Astra TURBO good? - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

XRSIK · 06-09-2003, 16:24

What does everyone think of the new Astra Turbo? When it came out I wondered if i should have waited to test drive this car before I bought my BA Xr6.

it looks fairly sweet - 2L 147kw engine, mid 7s to one-hundred - leather interior, 17inchers ect. for $37K.

still i think i would have still gone the XR6 - similar performance but much more car for your money (very suprisingly the Xr6 also uses less fuel!!).

in the end i think the turbo astras a great little car - but despite the turbo, its still really just a front wheel drive runabout....

what does everyone think of it?

YOOT · 06-09-2003, 16:47

For what it is it sounds slow, I mean an EL or EB XR6 could keep up with that!

dave_au · 06-09-2003, 17:56

Its got the worst exhaust note ever - it sounds like a hoover vacuum cleaner.

That sort of money for a car like that is getting a little bit ridiculous too - thats pretty near xr6t/subaru wrx territory.

3k more will find you behind the wheel of an SV8, $700 more behind an XR6NA, little over 4k =wrx.

Anyway I would have to say the Astra turbo will have a bit of competition from the 2.0L NA Reno Clio Sport - 0-100 in 7.76, 0-400m 15.54 - and this car retails for 33k.

Okay - what I want to know is - is the Astra Turbo sourced from Vauxhauls/Opels Astra GSI or just the Astra Turbo Coupe ?

tranquilized · 06-09-2003, 19:27

The Astra turbo, and the Astra convertible are both good cars for what they are, but their pricing is a joke.
The convertible is more expensive than a Mazda MX5! Why would you pay more for a small generic front wheel drive car thats been comprimised by having its roof chopped off, than for a rear wheel drive, purpose-designed convertible sports car?
As for the turbo (either coupe or convertible) what dave_au said is on the money - real performance cars are too close in price.

I think it just depends what you want out of a car - to look good out front of your favorite cafe while you sip on a latte, or to go fast and provide fun and entertainment behind the wheel!

EFJase · 06-10-2003, 02:09

Yeah mate the pricing is way too close to, what id consider to be, better cars.
$37k is a expensive astra. If your looking at how fast it is 15.5sec 1/4 mile isnt overly impressive, but consistant for the car.

my 2c

Jase

flavze · 06-10-2003, 03:18

The current wheels or motor mag has a test on it an a st170 focus if ya wanna read it. Sorta glanced through it an they reckon the astra will win in a straight line but the focous is a better handling car. I think thats what i read anyways.

FM · 06-10-2003, 03:48

Bolt a turbo to the ST170 & Ford will have a dead set winner on their hands.

Turbo Astra should sell well. There's absolutely no reason why it shouldn't.

galaxy xr8 · 06-10-2003, 05:05

Quote:

Originally posted by flavze
The current wheels or motor mag has a test on it an a st170 focus if ya wanna read it. Sorta glanced through it an they reckon the astra will win in a straight line but the focous is a better handling car. I think thats what i read anyways.

Sound's like their report on the XR8 v's SS the mag's allways say the Holden's have the straight line speed but the Ford has the package.

Adam W · 06-10-2003, 05:18

If I was spending that sort of money and didn't want something as big as an XR6T I would spend the extra and go for a WRX. The WRX is definately a better all round car than the Astra and that would be enough to make me spend the extra 5 grand.