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

[QuattroDave]

Having ragged many of these around Thruxton thanks to the VXR days they're good fun to drive on a track. Though I remember the headlight cover being plastic not glass as it was bendy. Helpful in a 1mph ding but hardly screaming quality!

[Killboy]

Yay, I couldn't believe the value in one in December, so I picked on up. 18k miles, Aero pack 2013 model for 14k.

I love it. And weirdly, like the interior. Its a massive leap forward from the previous ones, and the seats are awesome (less so if one of the tilt cables breaks).

Just be weary things like the brakes are expensive, and those 20s with the Aero pack obviously come at a price.

[700BHP]

Still a looker. No doubt 350bhp is easily attainable too.

[Barchettaman]

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

[HJMS123]

My neighbour has a navy one with the aero pack and it's a good looking car however navy is the last colour I'd choose! It sounds rather fruity during cold starts.

I remember when these were released that the discs and pads were ridiculously expensive and the tyres were an odd fitment so the choose wasn't great and were again very expensive but i don't know if things have changed.

[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.

[Killboy]

Mike1990 said:

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

Actually, you wont believe how wide the VXR is. It doesnt fit in my garage, where my Golf R did no problem.

[ZX10R NIN]

I like the look of these but I'd always go for the Focus I have a customer who has one & she loves it.

[FN2TypeR]

Make sure that you check the condition of the front brakes before buying a used one, if they need replacing you will be in for a fairly hefty bill!

[donkmeister]

Barchettaman said:

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

Apparently not (Delta II platform for Astra, Epsilon for Insignia) but I know what you mean... It has a bit of Cascada to the looks and I thought the Cascada was Insignia underneath.

[IanJ9375]

donkmeister said:

Apparently not (Delta II platform for Astra, Epsilon for Insignia) but I know what you mean... It has a bit of Cascada to the looks and I thought the Cascada was Insignia underneath.

For Cascada read Astra Convertible effectively - same Delta II platform

[NickColl89]

What is it with Vauxhall fitting really expensive brakes to there performance cars? My former 888 cdti (my dads now) has these ridiculously expensive 335mm alcon breaks.

[IanJ9375]

NickColl89 said:

What is it with Vauxhall fitting really expensive brakes to there performance cars? My former 888 cdti (my dads now) has these ridiculously expensive 335mm alcon breaks.

Vauxhall didn't fit anything to the 888 - they were all basic Sri CDTI that rolled out of the factory door, Thurlby and 888 got together to make the 888 which isn't an official Vauxhall model, the only 888 they did was the Astra Coupe.

[NickColl89]

IanJ9375 said:

Vauxhall didn't fit anything to the 888 - they were all basic Sri CDTI that rolled out of the factory door, Thurlby and 888 got together to make the 888 which isn't an official Vauxhall model, the only 888 they did was the Astra Coupe.

Everyday is a school day, I'll tell him to curse 888 instead of Vauxhall from now on then.

[Yipper]

Good-looking, tunable cars.

[Killboy]

So, can anyone recommend a tuner?

[IanJ9375]

NickColl89 said:

Everyday is a school day, I'll tell him to curse 888 instead of Vauxhall from now on then.

Yep lol

Thurlby did a second run essentially and called the model T9 using a guy who was Ex-888, there was some differences in the parts used to modify these and they also did some estates and 5dr versions from memory

[WCZ]

good cars, look decent, nice spec and most importantly cheap to tune to 300+bhp

[matchmaker]

My son had the earlier model. My abiding recollection is horrendous torque steer!