VXR Astra or VX220/Turbo
Discussion
Title pretty much says it all,
but the reason for the quandry is:
price difference on a nearly new VXT is similiar to a new VXR, performance on the VXT knocks VXR into a cocked hat, but level of practicality is dropped and with the new house i cannot see either new car going in there every night which could prove to be interesting getting into a wet VXT.
dont have to use car to commute to work, but if i do will be parked outside all the time and again it does rain in these parts.
roof off sunny days appeal though, as does the performance, but then can you use the performance now adays, so would i find either car frustrating as not able to give it full foot, insurance is pretty much the same for both cars, heart is saying VXT, head is saying to look at VXR, or focus, or golf
ahh decisions,
still they are nice to have.
anyone else been in this decision what swayed on buying the VXT, have looked at a couple, last one though promise of well cared for door had dropped, and cracked bottom corner and was very noisy at speed, and lacquer failing on rear clam, from main dealer expected better for 1 year old car. hence i wonder about the buying new.
but the reason for the quandry is:
price difference on a nearly new VXT is similiar to a new VXR, performance on the VXT knocks VXR into a cocked hat, but level of practicality is dropped and with the new house i cannot see either new car going in there every night which could prove to be interesting getting into a wet VXT.
dont have to use car to commute to work, but if i do will be parked outside all the time and again it does rain in these parts.
roof off sunny days appeal though, as does the performance, but then can you use the performance now adays, so would i find either car frustrating as not able to give it full foot, insurance is pretty much the same for both cars, heart is saying VXT, head is saying to look at VXR, or focus, or golf
ahh decisions,
still they are nice to have.
anyone else been in this decision what swayed on buying the VXT, have looked at a couple, last one though promise of well cared for door had dropped, and cracked bottom corner and was very noisy at speed, and lacquer failing on rear clam, from main dealer expected better for 1 year old car. hence i wonder about the buying new.
Totally different cars, frankly - not usually the sort of thing that's compared! You should have a drive of them both, but be aware that a fair few VX220's are sold after only a few months ownership, when the first owner finds out that they can't live with the compromises.
Also, why are you just looking at Vauxhalls? Your post (to me) reads as though you were going to get an Astra VXR, and then spotted the price of a VXT in the showroom. If a VXT is on the list, you should probably also look at other two seat convertibles - S2000, Elise S2, etc.
Dan
Also, why are you just looking at Vauxhalls? Your post (to me) reads as though you were going to get an Astra VXR, and then spotted the price of a VXT in the showroom. If a VXT is on the list, you should probably also look at other two seat convertibles - S2000, Elise S2, etc.
Dan
To be honest i have been looking at the VXT for some time, and dreaming started looking at the NA version and the added boost and the halo of the fastest one you can get always tugged on my attention.
but then looking at the VXT and seeing the condition of the older car, made me wonder on new cars and hence the look towards the VXR and other hot hatches.
I think a long list of things to consider will have to be worked out at this rate, the VXT was always prefferred until the condition of the second hand ones i have seen in main dealers showrooms.
but then looking at the VXT and seeing the condition of the older car, made me wonder on new cars and hence the look towards the VXR and other hot hatches.
I think a long list of things to consider will have to be worked out at this rate, the VXT was always prefferred until the condition of the second hand ones i have seen in main dealers showrooms.
Plotloss said:
Whereabouts are you in the SE?
If you're anywhere near Windsor you're welcome to swing by and I'll take you out for a spin...
I will take you up on that offer at some point, either that or will get my own and we can take them both out, then i get to see what the extras you have done are like.
Windsor is no long way away based in Farnborough here. So don't take long. think some time shopping this weekend is called for.
try em all and try to make a decision.
I have a VXT + New Astra SXI.
There are days when I choose the Astra over the VXT..... mainly due to practicality.
But if I could only have one it would be the VXT for its looks and performance.
You will find plenty of advice on www.vx220.org.uk with regards to the VXT, in addition there are some fine examples up for sale on the site.
+
I followed a red Astra VXR and in front of him was a red Astra SXI the other day....they both look great but it was hard to notive the difference between the two. Apart from twin exhaust + roof spolier. The Astra VXR is very good but not different enough for me.
Dave
There are days when I choose the Astra over the VXT..... mainly due to practicality.
But if I could only have one it would be the VXT for its looks and performance.
You will find plenty of advice on www.vx220.org.uk with regards to the VXT, in addition there are some fine examples up for sale on the site.
+
I followed a red Astra VXR and in front of him was a red Astra SXI the other day....they both look great but it was hard to notive the difference between the two. Apart from twin exhaust + roof spolier. The Astra VXR is very good but not different enough for me.
Dave
I use a VXT as a daily commute to work car 120+ mile round trip. It's great because it's fast and cheap to run. Blasted pasta bus on an A-road this morning and thought "I wouldn't have done that in most other cars".
For practical use my wife has a Renault Scenic, and for luxury I belong to The Classic Car club.
Simon.
For practical use my wife has a Renault Scenic, and for luxury I belong to The Classic Car club.
Simon.
I used to own a stage 2 (courtenays) vxt and I really wanted another. But I have recently got married and the thought of having children has made me sway towards the astra vxr, because I will need boot space. I have recently taken one out for a test drive and was very impressed with the drive, apart from the usual precat flat spot (although I know courtenays would sort this out!). I know it is not a vx, but at least it still has the tornado engine note that I miss so dearly.
I was also impressed with the ride quality of the 19" alloys. Are these worth having or just stick with the 18"?
I was also impressed with the ride quality of the 19" alloys. Are these worth having or just stick with the 18"?
I was at the Snetterton event last year, and so I can also talk about Astra VXR -vs- VX performance.
In a straightline, there isn't that much in it between the two stock cars (VXT and Astra VXR) thanks to the 40bhp extra power in the Astra. Sure, launching the 2 side by side will see the weight advantage of the VX take hold, but at 50-60mph (as you see in that YouTube vid) there isn't that much in it. In fact on the move it takes a very large bhp difference to pull away noticeably from a car - the N/A VX's don't actually lose much on a VXT on Track, and that is 55bhp down.
The VX in front of the Astra is being held up - as you know, from the track experience you mention, if a car is right up your chuff for 2-3 corners, they are faster than you. The car in front of the VX should have moved over. This was apparent on the start finish straight where the VX takes a wide line to try and sling shot the car in front (an elise? can't make it out). but clearly lacks the straightline speed.
Given nobody in front the difference is a lot larger (assuming the same standard of driver). Two things let the Astras down at Snett, one was the understeer biased handling, and one was the brakes. Standard brakes on an Astra VXR are cooked very quickly, as witnessed by the flashing brakes lights at most corners, even at moderate braking points.
Of course, there are things that you can do to put this right. An Astra can easily be remapped up to 280bhp, and uprated brake kits from AP Racing. I am sure there is a suspension kit out by now as well, but once you are into modifying the car you have to modify both sides of the comparison. You can also stick on Yoko tyres onto a VX, Nitron suspension, and 16/17 wheels - at which point the gap widens considerably.
That said, I have driven the VX in today after the torrential rain of last night, and a VXR Astra would have been more comfortable, and easier to drive in the rain water. The compromises you have to go through to own a VX HAVE to give you something - they do, it is a very well handling car.
The Astra is a good car, and has none of the compromises of the VX. It doesn't handle as well.
In a straightline, there isn't that much in it between the two stock cars (VXT and Astra VXR) thanks to the 40bhp extra power in the Astra. Sure, launching the 2 side by side will see the weight advantage of the VX take hold, but at 50-60mph (as you see in that YouTube vid) there isn't that much in it. In fact on the move it takes a very large bhp difference to pull away noticeably from a car - the N/A VX's don't actually lose much on a VXT on Track, and that is 55bhp down.
The VX in front of the Astra is being held up - as you know, from the track experience you mention, if a car is right up your chuff for 2-3 corners, they are faster than you. The car in front of the VX should have moved over. This was apparent on the start finish straight where the VX takes a wide line to try and sling shot the car in front (an elise? can't make it out). but clearly lacks the straightline speed.
Given nobody in front the difference is a lot larger (assuming the same standard of driver). Two things let the Astras down at Snett, one was the understeer biased handling, and one was the brakes. Standard brakes on an Astra VXR are cooked very quickly, as witnessed by the flashing brakes lights at most corners, even at moderate braking points.
Of course, there are things that you can do to put this right. An Astra can easily be remapped up to 280bhp, and uprated brake kits from AP Racing. I am sure there is a suspension kit out by now as well, but once you are into modifying the car you have to modify both sides of the comparison. You can also stick on Yoko tyres onto a VX, Nitron suspension, and 16/17 wheels - at which point the gap widens considerably.
That said, I have driven the VX in today after the torrential rain of last night, and a VXR Astra would have been more comfortable, and easier to drive in the rain water. The compromises you have to go through to own a VX HAVE to give you something - they do, it is a very well handling car.
The Astra is a good car, and has none of the compromises of the VX. It doesn't handle as well.
The VXT is nowhere near comparable to the VXR Astra, other than the engine.
The Astra is a fast, good looking hot hatch. The VXT is an Elise with a decent engine in it.
I've found that practicality of a VXT with a hardtop is surprisingly good - I have no garage / driveway and it's parked in a carpark all year round. No corrosion / water ingress / unreliability as yet, touch wood.
The Astra is usable out of the box, but you'll probably want to remap it.
The VXT has the irritating aspect of only having one tyre brand in the right size - you need a new set of wheels to get the Elise range of tyres (including sticky trackday specials which make the car incredibly quick round corners and under braking). Then there's the hole in the midrange due to early Vauxhall emissions mapping - easily sorted with a remap. Then there's the lame exhaust, easily sorted by Miltek. Expect to make a few mods if you buy a VXT.
The new turbo in the VXR Astra is a straight replacement for the one on the VXT, giving the same power and it's only about £500 from Vauxhall. Ultimate power will be higher on the Astra since you can fit a big FMIC whereas the VXT has airflow problems.
Basically they're not comparable cars - do you want an incredibly quick toy that's great on track and B-roads, or do you actually need a practical hatchback? If the latter, then the VXT is out of the question and you've then got the quandary of VXR Astra, RS / ST Focus, etc. etc.
I can get 6 full Waitrose bags in the boot of the VXT though, and get out feeling fine after a 400 mile drive (done 4 of these and didn't get out knackered) - so it's practical enough for my 'fun' car.
The Astra is a fast, good looking hot hatch. The VXT is an Elise with a decent engine in it.
I've found that practicality of a VXT with a hardtop is surprisingly good - I have no garage / driveway and it's parked in a carpark all year round. No corrosion / water ingress / unreliability as yet, touch wood.
The Astra is usable out of the box, but you'll probably want to remap it.
The VXT has the irritating aspect of only having one tyre brand in the right size - you need a new set of wheels to get the Elise range of tyres (including sticky trackday specials which make the car incredibly quick round corners and under braking). Then there's the hole in the midrange due to early Vauxhall emissions mapping - easily sorted with a remap. Then there's the lame exhaust, easily sorted by Miltek. Expect to make a few mods if you buy a VXT.
The new turbo in the VXR Astra is a straight replacement for the one on the VXT, giving the same power and it's only about £500 from Vauxhall. Ultimate power will be higher on the Astra since you can fit a big FMIC whereas the VXT has airflow problems.
Basically they're not comparable cars - do you want an incredibly quick toy that's great on track and B-roads, or do you actually need a practical hatchback? If the latter, then the VXT is out of the question and you've then got the quandary of VXR Astra, RS / ST Focus, etc. etc.
I can get 6 full Waitrose bags in the boot of the VXT though, and get out feeling fine after a 400 mile drive (done 4 of these and didn't get out knackered) - so it's practical enough for my 'fun' car.
I own a VXT and have been several times in a VXR Astra
Chalk and cheese springs to mind!
If your having trouble deciding between the two then go for the Astra
If you want the most 'fun' on 4 wheels that 16K's going to buy you and can live with its 'TADS' then VXT everytime!
You'll probably like both for very different reasons, but if you go for the Astra and see a VX coming the other way I doubt the Petrolhead in you will think you've made the right choice...
Chalk and cheese springs to mind!
If your having trouble deciding between the two then go for the Astra
If you want the most 'fun' on 4 wheels that 16K's going to buy you and can live with its 'TADS' then VXT everytime!
You'll probably like both for very different reasons, but if you go for the Astra and see a VX coming the other way I doubt the Petrolhead in you will think you've made the right choice...
TaylotS2K said:
VXT every time. Just remember, the other is STILL an Astra! And they're a VERY common site.
Not sure any Vauxhall owner can be particularly snobbish about a car. I mean, the Monaro may be HSV based the same as the VX may be Lotus derived, but they are both still a Vauxhall!
Yesterdays Fith Gear had the XVR8 reviewed by VBH, the thing has literally been put on a boat, had VX badges slapped on and is being sold in the UK. They (like everyone else) still associate Vauxhall with very dull Vectras, Corsas and the previous Astra.
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