Vauxhall Astra

Hi,

I'm interesting in buying an brand new Vauxhall Astra, wanted the GSi but
the insurance is too much therefore opting for SRi. I wanted to know when
the best time to buy? I know the new Astra coming out in Spring 2004 so
should I buy the current model just before, how much will I dealer drop the
price?

Plus any comments or views on the SRi 1.8/SRi 2.2/GSi would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Ferret

 

Can't really comment on how much/when dealers will drop prices....

However, I've owned a 1.8 SRi for just over two years now, so I got it
before the GSi hit the streets. Still haven't got round to getting a
test drive in a GSi yet

Now, the main reason I got the 1.8 was because I could see no real point
in getting the 2.2. There is a big difference in the insurance group
(9-14?) and for the tiny little bit of extra performance, it just wasn't
justifiable. I think the 0-60s are 8.5 and 8.2. The difference in
overall top speed is impossible to test in this country though I have
had my 1.8 at an indicated 130mph on a German autobahn! It was
amazingly smooth at that speed. Why don't we have autobahns?

I previously owned a 1.4 SRi Corsa (L-reg) and the passing acceleration
in that was interesting to say the least. It didn't really deserve to
carry an SRi badge!! OTOH, the Astra SRi is a revelation considering it
only has 400cc more. If you want to pass something, get it in third
with the revs over 4000 and it just takes off. Passing is now a
pleasure!! In fact, if you want to make time down a twisty road, just
make sure you select a gear that keeps the revs in the 4000-5500 range.
That seems to be where the power peaks.

Another big improvement in the Astra over the Corsa is the handling.
The Astra has very neutral, safe handling. If you push far too hard
into an unexpected corner, all the wheels will break traction around the
same time. That is so easy to control, just back off a little and turn
into the slide a little. OTOH, if you backed off in the Corsa when
sliding it would just throw the back out and was not very easy to
catch!!

Don't start me on braking performance! The Corsa would be considered to
be dangerous when compared to the Astra.....

Andrew

 

I'm interested in buying an brand new Vauxhall Astra, wanted the GSi but

I'm sure healthy discounts will be available but they will pale into
insignificance next to the depreciation you'll suffer in the first 12
months.

Buy a nearly new one and save a major packet. Plenty of 2003/03 cars with
sub 10k miles on Autotrader. With a modicum of haggling and no PX you'll
pick one up for around £9,000. Whatever you pay for yours, in 6 months time
£9,000 is all it's going to be worth (£8,000 trade).

 

I also have the 1.8 SRi.....very nice motor.

I decided to opt for the irmscher front grille / debadged all round.

New 17" wheels and tyres.

Performance is ok altho i have noticed a few flat spots on take
off.... not sure if its a common thing or not...maybe someone here
knows...

I also came from a corsa and agree with most things the other guy
says.

i only wish they had put the twin pipe exhaust on the 1.8
model...looks nice.

Interior not as nice as it could be but still ok.....

i paid 8200 for mine on a 02 plate 6 months ago.

Insurance is just under 600 a year..... 28yr old / sheffield / no
points / 3 years NCB...... fully comp.

Oh also changed the rear lights for lexus clear type....nice touch.


Paul W

 

I've noticed that too. I'm guessing it's got something to do with
emissions tests!! Most likely the tests are done at particular revs so
the ECU is tuned to give good emissions there. Most likely a modded
chip (from Superchips?) would fix that but then what happens come MOT
time?

I'm getting insurance at about 480.... 33yr old / Harrogate / 3pts (from
the Corsa days!!) / full NCB / fully comp.

Andrew

 

Thanks Steve for your comment.

If I could get brand new for 10k would you still advise buying nearly new?

 

How much did them extras set you back?

I agree (",)

I'm insured fully comp on a Fiesta 1.25 Zetec Sport for £1200 22yr old /
Manchester / 3 points (1999) / 2 years NCB

To upgrade to the Astra 1.8 SRi my insurers said premium would be £1800 is
that worth it???

The GSi was £6000 hence why I opted for the 1.8 SRi.

 

If I could get brand new for 10k would you still advise buying nearly new?

No, I don't think I would. That's a big discount though, are you sure you
could get it - on a UK car not an import?

If you're shopping around you should try a car broker. Phone Carfile (01335
360763), they're usually hard to beat. You don't pay Carfile a penny, your
transaction is entirely with a Vauxhall main dealer who pay Carfile a
commission. The price quoted includes delivery to your door.

In the interests of fairness I also recommend you drop a line to Alan
Steele, a Vauxhall main dealer who posts a lot of useful advice to this
group. I'm sure Alan will be competitive.

 

Ah..... under 25 blues....what a shitter.

no matter what car you drive these days..as soon as you say your under
25...bang....add at least 500 quid.

The extra's were a bit pricey at the time....

Lexus rear cluster ... 150

Front Grille ..... 120

Wheels + tyres ..... not bad at 600

Debadge...... Free.!!!!

 

Yeah... ive looked at the superchip...

£275 fitted ... the bhp increase wasnt great .. about 8bhp i think.

But im sure the throttle response would be a lot crisper... owners of
the car will know what i mean.

One good thing to try... is filling the tank with Shell Optimax....
not cheap but it makes the motor shift....have fun.

PduB

 

Thanks for the plug!

--

Alan


New & used Vauxhall cars & vans, servicing, repairs & parts
www.steeles.co.uk

Vauxhall CD players & handbooks
http://www.stores.ebay.co.uk/vauxhallradiosales

 

The new car will be a better car but the old one is still decent. It is
being launched in Spring but I doubt the supply of things like SRi will be
better until later in the year. If you are happy with the current car (and I
am) I would not wait.

I would also look at Coupe as there are deals to be had there too.

I doubt whether the 'whole life' costs will vary much. The new Astra will
depreciate less (although all cars of this size still depreciate fast) but
it will cost more in the fast place.

I would seriously consider nearly new as there are some good bargains to be
had. If you are looking for new, do shop around but watch out for imports
(whether badged Vauxhall or not).

--

Alan


New & used Vauxhall cars & vans, servicing, repairs & parts
www.steeles.co.uk

Vauxhall CD players & handbooks
http://www.stores.ebay.co.uk/vauxhallradiosales

 

PduB raved thus:

:: One good thing to try... is filling the tank with Shell Optimax....
:: not cheap but it makes the motor shift....have fun.

It might only be perception, but I seem to get better MPG with Optimax in my
1.8 SRi.

Abo

 

I probably would too if it wasnt for the fact that i drive the car
harder with optimax than normal fuel.

If i did drive it the same im sure i would notice a difference in MPG.

I usually get approx 100 miles to £10 of fuel in my SRi.... driving
average...but not like im driving miss daisy.

On optimax it tends to drop to around 80 miles to £10 of fuel.

Unleaded - 73.7p / litre

Optimax - 78.9 / litre

I like to top up the tank with optimax at least once a month.... i
somehow think its doing the engine some good..?????? - A bit like the
old redex theory - (any info welcome).

PduB

 

Thanks again for your comments, I did see it at that price at Marko but they
stop selling Astra now

I give carfile and Alan a try near to the time I want to buy, but thanks
much appreciated.

Ferret

 

Alan what would your best price be for a brand new Astra 1.8 SRi, 3 door,
metallic black?

Also any nearly new prices for the same spec?

Thanks in advance

Ferret

 

wow 100 miles to £10 that same as my Fiesta and a good buying point (",)

I tried Optimax in my Fiesta didn't make much difference so stop using it,
but will when get my Astra.

 

Not bad price and I bet it looking more like a GSi now (",)

 

Alan what would your best price be for a brand new Astra 1.8 SRi, 3 door,

3 years from now a silver one will look better. In fact, any colour apart
from black will look better (shows every chip).

 

We don't have any nearly new ones in stock at the moment and decent ones are
surprisingly rare from other sources.

The best I could find are a couple of 2003 models and they are not black.
They are genuine cars though, not imports and have the balance of the 3-year
warranty.

April 2003 on an 03 plate. Star Silver. Approx 4,000 miles. £9,700

Jan 2003 on a 52 plate. Prestige Blue. Aprox 7,300 miles. £9,200


If you are interested or would like us to look for more, can you give us a
call? Contact details are on our website and speak to Simon (one of my Sales
staff) who has done the research.

--

Alan


New & used Vauxhall cars & vans, servicing, repairs & parts
www.steeles.co.uk