7th Oct 2022, 09:43
Original poster here:
I have spent a month doing long journeys in the VXR. A fine A- and B-road run to Snowdonia, and some motorway work.
The Wales trip showed the Astra VXR at its very best: the poised handling, incredible braking and comfort made this seven hours of driving a true pleasure.
Fuel consumption seems to be eternally 29 mpg regardless of how its driven.
This week I went to Plymouth for work, 200 miles each way. I think the VXR is a real GT on the quiet: comfort, control and a gloriously confidence building high speed lope. The only downside is that the wrecked streets and speedbumps of Plymouth showed that the VXRs clever suspension is excellent at speed and on smooth-ish roads, but messy tarmac confuses it, and it sets off headbanging in the driver.
Also this is a vulnerable car, with the width and low-ride risking wheels, bumpers and chin spoilers daily. Add the dreadful parking visibility and you have a city pain.
I can live with all that, though.
2000 miles now, and my opinion of this car is growing.
30th Nov 2022, 17:11
Original poster here.
4k miles, very happy with this VXR. The onset of autumn has shown up a fault of VXRs that I had forgotten, however: the ventilation is dreadful. There is no setting that will keep the all the windows mist-free. The heater is hot, however, and the aircon is cold.
It is a true GT this VXR. I have some long drives over Christmas and I am looking forward to them greatly!
26th Dec 2022, 20:09
Original poster here - hope you're having a fine Christmas break!
I finally found something I hate about my VXR! Driving back from Leicester Tigers in the dark and drizzle, with much being chucked up from the road, the headlights were shown up as absolutely pathetic. It seems my first VXR was fitted with the optional bi-xenon lights which were incredibly better.
Research has shown I can get Osram Nightbreaker bulbs to improve things. When I get paid after the twenty weeks of January I shall get some.
Otherwise, I still boringly love this rapid, beautiful, personality-rich car.
1st Feb 2023, 15:06
Original poster here - Six months of ownership today.
I remain really happy with this handsome, personality-rich and rapid car.
Visibility when maneuvering is a bit rubbish; the ventilation isn't great; the headlamps could be better and the inside windscreen is a pain to clean. That's it.
Gorgeous, fast, playful, comfy and a mile-eater, not to mention pretty rare unmodified.
Looking forward to sticking some miles on this.
1st Feb 2023, 23:17
Glad to hear you're still enjoying the car. I find visibility a real pain on all modern cars, I know those big thick window pillars are for strength and safety, but they can obscure your vision a lot, especially at junctions sitting at an awkward angle.
And there is also the rounder car design making it harder as well to park; I swear I am a driver who has genuinely gotten better over the years, but now parking sensors are a must in any car I buy. I remember a time driving 1980s or 1990s cars they were so boxy in design it was really easy to see and judge parking spots with those straight lines, and you could usually also see the end of the boot or bonnet!
17th Apr 2023, 16:13
The OG here.
VXR went in for a full service today. Nothing bust or worn, still washes up as new. Interior still squeak free.
This car is too wide, too heavy, the doors are too long, the visibility is too poor, and the fuel consumption is awful.
I adore it. Truly beautiful, a fabulous GT, fast as hell on straights AND curves. As confirmed by the Independent Vauxhall tech who worked on mine today, very very rare unmolested.
Strangely I discovered in the last couple of months of distance work that the ride is FAR more composed in "sport" mode than in standard mode, I suspect because the damping is better controlled in that mode.
Nothing gone wrong in a year. Sailed through its MOT.
An individual and personality rich performance GT.
31st Aug 2023, 13:19
Original poster here - I've had the car a year, and 8000 miles this month.
Problems, repairs: none.
Costs - a full service.
I still really love this car. Makes me smile every time I get aboard. Fast as hell, handles, steers and brakes brilliantly. I think if this car had an Alfa Romeo badge, the car press would have gone crazy over it.
Fuel economy on runs is now into the thirties MPG. In general driving 25.
No rattles, squeaks or failures. I've bought some LED headlamp bulbs ready for winter as the standard bulbs are awful yellowed things.
I still don't envy any other driver.
5th Sep 2023, 12:16
Glad you're still enjoying the car, keep us updated. Every time I see one of these cars I'm amazed at how good they look, one of the few cars ever made that actually closely resembles the prototype's looks when it came out.
2nd Apr 2024, 15:50
OG Here!
Had the VXR MOTed and serviced last week. Waltzed through of course, and like most cars it feels magically "Smoother and faster" when it's clean and freshly serviced :)
The Vauxhall specialist I use told me again that he had not seen another J VXR to work on that was unmodified since mine last year.
I had him upgrade my headlamp candles to legal, CANBUS compliant LEDs and the lighting is transformed. Nothing else has failed in 15000 miles. No creaks, no scuffs. Fast as hell, handles like a DTM car, yet is a fabulous GT covering distance at speed. I might get the front wheels dressed when the tyres need replacing as there are a couple of kerb scuffs.
I say once again that this is a blue-collar supercar. Beautiful, rapid, great handling.
If you get one, and keep it standard, you may just love it.
14th Sep 2022, 12:10
Hey!
I read your GTC comments, great stuff. The VXR isn't "better" than, it's horses for courses. No doubt yours is the more comfy car to drive to Cannes :)