[simfin]

http://www.channel4.com/4car/news/news-story.jsp?news_id=11694

"The flagship petrol car is the 2.0-litre Turbo with the Exterior pack, which includes 18-inch wheels and body-coloured spoilers, and costs ?18,145"

What do you guys think ?

 

[oxford]

I would not buy it...

 

[simfin]

because it's a vauxhall, or the looks ?

 

[David]

Quote: posted by oxford on 27/01/2005 22:55:19

I would not buy it...

..and it looks hideous, the new Astra doesn't look too bad, well done for making the top model worse!

 

[Uzi9]

Really remains to be seen. The GTI is clearly more than performance figures. On paper, the GTI is not groundbreakingly impressive. The complete package and the way it is on whole is superb. As with all cars, you are really going to have to test drive both cars and make a decision taking all things into account. To me, absolute power (bhp, 0-60) is not all I look for. It has to be right but it only makes up about 25% of a decision. I personally would spend 20k on a GTI but not an Astra. I would definitely change my mind though if this turned out to be as sensational as the GTI.

 

[oxford]

I have yet to sit in or drive a vauxhall that I would want to buy in my price range!

My dads company car some 15 years ago + was a G reg Cavilier SRI, thats the best vauxhall I have been in!

- I am sure very good cars, just dont do it for me!

 

[rob.gti]

AutoExpress pitched the New Astra SRi against the Golf GTI and the GTI won the test hands down, even though the SRi is cheaper!!

BTW its the Astra SRi that will cost ?18145. The VXR 240bhp version will cost around ?21000

 

[CHR15]

Would definatly still rather have the GTI, far classier car imo

 

[EddyH]

That Astra VXR is better looking than the MkV GTi going on those pics in my opinion. I'd still probably choose the golf out of the 2 though.

 

[wallacel]

I actually quite like the look of the VXR, but I would still go for the GTI everytime.

Ok it may be a little faster 0-60, but going by all the reviews i've read its gonna have to be something special to beat the GTI in terms of build, character, driving experience, feel good factor and an overall excellent package[]

 

[klauster]

Vauxhall = buy for ?20000, drive it for 2 years, trade in or sell for ?6000 (if youre lucky)

No thanks!

 

[Richard W]

Controversially Yes I do think the GTi should be worried - there are many buyers who would prefer a Vauxhall to a VW and the chance to whup a GTi would be tempting.

If they use Lotus input as they have in the past I think it will be a good car - still doesn't mean I'd buy one though....

 

[Rivage]

At 240 horse, is this Vauxhall's Rival for the new Golf 'R' model?

What's more - who (apart from VX220 drivers) would willingly spend twenty thousand of their own pounds shillings and pence on a Vauxhall?

It'll make a good hire car!

 

[marriedblonde]

Quote: posted by oxford on 27/01/2005 23:14:49

I have yet to sit in or drive a vauxhall that I would want to buy in my price range!

My dads company car some 15 years ago + was a G reg Cavilier SRI, thats the best vauxhall I have been in!

- I am sure very good cars, just dont do it for me!

Oh come on surely you guys must remeber the cav of the 90's - GSI 2000 brilliant car

J.

 

[businessboy]

i think it luks good! always pik the golf tho - better built / reliability / prestige / residuals i can think of more!

 

[businessboy]

its the car that made jeremy clarkson eat his hair!!!

 

[oxford]

GSI 2000 and Lotus Caltons... Beats! but thats a LONG time ago []

 

[simfin]

Vauxhall = buy for ?20000, drive it for 2 years, trade in or sell for ?6000 (if youre lucky)

Anyone who pays list for a Vauxhall has too much money or no sense. The point here is that the ?20,000 Vauxhall will be heavily discounted like all Vauxhalls. If you could get one of these for say ?17,000 then the VW has got a potential problem.

 

[fatbob]

Quote: posted by simfin on 28/01/2005 18:43:22

Vauxhall = buy for ?20000, drive it for 2 years, trade in or sell for ?6000 (if youre lucky)

Anyone who pays list for a Vauxhall has too much money or no sense. The point here is that the ?20,000 Vauxhall will be heavily discounted like all Vauxhalls. If you could get one of these for say ?17,000 then the VW has got a potential problem.

Yeh, i agree. And i bet that ?17K gets some nice goodies on the vauxhall that would push the GTI up to ?21K+

but, having said that, i'd still be concerned about the longer term value / reliability

 

[vedhead]

Looks quite nice but if i wanted one i'd wait a year and save 40%