Discussion
One of my brothers had one - on a A plate, in white, complete with Vauxhall Dealersport stickers (the little rectangular ones that were about 6" x 2"). His was one of the very first cars, our local dealer used to borrow it and use it as a demonstrator as they were very thin on the ground a the time.
The Mk1's gear ratios were crap, the brakes were better than a Mk1 Golf, but still crap. It was quite economical though - used to get 40mpg easy. Handling was typical Astra - understeer city.
He did very few miles in it, and had my big sister not written her Fiesta off having an argument with a deer one night, it would have been sold with less than 30K on the clock, so it had to go with 39K on the clock at 14 years old. The rear seats had been sat in probably no more than half a dozen times, and it had a full dealer service history - he took out Vauxhall's Sureguard 48 month extended warranty when he bought it, which required a service every 6 months IIRC, and there was one service where it still had the same tankfull of fuel that it had the previous service - it'd only done 245miles in 6 months!
Any road up, in those 14 years it had one breakdown (I borrowed it) and the airflow meter failed on me while I was en-route to Cumbria from sunny Bedfordshire.
Would I want to buy one - well, an unmolested one, in good order, perhaps - just to hide in the garage for the future.
Would I rather have one or a Golof GTi - most definitely, simply because of the rarity value.
Would I rather find a genuine Nova Sport, yes. indeed I would (they're quicker, and sound like they mean it with their twin 40DCOE's, and much much rarer still - only 502 built, probably less than 100 remain)
The Mk1's gear ratios were crap, the brakes were better than a Mk1 Golf, but still crap. It was quite economical though - used to get 40mpg easy. Handling was typical Astra - understeer city.
He did very few miles in it, and had my big sister not written her Fiesta off having an argument with a deer one night, it would have been sold with less than 30K on the clock, so it had to go with 39K on the clock at 14 years old. The rear seats had been sat in probably no more than half a dozen times, and it had a full dealer service history - he took out Vauxhall's Sureguard 48 month extended warranty when he bought it, which required a service every 6 months IIRC, and there was one service where it still had the same tankfull of fuel that it had the previous service - it'd only done 245miles in 6 months!
Any road up, in those 14 years it had one breakdown (I borrowed it) and the airflow meter failed on me while I was en-route to Cumbria from sunny Bedfordshire.
Would I want to buy one - well, an unmolested one, in good order, perhaps - just to hide in the garage for the future.
Would I rather have one or a Golof GTi - most definitely, simply because of the rarity value.
Would I rather find a genuine Nova Sport, yes. indeed I would (they're quicker, and sound like they mean it with their twin 40DCOE's, and much much rarer still - only 502 built, probably less than 100 remain)
I have owned 3 mk1 gte's, & 10 mk1 Astras in total. Im a bit of a fan 
They are great cars with really rather good handling. The performance won't excite you these days though.
For me it is all about the lovely boxy shape. They rust very badly, hence not many left.
I would love a nice polar white example.
They are great cars with really rather good handling. The performance won't excite you these days though.
For me it is all about the lovely boxy shape. They rust very badly, hence not many left.
I would love a nice polar white example.
You wouldn't believe this, but there is one on the drive opposite my house rotting away. apparently according to my neighbours its been sat there for about 8 years since the old boy who lived there died. The daughters that live there now haven't bothered to do anything with it, such a shame.......
blondini said:
I had one new in 1983 
Performance was ok at the time, but the brakes weren't great and neither was the handling. Despite its failings I really liked it, but I got rid when the first premature rust blisters appeared. Should have got a Golf GTI.
Have a look in EVO this month.....some good pics in the piece on it as wellPerformance was ok at the time, but the brakes weren't great and neither was the handling. Despite its failings I really liked it, but I got rid when the first premature rust blisters appeared. Should have got a Golf GTI.
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