Corsa VXR why so cheap?
Corsa VXR why so cheap?
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Discussion

exelero

Original Poster:

2,082 posts

118 months

Monday 23rd December 2019
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As per title. Why are they so cheap? I just checked autotrader and they start at 1500 ish. I didn’t check the equivalent Fiesta St but I doubt they would be as cheap that.
Is there any particular reason for their cheapness apart from the badge ? smile

Jimmy Recard

17,549 posts

208 months

Monday 23rd December 2019
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Rusty arches and gearbox problems are the main thing, I think

Robmarriott

2,969 posts

187 months

Monday 23rd December 2019
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The 'equivalent' Fiesta ST would really be the ST150, and you'll definitely find one for similar (if not less) money.

Corsa VXRs have a bad rep, the internet will tell you you'll melt a piston, but you won't with a standard car (or bigger injectors when you remap) and they're tainted by the Clarkson trope that all Vauxhalls torque steer. Gearboxes are a bit st though.

If it's a standard car and has proof it's been looked after quite well, it'd be a good fun little thing for that money.

Driver101

14,451 posts

150 months

Monday 23rd December 2019
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There is only two under £2500.

One is being sold for spares or repairs and the other has a knackered gearbox.

£2500-3000 still seems decent value.

Glenn63

3,904 posts

113 months

Monday 23rd December 2019
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Never driven one but if there anything like it’s big brother Astra vxr then they are ste.

Kev_Mk3

3,616 posts

124 months

Monday 23rd December 2019
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piston 4

blade7

11,311 posts

245 months

Monday 23rd December 2019
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Driver101 said:
There is only two under £2500.

One is being sold for spares or repairs and the other has a knackered gearbox.

£2500-3000 still seems decent value.
Or the SRI 1.6 turbo without the VXR bling for a grand less.

p4cks

7,479 posts

228 months

Monday 23rd December 2019
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Kev_Mk3 said:
piston 4
... or the gearbox. It'll be one or the other.

exelero

Original Poster:

2,082 posts

118 months

Monday 23rd December 2019
quotequote all
Gearbox made out of chocolate then ?

Saleen836

12,489 posts

238 months

Monday 23rd December 2019
quotequote all
exelero said:
Gearbox made out of chocolate then ?
AFAIK it is the M32 gearbox which Vauxhall used in the Astra VXR and various other Vauxhall models, I have the same gearbox in my Astravan. The M32 is known for being weak and well known for breaking

ZX10R NIN

30,521 posts

154 months

Monday 23rd December 2019
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Not as bad as is made out but yes they can suffer with gearbox issues, but the badge doesn't help.

Jamescrs

6,340 posts

94 months

Tuesday 24th December 2019
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Pretty nasty cars to be in once the novelty of the fact it's quite fast and handles pretty well wears off, build quality is quite poor, interior plastics are in my opinion cheap and nasty and fall apart quite easily.

When your driving it in a spirited way they are good fun no doubt about it but when your sat there in traffic looking around the cabin you realise it's basically a cheap Corsa underneath.

shakindog

514 posts

179 months

Tuesday 24th December 2019
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I’ve had one a few years now as is said about can be a laugh to drive and handling isn’t too bad but in general they are awful.
I’ve kept it so long as I only do 4-5k a year and even with some interesting driving it’s averaging 33 mpg ish.
The rear arches are starting to bubble which is common they eat suspension parts as well as the usual corsa issues.
I keep it well serviced but it’s cheap and rattles inside a lot.
The hands down best thing about it is the front seats I find they are just so comfortable and the main reason I bought it in the first place.
Finding one that’s not been hammered and looked after will be difficult. Hence the cheap prices now.
The correct spark plugs for it are not cheap and the price of a clutch and flywheel for them will make your eyes water
so not the cheapest to maintain properly.
So far mine has been fine using quality parts to service and repair suspension when needed
but it will do me till I decide to go back to Honda

Escy

4,129 posts

178 months

Tuesday 24th December 2019
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I was looking for one, seduced mainly by the Recaro's but having second thoughts after reading this. Is Punto Abarth a better car?

adam.

420 posts

240 months

Tuesday 24th December 2019
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Terrible steering, in fact, possibly the worst of a 'sports' car I've ever experienced. Makes an EP3 Civic Type R feel full of feedback.
Gearboxes and 4th pistons largely made of chocolate.

Other than that, they're brilliant. hehe

V6todayEVmanana

846 posts

173 months

Tuesday 24th December 2019
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When Vauxhall did the VXR power days I got to have a passenger ride around Thruxton, it was so much more fun than I could imagine.

Sliding a bit around the corners, cocking a wheel and the other Corsa was right on our tail so all done with great control.

Too bad trackdays don't let you drive like that.

The cars were being used most of the day over maybe 5 days, driver (didn't work for VX) said the cars have been fine, just tyre wear,can't remember if he said the brake pads were updated or not.

VXR branding went up in my rating after that. Would get one for track work if my Gtv dies

ToothbrushMan

1,772 posts

154 months

Wednesday 25th December 2019
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Saleen836 said:
AFAIK it is the M32 gearbox which Vauxhall used in the Astra VXR and various other Vauxhall models, I have the same gearbox in my Astravan. The M32 is known for being weak and well known for breaking
whether the internals were changed I am not sure but fairly certain that M32 6 speed could also be found in some FIATs such as the Bravo II and Punto Evo/Grande maybe others too..........I know the gearbox was a problem in the Bravos.

anonymous-user

83 months

Wednesday 25th December 2019
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I had a '13 plate one on a lease for a couple of years and 30000 miles. Build quality wasn't great. Thin paint; and the side bolster on the drivers side recaro collapsed (I wasn't fat at that time).

The biggest irritations for me was the small fuel tank and the prominent eco driving indicator on the dash that insisted I use 6th gear when driving at 30mph.

I averaged 32mpg doing mostly motorway driving. The cars average mpg display was highly inaccurate on mine.

I remember from the owners club that the people with gearbox issues tended to be into their modifications.. I'm not sure how much this problem applies to people who left their cars as standard.


waynedear

2,351 posts

196 months

Wednesday 12th February 2020
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ToothbrushMan said:
whether the internals were changed I am not sure but fairly certain that M32 6 speed could also be found in some FIATs such as the Bravo II and Punto Evo/Grande maybe others too..........I know the gearbox was a problem in the Bravos.
It certainly was, I had a bravo t-jet 150, listen for whining in the higher gears, bearings are going.

GOATever

2,651 posts

96 months

Wednesday 12th February 2020
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I believe the modified ones, were prone to issues with pistons ( particularly piston 4 apparently) but ( other than the not very good gearboxes ) they aren’t actually as bad as some people would have you believe. As long as it’s not been neglected, or crashed, they can be fun little roller skates.