Astra GTC 2.0 VXR not loved much, why?
Discussion
Could be wrong on this; but I think a lot of motoring journo’s at the time, were stating the age old troupe, no car could handle that much power through the front wheels, without understanding the engineering/design involved.
Added to this, how dare Vauxhall charge more than their competitors? Why not, it’s a league above them; as always it just comes down to lazy journalism.
It’s easier talk about something, than make it happen.
Added to this, how dare Vauxhall charge more than their competitors? Why not, it’s a league above them; as always it just comes down to lazy journalism.
It’s easier talk about something, than make it happen.
[quote=Robertb]Anyone who’s driven one for any length of time or owned one care to comment?[/quo
I have owned one, heavily modified, one of those " Raffle " cars built for that purpose.
Epic, loved it, running a claimed 380 bhp, loved the look of it, was amazed at the handling, and not too harsh either. Impressive well built car, that failed the MOT, for no Cat.
Loved everything about it, but sold it,to a guy that knew everything about it, obviously from the raffle, which is how I knew it was a raffle car, i bought it as a dealer part exchange clearance.
I have owned one, heavily modified, one of those " Raffle " cars built for that purpose.
Epic, loved it, running a claimed 380 bhp, loved the look of it, was amazed at the handling, and not too harsh either. Impressive well built car, that failed the MOT, for no Cat.
Loved everything about it, but sold it,to a guy that knew everything about it, obviously from the raffle, which is how I knew it was a raffle car, i bought it as a dealer part exchange clearance.
[quote=Robertb]Anyone who’s driven one for any length of time or owned one care to comment?[/quo
I have owned one, heavily modified, one of those " Raffle " cars built for that purpose.
Epic, loved it, running a claimed 380 bhp, loved the look of it, was amazed at the handling, and not too harsh either. Impressive well built car, that failed the MOT, for no Cat.
Loved everything about it, but sold it,to a guy that knew everything about it, obviously from the raffle, which is how I knew it was a raffle car, i bought it as a dealer part exchange clearance.
I have owned one, heavily modified, one of those " Raffle " cars built for that purpose.
Epic, loved it, running a claimed 380 bhp, loved the look of it, was amazed at the handling, and not too harsh either. Impressive well built car, that failed the MOT, for no Cat.
Loved everything about it, but sold it,to a guy that knew everything about it, obviously from the raffle, which is how I knew it was a raffle car, i bought it as a dealer part exchange clearance.
I owned a GTC VXR for four years and I absolutely loved it. Granted, I did mod it to 320bhp which turned it into a much faster car. In the four years of ownership I had no problems whatsoever. It was a very reliable car. Looks are subjective but I think it is a really good looking car! Jeremy Clarkson loved it! It is a very different vehicle to the Astra H VXR. Even at 320bhp the GTC VXR had very little torque steer and stuck to the road like glue. I really miss it and really sorry I decided to sell it.
I am on my second J VXR. Got the first on in 2015 by accident (family story) and got rid because I needed a motorway slag.
Then in 2022 I foud myself looking for a fun second car, and nothing I tried was any better than the VXR.
I now have a low mileage, standard minter. The Indi GM specialst mechanic who services mine said "If it has an Alfa badge, then press would all cream".
There's a bit of truth in that IMO.
While Chris Harris can make a Megane RS lap 0.5s faster, in normal driving, the VXR is a fabulous car: a torque monster, but with the clever front end handling almost all the nasty physics.
Comfy, interior quality a fag paper from modern BMWs. Fast as hell when you want it to be, but mostly a really idiosyncratic GT. I think it is more of a GT than anyone else. A thug in a suit.
Apart from services, I've had cam position sensors changed as one was sticking. Nothing else in 25k miles.
It is a vulnerable car, with its wide stance and giant doors making parking a nightmare and the giant wheels get dinged easily. Visibility isnt the best.
Overall , my car is worth about £9k now, and I cant imagine anything being more fun or quicker within 5k of that.
Then in 2022 I foud myself looking for a fun second car, and nothing I tried was any better than the VXR.
I now have a low mileage, standard minter. The Indi GM specialst mechanic who services mine said "If it has an Alfa badge, then press would all cream".
There's a bit of truth in that IMO.
While Chris Harris can make a Megane RS lap 0.5s faster, in normal driving, the VXR is a fabulous car: a torque monster, but with the clever front end handling almost all the nasty physics.
Comfy, interior quality a fag paper from modern BMWs. Fast as hell when you want it to be, but mostly a really idiosyncratic GT. I think it is more of a GT than anyone else. A thug in a suit.
Apart from services, I've had cam position sensors changed as one was sticking. Nothing else in 25k miles.
It is a vulnerable car, with its wide stance and giant doors making parking a nightmare and the giant wheels get dinged easily. Visibility isnt the best.
Overall , my car is worth about £9k now, and I cant imagine anything being more fun or quicker within 5k of that.
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