Mr.Manchester

Im a ford man at heart and always have been, but im getting bored of the "modded" car and want something normal.

So im getting rid of this...



for something like this...


But i have never owned a vauxhall in my life, anything to check and look out for?

The Chief

My buddy has an SRI Turbo pushing out 212bhp its a right sleeper as well, standard SRi badges on the back, handles better than you'd think as well unless its wet and the traction control ties itself in knots.

a nice easy car to drive with good power

vindaloo

If you want practicality, get the 5 door. Though IMO the 3 door looks streets better.

Start looking at the 1.8 16v Sport from 1998 through the 2.0 16v SRi (2000) to the 2.2 16v SRi (2000+). Early builds have plastic interior door handles and orange bits. Normal (and all later cars) cars have a modicum of de-tango and chrome interior handles.

Lots were built with a/c in lieu of a sunroof. 1.8 16v sport has a close ratio box and taut but ultimately leany suspension. It'll worry you before it lets go if you fit pukka tyres though. 2.0 SRi was harder but needed a longer running in to get the best out of it.

Seats are sporty (supportive) but going on hard. A mate had minor back ache after prolonged journeys.

Check the rear brakes and the ABS. Rears squeal like a b*stard unless they've been fixed. In my case, the ABS was temperamental due to a dodgy front hub sensor. Fixing it would have been expensive if it hadn't been a company car.

Only fair to point out that you should try a Focus as well as the Astra. Going from an Escort to a mk4 Astra, you'll definitely notice a difference.

HTH.

J.

Smiler

The fact that it has an Ecotec emgine is a good enough reason not to buy one

Mr.Manchester

explain?

Spankathon

Yes, should be interesting what you make up about an Ecotec engine....

Big Col

I've got a 2000 V plate 2.0 SRi



i've had it for a year. Now just under 80K. Very pleased with it. Had no major problems (so far, touch wood!)

Common problems on my model are seized/sticking rear brake calipers and exhaust manifolds cracking or shearing the bolts that hold them to the head. Luckily mine hasn't had either.

feel free to ask any questions

Mr.Manchester

I minds pretty much made up mate, im deffo having one just gotta sell my escort first

Spankathon

Very good point.... this is a common fault with the 2.0 Ecotec engine only, the manifold studs can shear (at the water pump end) and cause a loud ticking noise when cold (still does it when warm, but not as bad) dependant on where you take it, could be costly to fix, but at the right garages can be reasonable.

luke m

have you not considered other marques? no offense to anyone, but there's far better and more enjoyable cars than this available.

Smiler

Nothing to make up.

Owned a Cav with an Ecotec

Three Idle Control valves
Three camshaft censors.

In the end I got fed up with bits always going wrong and sold it.

Anyone I know, with a Vauxhall, with an Ecotec engine fitted has had near enough constand problems with it.

TBH, in that sort of price bracket I would buy a Focus every time.

Diablo

Didn't know the Ecotec cams were that "hot"

davyboy

I've got one as a commuter car. It's now 5 years old and done about 105k miles.

It still feels like a new car, no rattles, interior has worn well etc.

The only problems I've experienced is a broken air con fan, 2 broken rear springs and a corroded oil filter thingy. Apart from that it's servicing and consumables.

I keep thinking about buying another car, but this is worth nothing and there is nothing wrong with it, so all I'd do is spend money I don't need to.

Tidgy

the car my scoob replaced was a astra sri 1.8 16v, great little car served me well. try and get 3 door with irmsher bodykit if you can, factory fit so considered option not mod

markbravoone

I must say I agree with the comments about the ecotec engine.

I had 2 cam sensors on my M reg Cavalier sri 2.0 ecotec and the abs sensors showed a fault sometimes. My dashboard displayed more lights then the blackpool illuminations!! Not impressed with the ecotec one little bit. Just my 2p.

Mark

Mr.Manchester

So what are my options, bearing in mind il have around £1500 for one, i was just thinking about a 1.6i but i presume there not the ecotec jobbies?

I have found a couple of nice astras on autotrader, S reg 1.6i with 57k for £1250

Big Col

all Vauxhall petrol engines from about '94 onwards are Ecotecs.

if you are buying a 1.6 be aware you get 2 engines. A 75bhp 8v and a 100bhp 16v.

Smiler

To be honest a move from a R Escort to a S Astra .... I can't see the point.

TBH I would save up an extra £1.5K and buy a nice 99/00 Focus.

Spankathon

sorry did someone say Focus..??

Mr.Manchester

The idea is to move away from modded and ford for a while and buy something more "ordinary"

MattW

Used to have a new 2.0 SRi back in 99 (T plate). Great car, great looking in dark blue, went well. Never had any problems with it in 2 years. They look a bit dated now compared to Civic etc. All in all a good buy though.

TopBanana

What's wrong with a Focus? Especially as you're a 'Ford man'

Mr.Manchester

Again, im sick of fords!

Had various fords for the past 7 years

TopBanana

I'd be sick of Fords too I have had one of those crappy Escrotes! They're much better now - better than Astras especially

powerwrx

iTrader: (11)

the only view on fords ive got is usualy the one through my rear view when i leave them standin.lol

Mr.Manchester

It seems you have never strolled upon a decent cosworth powered ford

powerwrx

iTrader: (11)

yeah i have and blew that away too

vindaloo

I can't comment on 'legacy' ECOTEC issues.

Sensors come and go in modern cars, it's a part of the ownership experience. For the record, I had one sensor go, a mate's car lost one and went into limp home mode and I had the aforementioned ABS issues. Had the airbag light come on once, too.

IMO the Astra's better screwed together and the interior will stay looking good for longer. I'll not slag off the Focus. Ultimately, it handles a bit better and is maybe a bit quicker, like for like. In terms of build quality, it's not quite up to the Vauxhall's standards though. They spent their money on the neat touches and rear suspension, Vauxhall spent it on slightly better materials.

J.

Mr.Manchester

When i say decent cosworth engine i meant like Rod Tarrys 206mph sapphire cosworth or martin hadlands 2.99s 0-60 escort cosworth.

Believe it or not, scoobys arent the be all and end all of the "fast car" scene, ive seen many a 13 year old cosworth blow away brand new STi's

watto52

my mate bought a 01y plate sri, he loved the car. it got stolen and was pretty miffed. The only problem he had with car was the timing chain snapped. it cost him around the £500 mark. It didnt put him off the astra tho, hes now looking for another one. I dont think this is a common problem with the astra but id just thaught id let you know.