31st Mar 2004, 10:39
I've had mine almost a year now and still get a buzz from the handling and performance. It gets though tyres a bit quick though.
17th Feb 2005, 06:01
I've owned my Astra for about a year now and still haven't got bored with it. the style and the handling are superb and the looks that you get from other hot hatch drivers when you pass them still amuses me. the only fault I have is why they gave it such a pointless exhuast.
21st Nov 2005, 03:41
Not quick at all. 0-60 slow, top speed low, too much turbo lag. A scoobie would beat you at any speed.
26th Jan 2006, 12:49
Pick mine up on monday, can't wait. had test drive and loved it so much I had to buy it. is it true they only made 500 190 sri turbo's.
3rd Feb 2006, 20:00
Extremely quick compared to my old mgzs180. just seems to take off. no turbo lag, add ind kit and dump valve and sounds fantastic.
6th Feb 2006, 15:29
I had a 03 GSI for 2 years, 60,000 miles. Had no serious problems other than normal build problems, accelerator pedal fell off and door trim came lose. Water pump gave up at 37,000 but it meant I got a free cam-belt fitted. Best advise I can give is get the ECU remapped to restrict the boost in 1st and 2nd. They can also modify the traction control so it works more effectively. Gave me double the tyre life for the fronts and still goes well. Dump the exhaust as it looks and sounds naff and is quite restrictive. With an ECU remap and new exhaust and a few other minor changes got mine up to 230 horses. Cheap to run and insure and fun to drive (not in the wet!) handles well, but don't kid yourself you are not getting a WRX beater other than top speed. Only buy the blue version as the babes love the looks.
11th Feb 2006, 11:57
Yes - Vauxhall only made 500 SRi (190) turbo's. It was a limited edition made to meet demand until the GSi arrived.
23rd Feb 2006, 10:03
Scoobies weigh a good 200kg more. I bet your nova didn't handle with 150bhp. they don't handle with 100bhp so your buggered.
23rd Feb 2006, 11:44
Well I don't know about 200kg, but even if it was 260 bhp would more than compensate, but I do admit if astra was tuned to 230 bhp it would be a scorcher, as is the 240 bhp VXR whenever its out. Vauxhall did well making that model.
1st Mar 2006, 08:28
Mine's the WRX PPP, it had 225 bhp without the pack, the 06 has 230 standard, but the tuning potential will be huge with a 2.5 ltr engine.
3rd Mar 2006, 10:18
Are these cars really worth buying don't know whether to get gsi or civic type r.
8th Mar 2006, 03:58
I have a standard GSI and it will easily beat the old civic type R. vauxhall say the 0-60 is 7 but auto car have tested it at 6.5 and so hve I. most cars easily push out over 200BHP as standard. just putting a cat back exhaust and a decent panel filter gives you 220BHP!
27th Jun 2006, 04:58
To the person that made the comment on the 8th March... I'm sorry you say you can EASILY beat a Civic Type R??? It annoys me when people make these claims. I'm not saying you can't beat one, but come on, be honest, there is almost nothing in it in terms of horsepower and 0-60 times, or even top speed. So come on no more silly claims OK.
14th Jul 2007, 15:59
Hey, I have a GSi Turbo Arden Blue, and I love it.
I've had phase 1 tuning, with uprated panel filter, iridium plug 50% larger air inlet pipe, modded air box etc, Samco hoses including boost pipe and bailey dump valve, 200 cell sports cat and scorpion exhaust system. Boost/vac gauge fitted.
I love this car; there are so many options to go for, and massive power gains. What I have done is only the start of it. Only problem is it costs a lot to do it all.
The GSi is such a good car in every way. I find it still looks really new and it's aggressive. They turn loads of heads, and it is always nice going past a normal SRi LOL. I use to have an SRi, and use to want a GSi sooooo bad.
Only problems I have had though, is that the paint on the sideskirt had bubbled and peeled. I have been told this is a known fault with the car, and the other thing was I had to replace the manifold gasket.
It's a nice surprising car. I beat an RS Focus and ST Focus, single turbo Skyline, so I'm pleased. I can't wait to get a VXR now though =).
24th Jul 2007, 18:14
I currently own a Clio 182 with both Cup packages. I sold my 51 plate Astra Coupe SE1 for the same price I bought it for 8 months before, and with an extra 20k on the clock.
Point is I'm getting rid of the 182 to buy a GSI; never had a problem with any Vauxhall I've owned, but out of all the french cars I've had, they've all been naff. eg Saxo VTR, VTS, Clio Williams 206 GTI 180, and now the 182.
This is the same company that build Saab and Hummer; can't fault them really apart from the back sitting too high.
Question is will the Astra compare road holding to my 182.
This little baby will eat Subaru's with bad drivers, and Porsche Boxsters without a problem.
5th Jan 2008, 09:39
If its from the lights I'm sure you could have been a bit behind if the subaru had been used to its full potential, by that I mean a brutal AWD launch.
8th Jan 2008, 14:51
http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/facts-and-figures/subaru/impreza/saloon-2000/
Subaru Impreza times.
http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/facts-and-figures/vauxhall/astra/hatchback-1998/
GSi times (look right at the bottom).
Now what's faster???
AWD will kill a FF in handling.
People keep talking crap about who they could beat. Half the time the other people are not even racing. Look at the times, and guess what... That's HOW FAST THEY ARE!!!
9th Jan 2008, 09:28
I don't need to look at specs I've seen them, the impreza is faster 0-60 and 0-100. But I wasn't talking about that anyway.
20th May 2008, 11:33
I don't think Astra GSI boxes are stronger than an STI gearbox some how, the STI box would be stronger because of the fact it has 4WD, it has to take more strain because there is no wheelspin. And the grip in the wet makes it an excellent car for the road.
1st Jan 2010, 17:41
Iv looked up 3 different 0-60 times, and the CTR is quicker than the GSi in all 3. It's a much better handling car too; even if the Astra had 250bhp, it still wouldn't beat a STi; they are in a different league.
1st Feb 2010, 15:27
Astra GSi turbo legend!! Eats Civic Type R's for breakfast; no torque piece of cheap Japanese junk, needs a turbo, then I'd be worried.
It's the same speed as most Scoobs (all UK spec ones) Integra Type R's - 350Z's - Corsa VXR's etc great car. Shows Scoobs up above 100mph, especially coming past at 150mph (yes they do do it standard!!)
But does anyone know how many were made??
2nd Feb 2010, 11:43
Why is this Vauxhall being compared to a Subaru STI? It's not on the STI's radar. And a normal WRX would still beat one, standard anyway.
2nd Feb 2010, 12:12
I don't think the GSI will destroy Type Rs etc, I've heard they are slightly quicker in a drag race, but not hugely! I've previously owned an EP3 Civic and currently have got a 888 Coupe with the same engine as the GSI, and it's a lot easier for everyday use as it's got bags of torque through out the rev range, but I still love VTEC engines, and think the Civic is an excellent car.
3rd Feb 2010, 09:04
A standard WRX would only be quicker off the mark, after that there would be little in it, but the Astra will pull way at higher speeds!
The STI is faster full stop!
29th Dec 2003, 08:53
I took mine out for a test drive last week and was very suprised at performance and how well it handles, I am now looking forward to getting into mine on friday.