RE: Vauxhall brings back the GSI!

RE: Vauxhall brings back the GSI!

Author
Discussion

mattwhite709

328 posts

98 months

Friday 21st July 2017
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I think this is a good looking car and we must appluad Vauxhall for making a pretty fast petrol saloon, as they are not that common any more apart from the Germans.

I have enjoyed my mk1 insignia with the same engine all be it with 227bhp it has a certain sleeper element to it. On the outside the only difference is the 2 exhaust pipes. This car is up for sale on a certain classifieds website.

Rawwr

22,722 posts

233 months

Friday 21st July 2017
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kuro said:
I have a new model astra sri nav 136 and I'm more than happy with it as a daily hack and family car. Interior is well designed and I'll agree with the above about fit and finish. It's also significantly better to drive than the previous model due to its lighter weight. Most press reviews have it down as one of the best hatchbacks on the market today.
I drive a 2015 Focus and I've also driven your car (not your exact car, obviously, that would be weird and require explanation) and I don't disagree with you. Both cars interiors are totally fine. There's nothing amazing about them, there's nothing terrible about them. These days there's such tiny differences in quality, function, materials and layout that it's really not worth debating which is better or worse.

I doubt anyone who has to choose between Astra/Focus or Insignia/Mondeo is going to really regret their choice either way. If anything, we're spoiled with what's available these days.

stumpage

2,099 posts

225 months

Friday 21st July 2017
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Wonder how this thread would be going if this is what we were looking at.


Venturist

3,472 posts

194 months

Friday 21st July 2017
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stumpage said:
Wonder how this thread would be going if this is what we were looking at.

I'm no BMW lover nor a brand we and that immediately looks much more appealing even to me.

The Vauxhall brand is just holding them back. Bin it and relaunch, or do a DS. The world has lots of enthusiasm for cool new brands with stylish affordable products right now - surely now is the time. Would they even lose fleet sales? Or sales to dull people who just always buy VX?

culpz

4,881 posts

111 months

Friday 21st July 2017
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HedgeyGedgey said:
culpz said:
HedgeyGedgey said:
The anti Vauxhall posts make me laugh. Bit of brand snobbery me thinks. Take the badge off the insignia and it'd be praised for how well it looks. Fact. It has the same 4x4 system as the focus rs and will probably weigh similar but yet is described as boring. 260bhp isn't enough, but yet people moan that modern cars are too quick. They've shaved 250kgs off the weight of the thing so 300+bhp isn't needed! We don't know what the interior will be like so that cannot be judged yet, last time I sat in a transit van it was the same dash as a bloody focus/fiesta. Wanna talk about bland interiors talk about that one! Spend 30k+ on a top spec focus and it's the same as a bloody builders van inside. Vauxhall have lost their touch in cars lately, hopefully this brings back the character of old.
No snobbery from me, i just really don't like Vauxhall as a brand or the products that they make. I do, on the other hand, like Ford's and Renault's and think they are much better. I also believe they have much better interiors, exteriors and general styling compared to Vauxhall. This is all in my own personal opinion, of course.

The point that you're highlighting doesn't make sense to me, in reference to the Ford Focus. The Insignia has never been a fun car to drive. It's always been quite bland and numb. The Focus, even in standard guise, is actually pretty good and always has been. Even the equivalent Mondeo, for that matter, is decent.
But that's all because you can't look past the badge! Judging by the way you've spoke about the focus and Mondeo, you're a ford person and that's reason why you can't look past the Vauxhall badge
Erm, no. The badge has nothing to do with it. I've experienced their products in the past and i didn't like them at all. That's just me though.

Erm, wrong again. Ford was mentioned as a comparison to another similar, non-prestige brand. I just like what they produce alot more.

culpz

4,881 posts

111 months

Friday 21st July 2017
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Buzypea said:
Having driven the latest Focus and latest Astra back to back, I can confirm only those in possession of a guide dog would think the Ford's interior was better. The Astra is leagues ahead in fit, finish, quality and tech. Vauxhall are actually making some decent cars right now.
It's all subjective at the end of the day. I've not driven the new Astra but i don't have much desire to either. Any Ford i've driven, old or new, has been pretty decent though. I just can't say the same for Vauxhall.

Edited by culpz on Friday 21st July 09:19

HedgeyGedgey

1,281 posts

93 months

Friday 21st July 2017
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culpz said:
HedgeyGedgey said:
culpz said:
HedgeyGedgey said:
The anti Vauxhall posts make me laugh. Bit of brand snobbery me thinks. Take the badge off the insignia and it'd be praised for how well it looks. Fact. It has the same 4x4 system as the focus rs and will probably weigh similar but yet is described as boring. 260bhp isn't enough, but yet people moan that modern cars are too quick. They've shaved 250kgs off the weight of the thing so 300+bhp isn't needed! We don't know what the interior will be like so that cannot be judged yet, last time I sat in a transit van it was the same dash as a bloody focus/fiesta. Wanna talk about bland interiors talk about that one! Spend 30k+ on a top spec focus and it's the same as a bloody builders van inside. Vauxhall have lost their touch in cars lately, hopefully this brings back the character of old.
No snobbery from me, i just really don't like Vauxhall as a brand or the products that they make. I do, on the other hand, like Ford's and Renault's and think they are much better. I also believe they have much better interiors, exteriors and general styling compared to Vauxhall. This is all in my own personal opinion, of course.

The point that you're highlighting doesn't make sense to me, in reference to the Ford Focus. The Insignia has never been a fun car to drive. It's always been quite bland and numb. The Focus, even in standard guise, is actually pretty good and always has been. Even the equivalent Mondeo, for that matter, is decent.
But that's all because you can't look past the badge! Judging by the way you've spoke about the focus and Mondeo, you're a ford person and that's reason why you can't look past the Vauxhall badge
Erm, no. The badge has nothing to do with it. I've experienced their products in the past and i didn't like them at all. That's just me though.

Erm, wrong again. Ford was mentioned as a comparison to another similar, non-prestige brand. I just like what they produce alot more.
But you said you don't like Vauxhall as a brand or the products they make! How can you say you don't like this NEW car when it's only been announced and not even available to buy yet? The only people that know what its going to drive like are the designers. You must've tried the wrong cars then laugh admittedly they make some drivel but I wouldn't say they make bad cars because they're just not bad at all, some are boring yes, bad no

rodericb

6,657 posts

125 months

Friday 21st July 2017
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BFleming said:
I always get suspicious when I hear about Vauxhall resurrecting any name, as in general it's not their call. So i went over to Autobild in Germany to see what (if anything) they had press-released. And low & behold, it's an Insignia GSI. But of course their spin about historic use of this name mentions Manta, Kadett & Astra!
Are PSA pulling the strings yet? If they are, I'd gladly put 'kill the Vauxhall brand' in the suggestion box. Just look at the negativitity the Vauxhall name conjures up, most of that negativity justified. Keep making the cars & vans here, rebrand the dealer network & inject some excitement into the brand with more cars like this one (which, to be fair, was a GM development).
Yet legions of fanbois masturbate furiously over various Skodas, Kias and Volvos nowadays.

Jader1973

3,942 posts

199 months

Friday 21st July 2017
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HedgeyGedgey said:
The only people that know what its going to drive like are the designers.
Point of order - the designers will have no idea how it drives (and probably don't care). They'll be too busy discussing what shade of black their next polo neck is going to be while sipping a short macchiato.

The ride and handling engineer on the other hand...


HedgeyGedgey

1,281 posts

93 months

Friday 21st July 2017
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Jader1973 said:
Point of order - the designers will have no idea how it drives (and probably don't care). They'll be too busy discussing what shade of black their next polo neck is going to be while sipping a short macchiato.

The ride and handling engineer on the other hand...
hehe touché

culpz

4,881 posts

111 months

Friday 21st July 2017
quotequote all
HedgeyGedgey said:
culpz said:
HedgeyGedgey said:
culpz said:
HedgeyGedgey said:
The anti Vauxhall posts make me laugh. Bit of brand snobbery me thinks. Take the badge off the insignia and it'd be praised for how well it looks. Fact. It has the same 4x4 system as the focus rs and will probably weigh similar but yet is described as boring. 260bhp isn't enough, but yet people moan that modern cars are too quick. They've shaved 250kgs off the weight of the thing so 300+bhp isn't needed! We don't know what the interior will be like so that cannot be judged yet, last time I sat in a transit van it was the same dash as a bloody focus/fiesta. Wanna talk about bland interiors talk about that one! Spend 30k+ on a top spec focus and it's the same as a bloody builders van inside. Vauxhall have lost their touch in cars lately, hopefully this brings back the character of old.
No snobbery from me, i just really don't like Vauxhall as a brand or the products that they make. I do, on the other hand, like Ford's and Renault's and think they are much better. I also believe they have much better interiors, exteriors and general styling compared to Vauxhall. This is all in my own personal opinion, of course.

The point that you're highlighting doesn't make sense to me, in reference to the Ford Focus. The Insignia has never been a fun car to drive. It's always been quite bland and numb. The Focus, even in standard guise, is actually pretty good and always has been. Even the equivalent Mondeo, for that matter, is decent.
But that's all because you can't look past the badge! Judging by the way you've spoke about the focus and Mondeo, you're a ford person and that's reason why you can't look past the Vauxhall badge
Erm, no. The badge has nothing to do with it. I've experienced their products in the past and i didn't like them at all. That's just me though.

Erm, wrong again. Ford was mentioned as a comparison to another similar, non-prestige brand. I just like what they produce alot more.
But you said you don't like Vauxhall as a brand or the products they make! How can you say you don't like this NEW car when it's only been announced and not even available to buy yet? The only people that know what its going to drive like are the designers. You must've tried the wrong cars then laugh admittedly they make some drivel but I wouldn't say they make bad cars because they're just not bad at all, some are boring yes, bad no
At what point did i say that i didn't like this car? If you look back, i actually said that i liked the look of this new Insignia, even in standard form rolleyes

M-SportMatt

1,923 posts

137 months

Friday 21st July 2017
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rodericb said:
Yet legions of fanbois masturbate furiously over various Skodas, Kias and Volvos nowadays.
The difference being i've owned a Skoda, great performance, great residuals and great ownership experience, my Mk2 VRS was objectively the best car i've owned.

I cant say the same for Vauxhall

Dazed and Confused

979 posts

81 months

Friday 21st July 2017
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culpz said:
Buzypea said:
Having driven the latest Focus and latest Astra back to back, I can confirm only those in possession of a guide dog would think the Ford's interior was better. The Astra is leagues ahead in fit, finish, quality and tech. Vauxhall are actually making some decent cars right now.
It's all subjective at the end of the day. I've not driven the new Astra but i don't have much desire to either. Any Ford i've driven, old or new, has been pretty decent though. I just can't say the same for Vauxhall.

Edited by culpz on Friday 21st July 09:19
Ever driven an Escort 55D. Seems a bit rich for a Ford fan to be slagging off Vauxhall. They certainly know how to make decent looking cars, and have for a long time. This type of thing should be encouraged

culpz

4,881 posts

111 months

Friday 21st July 2017
quotequote all
Dazed and Confused said:
culpz said:
Buzypea said:
Having driven the latest Focus and latest Astra back to back, I can confirm only those in possession of a guide dog would think the Ford's interior was better. The Astra is leagues ahead in fit, finish, quality and tech. Vauxhall are actually making some decent cars right now.
It's all subjective at the end of the day. I've not driven the new Astra but i don't have much desire to either. Any Ford i've driven, old or new, has been pretty decent though. I just can't say the same for Vauxhall.

Edited by culpz on Friday 21st July 09:19
Ever driven an Escort 55D. Seems a bit rich for a Ford fan to be slagging off Vauxhall. They certainly know how to make decent looking cars, and have for a long time. This type of thing should be encouraged
Ever heard of an opinion? I just like the cars that they make more than Vauxhall, that's all. I'm not even slagging Vauxhall off either, it's just my personal view of the cars that i've driven made by them. Stop getting so upset, i'm not expecting people to specifically agree with me.


Edited by culpz on Friday 21st July 11:24

bungz

1,960 posts

119 months

Friday 21st July 2017
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Vauxhall always make cars that look pretty decent aesthetically in their class but recently a lot of their powerplants are pretty far behind the class leaders.

The new Astra has some interesting figures from its little turbo petrols, quite fancy the 150 PS 1.4. Very reasonable money too.

New Insignia looks on the money to me, maybe the new engines will bring them up to scratch.

Dazed and Confused

979 posts

81 months

Friday 21st July 2017
quotequote all
culpz said:
Dazed and Confused said:
culpz said:
Buzypea said:
Having driven the latest Focus and latest Astra back to back, I can confirm only those in possession of a guide dog would think the Ford's interior was better. The Astra is leagues ahead in fit, finish, quality and tech. Vauxhall are actually making some decent cars right now.
It's all subjective at the end of the day. I've not driven the new Astra but i don't have much desire to either. Any Ford i've driven, old or new, has been pretty decent though. I just can't say the same for Vauxhall.

Edited by culpz on Friday 21st July 09:19
Ever driven an Escort 55D. Seems a bit rich for a Ford fan to be slagging off Vauxhall. They certainly know how to make decent looking cars, and have for a long time. This type of thing should be encouraged
Ever heard of an opinion? I just like the cars that they make more than Vauxhall, that's all. I'm not even slagging Vauxhall off either, it's just my personal view of the cars that i've driven made by them. Stop getting so upset, i'm not expecting people to agree or disagree.
Who's getting upset now?

I merely countered your opinion with my own.

culpz

4,881 posts

111 months

Friday 21st July 2017
quotequote all
Dazed and Confused said:
culpz said:
Dazed and Confused said:
culpz said:
Buzypea said:
Having driven the latest Focus and latest Astra back to back, I can confirm only those in possession of a guide dog would think the Ford's interior was better. The Astra is leagues ahead in fit, finish, quality and tech. Vauxhall are actually making some decent cars right now.
It's all subjective at the end of the day. I've not driven the new Astra but i don't have much desire to either. Any Ford i've driven, old or new, has been pretty decent though. I just can't say the same for Vauxhall.

Edited by culpz on Friday 21st July 09:19
Ever driven an Escort 55D. Seems a bit rich for a Ford fan to be slagging off Vauxhall. They certainly know how to make decent looking cars, and have for a long time. This type of thing should be encouraged
Ever heard of an opinion? I just like the cars that they make more than Vauxhall, that's all. I'm not even slagging Vauxhall off either, it's just my personal view of the cars that i've driven made by them. Stop getting so upset, i'm not expecting people to agree or disagree.
Who's getting upset now?

I merely countered your opinion with my own.
I'm perfectly fine. Your response and the words you used came across and some-what aggressive and emotional.

Killboy

7,157 posts

201 months

Friday 21st July 2017
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I'll freely admit to being a fan of Opels back in the day, and the C20XE motor was in a class of its own. So of you may remember my post - I'm the guy that restored a South Africa built "Superboss" (a 971kg 128kw mk2 GTE with cosworth head and quaife LSD) that then blew up and burnt down a house. That engine still remains my all time favorite. The mk3 Astra (Kadett in SA) was so so, we never got the 16v 2.0, but they did throw in a TS in the range (2.0 16v turbo SA special again).

I felt that since then, there has not been much special about the range, and I kind of went off Vauxhall's offerings, as the Asta G and H were positively outdone in almost all regards by the competitors.

Last year I spent a good while tire kicking just about everything, and stumbled across the J VXR which I initially didn't even bother short listing, and for some reason went to look at it. I dont know why, but I feel this is completely different to their previous offerings. Its not the sharpest tool in the handling department, but certainly not as bad as they used to be, and it was just a hoot to drive. And then looking at the price compared to the Megane or Golfs just made it a no-brainer. In short the current models are such a step up from the previous ones. Especially the interior! I personally love it, just the standard sound system is st.

I dont think it would have made much sense to buy new, but 14k for a late 13 model last year was good value I thought. Plus, if I'm honest is much more interesting to drive than the VW R I had before (not saying better, just interesting).

Anyways, I'm just happy they built something somewhat fun again. Here is mine on the way to Le Mans this year.


LordGrover

33,531 posts

211 months

Friday 21st July 2017
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I agree it's not a bad looking car. To be picky though...the rear door/quarter looks a bit fussy and not quite right.


rodericb

6,657 posts

125 months

Friday 21st July 2017
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M-SportMatt said:
rodericb said:
Yet legions of fanbois masturbate furiously over various Skodas, Kias and Volvos nowadays.
The difference being i've owned a Skoda, great performance, great residuals and great ownership experience, my Mk2 VRS was objectively the best car i've owned.

I cant say the same for Vauxhall
Meaning things can change. Tests of the lower models don't say this new Insignia is a total bowl of clammy old stodge - maybe this GSi will turn out to be a good thing?