Astra J VXR worth a look or another Megane RS ?

[Gurrier]

Had a nice grey 2010 Megane RS250 Cup afew years back and i liked it alot over the two years i had her.

Been driving an ecoflex insignia for a year and a half now and i feel like something new and the Astra J VXR looks interesting and is from the same era, unfortunately budget wont stretch to a vw group mqb platform car and was wondering if anyone here has an experience of both cars at all ? There seem to be quite afew horror stories of pistons going into space etc but on the internet nowadays who is to know. I know from experience the meganes are pretty solid and dont mind being thrashed on trackdays.

Thanks
Jim

[culpz]

How much do they go for now? You can get a Leon Cupra 280 for around 12k and I'd have one of them over the Astra in a heartbeat

[Gurrier]

Was an option but prices in Ireland now are over 20,000 euros and budget is 15k max, brexit killed off imports from the uk in a big way here.

[Don Roque]

I'd probably go for the Mégane for the best drive but the GTC VXR is no slouch with very strong performance, great handling and looks.

[ZX10R NIN]

culpz said:

How much do they go for now? You can get a Leon Cupra 280 for around 12k and I'd have one of them over the Astra in a heartbeat

The only car that beats the GTC VXR as a drivers car is the Megane RS, the VAG stuff doesn't compare.

[Gurrier]

ZX10R NIN said:

The only car that beats the GTC VXR as a drivers car is the Megane RS, the VAG stuff doesn't compare.

Yea i had a 2010 rs250 cup with some kw clubsport coils remap downpipe sports cat and afew other bits, was a very impressive car at times almost like driving in a cartoon. I feel like i would be retreading covered ground though buying another one even though im quite tempted. I would most likely remap the astra do downpipe intake kit and leave it at that so should see 300 or so bhp.

[ZX10R NIN]

Gurrier said:

Yea i had a 2010 rs250 cup with some kw clubsport coils remap downpipe sports cat and afew other bits, was a very impressive car at times almost like driving in a cartoon. I feel like i would be retreading covered ground though buying another one even though im quite tempted. I would most likely remap the astra do downpipe intake kit and leave it at that so should see 300 or so bhp.

The thing where the Astra beats the Megane is the adjustable dampers that slacken things off for daily use & stiffen everything back up when you want to get on it.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304146...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309031...

One's without the upgraded stereos are a bit cheaper:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307310...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308291...

[culpz]

ZX10R NIN said:

culpz said:

How much do they go for now? You can get a Leon Cupra 280 for around 12k and I'd have one of them over the Astra in a heartbeat

The only car that beats the GTC VXR as a drivers car is the Megane RS, the VAG stuff doesn't compare.

I loved my Cupra 290. Was a perfect fast hot hatch for me. Yeah, maybe a bit numb in comparison, and I'm not a fan of Vauxhall at all. I know these newer ones are supposed to be better but I couldn't bring myself to buy one over the competition.

[ZX10R NIN]

culpz said:

I loved my Cupra 290. Was a perfect fast hot hatch for me. Yeah, maybe a bit numb in comparison, and I'm not a fan of Vauxhall at all. I know these newer ones are supposed to be better but I couldn't bring myself to buy one over the competition.

That's cool each to their own but if I wanted a drivers hot hatch the Leon wouldn't get a look in, as an all rounder they're okay.
I judge cars on what people need them to do, rather than the badge.

[Gurrier]

After looking at what's out there and the prices I've decided to hold off afew months and wait until a nice 15 or so 275 trophy pops up for sale.

Thanks for the input lads 👍

[culpz]

ZX10R NIN said:

culpz said:

I loved my Cupra 290. Was a perfect fast hot hatch for me. Yeah, maybe a bit numb in comparison, and I'm not a fan of Vauxhall at all. I know these newer ones are supposed to be better but I couldn't bring myself to buy one over the competition.

That's cool each to their own but if I wanted a drivers hot hatch the Leon wouldn't get a look in, as an all rounder they're okay.
I judge cars on what people need them to do, rather than the badge.

I don't judge on badge either. I've just always found Vauxhall to be horrifically cheap inside and just not as good as the competition. I'm sure they've come along way since. I still couldn't pick one over an offering from Ford, Renault, Peugeot, etc.

I can imagine as a drivers cars they are more involving. Those Megane's are really something else mind.

Edited by culpz on Monday 18th September 10:39

Edited by culpz on Monday 18th September 10:40

[rawenghey]

The Megane RS every time.

Lost count of how many times I've seen one terrorising some far more exotic metal on a track day.

[Gurrier]

rawenghey said:

The Megane RS every time.

Lost count of how many times I've seen one terrorising some far more exotic metal on a track day.

Yea i loved my old one

[exelero]

Gurrier said:

Had a nice grey 2010 Megane RS250 Cup afew years back and i liked it alot over the two years i had her.

Been driving an ecoflex insignia for a year and a half now and i feel like something new and the Astra J VXR looks interesting and is from the same era, unfortunately budget wont stretch to a vw group mqb platform car and was wondering if anyone here has an experience of both cars at all ? There seem to be quite afew horror stories of pistons going into space etc but on the internet nowadays who is to know. I know from experience the meganes are pretty solid and dont mind being thrashed on trackdays.

Thanks
Jim

If I had to choose between those two, I’ll always go Focus ST

[Gurrier]

exelero said:

If I had to choose between those two, I’ll always go Focus ST

I've had 2 reasonably modified mk2 ST's and i liked them alot, the facelift was particularly nice to live with, not keen on the mk3 tbh especially the electric steering with the artificial weight.

[culpz]

Gurrier said:

I've had 2 reasonably modified mk2 ST's and i liked them alot, the facelift was particularly nice to live with, not keen on the mk3 tbh especially the electric steering with the artificial weight.

I really liked my facelift ST2 (when it worked, which was rarely) but I, unfortunately, bought an example which looked good on paper, but it turned out to be an absolute lemon in reality. Mine was a 3dr in Performance Blue. No mods other than a resonator delete on the exhaust. Gotta love a 5-pot!

[Gurrier]

All stories deserve an ending.

Settled on this, 55000 miles 😄

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1936097936783421?sfn...

[Lincsls1]

Gurrier said:

All stories deserve an ending.

Settled on this, 55000 miles ??

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1936097936783421?sfn...

Congrats! That's a sexy looking Astra. Love the Arden blue paint too.
Lovely car.

[ZX10R NIN]

Looks like a good car & the Arden blue is a great colour choice.

[Mr Tidy]

Congratulations - that looks lovely.

And it's always interesting to see how these threads end!