Astra VXR

[Steven]

Thinking of getting one of these before the end of the year. Does anybody have one and they are any good?

[AlfaTech]

The only VXR I'd recommend is the VXR8 it's a beast of a machine and great fun to drive - if not a bit too thirsty on fuel. Realistically though if talking about getting an Astra VXR, it's gotta be better than the Corsa VXR!!! Although I hear that they aren't too great on handling - but go very fast in a straight lines though. Edited July 29, 2011 by AlfaTech

[Chris_in_notts]

which MK? I wouldnt bother with an MK5 as they will all be thrashed by boy racers since they became affordable

[Steven]

Haha, I am 19. and yes MK5

[3s-gtech]

19?! Can you afford the insurance? They're a good car for what they are - far too expensive to fallen into the hands of most boy racers yet, and there'll be plenty of good examples about. I just can't see anyone covering you on that for less than £2.5k.

[Steven]

I got it to just under 2k when I turn 20 in September and have 2 years no claims

[3s-gtech]

Erk, well if you're happy to pay it then there's no problem. Obviously there are some decent alternatives to the Astra which you should look into:

Focus ST (although they're thirsty and possibly worse to insure)

Alfa 147 GTA (brittle but gorgeous)

Audi S3 (bit dull in the older models)

Golf R32 (bit meh IMO)

Megane 225 (meant to be awesome, perhaps brittle)

 

Does it have to be a 5 seater/hatch?

[Steven]

thanks, No it doesn't need to be a 5 seater. I currently drive a 1.4 Astra SXI and just fancy upgrading that to the VXR

[3s-gtech]

You may be just the age group to go for something far less practical then (unless you have a family!) Remember that a front wheel drive performance car is a compromise - you may be able to find something far more fun but with RWD/4WD that suits you. As an example (and not a recommendation, you're looking at far newer cars) I bought my MR2 as my impractical car (though I kept a daily hack). Perhaps something like an Audi TT Quattro coupe? Or an MX5!

[kearton]

+1 vote for the VXR8...

[gshaw]

As much as I like my motors I can't bear the thought of paying more than 1k to an insurance company that means I'm still limited to what I can get even with 5yrs NCB

 

Only thing with the Astra is that awful chunky centre console that gets right in the way of your knees if you're tall, remember looking at one in the Motor Show a few years back, really nice until I got to the interior. That said if you've got an Astra of the same shape now you're already used to it so won't make much difference

 

Personally I'd go for the Civic Type R over the Astra but you won't get much change out of £10k

[Gerry]

I wouldn't recommend a Focus ST. A friend of a colleague is having difficulty finding a garage that will part ex it, and they're very thirsty - 20mpg I'm told. My old Focus RS Mk1 did 28mpg and was similar performance. I'd love a VXR8, but again way too thirsty (17mpg I've seen quoted). I now drive a Subaru which is 316HP, 4WD and does around 24mpg. Also, high horsepower FWD cars suffer from torque steer. The Focus RS Mk1 suffered from it a little, but not as much as the Astra VXR. The Honda Civic Type-R Mk2 would be a good car. Looks good, drives well, and I'm sure there is a large modding market for it these days. A colleague has one with an aftermarket exhaust and it sound awesome!

[3s-gtech]

EP3 Type-R is a good call of course - not the FN2 which isn't a real Type-R.

[michael2k6]

I've had a go in a friends renaultsport 225 and i can promise you it shifts. I've had it for a forntight when he was on hol, and it does certainly move.

I've test driven and just ordered an alfa giulietta cloverleaf, which is meant to be the replacement for the 147 gta, and i loved that, but cant vouch for the gta.

 

Something else to consider, though a bit brittle is the RX8 231ps - I've had an R3 for a few weeks (same engine different body kit) and that shifts too. Theres nothing like a car that will rev to 9k rpm on the red line that sounds like a bike and has rear wheel drive. If you can get your hands on one, test drive one.

[AlfaTech]

I've test driven and just ordered an alfa giulietta cloverleaf

 

Good man! Gr8 car! Enjoy.

I was gonna recommend that over an Astra VXR for a touch of class and style with a bit of raw power and great handling.

[dirtydog]

I've had a go in a friends renaultsport 225 and i can promise you it shifts. I've had it for a forntight when he was on hol, and it does certainly move.

I've test driven and just ordered an alfa giulietta cloverleaf, which is meant to be the replacement for the 147 gta, and i loved that, but cant vouch for the gta.

 

Something else to consider, though a bit brittle is the RX8 231ps - I've had an R3 for a few weeks (same engine different body kit) and that shifts too. Theres nothing like a car that will rev to 9k rpm on the red line that sounds like a bike and has rear wheel drive. If you can get your hands on one, test drive one.

 

9k is mental I thought I was doing well with a 8.3k redline

[HaleStorm]

other thing to look at could be moving to something like a Punto Abarth or a TJet150[bhp] Bravo (2007model) ive got the Tjet120[bhp] and it really shifts (low pressure turbo really does its job and makes it less thirsty) so im guessing the 150 bhp model will be even quicker, according to the book the 0-60 in mine is around 8.5 seconds so 30more ponys should make it super quick

 

Might be looking at a Mitsibishi Lancer (not the evo) as you can get a 1.8turbo charged petrol version of those aswell and its got a bomb proof Jap engine and the electrics will be more reliable

[AlfaTech]

other thing to look at could be moving to something like a Punto Abarth or a TJet150[bhp] Bravo (2007model) ive got the Tjet120[bhp] and it really shifts (low pressure turbo really does its job and makes it less thirsty) so im guessing the 150 bhp model will be even quicker, according to the book the 0-60 in mine is around 8.5 seconds so 30more ponys should make it super quick

 

...Or equally an Alfa Romeo MiTO turbo. I've got one with the Tjet150 engine (although its actually tuned to 155bhp) which doesn't half shift 0-60 in 7.7 seconds, 6-speed and 40mpg, which ain't half bad for a 1.4 turbo. Gives most things on the road a run for their money, plus it's got the Alfa looks 'n style so it gets the chicks too! (er, just kidding - but it does get a lot of attention).

Edited August 2, 2011 by AlfaTech

[3s-gtech]

If you're going for an Astra VXR, surely those above are a totally different ballpark though? 100bhp down and much less focused. IF you really wanted to go for focused fun, DC2 Integra Type-R. Seriously revvy, fantastic handling, very quick.

[HaleStorm]

...Or equally an Alfa Romeo MiTO turbo. I've got one with the Tjet150 engine (although its actually tuned to 155bhp) which doesn't half shift 0-60 in 7.7 seconds, 6-speed and 40mpg, which ain't half bad for a 1.4 turbo. Gives most things on the road a run for their money, plus it's got the Alfa looks 'n style so it gets the chicks too! (er, just kidding - but it does get a lot of attention).

 

i think the alfa mito looks a bit like a insect at the back, the Fiat/Alfa TJet engines are absolutly superb and they are quite reliable, the only thing i'd say look out for on the alfas and fiats is the stock brake discs are a bit sketchy, upgrading to a set of brembo discs and pads (calipers will be replaced when i can afford it too) is a must.

 

If your looking for a VXR why not try the insignia variant or if your feeling daring find somewhere with a Monaro VXR import from Australia

[michael2k6]

Lol I think the price range might be getting a bit crazy here. But thanks for the comment on the giulietta! Can't wait. And yes, I'd heard the brake fade might be a bit pants, don't have a problem putting Brembo's on if I deem it necessary. I was quite impressed that the 225 had brembo 4 pots, then i realised i've got 4 pots on the mini lol (propper mini) and that a friends Q7 has 8 pots on the front and 6 pots on the back :S

[HaleStorm]

i dont think the prize is to crazy for the Fiat, i got mine for 3600 with a trade in of a battered skoda fabia with a dead clutch and no back suspension lol

the only thing i didnt get were the breaks and the alloys, but i know someone at a breakers yard who got me a set of Fiat 17" alloys (luckily he didnt check what the resale value was before he did them me at £50quid a wheel including nearly new yokohama tyres)

 

but i had ago in a VXR yesterday and i thought it was quite uncomfy, but i am tall and a bit stocky so the racing seats wernt exactly built with me in mind lol

[mdking]

If you want a car that can go straight in a fast line, and not around corners then go for a VXR

 

 

Renault sport Clio 197 - Great car's, not as fast as the vxr but once you get to the twisty bits you will leave them for dust and in fact you will leave most cars in that price range for dust.

 

Great brakes (312 brembos on front) The FF (full fat) version has a slightly higher ride height than the cup version, but its still a great car and lots of feedback whist giving it the beans (on a track)