Mk2 Astra GTE 16v - where are they hiding ?

[MGR]

I've been looking for an Mk2 Astra GTE 16V. It seems very hard to find one that hasn't had the boy-racer mods or looks remotely like something I would consider owning.

I've missed a few on the PH adverts, the rest seem well overpriced or just sheds & overpriced.

My budget is £1200 - £2K. For that I was expecting to find a rust free (well terminal rust - i.e. MOT failure sills / rear arches ) and have a decent service history and no major faults. To part with £2k it would have to be exceptional.

If anyone has one like this they want to get rid of I'd be interested in taking a look. I'm based in the south (berkshire) so don't really want to travel a massive distance for a cheap ish car. Must have a long MOT (pref new).

HAS to be a 16V. Massive preference for a black one, would prefer not to get a red or white one. I'm open to a modified one if its something like an air box or larger wheels or a brake/ suspension upgrade. NO cosmetic mods whatsoever. No dodgy re-sprays/ crashed cars.

cheers

Edited by MGR on Friday 25th September 21:29

[bazking69]

Becoming increasingly hard to get hold of a straight and rust free one. I sold this one over 6 years ago and at the time it is in excellent condition having had all the rear quarters done just before I bought it and various other bits. I sold it to a chap for £1300 and within 4 months it was on a forecourt over town looking sorry for itself with £795 in the window.
I really can't recall the last time I saw a GTE, let alone a valver in good condition. There is an red 8v around my way that is pink and in a bad way, but that is about it. A rare sight these days!
You'll find plenty of nice ones somewhere like PVS, but again alot of them have been chavved.

This is my old Pride and Joy BTW. Just 17" alloys and 40mm suspension kit.



I also remember a trip up to Luton a few years back when went in the Vauxhall Heritage museum in the factory and they had a 33k GTE in white which was pristine. I believe it has been in quote a few press articles.

[bazking69]

BTW, you'll be surprised about prices. It's a cult classic to some. A fantastic example will each command well over 2k anyday.

[GTE Al]

Sold my 16v about a month ago now - they do still have quite a following, and there are plenty of good examples out there (although not as many as there used to be now....)

Have a look over at www.astra-mk2.com - there are normally a few going on there at any one time.

[bazking69]

Define good example though. It could look mint from the outside but could have the dreaded split bulkhead and or terminal rust underneath.

[robg2]

I think you'll be lucky at that price now - maybe 10 years ago £1200 might have got you what you're looking for.
Don't forget that the cars are 20 years old, and those that were lucky enough to have escaped the 90's joyriding craze are likely to have dissolved or been chavved to death.

I have a Nova GTE and find the same problem - there are almost none left that you'd part with good money for. It's a bit luckier for Novas as they've always been popular in rallying and have maintained a following. Astras were never so popular and were often deprived of their treasured redtop engines to keep Novas going (or Westfields etc etc).
Mk3 Astra GSi is in a similar situation as Mk2 GTE.

Any respectable 80s hot hatch must be a good bet for cult classic status before long - those in the market for a "first classic" will often look for the car they couldn't afford in their youth.

[Davie]

bazking69 said:

I also remember a trip up to Luton a few years back when went in the Vauxhall Heritage museum in the factory and they had a 33k GTE in white which was pristine. I believe it has been in quote a few press articles.

Indeed. Total Vauxhall magazine used it recently at Knockhill with John Cleland marking 25 years since he competed in one.

[MGR]

I sold a 16V GTE Champion edition in 2003 for £1750. 90K miles, full history, no rust, perfect engine/ no issues at all, perfect interior, standard apart from 17" wheels and scorpion exhaust / decat. That at the time seemed like good money.

I also gave my Mk2 Xr2 away about 5 years ago. Now looks like you need £2k to get one in the same condition as that was.

I really enjoyed the 16v, would quite like another, cheers for the links.