fun though, and the handling is far from dubious, it is very rewarding but a drivers car.
As if the monaro isn't a drivers car
FWD with all that power does sound a little scary but I can understand what you mean about the torque been better spread. How would you say it compares speed wise to your monster Caspy?To be honest, it is as quick as std CV8 up to 85/90. It is easier to drive and flatters thye driver with the speed it carries. If you were VERY committed on the twisty bits you would pull away. In a straight line it is Monaro all the way. VXR Monaro, again depends on the driver. Turn the ESP off on the Astra and you would be a far bit slower on the twisty stuff, it is that thuggish, and doesnt inspire confidence unless u know the car very well. I drove it with ESP off the first time and when I got home it was very rewarding albeit scary. It has an ability to get your juices going and is true to the VXR brief.
As for mine, or any tuned car. There throttle response etc is far better than std car and therefore the performance difference is more noticible.
FWD? - Hate it, I'm afraid. Just not fun. Only nice one was the real Mini, IMHO. They just churn them out cos they're cheaper to make. Sorry for being dull, I'm sure the Astra is a great car, but not for me. Looks wrong, sounds wrong, drives wrong. I'd rather push a monaro than drive one of them ! Mind you, a 4*4 version - thatd be a very different matter!
v8d said:
FWD? - Hate it, I'm afraid. Just not fun.
I'd opt for RWD most of the time, currently have 2xRWD,1xFWD & 1X4wd, but FWD can be massive fun as well. Go to Bedford Autodrome & drive their Clio Cup Racers with sequential boxes, fun with a capital F! Or just try a Clio 172 or 180, Clio Williams, Peugeot 205 GTi, Golf MK1 etc. all of which on the right road are serious fun as I'd imagine the Astra VXR is. Actually , I like the idea of the 888 diesel more than the VXR.
Dan_S V8 said:
that 888 sounds like a bit of a beast, I think I saw a review of it somewhere
Thurlby advertise it round here www.thurlby.net
A57 HSV said:
v8d said:
FWD? - Hate it, I'm afraid. Just not fun.
I'd opt for RWD most of the time, currently have 2xRWD,1xFWD & 1X4wd, but FWD can be massive fun as well. Go to Bedford Autodrome & drive their Clio Cup Racers with sequential boxes, fun with a capital F! Or just try a Clio 172 or 180, Clio Williams, Peugeot 205 GTi, Golf MK1 etc. all of which on the right road are serious fun as I'd imagine the Astra VXR is. Actually , I like the idea of the 888 diesel more than the VXR.
Might even go there when I get a free day. Must admit, that does sound like a hoot !
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