astra vxr vs focus st vs fn2 type r
Discussion
Hi, I'm looking towards buying one of the above but am unsure which way to go. I don't need it for work so will only really be used at weekends so fuel costs aren't too much of an issue although I'd like to be getting low 30's on a run if I can. I'm not a particularly fast driver so the performance on all is adequate for me, I want more the overall package (looks, interior etc). I'm looking towards spending about 6k. So, which would you guys go for and why? Thanks in advance.
R1gtr said:
Focus ST3 is what I chose, understated looks, sounds lovely,superb heated leather recaro's, good handling and brakes.
Cheap to service and for parts.
I love mine, only bad thing is the fuel economy.
Likewise, easy to modify as well...although it is a bit of a bug once you get started!Cheap to service and for parts.
I love mine, only bad thing is the fuel economy.
I was recently in the same position I test drove all 3
Civic was nice but ride was too harsh and didn't feel fast
Astra was nice too but every tom dick and Harry has one in my area
I went for a st3 in performance blue the sound they make is amazing
Make good power from bolt on mods and not as shouty looks wise as some other hot hatches
Civic was nice but ride was too harsh and didn't feel fast
Astra was nice too but every tom dick and Harry has one in my area
I went for a st3 in performance blue the sound they make is amazing
Make good power from bolt on mods and not as shouty looks wise as some other hot hatches
Focus wont do 30s I don't think.
I used to get bang on 30 on a b-road jaunt to work and back in the Astra.
To be honest it all depends on what you like. The Focus has a decent noise and pulls well be sort of dies off, I would presume a remap will improve that. The astra has a very flat torque curve and pulls right up to 5000rpm+. The civic will drive like a VTEC - lots of revs needed, not much torque (compared to the others).
I much preferred the way the way the astra drives, bad points are crap rear visibility (get one with parking sensors for an easy life), throttle map is a bit too sensitive but a good remap will sort that out (not all remaps are good!). If you're really pushing on the back can be a bit soft, but you can sort that with a £150 rollbar.
As I said the focus torque dies off a bit too early and I found them to be very softly sprung which put me off. Didn't drive a Civic as I wanted to go turbo.
I used to get bang on 30 on a b-road jaunt to work and back in the Astra.
To be honest it all depends on what you like. The Focus has a decent noise and pulls well be sort of dies off, I would presume a remap will improve that. The astra has a very flat torque curve and pulls right up to 5000rpm+. The civic will drive like a VTEC - lots of revs needed, not much torque (compared to the others).
I much preferred the way the way the astra drives, bad points are crap rear visibility (get one with parking sensors for an easy life), throttle map is a bit too sensitive but a good remap will sort that out (not all remaps are good!). If you're really pushing on the back can be a bit soft, but you can sort that with a £150 rollbar.
As I said the focus torque dies off a bit too early and I found them to be very softly sprung which put me off. Didn't drive a Civic as I wanted to go turbo.
If you don't mind the firm suspension, the Honda is the best built by a long way. With any of these cars, demand a full service history and be very careful when looking at the car for signs of abuse, sadly it's very common with hot hatches. My wife and I had to drive six hours to Wales and back to buy her FN2 CTR, but it was well worth it.
RobM77 said:
If you don't mind the firm suspension, the Honda is the best built by a long way. With any of these cars, demand a full service history and be very careful when looking at the car for signs of abuse, sadly it's very common with hot hatches. My wife and I had to drive six hours to Wales and back to buy her FN2 CTR, but it was well worth it.
Not so sure it is a long way better. Same goes for reliability.I've no idea what the Astra is like but my Focus is doing ok @ 138k. It looks a little shabby due to lack of care, but the supposedly plasticky interior still looks at least presentable and reliability (one blot aside) has been fine. No more expensive to run than a Honda either, providing you look at the whole picture.
The Focus is a good option. I find it nicely sprung for our rutted B roads. Where my previous 182 cup would crash over bumps and ruts, the Focus stays nice and settled and allows you to push on with confidence. It does feel heavy though, especially the front end.
The 5 cylinder lump is great. Easy to modify and sounds fantastic. It feels quite special considering it is powering a shopping car. Good torque low down although really slopes off after 6000 rpm. It does have a good power band so it feels nothing like a diesel in that respect.
Mine has been very reliable since new. Other than the oil diaphragm issue it has had nothing go wrong since 2007 and 65,000 miles. It seems to be built to last. The interior on the ST2 is not great but there is no correlation with that and how the rest of the car is.
The main negative for me is fuel. Mine averages 26mpg with mixed use. For 230bhp it seems abysmal. I easily get more out of a 5.7 ltr chevy small block which I generally only drive for fun with no thoughts on saving fuel.
Certainly have a go at the others and see which feels best for you. I keep wanting to change but the reliability of the thing stops me every time. The sour taste in my mouth left by my old 182 does not help either.
The 5 cylinder lump is great. Easy to modify and sounds fantastic. It feels quite special considering it is powering a shopping car. Good torque low down although really slopes off after 6000 rpm. It does have a good power band so it feels nothing like a diesel in that respect.
Mine has been very reliable since new. Other than the oil diaphragm issue it has had nothing go wrong since 2007 and 65,000 miles. It seems to be built to last. The interior on the ST2 is not great but there is no correlation with that and how the rest of the car is.
The main negative for me is fuel. Mine averages 26mpg with mixed use. For 230bhp it seems abysmal. I easily get more out of a 5.7 ltr chevy small block which I generally only drive for fun with no thoughts on saving fuel.
Certainly have a go at the others and see which feels best for you. I keep wanting to change but the reliability of the thing stops me every time. The sour taste in my mouth left by my old 182 does not help either.
Out of those 3 I would find a decent well looked after Astra VXR. Potentially you can then map it at a later date.
It will be a good bit of fun, but I find its a car that has to be driven a bit like you stole it to get the most out of it. Really take it by the scruff of the neck and give it some.
Rear visibility is crap. I think they have quite a comfortable interior and the VXR seats are nice. They sound good with an exhaust.
I had one for a bit and at first thought it was crap. Got to grips with it and learned to drive it pretty well. One of the lads I took out for a b road blast still talks about it and bursts out laughing at just how much the car could be pushed.
I haven't driven one without the IDS+, that one did have it. No idea if it makes a big difference.
It will be a good bit of fun, but I find its a car that has to be driven a bit like you stole it to get the most out of it. Really take it by the scruff of the neck and give it some.
Rear visibility is crap. I think they have quite a comfortable interior and the VXR seats are nice. They sound good with an exhaust.
I had one for a bit and at first thought it was crap. Got to grips with it and learned to drive it pretty well. One of the lads I took out for a b road blast still talks about it and bursts out laughing at just how much the car could be pushed.
I haven't driven one without the IDS+, that one did have it. No idea if it makes a big difference.
DukeDickson said:
RobM77 said:
If you don't mind the firm suspension, the Honda is the best built by a long way. With any of these cars, demand a full service history and be very careful when looking at the car for signs of abuse, sadly it's very common with hot hatches. My wife and I had to drive six hours to Wales and back to buy her FN2 CTR, but it was well worth it.
Not so sure it is a long way better. Same goes for reliability.I've no idea what the Astra is like but my Focus is doing ok @ 138k. It looks a little shabby due to lack of care, but the supposedly plasticky interior still looks at least presentable and reliability (one blot aside) has been fine. No more expensive to run than a Honda either, providing you look at the whole picture.
RobM77 said:
DukeDickson said:
RobM77 said:
If you don't mind the firm suspension, the Honda is the best built by a long way. With any of these cars, demand a full service history and be very careful when looking at the car for signs of abuse, sadly it's very common with hot hatches. My wife and I had to drive six hours to Wales and back to buy her FN2 CTR, but it was well worth it.
Not so sure it is a long way better. Same goes for reliability.I've no idea what the Astra is like but my Focus is doing ok @ 138k. It looks a little shabby due to lack of care, but the supposedly plasticky interior still looks at least presentable and reliability (one blot aside) has been fine. No more expensive to run than a Honda either, providing you look at the whole picture.
I've had the FN2's predecessor and it cost Honda a fortune in about a third of the miles (I wasn't alone either, but at least the painful parts of mine were just about within warranty), plus it cost more from my pocket to run.
Not a VXR (to be fair I'd be slightly nervy about the last gen one) but boggo 80's Astra was also decent up to 200k of couldn't give a s
t abuse. Would have gone further but was killed by outside influences.Shame really as I'm one of those who loves VTEC-Yo. My old one had a wonderful engine/'box at it's level.
ST is a fantastic car. The engine alone elevates it above the others, and breathing mods really open up the top end. FN2 is also a lovely car, with a very funky interior, and it too has a great engine and drivetrain. I personally think the ST would be a better car to own, but that's my opinion. Others will disagree and prefer the Honda.
I haven't driven the VXR so can't offer an opinion on it.
I haven't driven the VXR so can't offer an opinion on it.
If you plan to chase more power at any stage i wouldn't go for the Civic. A good mate has one and has spent alot of money for not alot of extra power. Coilovers, LSD and ARB's and it will out handle most fwd hatches though!
Fpocus ST is a good capable car, potential to mod easily. Just too many around for me to spend my money on one though.
Not heard great reviews of the Astra VXR but i've never even sat in one so can't comment really.
Loads of options for 6k; Mk1 Focus RS, 350Z, S2000, R32, Clio 197, Megane 225...
Fpocus ST is a good capable car, potential to mod easily. Just too many around for me to spend my money on one though.
Not heard great reviews of the Astra VXR but i've never even sat in one so can't comment really.
Loads of options for 6k; Mk1 Focus RS, 350Z, S2000, R32, Clio 197, Megane 225...
mines running about 320 at the moment with another revision to come.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff