Type R to Astra VXR?
Discussion
Hi all, been having a look at astra vxr's lately and noticed they've really come down in price (you can pick one up for £7.5k now!). Assuming I get a decent price for my type r it wouldn't cost me too much to switch, what I want to know is what do you guys think of the idea?
The manufacturers specs say the mpg is similar etc etc, but is there anyone that can offer any advice regarding insurance/real running costs etc of a VXR?
Cheers in advance guys
The manufacturers specs say the mpg is similar etc etc, but is there anyone that can offer any advice regarding insurance/real running costs etc of a VXR?
Cheers in advance guys
Hello,
Good points from my experience are that they are faster then mort rivals out of the box and easily tuneable. I personally like the looks my cousin has a vxr racing with 19's on which i think are a must. It is definately in a different league in terms of acceleration and straight line speed compared to ctr.
Things i dont like are standard wheels although the ride is crashy on the 19's. Seats arent that comfortable, gearbox isnt as great as similar cars' dashboard is crap if it has push start its put in a stupid place and sitting in the rear is a pain if your over 6ft tall. Torque steer is also more noticeable then my focus.mpg is usually low 20's although 6 gear at 70 in cruise can get you to low 30's.
Personally id go for it remap and remus can costs circa £800 pound and increases power to approx 260bhp and it sounds a whole lot better,i would recommend a test drive as it is a bit of a marmite car for some people.
Good points from my experience are that they are faster then mort rivals out of the box and easily tuneable. I personally like the looks my cousin has a vxr racing with 19's on which i think are a must. It is definately in a different league in terms of acceleration and straight line speed compared to ctr.
Things i dont like are standard wheels although the ride is crashy on the 19's. Seats arent that comfortable, gearbox isnt as great as similar cars' dashboard is crap if it has push start its put in a stupid place and sitting in the rear is a pain if your over 6ft tall. Torque steer is also more noticeable then my focus.mpg is usually low 20's although 6 gear at 70 in cruise can get you to low 30's.
Personally id go for it remap and remus can costs circa £800 pound and increases power to approx 260bhp and it sounds a whole lot better,i would recommend a test drive as it is a bit of a marmite car for some people.
Edited by Froomee on Tuesday 18th January 07:54
I would say give it a go - you'll hear lots of negativity about them (unfortunately there are a lot of people who like to bash it "because it's a vauxhall"). The handling is probably slightly down on a type r out the box, but lower it and put on an adjustable rear anti roll bar and it transforms the handling.
Add a stage 2 map and Remus exhaust and the sound effects are pretty spectacular too!
I would also suggest having a look at the focus though - just as tuneable, and that 5-pot noise!
Add a stage 2 map and Remus exhaust and the sound effects are pretty spectacular too!
I would also suggest having a look at the focus though - just as tuneable, and that 5-pot noise!
Edited by browno on Tuesday 18th January 08:26
Daggers89 said:
Hi all, been having a look at astra vxr's lately and noticed they've really come down in price (you can pick one up for £7.5k now!). Assuming I get a decent price for my type r it wouldn't cost me too much to switch, what I want to know is what do you guys think of the idea?
The manufacturers specs say the mpg is similar etc etc, but is there anyone that can offer any advice regarding insurance/real running costs etc of a VXR?
Cheers in advance guys
I suppose the question is:The manufacturers specs say the mpg is similar etc etc, but is there anyone that can offer any advice regarding insurance/real running costs etc of a VXR?
Cheers in advance guys
"Why do you want to change?"
Personally I'm not dissing the Astra, but I can't see how it is a step up from a CTR. The Civic is pretty much as quick, likely more deployable, better handling and I suspect a better drivers car.
And while the VXR looks ok, there are a zillion 1.9 diesels that have the same body kit and treatment. It'll also plummet in value too.
Ok if you are wanting a newer car or one with less miles then maybe it's not such a bad swap. But how much newer or less mileage will it really be? And will it really matter?
I know a turbo will feel very different to the n/a VTEC to drive and you can remap the VXR if you want more go. But I suspect for the money you are looking at there are plenty of other faster cars you could look at anyhow.
So if this is about speed and HP I don't personally think the VXR is the answer.
Monty Python said:
Simple reason - it's rubbish.
It has too much power and a chassis that isn't up to the job. Definitely aimed at a certain market....
Any evidence or experience to base that on?It has too much power and a chassis that isn't up to the job. Definitely aimed at a certain market....
Get the VXR, invest in a decent suspension set up and anti-roll bar
Also to throw a curve ball in the mix, why not consider the previous generation Astra GSi as it's pretty much the same as the new VXR but half the price
I've had use of both and to be honest i preferred the Honda, I couldn't seem to find a comfortable driving postition in the Astra. I also enjoyed the type R more when pressing on, i really wanted to enjoy the VXR as i'm a big fan of turbo'd motors but i just didn't gel with it so type R for me.
I've not had a Civic but my Dad had an Astra, albeit not a VXR. But while not a bad car it drove me nuts!!!
Some examples:
-Huge A pillar, which for me created a massive blind spot
-Wipers which threw most of the water they'd cleared back onto the screen at the end of the wipe
-A heater that had badly located windscreen vents, so even on full blast it often meant part of the windscreen stayed misted
-auto headlights which wouldn't come on in fog when needed, yet often stayed on in bright day light
-auto wipers that would run at full tilt when it was spitting out, and hardly work at all in heavy spray
-no suitable manual control to over ride the flipping auto wipers
-a steering wheel with rough stitching on the back of it that would make your fingers sore after driving for extended times
-a boot lid that you can't close if you are left handed, as the handle is on the right hand side
-a tiny boot for quite a large car exterior wise
-black trim that looked nice, but showed up dust and finger marks like you wouldn't believe
-rear seats that had some sort of weird 45 degree cushion at the seat base and back join. I found these very uncomfortable to sit on
-an auto box sport mode tailoured for track use and crap on the road, despite it being a 1.8
As I say, it wasn't a bad car and it didn't really do anything wrong, but if I'd had to drive it everyday I'm sure it'd have sent me nuts.
Some examples:
-Huge A pillar, which for me created a massive blind spot
-Wipers which threw most of the water they'd cleared back onto the screen at the end of the wipe
-A heater that had badly located windscreen vents, so even on full blast it often meant part of the windscreen stayed misted
-auto headlights which wouldn't come on in fog when needed, yet often stayed on in bright day light
-auto wipers that would run at full tilt when it was spitting out, and hardly work at all in heavy spray
-no suitable manual control to over ride the flipping auto wipers
-a steering wheel with rough stitching on the back of it that would make your fingers sore after driving for extended times
-a boot lid that you can't close if you are left handed, as the handle is on the right hand side
-a tiny boot for quite a large car exterior wise
-black trim that looked nice, but showed up dust and finger marks like you wouldn't believe
-rear seats that had some sort of weird 45 degree cushion at the seat base and back join. I found these very uncomfortable to sit on
-an auto box sport mode tailoured for track use and crap on the road, despite it being a 1.8
As I say, it wasn't a bad car and it didn't really do anything wrong, but if I'd had to drive it everyday I'm sure it'd have sent me nuts.
Some of you are utterly clueless aren't you?
Too long listening to Clarkson has melted your brains, basing your opinions on the badge rather than the actual car.
Up until Saturday I owned a Astra VXR Nurburgring Edition so you may feel my opinion is biased but as many who have actually driven an Astra VXR will tell you it's not all torque steer and bad handling, quite the opposite.
When the Astra was initially released EVO had one on a long term test and found that the car actually was a good handling car but were keen to point out that the car has masses of grip but it was hard to feel the limit of that grip, easily solved by doing a track day.
Anyway, as suggested a rear anti roll bar and a set of DAP-R springs transform the feel of the car, furthermore a Quaife LSD and the car is how Vauxhall should have made it out of the factory.
I'm selling the VXR and I've got myself a Mini Cooper-S and I can say hand on heart with the above mods the VXR is a far better handling car and you needn't break the bank to make it that way.
Too long listening to Clarkson has melted your brains, basing your opinions on the badge rather than the actual car.
Up until Saturday I owned a Astra VXR Nurburgring Edition so you may feel my opinion is biased but as many who have actually driven an Astra VXR will tell you it's not all torque steer and bad handling, quite the opposite.
When the Astra was initially released EVO had one on a long term test and found that the car actually was a good handling car but were keen to point out that the car has masses of grip but it was hard to feel the limit of that grip, easily solved by doing a track day.
Anyway, as suggested a rear anti roll bar and a set of DAP-R springs transform the feel of the car, furthermore a Quaife LSD and the car is how Vauxhall should have made it out of the factory.
I'm selling the VXR and I've got myself a Mini Cooper-S and I can say hand on heart with the above mods the VXR is a far better handling car and you needn't break the bank to make it that way.
Three of us drove to Le Mans from Newcastle last year in a 300HP VXR.
Its fast as you would expect and was economical at about 34 mpg for the entire trip. Boot is a bit small but I found it comfortable in the back and even got used to the limited view. Im 6,1 and didn't feel cramped. My mate drove the entire time both ways so its not bad for a long journey.
I cant compare it to a type R though as Ive only been a passenger in one for a short time.
Its fast as you would expect and was economical at about 34 mpg for the entire trip. Boot is a bit small but I found it comfortable in the back and even got used to the limited view. Im 6,1 and didn't feel cramped. My mate drove the entire time both ways so its not bad for a long journey.
I cant compare it to a type R though as Ive only been a passenger in one for a short time.
Cheers for your opinions guys, I do prefer the styling of the vxr, but I don't want to spend £7.5k on one and end up with a dog! The ones I've been looking at are similar mileage to my type r, I guess if I didn't like the VXR I could get rid and get another civic, it'd be a bit of a pain in the arse but nothing stopping me I suppose. The petrol consumption was the main concern of mine as I spend £80 per week currently in the type r!
The same EVO that slated the Civic type r FN2, whilethe stig (ben collins) said it was the best hot hatch you can buy.. Don't read too many mags.
He also didnt mind the VXR. Heres a link, good read as its from someone who actually knows how a car should handle.
http://www.hothatchheaven.com/files/the_stig_test....
He also didnt mind the VXR. Heres a link, good read as its from someone who actually knows how a car should handle.
http://www.hothatchheaven.com/files/the_stig_test....
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff