Vauxhall in, 'makers of perfectly decent cars', shocker...
Discussion
Had a work trip that involved a 400 mile round trip. Hired a car and imagine my joy when a Corsa turned up...
Not exactly ideal for a motorway schlep you'd expect, but I couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised! Yes it was low on power, but the general comfort and refinement, decent touch points and kit, frankly amazed me. I have no idea what they retail at (and I'm sure enterprise receive a very healthy discount) but it really was perfectly adequate!
Cool story bro, etc, but I do find it a shame when Vauxhall seemingly have such a rock bottom desirability status when they are actually making quite hopeful cars. Just me?
Not exactly ideal for a motorway schlep you'd expect, but I couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised! Yes it was low on power, but the general comfort and refinement, decent touch points and kit, frankly amazed me. I have no idea what they retail at (and I'm sure enterprise receive a very healthy discount) but it really was perfectly adequate!
Cool story bro, etc, but I do find it a shame when Vauxhall seemingly have such a rock bottom desirability status when they are actually making quite hopeful cars. Just me?
Not you at all, just the throbbers on here who love to hate them for no real current or rational reason.
Ive had a few from Astra 888 coupe / Corsa VXR / Astra VXR / Cross Sxi / Tigra and had loads as short and mid-term hires across the whole range.
The only issue I've ever really had was a brand new insignia when they first came out with a faulty electronic handbrake.
Ive had a few from Astra 888 coupe / Corsa VXR / Astra VXR / Cross Sxi / Tigra and had loads as short and mid-term hires across the whole range.
The only issue I've ever really had was a brand new insignia when they first came out with a faulty electronic handbrake.
Yep, Vauxhall make fine cars, so does Ford, Kia and everyone else, including the French, who own Vauxhall. All made to the same standard, by robots, using the same generic components.
Mr German driver would have you think their car is superior, but that’s not been the case for 30 years.
Mr German driver would have you think their car is superior, but that’s not been the case for 30 years.
Yep, had a Corsa for a hire car a whiles back and being hire car spec was the lowest spec and engine and it was perfectly fine. On the motorway it was perfectly stable, was able to comfortably keep to legal speeds without feeling strained and was generally a pleasant place to be. A few low grade scratchy plastics let the side down a bit but that’s the same whenever you get a base spec small car.
Really like the new Astra as well and seems a better design than the new 308 despite being from the same Stallantis stable.
Really like the new Astra as well and seems a better design than the new 308 despite being from the same Stallantis stable.
As a boring family daily, one of my favourite cars was a Vauxhall Astra (2014 iirc). It was a bland Elite 2.0 diesel with 165hp (iirc), and it was perfectly decent for what it was. Solid, easy and decent enough to steer, never went wrong, and it drove everywhere at L3 motorway speeds barely over 2,000rpm and returned 40mpg no matter what. The leather German orthopaedic seats were a boon, and even hundreds of miles left you feeling as fresh as when you got in. I was somewhat disappointed when an extra little mouth to feed necessitated a wider rear bench! Not very PH, I know, but it did the job admirably and cost buttons comparatively speaking.
I chose my Insignia SRi 200hp over a Skoda Superb 280 and an i30N though both the latter were a few thousand more.
It was a year old, it had lots of toys, it is extremely refined, quiet and enormous for passengers. It drives really well, has huge load space and does everything rather well.
If I was picky, mine hasn't got heated seats.
Of course, it is German...built by Opel, you know.
It was a year old, it had lots of toys, it is extremely refined, quiet and enormous for passengers. It drives really well, has huge load space and does everything rather well.
If I was picky, mine hasn't got heated seats.
Of course, it is German...built by Opel, you know.
I too had a new Corsa for a few weeks and overall agree.
It really wasn't bad, on the motorway and around town, although a bit underpowered at times - probably the lowest spec in the range.
I also think the Astra J is a very good way to get into cheap reliable easy motoring - surprisingly fine and does the job well.
But that's it really.
By spending a bit more you can get much nicer refinement and driving enjoyment from other brands (although not neccessarily any better reliability).
I can see why they sell plenty of them, but meh.
It really wasn't bad, on the motorway and around town, although a bit underpowered at times - probably the lowest spec in the range.
I also think the Astra J is a very good way to get into cheap reliable easy motoring - surprisingly fine and does the job well.
But that's it really.
By spending a bit more you can get much nicer refinement and driving enjoyment from other brands (although not neccessarily any better reliability).
I can see why they sell plenty of them, but meh.
wormus said:
Yep, Vauxhall make fine cars, so does Ford, Kia and everyone else, including the French, who own Vauxhall. All made to the same standard, by robots, using the same generic components.
Mr German driver would have you think their car is superior, but that’s not been the case for 30 years.
Indeedy Mr German driver would have you think their car is superior, but that’s not been the case for 30 years.
Truth is nobody makes a really crap car anymore, and the days when you could objectively justify buying premium German metal because that was the only way to get a nicely screwed together and reliable one are long gone.
I've got a Corsa from a garage as a courtesy car at the moment. It is not the base spec low powered one. So far as I can tell, it's a mid-spec (heated seats, leather wheel, but no centre armrest which is odd). It's a 70-reg, 10k miles on it. I believe it's the 1.2 turbo 100bhp, and it has the 8-speed auto transmission.
I absolutely love it. It feels really fast around town, rides and handles well, seems well built and the seats are very comfy. I'm amazed such a cheap little car can be this good. It's gone straight on my "might actually buy one of these" list, it's the first car I've driven in ages which actually makes me want to go out for a pointless hoon in it. I'm a bit stunned.
Big, big thumbs up to Vx from me.
Is there somewhere on it I can find a sticker or plate telling me exactly what engine and spec it is? I'm a bit intrigued.
I absolutely love it. It feels really fast around town, rides and handles well, seems well built and the seats are very comfy. I'm amazed such a cheap little car can be this good. It's gone straight on my "might actually buy one of these" list, it's the first car I've driven in ages which actually makes me want to go out for a pointless hoon in it. I'm a bit stunned.
Big, big thumbs up to Vx from me.
Is there somewhere on it I can find a sticker or plate telling me exactly what engine and spec it is? I'm a bit intrigued.
Edited by Bannock on Tuesday 7th March 13:56
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