Top car. I got mine on 74k now its on 110k still fast. The 1.6 16v Ecotec is a fine little motor. Drags the car up to about 120mph with my K&N. Would defo look for another once this one finaly gives up. Its showing now sighns yet though. I have had to do a few little things and i think the cam belt is on the way out but overall she is still sound. Highly recomend them!
Had a 1.8 SXi for a few months now, and have been really impressed with it. Performance is great, with the Astra coming in at below 7 seconds for 0-60. I've not been brave enough to find out where it tops out, but 90 feels so effortless that it should be able to reach the thick end of the 120s with power to spare. All in all it's very impressive for a 1.8, but I'm not sure if mine is standard, as it's ex-MoD. Also a greater degree of precision is needed on the clutch than other Vauxhalls I have driven, which makes me wonder if this has been replaced too.
Visually, the full Irmscher body kit and metallic charcoal paint make the Astra an arresting site, although the rear spoiler does cut down the visibility through the rear window, as do the three rear head-rests. I've not had any real reliability issues yet, although one of the rear wheels gives of an intermittant squealing noise which might be the dodgy calipers mentioned above.
If there was one thing I could change about the car it would be the handling. The Astra has a fair amount of grip, but when you near the edge instead of safe, progressive understeer the back end alternately slides and bites through bends. The overall effect of this is that the car will, when driven hard, 'wiggle' round corners in an unsettling manner. It is a shame, as the Astra has all that speed and you can't carry it through corners.
Note to Vauxhall: you know where you are with understeer, you don't know where you are with a wiggly car.
The SRI turbo does have 'traction control' and 'trip computer'. Yes, get the GSI if u want leather interior (but thats at extra cost just like on the SRI turbo!!)
Also if anyones had any experience with Astra's ...the SRI "turbo" is nothing like the 2.2/1.8 SRI.
The GSI is obviously newer and has a few added benefits and youll find one with lower mileage (as SRI turbo's arent made anymore)..but is it worth the extra £3000?! not really. Plus most prefer the alloys and rear/front body kits on the SRI turbo.
Problem is ..i see far too many GSI's on the road these days...maybe get the GSI then change is body kit. I do prefer my 300+bhp SRI turbo with its modified features done by the "Vauxhall Gods" - Regal Autosport in Southampton!
To be honest i dont understand what all the fuss is about. I have just upgraded from a 2.0ltr sri to a gsi. The gsi is obviously better. For starters the sri already have a range out ok they are not turbos but the new turbo is still just an sri (which are common as muck any two bit kev can afford). The gsi although there isnt much difference in the power the car just ouzes class. The full leather interior with recaro bucket seats, heated seats, traction control and trip computer all demand respect. The sri badge will never comand the same respect as a gsi. So if you want the power at a cheap price then get the sri by all means, but if you want the power and the class to go with it then its the gsi all the way.
hiya.. ive just come back from Regal Autosport and had fitted a T28 hybrid turbo (phase 4 package) and phase 4 software with a turbo timer. The car was tested to produce a whopping 310 bhp now! (have also got fitted 2.5 inch straight thru exhaust too, 9 litre intercooler and forced induction kit).
i raced an astra MK4 "GSI" just this morning in Surbiton and i must have been about 100 metres ahead in a matter of seconds! Getting your Astra turbo upgraded is a must!!
Had the 1.6 club for 6 months, all is ok except for the brakes... Thank God they are still under guarantee! They seem to be ok after a new set of discs and pads then about 1500 miles down the road they grind and ,make all sorts of nasty noises.... Anyone else had this problem?????
GOT A HOLD OF A ASTRA SRI 1800 AND I WENT TO A RACEFIELD AND GOT ABOUT 137 MPH OUT OF IT.(STANDERD CAR 1800 NO MODS YET) A FEW WEEK LATER WENT BACK AND I HAND NOS AND A INDUCTION KIT IN THE CAR WENT LIKE A ROCKET. 175MPH I WAS STUNNED. MY GOOD WEE CAR.. THE BEST I HAVE EVER DROVE. THE CORCE WAS TWO MILE LONG IT WAS A GREAT DAY OUT
VAUXHALL ASTRA GSI AND SRI ARE ONE OF THE BEST CARS I HAVE DROVE. I ONCED HAD MY STANDERD ASTRA SRI 1800 AT 136 MPH. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD NOS AND A INDUCTION KIT ADDED. MY CAR NOW GOES AROUND 160MPH. MY CAR IS THE BEST AND FASTEST CAR I HAVE EVER DROVE
been a owner off a sri turbo on a 52 plate, now just got a astra gsi on a 53 plate fully loaded. both standard cars no mods, trust me when i say that the sri is for people who can not afford a gsi. also mine is in arden blue, which is not a colour for sri. the speed off both cars are so close, but the gsi will hold its money better. also just having GSI rather than sri says it all......
Well...sorry to mention this but my SRI turbo has body coloured side strips and door handles...and is only one of 250 SRI turbo cars ever made in the UK (ie its special) whilst the GSI isnt limited edition. The GSI is certainly not more powerful than the SRI turbo...and its alloys arent as nice either! (same alloys as on the "Zafira GSI" ...who wants to look like that eh?) I have driven both and i do beleive the GSI is a softer ride which is better for your back but not for the thrill. Who cares about the seats...half leather? that makes a difference? But to conclude..theyre v similar cars - but go for the SRI turbo ..its cheaper!!
So the pro-SRI people must prefer black plastic side strips and door handles to body coloured on the GSI. They must prefer dull grey seats to half leather recaros on the GSI. And they must also prefer having less power and a less sexy bodykit than the GSI. Weird people! As for the GSI being more tuned to the motorway, i've driven both versions and the difference in ride is not noticeable.
hi..sorry to say but the astra GSI was made more for long distance driving and comfort... and its not a limited edition car....and its not faster! Yes..apparently they say the GSI has an extra 5 BHP...but honestly u really dont notice it! hahaha
What are you talking about the SRI is nicer then the GSI how is that when the GSI has a much better bodykit. and if its a womans car then so is the SRI because there both an astra.just that the GSI is better looking and faster. 4-0 GSI
great car but engine management keeps coming on and smell of oil due to leak from turbo feeder. been to dealership 5 times now with same problem, wrote to Vauxhall who sent free service letter, but back to dealer again for last time or will start serious complaint. car done 11k and 11months old.
hi..i totally agree with the comments written by the previous visitor...the GSI was made for more comfort and there were more of them made than the SRI Turbo (only 490 SRI's total)..the GSI has slightly more power 5bhp due to its modified engine management but is that worth the extra money u have to pay for it?? Best thing is buy as SRI Turbo then go take it for a visit to Regal Autosport tel 02380 791000 and get it upgraded to 280+ bhp then u can get into the ring with the best of them! tho make sure u upgrade ur brakes as well!
ps check out my vehicle at the relevent site below.
The GSI sucks,it has the same engine and management system,no xeneon lights,no climate control,zafira alloys,it's a birds car!!SRI TURBO limited edition says it all!!GSI is softer car all round,definately one for the softer of the species
Let's not forget that the GSi and the Sri turbo are the same engine and management system ie 197bhp(conserative).The GSI didn't get xenon headlights or a prodrive bodykit,decent alloys(Zafira alloys as standard on GSI)climate control, these were options,xenon alone £600+option.SRI TURBO limited Edition say no more!!!BMW740 owner wasn't so impressed the other morning!!Having previously owned a mk4 golf gti which i sold to purchase the astra says everything!!and yesjust as well built,if not better than the golf!
hi... i was the person who introduced this review to this site...bought the astra SRI turbo in Sept 2002. My first comment made in november 2002 was very innacurate with regards to the astra turbos top speed..i agree it cant get up to 150+ mph. the car did have 190-200 bhp.....HOWEVER.....after a visit Regal Autosport in southampton (which i prefer to Courtenay)....they introduced a 9 Litre intercooler upgrade, regal phase 2 software (with uridium spark plugs & K&N induction kit thrown in) which has increased my power by +60 bhp.... also have a 5" powerflow exhaust with 3" straight through system (+10bhp) and also a sports cat (+10bhp), fitted 2" dump turbo dump valve and cut mutiple vents for extra cooling of the engine, installed a short shifter gear box, and the cars been lowered 40-50mm with Eibach springs ....it now is the sports car Vauxhall should have made in the beginning.....its approx 270-280BHP, 320ftlb torque, top speed approx 165 mph at 6600rpm,and 1.5 bar acheived at over boost (thx to a nice hybrid turbo exchange..HEHE) so im afraid it will absolutely wipe the floor with any regular astra GSI now ! so far ive raced golf mk4 GTI, 2 subaru impreza's, renault clio sport and a vectra 2.5 - beat them all quite convincingly...tho had to quit with vectra eventually cos he got damn dangerous! (....SORE LOSER?) just love this car now!!!!!! cya
I OWN A 1.6 ASTRA CABULIET BERTONE IVE ADD PERFORMANCE PARTS STYLING THE LOT AND HAS ITS 185BHP AND HAD 135MPH AND HAVE PHOTOS TO PROVE.I THINK THE ASTRA MK2 IS A GOOD ALL ROUND CAR AND THE CARS HAS A ATTUIDE.AND LOOKS ORIGINAL
All ratings and reviews are submitted by visitors to this web site, and represent their own personal opinion. They do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Preloved.
You use this information at your own risk. Preloved can not be held responsible for any damages or loss resulting from the use of this site. Please see our Terms and Conditions for more details.
