Tuesday 5th September 2017

Vauxhall Astra VXR: Spotted

Many have forgotten about the Astra VXR, but there's a lot to recommend it at better than half price...

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With the glut of hot hatches having been launched in the past half a dozen years or so, it's easy to forget about Vauxhall's offering. Perhaps you automatically choose to forget about Vauxhall's offering, regardless of the sector. But it's a good hot hatch, one that was deserving of attention as a new car and arguably even more so as a used purchase.

Smart

No, really. Our road test from a few years back concluded with "the Astra VXR is still a great hot hatch that entertains by teaming its overwhelming punch with a really useful amount of front-end grip." So there. And all the technology we've come to expect in a contemporary hot hatch is here in the Vauxhall, with a front suspension system - the HiperStrut - that performs a very similar job to the Perfohub in a Renaultsport Megane, a limited-slip diff (from Drexler) and adaptive dampers. Despite being launched in 2012, its 280hp and 295lb ft are still competitive today, especially when your bear in mind that a new Civic Type R makes the same amount of torque.

Alright, we'll concede that in five years interiors have come a fair way - and the Vauxhall's wasn't great to start with. Have a look at a new Golf GTI and this for proof of that. And perhaps the VXR wasn't the most exciting hot hatch dynamically, the handling rather safer than the boisterous looks would lead you to believe.

However, there's a lot still to recommend the VXR, and particularly with early cars now worth less than half their new price. This one seems especially good; it's being sold privately at £12,500 with just 30,000 miles recorded since 2012. Painted in the trademark Arden Blue and with the near-essential Aero Pack - look how bland it is without! - it's a fine example of a forgotten hot hatch. And you'll get the regular numberplate back on it.

Less smart

Perhaps the biggest problem facing the Astra VXR, beyond the inevitable Vauxhall jibes, is the sheer wealth of excellent rivals it faces. Good examples of both the previous Renaultsport Megane and Focus ST are available for this money, but you'll have to make do with a Mk6 Golf GTI if you require something more mature. Whatever you want from a hot hatch, there's a car out there for you at the moment. If any PHers have taken the plunge on a VXR, now's the time to shout about it...

If the Astra does fit your criteria, it does look tremendous value at the moment. Fast, stylish, rare and capable, it could be a canny buy for a hot hatch buyer willing to think a bit differently.

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VAUXHALL ASTRA VXR
Engine: 1,998cc 4-cyl, turbocharged
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 280@5,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 295@2,400-4,500rpm
MPG: 34.9 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 189g/km
First registered: 2012
Recorded mileage: 29,890
Price new: £27,010
Yours for: £12,500

See the original advert here.

 

[Mike1990]

Still IMO one of the nicest looking Hot Hatches out there.

Be interesting to compare it against the newer crop. It's one of the reason's i went with a Corsa VXR Nurburgring, it might not be as Dynamically Polished as a 197/200 Cup but its just as capable, rare and different take on the more 'Focused' Hot Hatches out there.

Edited by Mike1990 on Tuesday 5th September 14:05

[Mike1990]

Barchettaman said:

Aren't these more of an Insignia coupé under the Astra skin, or am I imagining that?

Not sure but they both have the same 20" Alloys and massive 350mm Brembos lol. They are a really large car tbh.

[Mike1990]

Killboy said:

So, can anyone recommend a tuner?

WG Motorworks is very highly recommended amongst the Vauxhall and VXR gang.

[Mike1990]

Lctr said:

I bought one of these new and was rubbish ,the gear change,the engine,the paintwork. I weighed mine it was 1525kg ,my 64 plate 330d weighed 1575!.The paintwork is the worst thou just Google vxronline astra vxr stone chips shocking . I replaced it with a rs megane 265 ,now that was a car.

It does appear with the VXR products you either get a good one or a Friday Afternoon one.