When Vauxhall Ruled the Car Park: 2005 Astra H VXR Review

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Today I'm taking a trip down Hot Hatch memory lane with this, the 2005 Vauxhall Astra "H" VXR - in its day the most powerful car of its class, but how does it perform 18 years later?
#Vauxhall #Astra #VXR
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[@JayEmmOnCars]

CarVertical: The History Checking Service Use this link or code "JAYEMM" for a discount! www.carvertical.com/gb/landing/v3?b=1e4c9523&a=JayEmm&voucher=jayemm&chan=jayemm

[@TangoGolfCharlie]

Unpopular opinion, this car has aged really well from the outside (ignore interior obviously). And a MUCH more fun car than the Astra J VXR

[@asifnoaman8978]

The Astra H is definitely a more raw driving experience, but the Astra J is a better car to live with daily.

[@larssonk22]

@@asifnoaman8978 Yeh the numb steering gets a little getting used to but it's much more dailiable, far superior seats not just for the driver but passengers as well and the magneride suspension is good.

[@schunkolade8217]

I agree. At the time, I thought the golf looked better. But now I'm not so sure.

[@leebridge9187]

It is a future classic. The money will be in the unmodified ones.

[@TheRickyglenn]

I wouldn't say unpopular, they were a great looking car then and still look great now. Sold ours may 2021 for a FK2 Civic Type R and wish we kept it. Lad who bought it wont sell it back but would have it back tomorrow

[@TheUrbanMechanic]

Thanks for reviewing my Astra, James. You're a gent and a scholar! (Yes, I'll have the door cards looked at 😅).

[@dadcars]

Cool car 👌

[@kicars7]

Kicars7 was here.

[@wpjohn91]

I had the 4 door version with the slightly de tuned engine. The sport mode button was fun. The suspension was adaptive and i had to replace twice. The cost of maintanance , new suspension and a new turbo as that blew was nearly that of the car of the car again. Had to part ex on the end as 23 year old me couldnt afford it any more.

[@TheUrbanMechanic]

@@dadcars Thanks! 😁

[@TheUrbanMechanic]

@@wpjohn91 They can be expensive to run 😕

[@scoobysean555]

Sport button raises revs by 500 rpm basically 50% input equals 75% at the TPS and alters voltage on the electric steering to give the heavy feel 👌

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Makes sense, thanks!

[@dank_ici]

Well, actually, sport button is a whole different driver wish map that maps the basic driver wish (0-100% throttle) to a new one where is 0-75% dunno if I made myself clear, I'm in a rush tho

[@R1CH130]

@@JayEmmOnCars I have a 2008 1.8 VVT Astra Twintop with only 140ps and honestly, the Sport button on that totally transforms the car! I basically jump in, press the start button (mines a late posh one with keyless entry and start as standard whooo) then press the Start button right away!

[@svpracer98]

I don't understand why the USDM astra's had this button removed 🤬 I know for a fact the gauge cluster in mine had the "outline" for it, but no way to actually engage it.

[@user-tn1vc1xz5d]

I miss the VXR Track Days. I got to drive the whole VXR range, great days out at Thruxton and Brands. You could also drive other cars like the Antara and Insignia 4x4 at the side activities, hot laps guided by instructors, and passenger rides with BTCC drivers. Miss those days.

[@JayzStuff]

We probably crossed paths! I had an Arden blue 06 plate, on gloss black 888 Race Engineering alloys and the Remus exhaust update. Loved going to the BTCC events. Good days.

[@user-tn1vc1xz5d]

I did the VXR Power Events more or less as long as they ran. Mostly at Thruxton. 😊😊😊

[@BenDigweed]

They were stunning value for money, I’m grateful I managed to do Rockingham, thruxton and brands hatch! For me pick of the bunch was the corsa VXR Nurburgring edition.

[@charliedickens7244]

Had the opel equivalent (opc), top spec, projector self adjusting lights, black dash, sat nav cruise control etc, interior was far nicer than the basic one. It was on 320k kilometers when I sold it and apart from a rocker cover gasket it was unbelievably reliable and that's coming from a guy who's always been a honda head. Loved it, 300ish hp, good looking, sounded good, and arden blue is still one of my favourite colours

[@jamesclarkson3009]

It's mad I can remember the vxr, mk2 st and mk5 gti among other cars being new cars like it was yesterday. Time just flies by.

[@heikkiremes5661]

Aged like fine wine.

[@sjcap4233]

The Astra has always been a good honest car.

[@ca9968]

Such a fun car to drive...I had a blue one in South Africa in 2008 (badged as an Opel Astra OPC), it was fun, fast, nice to look at and a bit bonkers if pushed hard...the torque steer issue was a challenge but NOWHERE near as crazy and scary as the Opel Kadett 200TS that I had a few years before, that thing used to sit in the garage when not being driven and plot the best way to kill me...

[@sivuyiledumalisile6308]

I drove the Kadett 200TS as well . That thing is a lunatic 😅😅😅😅😅

[@sivuyiledumalisile6308]

I drove the Kadett 200TS as well . That thing is a lunatic 😅😅😅😅😅

[@6770connor]

I’ve never clicked so fast! I really enjoyed my Astra H VXR, gets a lot of abuse but it did me well and throughly enjoyed it.

[@simonbyrne1182]

I had one of these for 5 or 6 years from mid 2008. Mine was also red but with the 19" wheels. Under warranty it had a new turbo at about 4000 miles old but after that it never missed a beat. It was a fantastic car and I think the looks have aged well. Towards the end of my time with it I took it on a two week trip around Europe which I have fond memories of. I eventually swapped it for a GTC VXR which was ultimately less fun or as usuable as the mk5.

[@davidarter9670]

Wonderful car. Full marks to James for bringing her back to life.

[@sholehan]

Exactly the same as the bigger brother Vectra VXR, a car i really loved. Slagged off by TG TV, to appeal to people with limited intelligence and closed minds. Actually reviewed and recieved very well by 'proper' motoring press such as EVO etc. It was increible value, full of kit for the time, well built, had a suprisingly capable, fluid chassis, good power and avery characterful, torquey, snorty V6 which even then was becoming rare. Great cars. No good ones left now though.

[@bghoody5665]

I like Clarkson and most of the time can respect his opinions, but his inability to acknowledge anything other than Jaguar, Aston Martin or Ferrari as even decent can really make it difficult to take him seriously sometimes. I find it especially amusing when he's apparently flummoxed by badge engineering and the Vauxhall Monaro VXR8 is an amazing car, but when GM slaps some different body panels on it and calls it the Camaro SS, it's suddenly rubbish.

[@jamesthomson3511]

Love that this is on the channel! I had a 1.6 SRI 3 door (very late 60 reg) that I bought when I was 19 and I’ll always look back fondly at it, had some great (but much slower) fun and it was a faithful companion throughout uni. Always thought these looked amazing and I’d love a drive of one. Sold it for my MX5 2 years ago 👌

[@t3hgir]

suddenly discovered this car in Forza Motorsport 4 (as well as the Corsa VXR) , arguably some of the best handling and track-ready hot-hatches in that game (for what that's worth). Also as an American, I knew the Vauxhall and GM partnership existed SOMEWHAT because of the Pontiac Mona.. err, GTO... but I didn't know the proper history of pre-war Vauxhall... amazing legacy for a British manufacturer.

[@lawrenceroberts6693]

This was my first car back in 2019 and I absolutely love it I ended up buying a mk7 golf gti and taking the vxr for one last spin before storing it but ended up binning it 🤦‍♂️ I’ve just got all the parts to fix her up this week and can’t wait to get it back on the road I would drive it over the golf anyday of the week 👍

[@pure_awareness]

How's it going on the re build ?

[@steveberridge4648]

I’ve been hooning around in my daughters basic Astra H 1.6 recently and it’s a very sweet steer. It replaced a mk1 focus and the highest praise I can give it is that goes down a back road just as well. Underrated IMO. Would love a VXR, so much character

[@bensmithkent22]

Interesting take cos ive driven a few and had the k model a few years back but thats not the topic here. I had a lift once in a police one in 2005 when the met just had the h replacing the mk1 focuses. Some small talk later they said it let go far easier and was way worse to drive. Now these were just regular drivers not the advanced drivers but still a police opinion and will have driven it at speed so it stuck with me as we all remember how much the mk1 focus was loved by journos for handling prowess. Few years later I hired a 1.8 h 5 door to go to a job interview. It was the revised 138bhp one. Raced my mate in his clio billabong to prove a point and the thing “flew” relatively speaking. Took a tight corner and shit myself at how little grip it had but maybe driver error on my part. Let him have a go he wound the thing up to 135 on the m20 downhill. That shocked me as hed only been driving 5 months. Then a year later I had an h model although as a van. That had a very nippy torquey diesel in it and it was light. Not sure if it was 120bhp or the 130 something but it was a 1.9cdti not the 1.3 or the 1.7 many had. Id been using the 1.3 version before the upgrade and it was night and day in straight line performance. However the same mate nearly totalled the thing as it just let go on a damp roundabout maybe he lifted off but it was shocking how skittish it was. I got that to 137 on the m20 and it would flick round with the handbrake and made me look like I knew what I was doing. Anyway rant over my experiences with the h were hairy. My exes parents had the h 1.6 59 plate and thats the 115 bhp one. Drove it about a few times if I had to much more sensibly. I had a golf gtd mk7 and the astra k at the time with the 1.4 turbo and 6 speeds as my runaround. Going back to what was considered acceptable as a family car in 2008/9 to 2016 was eye opening. NB the k sri was also light and horrific if I tried pushing on once or twice, not grip issues as I always had decent tyres just floaty. Rented a focus ecoboost titanium 1.0 after I sold the k and that was on skinny 205/55 tyres and it felt so so composed in corners.

[@psircos]

Loved these, still do. The vectra VXR was also a good looker imv. My friend had one, she loved hers and cried when it had to go. Yeah, in the wet, going round a corner is not for the faint hearted, but cars with FWD and 200hp+, almost aways struggle. Great review

[@andrewstevenson6540]

I had the update model in Arden blue brand new in 2008. Fitted a Quaife after running it in and it made a huge difference to it's cornering. Had that car nearly 7 years which is the longest I've held onto any car. Properly quick machine and even after stage 2+ mods it was fuel efficient when driven sensibly.

[@vxvxr123]

Great cars had mine since 2015 and had no real issues with it been great and still love it Have updated a few things inside which is very easy to do such as piano black dash from a facelift to get rid of that silver dash and also sat nav and Bluetooth which lift the interior a lot Nice to see someone else showing them the love and care these cars deserve

[@davekennedy6315]

Jay you provide quite the service with these utterly SUPERB road tests. We get to see your very honest review of all kinds of cars but also the owners also get your potential diagnosis of any chassis, braking etc issues too. I am amazed how well you become accustomed to all these various cars to the extent that you pick up on subtle warning signs. Its very impressive considering how differently different types, brands and models of cars can drive compared to each other. I`ve had jobs that had me behind the wheel of various cars in the day/week and know how very different things can be.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

That's very kind, thankyou :)

[@TheJimbobjimmy]

Just bought my old one back after 2 years and can’t wait to get it back to a standard ish state and mint again

[@im2noob4bronze]

I have an Astra GTC with a 1.4 and i must admit it is a very fun and good car for a 20 y.o like me. I love it's steering, suspension is decent and it's balance feels alright, it can hold itself in some tight corners i tested it. Also the seats are very good and comfortable, while we installed an aftermarket touch screen and it became a lot more usable after that

[@darrylwebb3625]

I've never been a Vauxhall fan, but the the styling of these now looks ace IMO. The rest of it, flaws or not, looks like honest, mechanical fun.

[@marcusFZ6]

In 2006 I went down the Focus ST route as I felt that it was a much better car overall, a much better drivers car and also handled so much better in the wet. My car before the ST was the Astra Coupe Turbo with the 197hp donk. I test drove the VXR first then the Focus and the Focus was the better car for me. Either way doesn't matter as this was a good time for the hot hatches from most manufacturers.

[@andy110492]

I did the same thing 6 years back ended up with the astra though, st need some much work to get 300bhp+ not worth it money wise unless you go 400+, the fact the seats in the st are horrible, driving position awful you feel like your sitting on the dash, for me anyway im 6"3 and the fact they easy stolen and insurance is a pain even now

[@dadcars]

Just when I think I’m getting better at road testing I watch a video like this and remember James is the GOAT 🙌 I need to do more hot hatches 😎

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Hot Hatch is a classic Dad wagon!

[@baby_ninja_uk4741]

I daily a zafira gsi. Z20 let. Obviously its now got a vxr hybrid turbo etc and pushing just north of 300hp. What a machine she is. 2nd one I've owned now as i missed the 1st one so much. Honestly imo its the perfect family bus. Feel free to run a review on the gsi. For 21 year old i feel shes aged really well

[@cafe405]

I got that era of Astra as a courtesy cat whilst mine was repaired. I can confirm those indicators were f'ing weird and it took half the week to get used to.

[@banditorunner6946]

Amazing video and amazing car. This was a dream car for me. I love the comparison between old and new.

[@davidlundrigan1435]

I've always been a Fordy especially with my Dad working for Ford for the last 30 years. I now own a 2007 Astra VXR and what a car it is. It was a bit rough around the edges when I bought it having had 10 previous owners, needing the valve stem seals doing and the gearbox rebuilding. Having owned it now for three years fixing its bad bits, I love this car. I hope to eventually get the car fully stripped and repainted as its showing its age with Lacquer pealing. I'm so glad i gave this car a go as I'd never considered a Vauxhall. Absolutely brilliant cars. At 46 years old it makes me feel 18 again every time I drive it.

[@James83172]

Great to see one of the bigger youtubers giving the Vxr a chance, topgear certainly didnt back in the day. I bought a facelift version back in 2010 coming from an e46, it was a choice between that or a focus st. It is the first car ive owned with the exception of a nova Sri purchased around the same time that I have kept for longer than 3 years as i usually get bored but I still love the car (although it has gone from main car to being more of a weekend car) A little note on the interior side of things the facelift models have replace the cheaper looking satin silver inlays for glossy piano black which in my opinion makes it feel much nicer, I do think the gearbox and turbo reliability issues have either been addressed in the later models or correct servicing and allowing everything to warm up before pushing it makes a huge difference as mine now has 102,000 miles and still seems strong,

[@jamieboyer3398]

Loved my VXR when i had my Arden blue one, many a fun time driving that thing round the country roads, im in agreement about the torque steer, never found it as bad as TG the tv show said it was, although i did find that when i added a rear anti roll bar that really helped stiffen up the car around the corners.

[@jamessheehy4895]

Yes yes james I completely agree about the 2nd astra vxr its such a good looking car and amazing seats!!!❤

[@BobMc87]

Great video! I had a 2005 estate astra, with the 1.7 diesel engine. Was an ex police car, I had it for 7 years, then gave it to my brother to run for another year. Was a great car! Luggage, dogs and caravan.... The back doors stopped working with central locking, both door cards had to come off, and were off for quite a long time! 😂😂😂

[@b17blg]

I’ve owned my Astra VXR Nurburgring Edition now for 12 years now! I miss it on the road! It’s been in the garage for 4 years and hasn’t seen the light of day! I should get it out and back on the track really!

[@hexgraphica]

In the opening shot I expect it to drive straight into the edge with the front tyres screaming

[@thedrivebygg]

Loved the look of this when it was new, although the interior was like sitting in a Margarine tub. Loved the diesel version as well, and the modern one that followed.

[@ziginox]

It's a damn shame this car never made it to the US as a Saturn Astra Redline. We only ever received the 138hp 1.8L engine.

[@joshuaholman7760]

It was a serious missed opportunity. But we had the ION redline, Sky redline, Cobalt SS (in SC and Turbocharged) as well as the Solstice GXP. I had the COBALT SS a decade ago. Cheap af car, but it was not slow lol. Had lots of fun with it.

[@ziginox]

@@joshuaholman7760 I still want a Sky Redline... I know it's a bad idea, but I don't care!

[@joshuaholman7760]

@@ziginox fun cars dude. My advice, buy the nicest/lowest milage one you can get, make sure it's mechanically sound and just enjoy. They rip. I also drive the Solstice GXP before, fun car and looks amazing. Totally slept on cars. The occasional uber low milage COBALT SS is also a fun buy(but they can be Satan incarnate with small failures. Ask me how I know lol).

[@Zlin0035]

Ive never particularly liked the Astra H but it has grown on me and honestly now, it gives the same vibe my CRZ GT ha sin terms of looks, Low 2 door hatch/coupe with a sharp nose and flat butt! love it.

[@christianronn5301]

I had a top of the line Insignia with the magnetic dampers. It worked fine and never gave me any trouble, I sold the car with 200,000 km on the clock. I’ve also never seen a car get so even results in the MOT shock absorber test. Would’ve been interesting to try it again with the ignition off.

[@C.Fecteau-AU-MJ13]

A mate of mine bought one of those new, in Kalgoorlie, outback Western Australia... In the HSV variant, of course. In a land of Clubsport Commodores and FPV Typhoons, the little Astra did alright. His missus was very happy that birthday. He obviously didn't order it for himself, pretty sure it was illegal for men to order a HSV in Kalgoorlie without a V8. How times have changed though.

[@djemmay]

Love the video! I couldn’t afford the VXR, and had to settle for a black 06 1.8 SRI 3dr instead, but the owner before me had added 19” VXR rims and VXR spoiler. I added XP skirts XP rear splitter plus Irmscher front splitter and grille. Best looking car I’ve owned.

[@jamessheehy4895]

I absolutely love this car especially the arctic with the pan roof extended from the windscreen

[@jordanplatt3916]

There was a name for this I can't remember or find anything on it!

[@knightofcydonia07]

Years ago I saw photos taken at a track day on the Ring and one of the cars was an Arden Blue OPC with the panoramic roof. Might have been a special order, or aftermarket, unless Opel did offer it as factory fit for the OPC.

[@davidhaygarth648]

Im 52 and ive had mine 7 years. A fun car and underrated.

[@NomadJRG]

Glad I'm not the only one who has a guilty liking for the Astra J VXR. I've not driven one, I just really like the shape of them and the alloys. Maybe I'll pick one up one day.

[@hyperhart100]

I agree with you on the lack of space on the inside, I had a 1.6 3 door as a hire car and was always bashing my left knee on the centre console. The H never did anything for me so I bought my J VXR just over 9 years ago, it’s the longest time I’ve owned any car and I’m still loving it. No one else but me has driven it but your more than welcome to if you haven’t had a go in one before.

[@BenDigweed]

I’d argue J VXR also a far nicer car to look at and drive. No mad torque steer when you hoof it!

[@user-su5cm1kh9n]

But but but the J is ridiculously overweight (+200kg for a comparable model) and cheap feeling compared to the H. Then again, the G in some ways was the best of the lot.

[@SA-zoom1]

I test drove a new one in 2007, plus a Civic Type R, Golf GTI, and a Focus ST. The Astra was definitely the fastest. But in the end, I went for the ST as I felt it was a much better car as a daily. That said, the VXR was an absolute riot to drive and was a close second to the Focus.

[@natmorley6550]

The gear lever moving backwards is the gearbox bearing's that's one of the signs

[@rajjy1976]

The shut lines on that car always looked so tight

[@larssonk22]

Vauxhall also did an Artic Edition which had a panoramic sunroof those are ultra rare, only 500 were built.

[@markymark-r]

Great cars! And the Vectra VXR. Bonkers!

[@JDT-19933]

i always loved the 3 door it looks amazing. I currently own a 2007 vectra vxr

[@dj_paultuk7052]

The Astra H is a great platform, we have a few in the family. The Mrs has a 1.8 Elite with all the toys and its actually a nice little car. And i also have a later 08 1.8 SRi iVVT XP. Quite a special car in its own right. As in this spec the Z18XER engine comes with a close-ratio manual. Although it only has 135bhp, its revvy nature makes it a real hoot to drive.

[@LexTNeville]

Would that be the F17 gearbox?

[@dj_paultuk7052]

@@LexTNeville Yes thats it. The gearbox has a mini sump, so when draining the oil you need a large tray to catch it all. Been there!.

[@ajayxo6712]

Love these cars. Had one before and just got another one now.

[@x8dudtrackdaytoy]

Wondered if you’d ever get one of these on the channel. I’ve owned mine 12 years, fantastic cars and good fun with some minor mods

[@SeanGavin-rf5vd]

I own a 2007 Opel Astra OPC which is basically this car (we have Opel here in South Africa) I still have the car and daily drive it and I am 52. At the time we also had the Focus ST. Mazda 3 MPS, Audi RS3 and the Golf GTI to fill out hot hatch cravings.

[@darrenkhan6041]

I had a 55 plate in Arden blue when I was 22 and it felt awesome 😎

[@JamesBalazs]

I think you're preaching to the choir with me watching this, but a great and well balanced review certainly worth subscribing for! You mentioned the lack of heated seats: they weren't standard on the VXR but almost all I've seen seem to have them. I was shocked that this one doesn't to be honest. I have a 2009 on 70k miles with full leather heated recaros of which there were only 400ish sets made, and AFLs. Mine was a bit battered when I bought it, 6+ previous owners, no service history, and I have changed/upgraded approximately every single consumable and gasket in the last 2 years, had the gearbox rebuilt with an LSD, and £8000+ spent in the last few months on a standalone ECU conversion and forged engine - all painstakingly documented via KZbin. I couldn't imagine having more fun in any other car to be honest!

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thanks James, glad I got it right!

[@JamesBalazs]

@@JayEmmOnCars let me know if you'd like to drive an extensively but tastefully modified one to compare! It's surprisingly different to a standard car, but retains its road manners and drivability pretty well (just now with more power, proper rally antilag, flat-shift, launch control etc).

[@TheUrbanMechanic]

Unfortunately, she doesn't have that many factory options. Cruise control and a GID screen. That's about it.

[@sylvainents2sents212]

13:14 : The channel Car Focused has just released a video about a (splendid) low mileage Focus rs mk2 he was lent by a Ford specialist in Essex. So yeah, not strictly stock and can't say the car really has "lived" its own life yet but since the video just came out just thought i'd throw it here in case it's interesting for a future test :) Edit : oh and great review as usual

[@12jamiegavin12]

Had one of these when I was 19 and what a fantastic car it was. Yeah it was technically not a very good car but a crazy exhaust and near 300bhp at 19 years old was wild! I never found torque steer to be an issue even at that power but like jay says tyre technology came out a lot. Currently own a mk5 ed30 but I’d consider another vxr as a toy to rag about.

[@michaelyounes29]

The VXR Corsa, Astra, Vectra, Insignia is pure council estate exotica....

[@shingosshojiopoulos6608]

The opel blue fits this car a lot

[@paulboyle6857]

In 2013 a Scottish journalist named David Findlay took a bog standard example & entered it the British Leaders Hillclimb Championship where it acquitted itself rather well frequently being Sierra Cossies etc. He wanted to prove that you could take a standard performance car that you could drive to a meeting,compete competitively & drive home again.I would rather like to own one before they go crazy price wise!

[@Zero_Ninety]

The second chaviest car in the world, beaten only by the Corsa VXR.

[@LexTNeville]

No way. Corsa SXI with Irmscher bodykit or mk3 Fiesta Zetec.

[@04smallmj]

I'd put the Citroen Saxo VRS/VTR at number 1 😛

[@chrishart8548]

​@@LexTNevillethose corsa's were bad I was going to say corsa mk1 GSI but they are cool in comparison to the one you mentioned

[@charlesjames1442]

I had the local Lincoln garage install a Quaife LSD and Ford track springs on my 2013 ST, along with a Mountune MP-275 performance upgrade and Mountune catback exhaust. Now it’s the car it should have been from the factory.

[@earlofsmeg]

I like how it looks. Sure it has some quirks, but overall I like it. Wouldn't mind owning one.

[@fgaze72]

When I got my 2004 Leon Cupra R a couple years ago that was my friends response - 'mate, this was my dream car when I was 15!!'

[@joshuaholman7760]

As an American and suffer brutally from our 25 year law, how are those? They look awesome.

[@johnnyvxr]

Had one of these from new early ‘06, tweaked up to 300 and on kwv3 coilovers with full miltek, sounded great and felt fast. But like you said not dated well, nearly bought one recently even with the chocolate gearbox 👍

[@SuperGurrier]

Good review, do an Astra J next

[@AntoniusTyas]

I remember Clarksonius himself said "If the new Astra really looked _THAT_ good I'll eat my own hair.". He ended up eating hair omelette.

[@joshuaholman7760]

I remember that episode lol.

[@charlesmoss8119]

I always thought the 19” wheels gave better ride and pacified the torque steer - great cars I thought - and underrated!

[@tomibby]

I've always had abit of a soft spot for these, and sorry not sorry, but they really did rule the maccie d's car parks and at the age when these were getting abit cheaper i was going through my asbo stage, one of the things i love is that every model in the vauxhall line up had a vxr model for a while, please try get a meriva vxr or a zafira vxr or even a zafira gsi on the channel, cause they are just brilliantly weird

[@adamsaint2890]

aHHHH do I miss my VXR. Stage 3 Arden. Worked on hundreds of them for other people too, doing dashboard light conversions and various other mods.

[@PetarVN]

Hot hatches are the best. Growing up as a kid in Europe and living now in America... I really miss this segment from my childhood. I'd personally pick a Megane RS over the VXR/OPC, but these have always been charactersful things

[@joshuaholman7760]

This reminds me of the 05-10 cobalt SS that we got here on the US just based on how similarthe interior looks . those came in supercharged and turbo specs. Fun and fast little cars

[@Patient_Lion_BS]

I feel like this car got a bad rep due to Jeremy Clarkson's review. I actually think it's a proper fun car, its not perfect, but name me a car in the same price range that is... I alos think the styling has aged extremely well, interior is another story 😁 On a personal note, ive always had a soft spot for these despite being a hardcore Honda fan.

[@johnshaw8013]

I've got a 1 owner from new 04 reg SportKa SE, with about 55k miles on... Its paint and body needs some TLC and an it requires an MOT, but mechanically it's fairly sound. Not a fast car, but nippy and handles really well. It's a keeper.

[@cafe405]

The Mokka is just so horrendously uncool. Crossovers, generally, are, but the Mokka name and styling undoes all the work that Vauchall did to fix their "boring" image over this period.

[@joshuaholman7760]

Crossovers just seem like an excuse to make lackluster and lazy products just simply because that's pretty much what the now catatonic masses buy like hot cakes. It's crazy how ugly most crossovers are, but still sell like crazy. And forget anything sporty. Oh, well. Just raise a hatchback, make it look like an SUV and BAM!!! the sales will increase compared to if we stick to sedans.

[@warpspeed9877]

Comparing it to its peers this car still looks ace! And it's hugely tunable!

[@GTVScotty]

Fantastic car. Had one from new, the Nurburgring Edition. Had it for 12 years and only got rid because I just didn’t use it in the end as having kids I have something more practical.

[@Mouse2113]

Aberdeen reg car. Always liked the look of them inside and out, then and now. A friend had a rare silver one and it felt pretty rapid

[@TheUrbanMechanic]

It certainly is! Purchased from Belmomt Vauxhall Aberdeen in Dec 05 😁

[@philip244]

@@TheUrbanMechanichow can you check?

[@TheUrbanMechanic]

@@philip244 I didn't have too. Car came with original dealer slip with Salesman's contact details and address of dealer where it was sold.

[@robsx4280]

I test drove one of these in 2008, very quick, but gf hated it, i ended up buying a SEAT Leon FR TFSi, i still have it and very pleased with my choice.

[@AP-so1ih]

Would love to see a review of the newer Astra J VXR!!

[@04smallmj]

I remember seeing a lot of chavs driving these 😅. I have an Astra H myself now, it's the 1.8 petrol with the 4 speed slushbox. Quite an old person's car for a 31 year old but then I've had a Skoda Yeti before and love Volvo estates 😅

[@chriselse515]

Loved my vxr one of favourite cars i have owned

[@gaffnaldo1]

I remember this and the Civic Type R were the trully aspirational cars of the generation

[@dumitrescugeorgedaniel4877]

In 2005 i was 3 , I still like the Astra VXR

[@asifnoaman8978]

My father has 3 VXRs. The Vectra VXR, Zafira VXR and Astra J VXR. All fantastic cars in their own way

[@15DEAN1995]

I want to see you review standards versions of all the mid to late 2000s hot hatches now and see which has aged best. My bets on the Focus st225

[@JayEmmOnCars]

I can see that

[@peedeegt]

It has that peach of engine, which I think is it’s trump card tbh! Of all the hot hatches from that era, I think it’s the most hot-hatchy!

[@boabm6522]

King of the ST's certainly but then again, I'm biased. Would fancy a Megane RS however.

[@richardprice3092]

The Mazda 3 MPS was even more powerful than all... awesome car.

[@Reddsoldier]

AWD too, right?

[@tharmas13]

@@Reddsoldier Sadly no, that was only on the Mazda 6 MPS.

[@TheAnunnaki-NYC]

Here in the states we had this car badged as the Saturn Astra. Sadly didn’t sell well here in the states. It also being a badged a Saturn didn’t help either.

[@jakemongey8318]

This has very recently become a dream car of mine. I was working for a company with an aging fleet of "company cars" and while the saab 9-5 I was usually in was down I ended up in an 08 Astra SXI. I have never liked vauxhalls - theyve done nothing for me at all. The first 3 days of motorway miles It didnt impress me whatsoever coming from the saab, it felt underpowered, stiff and I found the controls absolutely unfathomable, stepping out of the saab didnt like the seats either. I then ended up doing 3 weeks of work near my home in kent and east sussex and on the drive back took the A21 and B roads and it all became clear, it handled beautifully, steering light but responsive and quick too, gearbox was fantastic banging it through the gears - not really ever breaking the speed limit but it felt absoulotely incredible. The suspension felt so solid yet wasnt too firm or soft. Even the practicality of it got me - my worst mpg figure around the roads of east sussex on a sunday drive never touching fith netted me 30mpg, and on a day where I was working did a run carrying the leftovers when the transit was full filling the car with all sorts of odd ends alongside 300 Litres of dense chemicals. It struggled on acceleration and breaking heavily with that load but the suspension did a phenomenal job. Ever since then ive wanted a VXR as if the mid range model was that good, the VXR had to be something special.

[@jaysmartin]

Looks and sounds like hes doen a good job so far 👍🏻

[@TheUrbanMechanic]

Thanks! 😊

[@Ohtarus]

I was always a bit of a fan of the Astra 888

[@channex8179]

I had the Corsa D VXR facelift Nurbergring with the Quaife diff, Leather recaros and uprated to 250bhp with bigger injectors, remap and a Remus exhaust, Was a cracking little car until my Wife binned it into a stop sign on a straight road and totalled it I'd had it less than 6 months and was gutted 😢 my mate had the Astra VXR and the torque steer was ridiculous.

[@jonfroin]

Ordered mine with all the extras and took delivery in Oct 2008. A month later it was blessed with a Thorney Motorsport Stage 3 and ~ 310bhp, 370lbft. 15 years and 220,000 miles later I am finally having the gearbox reconditioned. Not because there was any problem but with the clutch slave cylinder having failed, it would be unwise to have the gearbox out and not give it a bit of TLC.

[@bentullett6068]

This was from a great era of hot hatchbacks. Some of the hot hatchbacks that followed on from these got watered down gradually and aren't great as these. I think Volvo also attempted the hot hatch thing with the C30 which was a Ford Focus ST with a different body. Trying to find one of these is difficult to find either unmodified or looked after properly is difficult.

[@Imachickenlol]

Finally something for the everyday fed up of Ferraris and aston martin

[@jimbob578]

These ran to 2010 by the way, I know because I have a 2010 😊 to be fair I've modded the hell out of mine, but it's still fairly subtle looks wise, I hate all the added on tat to these and especially Zafiras! The turbo did die on mine, which was a grand to replace, but other than that it's served me very well over the last 3 years. Mine's on over 125k too! The interior and seats have held up surprisingly well, I think it helps that mine's the facelift with the gloss back rather than matte silver. The only real disappointment for me actually, is the go. I had a tuned MINI COOPER S before my VXR and man... the MINI just felt so much faster, despite having 100bhp less. I guess that's superchargers for you.

[@jeremywentworth1833]

At 21 I bought a G reg Astra GTE 16V followed 3 years later by a 3 years old Cavalier Gsi 2000 then maybe 10-12 years later a 55 plate Astra VXR then a 58 plate 1.9cdti Elite Astra loved them all . All were brilliant cars no trouble but each car at the most was 4 years old. Vauxhall's are good cars as long as you keep on top of them. My Mrs had a 53 plate 1.7 CDTi Sri and that was the worst car I've ever bought her.but it was about 9 years old and was just trouble in the end I part exd it for a Clio and got naff all for it.