Vauxhall Astra VXR (2005 - 2010) 2.0T 16V VXR 3d (2008/58) Owner Review
Want to know everything there is to know about this car?
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Summary
What does this car say about you?
I would not say the car is the look I am after, however not many people see you in it once that right foot gets dropped!
What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?
Every seems to love it. I have the blue one, which is by far the best colour!
Would you buy this car again and why?
I would buy this car again based on my experience to date, however it does have that 'Vauxhall' cheapness about it!
What are you likely to buy next?
Looking for something a little more sophisticated maybe, but this is just too much fun for now!
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Buying experience
Type of dealer you bought from?
Didn't buy from a dealer
Did you buy this car new?
No
What price did you pay?
£9,000
When did you buy the car?
February 2012
Did you get a good deal and why?
The private owner fancied a change and took a fancy to my car I owned at the time, so exchanged my car plus cash for the VXR.
Is there any special reason why you bought this car?
A deal came about whereby the owner wanted to take mine in as part exchange and fancied something a bit of fun!
What was the dealer like?
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Driving it
What's it like to drive?
It's a smooth ride on a nice open road such as an A road but can get a little choppy on roads with pot holes etc. Suspension choice soon becomes apparent when giving it the beans on any corner. Wet or icy conditions stops the car being any fun however!
What's it like to park?
Parking is easy, with a reasonable turning circle however parking sensors are not so good. Having had a BMW previously, whose sensors are razor sharp, these fitted from factory are not so accurate!
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Living with it
Have you had any problems with the car?
Yes, unknown to me, the gearbox bearings had gone when I bought the car. It is a very common issue with VXR and CDTi 6 speed gearboxes. Buyer beware, listen out for a whining noise, usually begin at around 15/20MPH and will get louder and louder. Sounds like it is coming from the passenger footwell. If caught early, gearbox can be rebuilt with new, upgraded bearings. Some say it is caused by bad gearbox oil, so could possibly be avoided by changing oil early!?
What's most practical about your car?
Being a fast hatchback, it is still capable of being a smooth economic day to day car when necessary.
Favourite gadget, option or accessory?
Mine has Bluetooth and reverse sensors, but best gadget is the turbo!!!!!
