RE: Vauxhall brings back the GSI!
Discussion
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.
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.
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 said:
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?
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.
Erm, wrong again. Ford was mentioned as a comparison to another similar, non-prestige brand. I just like what they produce alot more.
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
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.
Erm, wrong again. Ford was mentioned as a comparison to another similar, non-prestige brand. I just like what they produce alot more.
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.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).
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 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.
Erm, wrong again. Ford was mentioned as a comparison to another similar, non-prestige brand. I just like what they produce alot more.
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
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
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
Edited by culpz on Friday 21st July 11:24
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.
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.
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
I merely countered your opinion with my own.
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
I merely countered your opinion with my own.
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.
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.
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
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