1991 Vauxhall Astra GTE 16V 2.0 16v from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A powerful machine and full of surprises

Faults:

Nothing actually failed. I've had to replace the front discs and pads (£46, but not from Vauxhall), and 2 new tyres, but that's just general wear.

General Comments:

My previous car was a 1.3 mk2 Astra so I thought the car was just a faster version, but I was wrong. You give it just a little bit of power and it begins to take off down the road.

Don't assume it will zap past an M3 with no trouble, it won't, however it will keep up with some very expensive cars like Impreza's, BMW 328's and the like. 0-60 ranges from 7.4 to 6.9 depending how 'worn' it is.

The suspension is pretty bad, but that's normally sorted very well for less than £500.

Modifications for the engine are huge, exhausts are normally a good idea purely because a new Vauxhall one is £500 (or so I've been told). Some people take the engine out and put the Turbo engine from the Cavalier/Calibra in and that improves the speed a lot. Some go for throttle bodies, but whatever you would like to do the clutch and gearbox should take it up to about 200bhp (157bhp at standard).

They are very cheap at the moment, but a lot have been thrashed so if you are looking for a good example, then make sure the engine is in good nick and that the cambelt has been changed recently (if not, change it). These rust less than most Astra's, but look out for any. I've known one engine to do 185,000 motorway miles without a rebuild and it's still pulling strong, so don't be put off by a high mileage.

The real killer though is the insurance (group 16) but then... isn't it always?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th September, 2001

1991 Vauxhall Astra Convertible 1.6 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Quick and good looking, with reasonable insurance

Faults:

I'm actually modifying the car at the moment. 15" alloys and a Scorpion exhaust have been put on, along with limo tints, K & N air filter & designer rear spoiler.

Excellent interior & exterior (even though minor rust patches have appeared on the bodywork, I got rid of 'em!).

A few other things have needed to be done, new battery, and probably more and pieces needed...

General Comments:

Quite quick, will definitely do over 100mph (I estimate around 112!). Outdid an AX GT the other day, as did the 2.0 Carlton behind, and these lads say they can outdo an RS Turbo? No chance!

Handling is very good, Recaro sports seats are excellent, and the leather interior is cool!

More mods in the pipeline...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd May, 2001

1991 Vauxhall Astra GTE 2.0 16v petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

(G) et (T) here (E) ventually... need I say more?

Faults:

Head gasket blew at 62,000.

Engine has been rebuilt twice.

Digital dash rattles.

Rust continues to set in.

General Comments:

This car certainly lives up to its name (G) et (T) here (E) ventually. It is sluggish, has shabby build quality and has the typical Vauxhall traits:

Noisy at high speeds.

Rusts on all arches and sills.

Generally unreliable.

I purchased it as a 2nd car (to my Peugeot 306 GTi-6) and I'm thinking of scrapping it - unless somebody wants it for nothing? It's nowhere near as quick as the 306.

I would also like to add that it's not my car in particular. It was AA checked and even the main dealer said it's the cleanest one they've seen! A couple of my mates have got GTE 16v and they have the same problems.

Don't buy one!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 22nd April, 2001

28th Apr 2001, 06:48

I have read many reviews on this car and this is the first bad one. I'm going to buy one.

2nd May 2001, 09:44

Mate... it may be just a little bit faster on paper to 60mph than the Renault 19 16v... but the Renault 19 16v looks nice, handles REALLY well, all electric, ABS, leather seats for a cheaper price.

Get one instead!

15th Jun 2001, 10:14

Ill have the car of you for nothing if you don't want it mate!

Heres my mail address bbadboyy2k1@aol.com.

9th Sep 2001, 17:28

The 306 GTI-6 is faster? What modifications have you done because they are slower at standard than the GTE. I know lots of people with GTE's and although there are problems (ABS sensors getting covered by crap, rusty rear arches after 12 years (£200-300 to have replaced not exactly a fortune after 12 years)), these problems aren't anything major. If all your friends think the GTE's are slow and unreliable, maybe you should all go and buy a Nissan Skyline since I doubt anything else will satisfy you.