RE: PH Blog: Astra timeline

[MarkwG]

LuS1fer said:

Vauxhall also had issues with many 4x4 models and had to convert them to FWD, possibly temporarily, but I recall it was a farce at the time.

It certainly wasn't a farce - the GSi was available as 2 or 4wd from the showroom, I had friends who ran both. The 4wd market for basic saloons from standard manufacturers wasn't fledged enough to risk launching the top model as 4wd only. The 2 litre 8v was also available in both with a lower spec, however once the Turbo launched to replace the GS1 only 4wd was available, as I recall because the power delivery was such that front wheels probably wouldn't be able to cope on their own. At the time, other manufacturers were on the 4wd bandwagon, including Ford, Audi (Audi having kicked it off, & Renault. They all had learning issues of sorts, as mentioned above, as much to do with poor user understanding as anything else.

[Funkateer]

sidaorb said:

Had a MKII CDi which used the same 1.8i lump, great car, loved it until the door locks got punched, then the ignition before becoming a statistic.

Always loved the MKI and seem to remember a few 'specials' over the years at various car shows with Calibra lumps dropped into them.

But have to say my favourite Vauxhall Hot Hatch was..............

I quite liked its German cousin...




My Dad had a Kadett Coupe in the late 70s, followed by a Kadett 'D' - same as the Astra MkI - which became my first car.

Edited by Funkateer on Saturday 16th June 09:21