Faults:

Nothing actually failed. I've had to replace the front discs and pads (£46, but not from Vauxhall), and 2 new tyres, but that's just general wear.

General Comments:

My previous car was a 1.3 mk2 Astra so I thought the car was just a faster version, but I was wrong. You give it just a little bit of power and it begins to take off down the road.

Don't assume it will zap past an M3 with no trouble, it won't, however it will keep up with some very expensive cars like Impreza's, BMW 328's and the like. 0-60 ranges from 7.4 to 6.9 depending how 'worn' it is.

The suspension is pretty bad, but that's normally sorted very well for less than £500.

Modifications for the engine are huge, exhausts are normally a good idea purely because a new Vauxhall one is £500 (or so I've been told). Some people take the engine out and put the Turbo engine from the Cavalier/Calibra in and that improves the speed a lot. Some go for throttle bodies, but whatever you would like to do the clutch and gearbox should take it up to about 200bhp (157bhp at standard).

They are very cheap at the moment, but a lot have been thrashed so if you are looking for a good example, then make sure the engine is in good nick and that the cambelt has been changed recently (if not, change it). These rust less than most Astra's, but look out for any. I've known one engine to do 185,000 motorway miles without a rebuild and it's still pulling strong, so don't be put off by a high mileage.

The real killer though is the insurance (group 16) but then... isn't it always?

Faults:

I'm actually modifying the car at the moment. 15" alloys and a Scorpion exhaust have been put on, along with limo tints, K & N air filter & designer rear spoiler.

Excellent interior & exterior (even though minor rust patches have appeared on the bodywork, I got rid of 'em!).

A few other things have needed to be done, new battery, and probably more and pieces needed...

General Comments:

Quite quick, will definitely do over 100mph (I estimate around 112!). Outdid an AX GT the other day, as did the 2.0 Carlton behind, and these lads say they can outdo an RS Turbo? No chance!

Handling is very good, Recaro sports seats are excellent, and the leather interior is cool!

More mods in the pipeline...

Faults:

Head gasket blew at 62,000.

Engine has been rebuilt twice.

Digital dash rattles.

Rust continues to set in.

General Comments:

This car certainly lives up to its name (G) et (T) here (E) ventually. It is sluggish, has shabby build quality and has the typical Vauxhall traits:

Noisy at high speeds.

Rusts on all arches and sills.

Generally unreliable.

I purchased it as a 2nd car (to my Peugeot 306 GTi-6) and I'm thinking of scrapping it - unless somebody wants it for nothing? It's nowhere near as quick as the 306.

I would also like to add that it's not my car in particular. It was AA checked and even the main dealer said it's the cleanest one they've seen! A couple of my mates have got GTE 16v and they have the same problems.

Don't buy one!