Astra GTC 2.0 VXR not loved much, why?
Discussion
Everyone I talk to seems to love a hot hatch. Rightly so. Be it a Focus st, type R or or similar. But there seems to be no love, or very little for a Vauxhall Astra gtc vxr. Why? All the ingredients are there for a hot hatch bingo card. 3 door, turbo engine, 280bhp, good-looking. Yet I've never heard anyone talk with the same enthusiasm for one like the ST, type R etc. Most negative talk seems to be around their handling, but it surely can't be that bad..
I think the Vauxhall/VXR image is probably the crux of it- you can't mention the Mk V Astra VXR without someone bringing up that thread of the guy obsessively detailing his white one. And the Meriva VXR thread running at the moment had comments stating that a VXR is essentially the automotive equivalent of an XL Bully.
Shame, as they are genuinely good-looking cars and apparently pretty good to drive. Wasn't the GTC VXR the one where Top Gear did a comparison with the Focus ST and Megane RS of the day, and Clarkson pretty much admitted that he'd have the Astra? I actually considered one for my current car, but having previously owned two FWD hatchbacks fancied more of a change (and yes, the idea of having to explain that it's actually quite a good car despite being a Vauxhall didn't help).
Shame, as they are genuinely good-looking cars and apparently pretty good to drive. Wasn't the GTC VXR the one where Top Gear did a comparison with the Focus ST and Megane RS of the day, and Clarkson pretty much admitted that he'd have the Astra? I actually considered one for my current car, but having previously owned two FWD hatchbacks fancied more of a change (and yes, the idea of having to explain that it's actually quite a good car despite being a Vauxhall didn't help).
I accidentally ridiculed one in front of the owner once, not through any fault of the car - I actually quite like them as a car, but at the time I seem to remember the list price being absurdly expensive compared to the alternatives (Most of which were objectively better on paper)
It's hard to compare now though, as all the list prices I see look absurdly cheap by 2024 Standards
It's hard to compare now though, as all the list prices I see look absurdly cheap by 2024 Standards
The VXR and Vauxhall brand don’t have the best reputation and the majority are poorly maintained and not driven to the best standard.
My only experience is an old Vectra GSI and mk5 Astra VXR Nurburgring and they were awful when compared to competitors. The only thing they had going for their was that they were cheap, which attracted owners as per my f first paragraph.
My only experience is an old Vectra GSI and mk5 Astra VXR Nurburgring and they were awful when compared to competitors. The only thing they had going for their was that they were cheap, which attracted owners as per my f first paragraph.
KarlMac said:
The VXR and Vauxhall brand don’t have the best reputation and the majority are poorly maintained and not driven to the best standard.
My only experience is an old Vectra GSI and mk5 Astra VXR Nurburgring and they were awful when compared to competitors. The only thing they had going for their was that they were cheap, which attracted owners as per my f first paragraph.
Think the Vectra was well received against the Mondeo of the time.My only experience is an old Vectra GSI and mk5 Astra VXR Nurburgring and they were awful when compared to competitors. The only thing they had going for their was that they were cheap, which attracted owners as per my f first paragraph.
It's the usual Vauxhall hatred as seen on here. Probably by people who drive VAG cars...
911Spanker said:
KarlMac said:
The VXR and Vauxhall brand don’t have the best reputation and the majority are poorly maintained and not driven to the best standard.
My only experience is an old Vectra GSI and mk5 Astra VXR Nurburgring and they were awful when compared to competitors. The only thing they had going for their was that they were cheap, which attracted owners as per my f first paragraph.
Think the Vectra was well received against the Mondeo of the time.My only experience is an old Vectra GSI and mk5 Astra VXR Nurburgring and they were awful when compared to competitors. The only thing they had going for their was that they were cheap, which attracted owners as per my f first paragraph.
It's the usual Vauxhall hatred as seen on here. Probably by people who drive VAG cars...
I have often wondered. I remember Fifth Gear doing a dog fight with the Megane RS250 and the GTC VXR. I'm sure there was little in it which was impressive given the Megane was top dog at that time in the hot hatch sector.
I personally cannot bring myself to like it. Even though I'll admit it looks good and likely drives well.
I personally cannot bring myself to like it. Even though I'll admit it looks good and likely drives well.
BigsimonY said:
Everyone I talk to seems to love a hot hatch. Rightly so. Be it a Focus st, type R or or similar. But there seems to be no love, or very little for a Vauxhall Astra gtc vxr. Why? All the ingredients are there for a hot hatch bingo card. 3 door, turbo engine, 280bhp, good-looking. Yet I've never heard anyone talk with the same enthusiasm for one like the ST, type R etc. Most negative talk seems to be around their handling, but it surely can't be that bad..
It's probably because GM/Opel of that era were a classic 80% engineering company; they didn't move anything forward. The vxr cars all share anodyne handling, except for the lotus based car, the vx220. It is no surprise that the company was acquired and is essentially defunct.Put another way, it's what happens when a white goods company makes a product cynically to fit in the enthusiast sector; the product is still a white goods lump of car. It's as hard to get enthused by that as it is to be enthusiastic about a hotrodded washing machine.
There are people who absolutely love Vauxhalls, just as there are people who absolutely love Miele. Odd people.
Did vauxhall race or rally the astra of this era? I think for that you'd have to go back further to a cavalier or maybe Vectra with John Cleland. For rally word have to be back to the MK2 in the late 90s.
Soulless cars, bought by the kg by fleet managers and people absolutely disinterested by cars cannot be redeemed with a faster version of the same thing.
M.F.D said:
I have often wondered. I remember Fifth Gear doing a dog fight with the Megane RS250 and the GTC VXR. I'm sure there was little in it which was impressive given the Megane was top dog at that time in the hot hatch sector.
I personally cannot bring myself to like it. Even though I'll admit it looks good and likely drives well.
What's stopping you liking it?I personally cannot bring myself to like it. Even though I'll admit it looks good and likely drives well.
As a rule I prefer brighter colours on cars, but there's a deep blue GTC where I work and it looks absolutely classy and understated. My only gripe, looks-wise, is that it appears quite big and bloated which perhaps explains the sober colour chosen by its owner.
Never driven one, but I would imagine it's every bit as competent as its looks suggest. Having done several thousands of kilometres in hired Astra Estates in Italy and Croatia, I know they drive alright.
Never driven one, but I would imagine it's every bit as competent as its looks suggest. Having done several thousands of kilometres in hired Astra Estates in Italy and Croatia, I know they drive alright.
They're good value now and alot of car for the money. Exterior wise, I think they look spot-on, especially in that blue colour. Interior is where I struggle, other than the seats, which look incredible.
Not sure about the engine but I'm sure they still have gearbox issues. The competition is strong. You can get Megane 250's for a similar price, which would be hard to look past for me. Focus ST is probably more along the same lines, but would probably still get my vote. I haven't actually driven one though. As said above, Harris really liked it and so did Clarkson.
Not sure about the engine but I'm sure they still have gearbox issues. The competition is strong. You can get Megane 250's for a similar price, which would be hard to look past for me. Focus ST is probably more along the same lines, but would probably still get my vote. I haven't actually driven one though. As said above, Harris really liked it and so did Clarkson.
sam.rog said:
Badge snobs is the main reason.
Maybe. Admittedly, I've never really been a Vauxhall fan myself. I have been in and driven some and they just lack in all areas compared to say the competition. I have heard the newer models are much improved though.There's nothing wrong in not liking a certain brand of car. It's not like the rest of the competition are leagues ahead to other people, in terms of showing off and such. Is owning a Vauxhall really any worse than a Renault, Peugeot or Ford in other peoples eyes?
sam.rog said:
Badge snobs is the main reason.
Yep definitely, I have a vx220turbo which is a fantastic car every bit as good as an equivalent Elise, a lot of owners remove the Vauxhall badges as I can only assume they don’t want people knowing they are driving a Vauxhall. It’s a real Shame that Vauxhall and Ford don’t make cars like this anymore, never will do again with EV cars taking over. Neil1323bolts said:
sam.rog said:
Badge snobs is the main reason.
Yep definitely, I have a vx220turbo which is a fantastic car every bit as good as an equivalent Elise, a lot of owners remove the Vauxhall badges as I can only assume they don’t want people knowing they are driving a Vauxhall. It’s a real Shame that Vauxhall and Ford don’t make cars like this anymore, never will do again with EV cars taking over. Gassing Station | VX | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff