2003 Vauxhall Astra GSi from UK and Ireland - Comments

Novas certainly do handle, their little go-carts, of course not the lesser 1.2's etc, but the GTE/GSI's did. True with 150 bhp FWD and being 865kg it did wheelspin easy. But handling was'nt affected it still had the 1.6 engine only, so it was'nt nose heavy. You can drive into a corner fast whether its 50 or 150 bhp.

Astra 1140kg, lightest scoobie is 1300kg. new spec 1445kg.

The 54 year scooby I have is 1395 kg 261 bhp, is the 06 one heavier? Mabee, but they all come with 2.5 litre engine's now exept the GX.

Yeh mate, the sti weighs 1445kg. but engine is 500cc bigger. do you have sports pack on your scoobie as they usual only come in 237bhp, yours is the wrx right?

Mine's the WRX PPP, it had 225 bhp without the pack, the 06 has 230 standard, but the tuning potential will be huge with a 2.5 ltr engine.

Are these cars really worth buying don't know whether to get gsi or civic type r.

Test drive. like me you will be well impreddes with the gsi, more so than the typr-r and it's a few k cheaper and quite abit quicker throughout the range,

I have a standard GSI and it will easily beat the old civic type R. vauxhall say the 0-60 is 7 but auto car have tested it at 6.5 and so hve I. most cars easily push out over 200BHP as standard. just putting a cat back exhaust and a decent panel filter gives you 220BHP!

I have an sri turbo, with phase 1 remap, cat back and 1st cat removed, k&n panel filter. now pushing 254bhp 289ft/lb and its extremely quick. still handles very well and sounds amazing. raced a 06 nissan 350z gt and demolished him, when I saw him at the next set of lights he couldnt believe I had just whipped him.

To the person that made the comment on the 8th March... I'm sorry you say you can EASILY beat a Civic Type R??? It annoys me when people make these claims. I'm not saying you can't beat one, but come on, be honest, there is almost nothing in it in terms of horsepower and 0-60 times, or even top speed. So come on no more silly claims OK.

I got my astra gsi the other day and have to say still cannot stop smiling while drivin it lovely car!!! easily whips the vectra gsis which have 2.5 engines so pleased wit that so big up the gsi!!!

How many gsi's were made in total?

Hey, I have a GSi Turbo Arden Blue, and I love it.

I've had phase 1 tuning, with uprated panel filter, iridium plug 50% larger air inlet pipe, modded air box etc, Samco hoses including boost pipe and bailey dump valve, 200 cell sports cat and scorpion exhaust system. Boost/vac gauge fitted.

I love this car; there are so many options to go for, and massive power gains. What I have done is only the start of it. Only problem is it costs a lot to do it all.

The GSi is such a good car in every way. I find it still looks really new and it's aggressive. They turn loads of heads, and it is always nice going past a normal SRi LOL. I use to have an SRi, and use to want a GSi sooooo bad.

Only problems I have had though, is that the paint on the sideskirt had bubbled and peeled. I have been told this is a known fault with the car, and the other thing was I had to replace the manifold gasket.

It's a nice surprising car. I beat an RS Focus and ST Focus, single turbo Skyline, so I'm pleased. I can't wait to get a VXR now though =).

I currently own a Clio 182 with both Cup packages. I sold my 51 plate Astra Coupe SE1 for the same price I bought it for 8 months before, and with an extra 20k on the clock.

Point is I'm getting rid of the 182 to buy a GSI; never had a problem with any Vauxhall I've owned, but out of all the french cars I've had, they've all been naff. eg Saxo VTR, VTS, Clio Williams 206 GTI 180, and now the 182.

This is the same company that build Saab and Hummer; can't fault them really apart from the back sitting too high.

Question is will the Astra compare road holding to my 182.

This little baby will eat Subaru's with bad drivers, and Porsche Boxsters without a problem.

I own a 53 plate re-maped Astra gsi with a few extra sensible mods pushing 252bhp an have twice raced subaru`s wrx/sti's 0-100 off 3 sets of lights an never once was I behind, but not much in it an onto the motorway 30-150 pulling away in higher gears.I'v had no probs an very happy with it just need new clutch soon any advice on uprated units?