Should you buy an Astra GTC VXR in 2022? Test drive and review
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- Опубліковано 24 вер 2022
- Today's video is in this gorgeous Ardens blue Astra GTC VXR. A future classic, if you ask me!
Apologies for the sound quality, my Rode mic ran out of battery so I had to use back up sound from my GoPro 3!
Please like subscribe and comment, it means a lot!
Joe - Авто та транспорт
Mine has the full leather heated seats with rare blue stitching and piping. You could even option heated steering wheel with these. Brilliant overall package and holding their value. Too many Astra H owners denying the J is a much better car
Hey mate, mind sharing some info about the reliability of these toys and what should one look out for?
Cheers
I own a full specced black 2016 model with the same seats as yours, and the heated steering wheel.
Traded in my Corsa NBR and the difference is night and day. The corsa being more of a pocket rocket go-kart and the Astra more of a Tourer.
Test drove a H a couple of years ago, but it just wasn't my cup of tea compared to the Corsa NBR.
Gearbox noise. To the contrary what my Opel dealer said, it does need a gearbox oil change. I do mine every 25k.
Faulty seats. The lever/hinge is a flimsy piece of plastic which could easily break, and being a costly repair.
Don't know about other countries, but in the Netherlands a GM brake set all around, discs and pads costs a whopping 3600 euros.
So far i'm at 90000km with no issues.
Only the DVD900 infotainment system is a complete s-h-i-t-e.@@patrascanudaniel7652
@@patrascanudaniel7652 mainly the gearbox if it has not been serviced at the correct intervals. Also timing chains although they are designed to last the life of the engine. Maintenance is key. Mine has averaged around 10,000 miles a year
@@Nickeles020 you are correct. Once you fit a hybrid turbo and a simple map the Astra is a monster. Mine if fully forged ready for over 600BHP
Just bought one 3 weeks ago, wanted one since 2013 when a mate bought a white one as it’s been my dream car, certainly not disappointed, great fun and can’t wait to put some more power into it.
Awesome man, congrats on buying your dream car! 🙌 Enjoy it!
Thanks for this vid!👍 I imported my 2013 Astra J OPC from Sweden in the fall 2014, they were never sold new in my country. Love it still, only done 31000 km. Have beautiful seats, and soo good to drive. Have a stage 1 tune one it, 310hp/465nm. Have heated steering wheel and seats. Also have a LOW mileage Ford Focus RS500, think the Astra is better to drive, the Focus RS500 is much more hard core. Cheers from me in Norway 😃
Great review! Currently thinking about getting one of these to replace, they seem to be good value at the moment compared to other hot hatches.
😂 just as you pressed vxr button advert kicked in . All 280hp of it . Subbed 👍🏼
10 years old?? And still looks the part in this era of square boring cars😍Nice review👍
Thanks. It really is a pretty car! 😍
In 2022 I bought a 2016 Model OPC in Germany. 😌 worth it! Go for it!
Really good review - got a stage one tuned J VXR after owning a H VXR for 5 years, the induction noise is incredible, amazing cars, also the short shift kit makes the gear changes a million times better!
Thanks man, yeah I really like it!
What have you done to yours for stage 1 if you don’t mind me asking? And what is the short shift kit exactly and where can I find one. TIA.
My first car, bought September last year, was an Astra GTC and I love it! Could not afford the VXR though on insurance, am stuck with the 1.4 turbo, but still lovely to drive and very pretty imo (mine is yellow)
I have the same brought one yesterday and it’s not slow by any measure still got loads power very sporty feel lots of future potential love it 👍 they are expensive on insurance even the 1.4 turbo wasn’t cheap with 5years no claims around £650 for year but worth it ! Peace ✌️ I agree with all you said your lucky this is your first car haha 😂 I been driving 5years and had micra 1.2
Fiesta 1.3 , 207 1.4 , zaferia 1.6 , Renault 5 , all were shit and slow and only around. 80bhp non turbos really really boring and gutless this is a game changer for me
Enjoy you day Lizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
And nice.l clour yellow havnt seen that colour yet
Well you've inspired me to go and look at one on Saturday morning a 13 plate with 24k on clock
Recently bought a 2018 one, mine came with colour center console and heated seats. Only issue I have is there are so many things rattling and squeeking inside the cabin (thankfully not coming from the engine bay). The leather seats are lovely but I wish they had a cooling feature because on long journey the leather gives me a sweaty back.
Oh and being front wheel drive with almost 300hp it churns through front tyres 😂 I don't think I get enough feel from the steering wheel, the car has much more grip than what I get fed back, I'm constantly being surprised how nimble it is.
You'll probably need to turn off traction control to get better starts
I owned one in Arden blue a 2013 PJ OPC Opel Astra. Ripper of a car. The performance is incredible. Miss it. Those recaro style seats are insane
Stuck between this and a Megane rs 🤷🏻♂️
Bought a white one 5 years ago fully loaded heated seats heated steering wheel, sat nav, electric lumbar support.. every option was ticked from the previous owner, who sold it with 2k on the clock.. Bought it as you don't really see any on the road.. The only GTC's I've seen are the SRI versions.. Mine sadly has an oil leak, which I think is a bad PVC valve. I'm not sure as yet need to get it checked out..
Fingers crossed it’s a simple fix for you
Had one for 3 years felt nice fast comfy . Ended up with fk8 nowadays.
That’s interesting. How would you say the FK8 compares? I’ve not had the chance to drive one
@@ShiftingMetal the Honda is nicer for everyday practical reasons 5 door advantage similarly nice seats driving position, nicer gears in fk8 also Feels more boosts low down. Plenty mods for both and round same money for general maintenance wise.
Just bought one 14 plate fingers crossed it’s a good one 😊
Would you say this or the Megane rs? 🤷🏻♂️
My 2013 OPC has heated seats and climate control - as standard. Do not forget the 7 speaker Infiniti sound system with subwoofer in the boot, also standard.
Have recently grown to these.. it’s taken me 10 years, but they have aged well
I'm looking to buy a megane rs or one of these. 2012.. which one would you recommend? Which is most reliable? Cheaper to maintain? More fun to drive?
I was thinking of getting one of these. There's so many in the class of car. Which 2lt turbo would you consider.
Well the Golf R has to be at the top of the list for consideration but for fun factor and I’d be looking at Megane Cup, GTC VXR or maybe even a Mini Cooper S
Astra J Owners Club is here for all VXR owners. Join the club and shows to see all the different styles and modifications that have been done to Vxr. 👍👍
Thanks for the comment, hopefully some VXR owners will see this and join up 🤞
As an owner of this car, I can confirm to you that your weren’t launching the car properly. You needed it in Vxr mode but also in competitive mode which is a hidden mode of the car that stops it from bogging down when you try to launch it. Overall though, love the video and you will find a stage 1 tune gets rid of that turbo lag you was on about💯👌🏾
I knew I must have been missing something! I’m good at that! 😅 Thanks for the tip though, will no doubt help another fool like me!
I just added a stainless steel cat back system to my Astra J VXR yesterday and it sounds better but doesn’t pop and bang so will need to decat it and map it to stage 2 for that
I haven't heard of competitive mode yet, how to turn it on?
@@emilrac100 press your traction button twice within 1 second and it turn it on. So press twice to turn on and once more to turn off
@@K1NG_R4Z do you mean turn off esp?
2.0 litre?
They don’t claim 5.5 from
Factory they claim 5.8, I’ve done draggy in mine and got a 6 it’s the turbo lag that’s let’s it down, definitely low 5s if it wasn’t for that
I’ve owned a white one for 4 months now running around 320 bhp.. I’m really made up with the power and the way it deliverers until I got gapped of a Hyundai 130N! Proof on my channel 😂👍🏽
Haha. I will have to check that out
Trying to shift my Black Abarth Punto Evo to buy an Astra GTC VXR and oh look! 5:36 there they both are! 😂
Haha, we obviously both have good taste in hot hatches! 😎
Visit carsboughtformore.com if you want an offer on the Abarth 😁
How old is too old to own one of these? 47 too old?
No, I'm 62 and still hit boost daily.
2013 OPC Arden blue.
after purchasing this model considering it has 280hp the astra h vxr of my friends is definitely quicker wi only 240
Weird, are they both standard?
@@ShiftingMetal both standard astra j vxr about 200kg heavier an on paper theres next to nothing in em astra j 5.8 to 60 astra h 6.2 to 60
@@chrissingleton2640 power to weight my friend
Yh obviously since it weighs less surely ?
Would rather get the ford focus ST
Had a couple of these alot of car for little money
Yeah they really are!
So much so I'm picking a nice low mileage 1 up tomorrow
Join the Astra J Vxr owners club. One Make Winners Club at Silverstone 2022 🏆
Buy a MK5 VXR and spend the extra money to go stage 2 or 3. Youl be much happier.
before you even got 30s in I could tell from the ride 'quality' I'm out 🤣
😂
I must say the headroom doesn't look great
I think that’s probably my ‘grandad’ style high seating position, my back doesn’t thank me for being sat too low!
I personally don’t like the Astra j vxr
Fair enough 😅
no
Fair enough
Jesus christ your arms are huge
💪😂
@@ShiftingMetal i am really tempted to buy a opc from 2013 but i am worried because everybody says that astra give a lot of problems
sorry to say it is one of the must uglyest astras ever it's true (fact)
Ooof, fighting words 😅 I think it looks great to be honest 🤷♂️
Your opinion isn't a (true) fact.
Opinions are like bellybuttons..
Everyone has one!