1992 Vauxhall Astra GSi 2.0 16v from UK and Ireland

Summary:

The best early 90's hot hatch

Faults:

Oil sump guard damaged and removed.

Problem with internals of the oil sump, took a long time for Vauxhall to diagnose.

Water pump failure.

The dreaded rusty arches.

Minor electrical gremlins.

Drivers seat side bolster wears badly.

Brake pad warning always on in the trip computer panel.

Wiper motor failures, front and back.

General Comments:

All in all a classic hot hatch.

Rapid in the dry, unruly in the wet.

Incredible build quality, new cars rattle more.

Still looks amazing with big alloys and lower suspension, real road prescence.

Very easy to work on and make repairs yourself.

Good handling in long sweeping bends, poor in tight corners though.

Bone jarring ride quality.

Great trip computer and dashboard.

F20 gearbox very good (for a Vauxhall).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th March, 2001

20th Mar 2001, 02:31

Car: Astra GSI 16V with 17 inch league 037 alloy wheels, K&N induction kit, full Janspeed exhaust system, bosch super 4 spark plugs and mobil 1 oil colour coded spark plug cover, Alpine CD head unit and 6 CD changer with infinity reference speakers. Its spectral blue in colour. Bought in 1996 with 33,000 miles on the clock - now has done 77,000.

Problems: Most irritating - after 60,000 miles or so the tappet noise for the first few minutes from cold - I would be interested to hear if anyone has had them seen to, how much it cost and has it cured the problem long term. Other than that nothing major, an electric window switch, the computer says that the brake pads need replacing (down to another cable that's expensive, not the two sensor cables that fit into the brake pads). Also the computer say that the coolant level is low (due the a sensor that is part of the coolant tank cap that is common for rotting away), easy to replace but 30 odd quid from vauxhall so trying to get one from a scrappers. Other than that - nothing really.

Am I happy with it: Definitely, its a superb car, but having recently driven a 1997 Subaru Impreza Turbo, it does get shown a thing or two in the handling and outright performance stakes, but having said that it is still a serious performance bargain.

Previous cars: Astra GTE 16V, 2 mark II Golf GTI's, Montego Turbo.

Buy another: Yes.

Engine : 2.0 16V Manual.

Performance: 9.

Reliability: 9.

Comfort : 8.

Dealer : 6.

Running Costs: 9.

Distance Acq: 33,000.

Distance Now: 77,000.

1st Year: 1996.

Date of entry: 20 March 2001.

13th May 2002, 16:30

The Astra GSi is an interesting car, but far inferior to so many other hot hatches. The Peugeot 205 GTi is one; to keep up with one of these French cars, an Astra GSi would some serious suspension mods. It might have the power, but not the traction. Here's hoping the new, turbo charged version is a better car and gives the Ford Focus RS a run for it's money.

1992 Vauxhall Astra GSi 2.0 16v from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Looks mint, quick, it's great

Faults:

Only really the cam belt pulleys, and the infamous tappets... Other than that it's still going strong with 105,000 miles on the clock. Oh nearly forgot, the water pump has gone too.

General Comments:

The engines responds well to performance upgrades. Mine has performance cams, an induction kit, Superchip and Piper exhaust. The car looks great in standard form and with the upgrades I've done power is up from 150bhp to about 183bhp - not bad for a normally aspirated engine... Mine also has uprated suspension and handles great, not like the mark 2.

Just one more thing, keep an eye on those rear wheel arches and the evil rust.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th February, 2001

1992 Vauxhall Astra Si 1.4i from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A very good second car for a young person

Faults:

Fan belt snapped 2 twice.

New alternator.

Rear brake caliper burst.

New exhaust.

Slow running valve broke (£120).

Front suspension bushes worn out.

CV joint boot split.

Anti-roll bar linkage.

General Comments:

A very nice car with reasonable performance and generally only suffers from the problems you can expected from a older high mileage car.

A sporty interior without the expensive insurance costs of a big engine. Holds its own on the road with reasonable handling and performance.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th February, 2001