RE: Vauxhall brings back the GSI!
Discussion
Levin said:
Where does GSI fit in the model line up compared to VXR? A direct replacement or another entry in the hierarchy? The GSI badge holds a bit more cachet, and GTE perhaps more still, so it's nice to see it back.
Its below the VXR, which I think we can expect to see later next year with around 350-380bhp. I really rather like the look of this one we've had previewed now. Definitely something I would actually consider owning
I feel a bit bad for Vauxhall and Ford, because I agree the Insignia and Mondeo are pretty handsome cars. In fact, twice now Mondeos have approached on the outside lane of the motorway and I briefly thought they were Mustangs!
However, they are just aspirational in the slightest. They really need to work on their marketing, because Audi especially has taken everyone to the cleaners on that front.
However, they are just aspirational in the slightest. They really need to work on their marketing, because Audi especially has taken everyone to the cleaners on that front.
I have a current shape Insignia Tourer (2.0 diesel :-( )
I went to buy some roof bars from a local Vauxhall dealership. The parts guy had a bit of a queue so I had a look around the cars.
I sat in the new tourer, it is huge but i have to say, the rear legroom is damn impressive. My current Insignia isn't small.
As usual, sales guy sees me sitting in the car, we have a quick chat and he lets me test drive a 2.0 turbo 4x4.
I believe is the same engine and mostly the same drive train as this GSI model
It was very good, very brisk and like everything else these days very insulated, like my current car i am sure i could drive it for 4 hours and get out refreshed. I don't think anyone would be under the illusion that its going to be a Lotus Elise rival in the twisties.
I actually prefer the design of my current interior but the quality of the new interior is a definite step ahead and the Infotainment system seems very good.
As someone else mentioned, the quality of most of the interior is great, save for the transmission tunnel centre console trim that is creaky when you push your knee against it. Though my Passat B6 had the same problem. Must be a place car makers try to save money on.
I went to buy some roof bars from a local Vauxhall dealership. The parts guy had a bit of a queue so I had a look around the cars.
I sat in the new tourer, it is huge but i have to say, the rear legroom is damn impressive. My current Insignia isn't small.
As usual, sales guy sees me sitting in the car, we have a quick chat and he lets me test drive a 2.0 turbo 4x4.
I believe is the same engine and mostly the same drive train as this GSI model
It was very good, very brisk and like everything else these days very insulated, like my current car i am sure i could drive it for 4 hours and get out refreshed. I don't think anyone would be under the illusion that its going to be a Lotus Elise rival in the twisties.
I actually prefer the design of my current interior but the quality of the new interior is a definite step ahead and the Infotainment system seems very good.
As someone else mentioned, the quality of most of the interior is great, save for the transmission tunnel centre console trim that is creaky when you push your knee against it. Though my Passat B6 had the same problem. Must be a place car makers try to save money on.
Killboy said:
I have the current Astra VXR, absolutely love it, but anyone looking to run one of Vauxhall's Brembo equipped cars better prepare themselves for the costs of brakes.
Indeed, I needed new brakes in my 2.0 about 2 months ago and thought I wonder if I could upgrade to the VXR ones..............no, £600+ quid for a pair of discs, holy crap. My issue with Vauxhalls over the last 20 years has been that they often look great, often drive ok, but the always feel even cheaper than the competition. I don't think its a huge problem but with Ford making such good cars why would you bother with a Vauxhall......they have a huge image problem and for that reason i wouldnt buy one unless it felt well made inside.
I assume this GSi is 'only' 260 bhp to leave room for a rabid VXR at some stage.
I'd quite like to have a go in one if they make a wagon......maybe an extended test drive
I assume this GSi is 'only' 260 bhp to leave room for a rabid VXR at some stage.
I'd quite like to have a go in one if they make a wagon......maybe an extended test drive
M-SportMatt said:
My issue with Vauxhalls over the last 20 years has been that they often look great, often drive ok, but the always feel even cheaper than the competition. I don't think its a huge problem but with Ford making such good cars why would you bother with a Vauxhall....
This is it for me.I had a hire car each week for 9 months last yr and the insignia was utterly the worst of the lot. Inside felt so so cheap and basic, i swear my old 04 plate mondeo looked better inside.
Was also a hateful thing to drive - the nissan juke outshone it and that was/is a serious piece of s
t.if the seats are comfortable (the Vectra was not but the Cavalier was fine) I might be tempted by one of these when they end up cheap on the secondhand market. Walking into a dealership and buying one new would be an act of madness unless you intend to keep it to into its old age.
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/vauxhall/insi...
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/vauxhall/insi...
roverspeed said:
Indeed, I needed new brakes in my 2.0 about 2 months ago and thought I wonder if I could upgrade to the VXR ones..............no, £600+ quid for a pair of discs, holy crap.
A pair? Its around 600 each. Full disks and pads run around 1500 (front only). Ebay has kits for around 900.To be fair, Vauxhall really impressed me with the last service, and went above and beyond to source the pads at a cheaper price.
Sometimes I read these threads and wonder if people have something different on their screens to what I'm seeing on mine. Good looking? PH gets more like mumsnet every day. There is not a single current Vauxhall that I would describe as anything other than utterly bland. Last time I was unfortunate enough to drive one, the interior looked like it has been designed by a dozen different departments who'd had a huge falling out and just gone away and done their own thing, and the driving experience itself was the epitome of white goods.
Honestly, I'm struggling to think of any car maker with a less interesting line up of cars than Vauxhall.
The VXR is not dead.
Somewhat weirdly it lives on as the top of the line Holden Commodore which is powered by a naturally aspirated 3.6 V6 with 315 hp, 381 Nm with AWD etc etc
Here is a pic
Holden also gets 2.0 petrol and diesel models. Oh, and the top of the range estate will come with a V6 and AWD as well
Somewhat weirdly it lives on as the top of the line Holden Commodore which is powered by a naturally aspirated 3.6 V6 with 315 hp, 381 Nm with AWD etc etc
Here is a pic
Holden also gets 2.0 petrol and diesel models. Oh, and the top of the range estate will come with a V6 and AWD as well
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.
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