Conference terri::cars_uk

I had a quick spin in the Astra.

It was rather dangerous, I admit, but it was quite good
fun putting my foot down, and feeling the car panic when
the wheels spin.

The handling seemed similar to the old Astra, which
was alright, but not amazing.

If only the Renault 19 16V had a little more power!

Mark Jeffery.

	Bear-with-me Simon et all, 'cause I have no personal experience
	of driving the new Astra (I drive a Citroen AX :-( ) but I did
	drive a pre-catalyst GTE 16V and it went like s*** off the
	proverbial.

	However from reading the quality car mags the view is that the
	Astra'a engine is one of the best 2-litre units around. You're
	right about the handling though which has been slated by 
	road test editors - primarily because of the rather extreme
	nature of the traction control system (which can be switched off).
                                                     
	However, I would say that since Lotus has dropped the Elan, they
	might be used by parent company GM in the way that Ford uses its
	Rallye Sport division to 'sort' the suspension (& engine) of its
	production models. So watch out for future handling kits.

	My own opinion is that it's the best looking fast-hatch around 
	- esp. in black - economical, &  very fast (137mph !! apparently).

	Buy it !! or lease it, as the case may be :-)

	mike.

 My Dad has one as a company car.  For the last 2 days I have had the pleasure
of driving this wonderful car.  2 litres, fuel injected 16V Vauxhall 6 cylinder
engine - I believe it's 0-60 in under 8 secs.  The car has a wonderful feel to
it, its solid and holds the road like S**T to a blanket.  135 MPH has been 
clocked in it (sorry, just lost bottle) I'm sure theres a bit more there. 

As well as being fast its safe too, with a mutlitude of saftey features from 
side impact beams to advanced saftey belts, I really think Vauxhall have got
something here.

For the price �15,500 it has to be the best car in its class.  Corrados start 
around �18,000, Escort XR3/RS2000 - No Thanks.

And theres not that many of them about - is there 

    
    Re Last.
    
    The engine's only a 4 cylinder, but the head (By Cosworth, like all the
    best 16 valve heads) is beautifully made.
    
    The Caterham with this engine (HPC?) must be a real wonder considering
    the way it can drag my tank of a Calibra along when it needs to! I bet
    a Marcos Martina kit with this engine'd be fun too.
    
    Mark
    

�          <<< Note 1880.4 by NEWOA::SAXBY "Frontal Lobotomies-R-Us" >>>
�                   -< He he Marcos in a Vauxhall note! :^) >-

�    The engine's only a 4 cylinder, but the head (By Cosworth, like all the
�    best 16 valve heads) is beautifully made.
 

	Didn't know that.

	So is the new Calibra turbo done by cossie ?? (with a garret and
	all that)

	mike.

    I was lucky enough to have a quick drive of an Astra GSI today.
    It is a lovely car...and looks THE BUSINESS!
    It doesnt have the same "blast" as my Fiesta Turbo but is undoubtedly
    much more refined and would make an ideal car for long/fast journeys.
    
    I also managed to play with the Electronic Traction Control...it works 
    well and seem to all but eliminate wheelspin. If you get the chance,
    try a quick get-away in the wet, then switch the ETC off....good fun!
    Whether any car should need ETC as badly as this is another question,
    all I can say is that with the ETC activated the Astra sailed away
    where my Fiesta would be sitting in a cloud of smoke!
    
    IMO...the Astra may not be perfect, but I cant resist it.....just so
    sexy!
    
    Has anyone had a recent quote?
    
    	Graham.

    
    Re .6
    
    The Calibra (16v and Turbo) both have the same head as the Astra and
    Cavalier GSi. I don't know if Cosworth had any input to the turbo
    installation, though.
    
    Mark

    Simon,
    If you really like to "push it", get a Skoda.
    I thought a certain backup support engineer over there
    had a GSI... perhaps he'd let you have a "go".
    *Dave.

    Wow!!!!!
    
    Thanks for the replies!
    Looks as if the GSI is the one for me!!!
    
    I too feel that the spec for the car is quite good. The Stereo is
    brilliant! 20Watts of pure sound. If there's one thing I have to have
    it's good quality vibes!
    
    
    
    RE: Last. It is Alex's car I took for a spin Dave. I hear your LADA's
    due any day now.
    
	Simon.S
    

	re. the sound system

	Trouble with it is that it's built-in and has a separate display.
	What about those of us who want to stick a big SONY in, complete
	with auto-changer so that we can blast 'Boys of Summer' in all its
	21-bit 8 times DIGITAL :-) oversampling glory ?

	He says, speaking as a student on his year out, hoping to blow
	whatever bursary Digital gives him to finish his degree, on  a low
	mileage GSI ;-)

	mike.

    
    	RE-1
    
    		Perhaps a Don Henley fan??
    

    re .11
    
    Installing your own stereo in the GSi isn't a problem.  The separate
    display just becomes useless, apart from the clock!
    
    ..Craig
    
    
    

Well, it's the only Astra that can outrun the Nova GSi  :-)

    
    Hardly.

Re: .-1

Try looking a the the facts.

When looking for a new lease car when my last Nova (GTE) expired it's lease,
I looked at all the Astras.

To get identical performance to the newer Nova GSI, I would have had to go for
the Astra SRi.

Now as far as I know, the Astra GSi is the only Astra of higher performance 
than the SRi.


Correct me if I'm wrong.

re. 'bout that "it's the only astra that can out-run a NOVA GTE/GSI" quip

That is factually sound. But (and you should never begin a senten....) why
are you enlightening us with said fact ? :-0

mike. (bemused)

Re: .18

Because there are an aweful lot of people out there, not only in this notes 
file who have an underrated opinion of Novas (slow) and an overrated opinion of 
most Astras (fast)....

�file who have an underrated opinion of Novas (slow) and an overrated opinion of 
    
    And one person who has an overrated opinion of Novas ?
    
    At least you stick to your belief and run that model of car.
    
    J.R.

    
    Given the choice between an Astra SRi and a Nova GSi, the Astra would
    win hands down. The Nova is just to slow, tinny and a poor handler.
    
    Lets face it, its a hair-dressers or estate agents car!!

re: .20

I don't have an "overrated" opinion of the Nova, I just have realistic 
knowledge of what it can do.

Re: .21

> The Nova is just to slow, tinny and a poor handler.
    
For it's class it's not slow, perfectly fast enough for me.  It's definitely 
not tinny.  It handling is very good, given semi-decent tyres (MXV2's)


Ever actually *DRIVEN* one, and I'm not talking about a 1.2 model ? or is this
just the usual bias from someone have no idea what he's talking about. 

    In my limited experience :
    
    My girlfriend had a small (1.0 litre) nova and this seemed to shift
    along quite well a certainly didnt seem tinny. The ride was good and
    the handling was also very good (even on crap tyres).
    
    I also once hired a base model of the Astra (1.4 litre, I think). This
    really did shift and again like the Nova was a good ride and seemed to
    handle well.
    
    Having said that I dont think, in my experience, the handling or
    comfort was any better or worse in either model.
    
    My guess would be that the when comparing the top of the range in each
    (ie. the SRi's or GSI's or GTE's or whatever you want to call them) the
    Nova would give a better performance over 0-40 and maybe 0-60 BUT the
    Astra would give a considerably better performance in mid and upper
    range. This may seem obvious BUT it is the opinion of someone who hasnt
    owned a Vauxhall BUT has briefly driven them
    
    Barry
    

    I Personaly agree that the Nova is better if you compare it to the
    likes of your XR2's and such alike, but I must say that it is now a
    little old and one must wait until the new design comes out and what
    the new GSI engine will be like.
    
    MXV's I much prefer NCT(2's) I don't known what any body elses opinion
    is let me known. 
    
    Karlos 

�    My guess would be that the when comparing the top of the range in each
�    (ie. the SRi's or GSI's or GTE's or whatever you want to call them) the
�    Nova would give a better performance over 0-40 and maybe 0-60 BUT the
�    Astra would give a considerably better performance in mid and upper
�    range.

Guess again.

mike.

The Nova's alright, but it's nothing special.

    Same of the Astra though !!
    
    Barry
    

The Nova may be nothing special, and I would agree with this, but it's not 
that expensive, and it is good value for the money.


I personally prefer it as a small car to all the others of it's class and
above (the others seem to be designed for people with long legs !).   I find
the Nova extremely comfortable to drive, and as I require a very small
(physically) car to be able to park it off a very narrow road and to fit in my
available driveway, it meets my needs, and is less cramped than the Metro. 




I would have loved a Lotus Elan, but then I can't afford one by any means.

Re: .25

The Nova GSi and the Astra SRi have near identical performance throughout, 
0-60, top end, and getting there etc, given that both engines are tuned 
properly of course !

The Nova with the 1.6 engine in a very light body, the Astra with a 2.0 engine 
in a rather heavier body is the reason.


The Astra GSi, with either 8V or 16V 2.0 engines are higher tuned and are 
considerably faster, with a higher top end, than either the Nova or the Astra 
SRi.

�   <<< Note 1880.29 by MAJORS::ALFORD "lying Shipwrecked and comatose..." >>>

re. the above note.

The NOVA is no lightweight. The power-to-weight ratio of an Astra GSi
(which while we're on the subject only comes in 16V form) is far and
away greater than the NOVA GSI. Never mind the torque ratio. The Astra
SRi is not germane to the issue.


re. Bazz's note � the astra's nothing special �

sacriledge !!!!!!!!!!!

mike :-)

    The only time I've been in an Astra travelling at SPEED is with Joanne
    Masters......so heed my warning people....never accept a lift off her
    no matter WHAT the benefits seem to be !!
    
    Barry
    

Re: .30

Try really reading the notes.


You are arguing a point I am not trying to make.

I have said all along that the Astra GSi is *MUCH* faster than those models I 
am talking about.

The power to weight ratio/torque ratio of the Nova GSi *IS* better or equal to
all the Astras *EXCEPT THE ASTRA GSi* 

OK ????????


> SRi is not germane to the issue.

Oh yes it is, because that is the one I am making comparisons with/to.

re.   <<< Note 1880.32 by MAJORS::ALFORD "lying Shipwrecked and comatose..." >>>
      "really reading the notes"
       ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I refer you to my original note or better still

            <<< MARVIN::DISK$TOOLS:[NOTES$LIBRARY]CARS_UK.NOTE;1 >>>
                            -< CARS_UK conference >-
================================================================================
Note 1880.18                     Astra Gsi?????                         18 of 32
DUBSWS::KANE_BF "The clot thickens...."               6 lines  15-SEP-1992 10:27
                         -< Yes but, but but but..... >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
re. 'bout that "it's the only astra that can out-run a NOVA GTE/GSI" quip

That is factually sound. But (and you should never begin a senten....) why
are you enlightening us with said fact ? :-0

mike. (bemused)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

� > SRi is not germane to the issue.
 
� Oh yes it is, because that is the one I am making comparisons with/to.
  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

But why.......this topic is meant to be about the beloved ASTRA GSi not SRi

mike. (vexed)

    
    I was off yesterday so I missed this battle,but I will add,that I've
    driven both a Nova GTE and an Astra SRI (although for insurance costs
    i'm driving an Astra SR)and in my opinion I prefered the Nova.I liked
    the feeling of speed which you get from being in a smaller car.It had
    good road holding a through range power.The Astra SRI I don't rate to
    much.I found it clumsy,and the car tended to follow the road cambers
    I'm certainly glad i've got the SR.
    
    	Andy....

.34> I liked
.34> the feeling of speed which you get from being in a smaller car.
    
    While my comment has nothing at all to do with the base note ( why
    should this one be any different ;-) ), I can relate to the above
    sentence - one of the greatest feelings of speed I have had in a car is
    doing 70 in a Reliant Robin ( No, don't titter ). 
    
    	Terry
    

    doing 70 in a Reliant Robin ( No, don't titter ). 
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^  

Terrain hilly where you live ? ;-)

mike.

    
    70 in a Robin? Quite possible.
    
    A friend of mine (I know I've recounted this before, but the audience
    changes with time) had a Reliant Robin with a tuned 850 engine. It
    would reach 85 mph and had very un-Robin acceleration! :^)
    
    Mark

Thanks for regurgitating that lovely story Mark.


�    A friend of mine (I know I've recounted this before, but the audience
                                                          ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
�    changes with time) had a Reliant Robin with a tuned 850 engine. It
     ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I can see why ;-)

mike.

    
    :^)
    
    Mark

    There was a story in the paper a few months ago (sun) wheer a guy had
    modified his Reliant Robin and got court doing 108, the Police where
    said to be gob smacked !!!!!!
    
    Karlos

    I must admit that my spitty is NOT ANY WAY classed as fast but the
    great feeling of speed you get at pretty normal speeds is the fun of
    it.
    
    Lets face it, the thrill of fast cars is not the top end cos 100mph
    feels the same as 200mph in an "executive" car with all the
    comfort and smooth ride gadgets. Whereas give me a small, light and
    nippy car which is low to the ground and feels like you're really
    moving when you put your foot down and the fun is endless !!
    
    Barry
    (biased though)
    

    Reading these notes about Astra GTE/GSi's etc has confirmed my view
    about the mentality of the people who "drive" them.
    
    My advice to anyone who encounters one of these "drivers" is GET OUT OF
    THEIR WAY! Astra drivers will do anything to get past you - ANYTHING!
    
    And for God's sake don't even think of overtaking them, even if you are
    driving a Porche, because they will take this as a personal insult to
    their manhood, and a price has to be paid!
    
    Best wishes,
    
    Rupert (BMW driver)
    
    

    
    (sniff sniff)
    
    Has anyone noticed a farm related smell round here ?
    
    -Tony (not an Astra driver)

    � Rupert (BMW driver)
    	      ^^^^^^^^^^
    
    :^)
    
    Mark

    I dont think ANYONE can relate driving ability/technique to certain car
    groups !!
    
    Barry
    

re.45:

You're right but every rule has an exception - Volvo drivers.

Dave.

	Look before this topic gets write-locked, I will attempt to
	get us all 'back on terms' (as they say at the Ox' v. Cam' 
	boat race). 

	Yesterday, I was at me local BP station putting unyielded
	into the AX, when I came across..... a shiny new Astra GSi.
	In black. The sort of black that looks metallicy dark dark
	charcoal, anyway it looked simply the bizz. 

	To cut the story short, I persuaded its congenial custodian
	to take me for a spin down the road in it. Allowing me -
	(fool) - to drive it I gave it the gun up to the legal limit ;-)
	and checked out it TCS which is really wierd.

	What can I say. The experience was absolute bliss. The lasting
	impression was the solidity of the car, it's vocal but strong
	engine, and the way it stayed flat round the esses. 

	Heaven, I'm in heav.........

	mike.

    
    re: Rupert
    
    
    	Do you think that all BMW drivers are polite gentlemen on
    	the roads and they give way to FASTER cars?
    
    	I think not, because there can't be faster car than BMW 316i,
    	or so they believe. 8-)
    
    
    
    	Hannu

�                <<< Note 1880.48 by EEMELI::HAUTALA "GasMan" >>>
�                              -< BMW drivers... >-
    
    So this is not only a British phenomenon ?
    
    Owning/driving a BMW seems to imply a certain attitude to other cars...
    
    
    				:-)
    
    J.R.

    Re. the Astra v Nova bit
    
    Which SRi are you refering to, the old 1.8 or the new 2.0 litre?
    
    I find it hard to believe the Nova performs like the 2.0 litre Astra.
    
    ..Craig 

    RE.Previous.
    
    		I was referring to the 1.8.
    
    Andy.
    		P.S.Did you get the GTE?
    

    Andy,
    
    As soon as I sell my present car I'll be on the look out for one.
    
    ..Craig

    
    I'll keep a look out for you,as you disappear from my rear-view mirror.
    	;-)
    
    Andy..Do you still want the MK1 GTE?
    

    You'll be driving in the opposite direction I assume.. )
    
    ..Craig  

Re: .50

I was referring to the Astra SRi 2.0 as at approx February time-frame...

    I now know why I deleted this conference from my list. I only came back
    in here to read a particular note I was told about, not this one it
    just happened to pop up as the first one after a set seen /before. What
    do I see, all the usual drivel with Jane Alford (although I don't wish
    to single her out) babbling on about how wonderful a Nove is compared
    to an Astra SRi in a topic aboput an Astra GSI/GTE.
    
    Don't bother replying Jane, I'm going to read my target note and remove
    the conference from my list again.
    
    Chris
    

If there's one thing I hate more than low quality noting it's high and mighty
people whining about it.

There I go again.

Dave :-)

    
    RE-1
    
    Don't reply Jane>>
    
    	Don't worry Jane,Chris has a permenant Bag-on!He was once a school
    headmaster (or so it seems as he is always commenting on gramatical
    errors)
    
    	Andy.....FIRE PROOF....
    

    (said in a hushed whisper) If we ask the mods to delete the last few
    notes, it'll all be O.K. - Jane's out today.
    
    
    Tony (the wimp) Orchard

    �delete the last few notes
    
    What and spoil the fun :-)
    
    
    Roy

    Actually, Chris is right. I sometimes wonder why I read this
    conference too, it's 99% crap. The odd 1% such as JR's 'race' notes,
    the odd technical info, and the chance to help someone out now and
    again are all that keeps me here.
    
    Laurie.

    
    Come on Laurie,
    
    We all know why you read notes...
    
    it's in the hope of being able to correct someone's Granma!
    
    Mark

    
    
    Wagagagagagagagagagaga!!

    
    A friend of mine has terrible spelling and gramma. I had
    a party invite to what I assumed was a fancy dress party.
    
    I went dressed as a goat when in fact it was really a TOGA
    party.
    
    Imagine my suprise........
    
    JN.

RE:        <<< Note 1880.62 by NEWOA::SAXBY "Mean and Brooklands Green!" >>>

�    it's in the hope of being able to correct someone's Granma!
    
    One often fulfilled, methinks.
    
    Laurie.

Re: .56

> I'm going to read my target note and remove
>    the conference from my list again.



    
Thank goodness for that - as he has once again proved that he doesn't actually 
read notes that he then attacks, definitely one of the contributors to
next-unseen past in any conference... 

    But, he does have a point.
    
    Look how many replies there are 'for this car', 'against that car'...
    
    J.R.

    Agreed, look how many replies their are from Jane saying 'The Nova Gsi
    is better than anythig else with a 1.6 engine on the road'.

Re: .68

>    Agreed, look how many replies their are from Jane saying 'The Nova Gsi
>    is better than anythig else with a 1.6 engine on the road'.

None.

Look, can we all rattle our respective sabres in another topic or better still
another conference. I think we owe it to the base note's author, never mind
the owner of the disc that this conf' is on, to stick to the subject. 

Petty wrangles usually end in the topic being write-locked which would be a 
shame especially as this topic/car is relatively new and worth 'noting'.

mike.

    
    .69
    
    Gaga.

    
    
    
    Hi All,
    
    
    This may be in the wrong topic, but I was under the impression that
    this was to discuss the Astra GSI.
    
    I have a question/request for some advice.
    
    I assumed that the Astra was fitted with Ultrasonics as part of the 
    factory fitted alarm system.
    
    If anyone can me if this is the case or not I would appreciate it.  
    
    
    
    				Alan.
    

    
>    I assumed that the Astra was fitted with Ultrasonics as part of the 
>    factory fitted alarm system.
    
>    If anyone can me if this is the case or not I would appreciate it.  
    

According to my 1992 brochure the alarm is not fitted as standard to the Astra.

There are several options available with the Vauxhall System 90 security 
system.

901	standard alarm system
902	executive alarm system (includes ultrasonics and central locking)
903	remote control bits.



I had to specify exactly which bits I wanted when I ordered last year, it might 
be better to do the same, redundant information is better than not enough.

    Reading in this week's Autocar, Vauxhall has made some alterations to
    the Astra GSi - the most noticeable of which are a crummy set of
    alloys.

    Modifications include: a quicker steering rack (3.0 against 3.4),
    suspension refinements, a less draconian traction control system, a
    less noisy engine; although power & torque outputs remain the same, a
    driver's side airbag as standard, and smaller (14") alloys wearing
    slimmer & _taller_ tyres; probably to keep the gearing unaltered than
    to improve dynamics.

    Autocar (& Motor) don't think there's much overall improvement and the
    new wheels do it no favours looks-wise, IMHO. Order the old alloys,
    methinks.

    Mike

	Well last Wednesday I took delivery of my new GSi, its the latest spec 
with airbag, 14" alloys etc.

	The car is absolutely excellent ! the new wheels look much better in the 
flesh than in the mags, and add to the cars great looks. The ride is much 
smoother than the model I tested and the handling doesn't appeared to have been 
affected by the narrower tyres. If anything it feels a little slicker through the
bends.

	The traction control system still dampens your enthusiasm but restores 
power quite promptly, and is a godsend in the wet when pulling out into heavy
traffic.

	My model had a couple of small problems but nothing serious:

	1)	It arrived with the wrong varient SC804 stereo (ie with its own
								display)
	2)	The trip computer was in Litres & Kilometres

	Newbury Instant motors tried to sort the trip computer but only made 
things worse and then gave up, leaving me with an only partially working computer.

	I took the car up to Bellingers at Wantage this lunchtime and they 
couldn't be more helpfull, the car was sorted in 20 minutes flat !!!

	The stereo is being replaced this afternoon by Skippers of Gloucester.

	So far I have done over 900 miles and there have been no problems at all,
MPG seems to be mid 30's.

	I would recommend this car to anyone......

	Andy

    
    RE-1
    
    >>tried to get the trip computer sorted out etc,etc.
    
    
    I don't know where you find the time.   ;-)
    
    
    Andy...PRC.Engineers.work.for.a.living.

    
    re .75
    
    How does it bounce off Transit vans, Andy?
    
    Tim

	RE: -1

	Well Well Well !

	So your still around then Tim, had your car nicked recently ?

       re .78
    
    Nah, No-one bothers with it now. They've seen how poorly it handles
    now, after your disagreement with a parked transit. ;-)
    
    Tim  

	Well at least I got all those stone chips sorted out for you !!

	Andy

    I have heard that there will be a 1.8 (16v ?) version of the Astra GSi
    that will be two grand cheaper than the current 2 litre model coming
    out at the end of the year.
    
    Could someone going to one of digital vauxhall roadshows 'sound' out
    one of the vauxhall staff for any more details ?
    
    It sounds interesting.
    
    Royston

	I was told by one of the staff on the Vaxhall caravan
	that there would be a 1.8 Astra GSi "in the near future".
	It has the word ECON somewhere in the name of the engine!

	Graham

According to recent motoring press, Vauxhall plan to replace the
2.0i engine with a 1.8i 16v engine across the range. This will
include Cavaliers, Calibras, Astras and (I think) Carltons.



	Ian

    
    Does anybody else that drives a Vauxhall with the short roof mounted
    aerial, as fitted to the GSi have any problems recieving MW,LW or SW 
    radio stations. 
    
    It seems I can only get FM stations on the Phillips set fitted to my 
    Astra.
    
    The handbook mentions an amplifier fitted to the base of the aerial to 
    allow it to pick up MW, but does not give any more details on fault
    finding.
    
    Is this likely to be an aerial fault or a Radio fault.
    
    
    Alan.
     
    

    Alan,
    	Can't speak directly for the Astra, but my Carlton had an identical
    aerial + amplifier system in which the amplifier failed. Net result was
    that (like you), I could only get FM stations.
    
    	When the amplifier was replaced - bingo - LW and MW reception
    were immediately restored.
    
    Steve
    

    My Calibra had this fault - the aerial was replaced and all was OK.
    
    Andrew

	I have a brochure on the 1.8 GSi here and it seems good value and the 
performance not too bad (0 - 60 = 8.5secs, top speed 129mph). It is however a
stripped out 2.0 GSi, theres no trip computer; headlamp washers; alloys; a down -
graded stereo (sc303)..... for starters. Seems to be fairly economical though.

	The engine kicks out 125bhp so it is a pretty good replacement for the
2.0i with only 115bhp - so thats a possibility.

	Other than that its looks the same.....

Andy

Does this mean that the 2.0 GSi is going away ?

The 1.8 is a replacement for the SRi.  I guess they didn't sell too many
2.0s this time around. Also missing, traction control (I guess it isn't 
really needed) and electrically adjustable and heated wing mirrors.

tp 

    
    .85,.86
    
    
    This seems to be the most likely culprit. Thanks for the info.
    
    I've called to day to get a price for the replacement part. 
    
    It varied between 14 pounds plus vat to 27 including vat from 
    two vauxhall dealer in Edinburgh.
    
    Thanks Again.
    
    Alan

    Has anyone got a definitive spec on the new 1.8 GSI 16v Astra or can
    point me to a road test in one of the car mags. Also whats the list
    price as they seem very competitively priced on the scheme.
    
    Simon

    There is an overview of this car in the Newcomers section of this
    month's CAR magazine.
    
    Reargards,
    
    Stephen

    There's a separate 2 page glossy on the 1.8 GSi.  It's a replacement
    for the SRi.  Some of the magazine articles claim that it has almost
    the same spec as the 2.0 GSi.  Check it out in the real car first
    because I've been hearing different stories on the spec.  From the
    brochure/Vauxhall garage: no alloys, no trip computer, no electric
    mirrors, no traction control (no loss though as it doesn't need it).
    
    tp

    Last weeks A&M had an article on the 1.8 16v GSI.
    
    Its states " 1.8 GSI has 14" pressed steel whells rather than alloys
    and does without front foglights, headlamp washers and double barrelled
    exhaust tail pipe. cup your hand against the window and you'll discover
    that the 1.8 comes with manually adjustable door mirrors and that the
    traction control button and its snowflake logo are missing"
    
    the engine is the new ecotec 123bhp and 124lb ft .
    
    0-60 in 7.9
    30-70 in 8.0 
    125mph max
    
    only other change is one rear anti roll bar at 18mm instead of 15mm and
    18mm on the 2.0 but it has slightly uprated dampers and springs to
    compensate. everthing elase is identical and they say a considerably
    better car than the sri it replaces, but wish it was cheaper to insure.
    
    Regards martin

It's been some months now since this note has been last updated. I'm interested
in any GSI 1.8 16v drivers likes/dislikes of the car, including any show 
stoppers.

I think its a shame that alloys arent an options and you don't get the leather
steering wheel (fussy).

Aston

Aston,

Kevin Symonds has got one - if you ask nicely, he may even 
let you borrow it.

    I have had the 1.8 16V Cesaro for a couple of months now. It has as
    standard Alloy wheels, ABS, electric mirrors etc. I asked the Vauxhall
    garage when I ordered what GSi bits were missing and they said it was
    just the bodywork, as the Cesaro is a 5 door.
    
    Compared with the 2.0 8V 130Bhp Cavalier SRI I had before the engine is
    giving me the same fuel consumption (30 mpg). Its a typical 16V engine,
    with all the power at the top end of the rev range.
    
    Its certainly fun to drive until you get into the snow with the ABS ! 

    �until you get into the snow with the ABS !
    
    Ratholing on this topic I know but there seem to be an aweful lot
    of -ve vibes about ABS in snow/icy conditions. 
    
    Has anyone approached any of the manufacturers about this because
    it seems to be a pretty major safety issue. Maybe there should be
    the facility to switch off ABS under certain circumstances.
    
    Royston

    >Maybe there should be the facility to switch off ABS 
    >under certain circumstances. 
    
    There is on my Calibra, simply remove fuse 14.    I've now replaced it
    and ABS is again functional. (warning: do not remove fuse 14 if you
    have auto transmission!)
    
    Huw. 

    Hi,
    
    	I have the Astra GSI 2.0i and have had the following problems..
    
    	The radio/cassette (can't remember model) keeps having problems with
    	the front two speaks mounted near the door mirrors. Basically they
    	just cut-out every once and a while... (it is not RDS related..)
    	The radio unit does seem to get incredably hot but I suppose it is
        mounted right next to the heating unit. Anyway the radio has been
        replaced and so have the speakers but the fault still occurs...
    
    	Has anybody had a problem with these radios....
    
    	I have also had problems with radio reception for LW/SW/MW but
        seeing the previous replies I think I have the problem..
    
        
    Cheers,
    
    Nick

    The speaker in my driver's door at the bottom cuts out when I open the
    door.  Has anyone checked the wiring on yours ?  It doesn't look
    particularly safe from being shut in the door and cut up a bit.  I look
    upon mine as a convenience feature, I don't annoy passers by with the
    radio when I open the door :-)
    
    My radio gets unbelievably hot, more noticable on long journeys.
    
    tp

In my (3 week old) Frontera, i have experienced a similar problem,
but this is with the REAR speakers. They appear to _fade_ out, rather
then _cut-out_, as there is no click or electronic "noise". It is as
if someone has turned the fader control to the front only.

The radio is the Philips SC804.

Perhaps, perchance, the problems are related,

mb

	I too have an Astra GSi with an SC804 radio, I've been concerned about 
the temperature the radio reaches over a long journey. If it were a few degree's 
hotter I think you could burn yourself. Of course it doesn't get that hot when
its in the garage for its service so there is nothing they can do !

	One thing it could be is the lack of ventilation around the rear of the 
radio, it is after all a 4 x 20w unit so it will need some air. I wonder if this
is why Vauxhall have downgraded the spec on new GSi's to the SC303.

Andy

    
    	The radio/casette unit un my Corsa also gets hot after a long trip.
    	I suppose it could be due to the fact that it's mounted just below
    	the heating unit.(I think someone has already suggested this)
    
    	Andy

Re .100

If both the head unit and tweeters (top of door) have been replaced theres 
only the cable left.  Do the speakers at the bottom of the doors cut out 
also?  If not it must be the cable actually in the door as the tweeters 
take a feed from bottom speakers.

..Craig

The radio in my Calibra gets hot too. Is this a feature
of all Vauhall models?

Come to think of it I have noticed it in other Vauxhalls, typically Cavaliers...

Andy

    The radio in my Cavalier gets hot, but thats probably because I keep
    switching it on and off to play with the electric aerial.
    
    BigKid.

    
    ...The Radio (SC804) in my Frontera gets that hot that you can't eject
    the cassette until the unit has cooled down, can't be doing my
    cassettes much good, also the RDS - which to paraphrase the manual "...
    wil tune to the strongest signal, unnoticed....." - spends a lot of time
    clicking from one frequency to another, occassionally shuts off
    altogether and just displays 'SEEK' finally tuning in to a different
    station altogether....
    
    G_frontera_less_coz_the_fuel_pumps_failed %^/
     

    The SC804 has two modes for RDS,  REG ON and REG OFF.  I didn't quite
    understand what they are for, something to do with regions and signal
    strength and the like.  You swop by holding the mouse, er I mean,
    finger on the RDS button for a couple of seconds.  Have you tried using
    the other mode?
    
    tp  (Customer Support person :-)

    The radio in my 205 gets particularily hot on a Friday evening... but I
    think that's because I'm listening to Pete Tong's Essential Selection
    on Radio 1.
    
    Stephen ;-)

Thats funny, a guy in a pub tried selling me a 'hot' stereo once.


..Craig

    RE: .100
    
    I've now put the car into the garage to be serviced and the problems
    investigated... I have mentioned to the service technician some of your
    comments - I got the response `we know what to look for'!!...so this should be
    interesting...
    
    Does the 'we know what to look for' mean this is a regular fault I
    wonder?
    
    Cheers,
    
    Nick

    Well the car came back from the garage... they couldn't find a fault
    with the speakers... but because they had mended the amplifier in the	
    ariel they said the problem should no longer happen. 
    
    `We know what to look for' - yeah right!?!?!?!?!?!?
    
    As if mending the ariel will fix the speakers... sigh....
    
    If only the labour charge was as low as their IQ's ;-)
    
    
    Cheers,
    
    Nick
    

    
    
    Hi,
    
    	Can any one tell me when the timing belt on a GSI should be
    	changed?
    
    	
    Alan.

    I believe all Vauxhall petrol engines have the cam belt changed
    at 36000 miles.
    
    Diesels get it changed at the 63000 mile service.
    
    Royston