RE: Vauxhall Astra VXR: PH Used Buying Guide
Discussion
ST Ford said:
Gez79 said:
Not sure it was the most powerful hot hatch you could buy in 2005. You could get an Audi A3 3.2 or Golf R32 with the same 247bhp engine or a BMW 130i with 261 bhp.
The often forgotten Mazda 3 Mps was the fastest hot hatch from that gen of cars i think. 265bhp not much weight and had a 0-60 of 6.1 seconds. Audi A3 and Golf R32 were heavy lard asses.
The 130i only weighed about 1480 and had the lightest production 6 cylinder engine at the time. (Can you tell I used to have one?)
There was also the Alfa 147 GTA with 247bhp but I think that went out of production by 2005?
I absolutely loved my R32 MK5, but it was one of the slowest hot hatches by miles. Anyone comparing the cars has no idea just how much the VXR would make the R32 look a bit silly. The R32 would do well on the launch, but the VXR would just walk it in 3rd, and 4th was just embarrassing.
I could not stomach this interior, but I've now got the GTC VXR. However, their price now makes them seriously attractive.
I could not stomach this interior, but I've now got the GTC VXR. However, their price now makes them seriously attractive.
It's interesting what people say about the instrument panel - it's one of my favourite styling features on mine.
I still think that these are by a mile the best looking cars in their class from the time.
The article is pretty accurate. Mine is an SRi Turbo 200, so it's also a 2.0 turbo but not the VXR and it's a five door.
Would I have another? No, but that's only because I wouldn't buy the same thing twice. Best single item I've ever bought - it has cost almost nothing to run for nearly three years, cost sod all to buy and it has been fun and practical too.
I still think that these are by a mile the best looking cars in their class from the time.
The article is pretty accurate. Mine is an SRi Turbo 200, so it's also a 2.0 turbo but not the VXR and it's a five door.
Would I have another? No, but that's only because I wouldn't buy the same thing twice. Best single item I've ever bought - it has cost almost nothing to run for nearly three years, cost sod all to buy and it has been fun and practical too.
WCZ said:
good value but a ball ache to put the power down properly, probably better with the LSD nurburgring edition?
The Nurburgring Astra didn't have a LSD, It was only the Corsa 'Burg that did. I always thought if they released it with a LSD and B12 Bilsteins it'd have been a good rival to the R26 Mégane.Had the Astra 1.6 turbo 3 door, was a nice motor at the time and pretty fun to drive, but not the most sophisticated of machines. Suspension was crashy, soft up front hard out back, sport button ruined the throttle response and mechanical quality wasn’t convincing. Probably should have gone VXR and let the horses make up for it !
aka_kerrly said:
I always laugh when anyone mentions the 'Ring edition as i cant help but think about a thread on Detailing world about a chap who spend days cleaning his brand new car and wanted Vauxhall to repaint areas due to paint thickness discrepancies of microns an micro blisters photographed at 10x magnication to the size of a pinhead.
No offence, but that thread's been done. Let's leave that alone and move on 
Edited by howardhughes on Wednesday 22 August 21:58
I quite like these. I think the exterior looked great at the time. Probably the best looking hatch of its era. The interior looks very, very dated now though.
Know a few people that have had them. The gearbox does seem a weak point, but all my friends have been running more power, so I guess that might be a factor.
The GTC-based VXR is much more appealing I must say, but also a good bit more expensive. I drove one of those and was very impressed with it to be honest.
Know a few people that have had them. The gearbox does seem a weak point, but all my friends have been running more power, so I guess that might be a factor.
The GTC-based VXR is much more appealing I must say, but also a good bit more expensive. I drove one of those and was very impressed with it to be honest.
I’ve had mine for 4 years now and only mods I’ve done is RARB lowering springs and remap to 285bhp and that’s it. Personally I think this is enough for cars like this, why anyone would want more power is beyond me. To many people care about ignition cut and highest horsepower possible to impress there mates and then don’t do basic maintenance, meaning there is far to many bad examples out there.
I think these are great. Have aged well and one of the lightest hot hatches of its era as I recall. I remember autocars long termer which was modded to about 280bhp. Did 0-100 in 12.8 secs which today is on the money for fwd and on track days was overtaking boxsters and m3s. They loved it. The GTC vxr is underrated too. On all the track comparisons it was a close match for the Megane 265, despite being much heavier.
warch said:
Proper council estate motah, just like the GTE was in the 80s. That naff information screen looked old hat when they were new.
I'd rather have a GTE to be honest, mainly because I still adore that ludicrous font size 72 digital speedometer.
Nah the council estate car of choice these days is Audi A3, BMW 1 series.I'd rather have a GTE to be honest, mainly because I still adore that ludicrous font size 72 digital speedometer.
aka_kerrly said:
Really this silly misconception ? A MPS appears to weigh 1483kg, a mk5 golf r32 1510kg, figures from Parkers. a small child's weight???
Regarding the Astra, that era VXR doesn't really excite me as I feel the engine outshines the chassis somewhat and the styling isnt great.
I always laugh when anyone mentions the 'Ring edition as i cant help but think about a thread on Detailing world about a chap who spend days cleaning his brand new car and wanted Vauxhall to repaint areas due to paint thickness discrepancies of microns an micro blisters photographed at 10x magnication to the size of a pinhead.
probably a garage queenRegarding the Astra, that era VXR doesn't really excite me as I feel the engine outshines the chassis somewhat and the styling isnt great.
I always laugh when anyone mentions the 'Ring edition as i cant help but think about a thread on Detailing world about a chap who spend days cleaning his brand new car and wanted Vauxhall to repaint areas due to paint thickness discrepancies of microns an micro blisters photographed at 10x magnication to the size of a pinhead.
ruprechtmonkeyboy said:
Don't know what it is about the Astra VXR but I've only ever seen them getting driven about town with stupid fart pipe exhausts by owners that look like they own a number of staffy dogs and love drinking 'Monster' energy drinks 
Typical stereo typical PH bulls
t comments. I am no Vauxhall fanboy, but hardly see the VXR with the type of people you associate.Used to see this kind of people driving Audi A3, BMW 1 series, Golf GTI/Golf R now. They previously used to have the old Civic or Scooby with the same type droning 5 inch exhaust; but they have moved on from them now.
Escort Si-130 said:
ruprechtmonkeyboy said:
Don't know what it is about the Astra VXR but I've only ever seen them getting driven about town with stupid fart pipe exhausts by owners that look like they own a number of staffy dogs and love drinking 'Monster' energy drinks
Typical stereo typical PH bullst comments. I am no Vauxhall fanboy, but hardly see the VXR with the type of people you associate.Used to see this kind of people driving Audi A3, BMW 1 series, Golf GTI/Golf R now. They previously used to have the old Civic or Scooby with the same type droning 5 inch exhaust; but they have moved on from them now.
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