Should you buy an Astra GTC VXR in 2022? Test drive and review
Автокөліктер мен көлік құралдары
Today's video is in this gorgeous Ardens blue Astra GTC VXR. A future classic, if you ask me!
Apologies for the sound quality, my Rode mic ran out of battery so I had to use back up sound from my GoPro 3!
Please like subscribe and comment, it means a lot!
Joe
Пікірлер: 81
Just bought one 3 weeks ago, wanted one since 2013 when a mate bought a white one as it’s been my dream car, certainly not disappointed, great fun and can’t wait to put some more power into it.
@ShiftingMetal
Жыл бұрын
Awesome man, congrats on buying your dream car! 🙌 Enjoy it!
Mine has the full leather heated seats with rare blue stitching and piping. You could even option heated steering wheel with these. Brilliant overall package and holding their value. Too many Astra H owners denying the J is a much better car
@patrascanudaniel7652
Жыл бұрын
Hey mate, mind sharing some info about the reliability of these toys and what should one look out for? Cheers
@Nickeles020
5 ай бұрын
I own a full specced black 2016 model with the same seats as yours, and the heated steering wheel. Traded in my Corsa NBR and the difference is night and day. The corsa being more of a pocket rocket go-kart and the Astra more of a Tourer. Test drove a H a couple of years ago, but it just wasn't my cup of tea compared to the Corsa NBR.
@Nickeles020
5 ай бұрын
Gearbox noise. To the contrary what my Opel dealer said, it does need a gearbox oil change. I do mine every 25k. Faulty seats. The lever/hinge is a flimsy piece of plastic which could easily break, and being a costly repair. Don't know about other countries, but in the Netherlands a GM brake set all around, discs and pads costs a whopping 3600 euros. So far i'm at 90000km with no issues. Only the DVD900 infotainment system is a complete s-h-i-t-e.@@patrascanudaniel7652
@asifnoaman8978
5 ай бұрын
@@patrascanudaniel7652 mainly the gearbox if it has not been serviced at the correct intervals. Also timing chains although they are designed to last the life of the engine. Maintenance is key. Mine has averaged around 10,000 miles a year
@asifnoaman8978
5 ай бұрын
@@Nickeles020 you are correct. Once you fit a hybrid turbo and a simple map the Astra is a monster. Mine if fully forged ready for over 600BHP
😂 just as you pressed vxr button advert kicked in . All 280hp of it . Subbed 👍🏼
Really good review - got a stage one tuned J VXR after owning a H VXR for 5 years, the induction noise is incredible, amazing cars, also the short shift kit makes the gear changes a million times better!
@ShiftingMetal
Жыл бұрын
Thanks man, yeah I really like it!
@MaggotZee
21 күн бұрын
What have you done to yours for stage 1 if you don’t mind me asking? And what is the short shift kit exactly and where can I find one. TIA.
10 years old?? And still looks the part in this era of square boring cars😍Nice review👍
@ShiftingMetal
Жыл бұрын
Thanks. It really is a pretty car! 😍
Great review! Currently thinking about getting one of these to replace, they seem to be good value at the moment compared to other hot hatches.
In 2022 I bought a 2016 Model OPC in Germany. 😌 worth it! Go for it!
Thanks for this vid!👍 I imported my 2013 Astra J OPC from Sweden in the fall 2014, they were never sold new in my country. Love it still, only done 31000 km. Have beautiful seats, and soo good to drive. Have a stage 1 tune one it, 310hp/465nm. Have heated steering wheel and seats. Also have a LOW mileage Ford Focus RS500, think the Astra is better to drive, the Focus RS500 is much more hard core. Cheers from me in Norway 😃
My first car, bought September last year, was an Astra GTC and I love it! Could not afford the VXR though on insurance, am stuck with the 1.4 turbo, but still lovely to drive and very pretty imo (mine is yellow)
@joshphillips7014
6 ай бұрын
I have the same brought one yesterday and it’s not slow by any measure still got loads power very sporty feel lots of future potential love it 👍 they are expensive on insurance even the 1.4 turbo wasn’t cheap with 5years no claims around £650 for year but worth it ! Peace ✌️ I agree with all you said your lucky this is your first car haha 😂 I been driving 5years and had micra 1.2 Fiesta 1.3 , 207 1.4 , zaferia 1.6 , Renault 5 , all were shit and slow and only around. 80bhp non turbos really really boring and gutless this is a game changer for me Enjoy you day Lizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz And nice.l clour yellow havnt seen that colour yet
Well you've inspired me to go and look at one on Saturday morning a 13 plate with 24k on clock
Recently bought a 2018 one, mine came with colour center console and heated seats. Only issue I have is there are so many things rattling and squeeking inside the cabin (thankfully not coming from the engine bay). The leather seats are lovely but I wish they had a cooling feature because on long journey the leather gives me a sweaty back. Oh and being front wheel drive with almost 300hp it churns through front tyres 😂 I don't think I get enough feel from the steering wheel, the car has much more grip than what I get fed back, I'm constantly being surprised how nimble it is. You'll probably need to turn off traction control to get better starts
Astra J Owners Club is here for all VXR owners. Join the club and shows to see all the different styles and modifications that have been done to Vxr. 👍👍
@ShiftingMetal
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the comment, hopefully some VXR owners will see this and join up 🤞
My 2013 OPC has heated seats and climate control - as standard. Do not forget the 7 speaker Infiniti sound system with subwoofer in the boot, also standard.
I owned one in Arden blue a 2013 PJ OPC Opel Astra. Ripper of a car. The performance is incredible. Miss it. Those recaro style seats are insane
@ryanclarke4448
Ай бұрын
Stuck between this and a Megane rs 🤷🏻♂️
Just bought one 14 plate fingers crossed it’s a good one 😊
@ryanclarke4448
Ай бұрын
Would you say this or the Megane rs? 🤷🏻♂️
Had one for 3 years felt nice fast comfy . Ended up with fk8 nowadays.
@ShiftingMetal
Жыл бұрын
That’s interesting. How would you say the FK8 compares? I’ve not had the chance to drive one
@jasonboyle7203
Жыл бұрын
@@ShiftingMetal the Honda is nicer for everyday practical reasons 5 door advantage similarly nice seats driving position, nicer gears in fk8 also Feels more boosts low down. Plenty mods for both and round same money for general maintenance wise.
Have recently grown to these.. it’s taken me 10 years, but they have aged well
Bought a white one 5 years ago fully loaded heated seats heated steering wheel, sat nav, electric lumbar support.. every option was ticked from the previous owner, who sold it with 2k on the clock.. Bought it as you don't really see any on the road.. The only GTC's I've seen are the SRI versions.. Mine sadly has an oil leak, which I think is a bad PVC valve. I'm not sure as yet need to get it checked out..
@ShiftingMetal
Жыл бұрын
Fingers crossed it’s a simple fix for you
I'm looking to buy a megane rs or one of these. 2012.. which one would you recommend? Which is most reliable? Cheaper to maintain? More fun to drive?
I was thinking of getting one of these. There's so many in the class of car. Which 2lt turbo would you consider.
@ShiftingMetal
Жыл бұрын
Well the Golf R has to be at the top of the list for consideration but for fun factor and I’d be looking at Megane Cup, GTC VXR or maybe even a Mini Cooper S
As an owner of this car, I can confirm to you that your weren’t launching the car properly. You needed it in Vxr mode but also in competitive mode which is a hidden mode of the car that stops it from bogging down when you try to launch it. Overall though, love the video and you will find a stage 1 tune gets rid of that turbo lag you was on about💯👌🏾
@ShiftingMetal
Жыл бұрын
I knew I must have been missing something! I’m good at that! 😅 Thanks for the tip though, will no doubt help another fool like me!
@K1NG_R4Z
Жыл бұрын
I just added a stainless steel cat back system to my Astra J VXR yesterday and it sounds better but doesn’t pop and bang so will need to decat it and map it to stage 2 for that
@emilrac100
Жыл бұрын
I haven't heard of competitive mode yet, how to turn it on?
@K1NG_R4Z
Жыл бұрын
@@emilrac100 press your traction button twice within 1 second and it turn it on. So press twice to turn on and once more to turn off
@emilrac100
Жыл бұрын
@@K1NG_R4Z do you mean turn off esp?
I’ve owned a white one for 4 months now running around 320 bhp.. I’m really made up with the power and the way it deliverers until I got gapped of a Hyundai 130N! Proof on my channel 😂👍🏽
@ShiftingMetal
Жыл бұрын
Haha. I will have to check that out
They don’t claim 5.5 from Factory they claim 5.8, I’ve done draggy in mine and got a 6 it’s the turbo lag that’s let’s it down, definitely low 5s if it wasn’t for that
2.0 litre?
Join the Astra J Vxr owners club. One Make Winners Club at Silverstone 2022 🏆
Trying to shift my Black Abarth Punto Evo to buy an Astra GTC VXR and oh look! 5:36 there they both are! 😂
@ShiftingMetal
Жыл бұрын
Haha, we obviously both have good taste in hot hatches! 😎
@ShiftingMetal
Жыл бұрын
Visit carsboughtformore.com if you want an offer on the Abarth 😁
Would rather get the ford focus ST
How old is too old to own one of these? 47 too old?
Had a couple of these alot of car for little money
@ShiftingMetal
Жыл бұрын
Yeah they really are!
@liac2969
Жыл бұрын
So much so I'm picking a nice low mileage 1 up tomorrow
Buy a MK5 VXR and spend the extra money to go stage 2 or 3. Youl be much happier.
after purchasing this model considering it has 280hp the astra h vxr of my friends is definitely quicker wi only 240
@ShiftingMetal
Жыл бұрын
Weird, are they both standard?
@chrissingleton2640
Жыл бұрын
@@ShiftingMetal both standard astra j vxr about 200kg heavier an on paper theres next to nothing in em astra j 5.8 to 60 astra h 6.2 to 60
@thebomber5028
Жыл бұрын
@@chrissingleton2640 power to weight my friend
@kubalitwinski2618
Жыл бұрын
Yh obviously since it weighs less surely ?
before you even got 30s in I could tell from the ride 'quality' I'm out 🤣
@ShiftingMetal
7 ай бұрын
😂
I must say the headroom doesn't look great
@ShiftingMetal
Жыл бұрын
I think that’s probably my ‘grandad’ style high seating position, my back doesn’t thank me for being sat too low!
I personally don’t like the Astra j vxr
@ShiftingMetal
Жыл бұрын
Fair enough 😅
no
@ShiftingMetal
Жыл бұрын
Fair enough
Jesus christ your arms are huge
@ShiftingMetal
Жыл бұрын
💪😂
@ricardoferreira2038
Жыл бұрын
@@ShiftingMetal i am really tempted to buy a opc from 2013 but i am worried because everybody says that astra give a lot of problems
sorry to say it is one of the must uglyest astras ever it's true (fact)
@ShiftingMetal
Жыл бұрын
Ooof, fighting words 😅 I think it looks great to be honest 🤷♂️
@gregstrain90
Жыл бұрын
Your opinion isn't a (true) fact.
@williamegler8771
7 ай бұрын
Opinions are like bellybuttons.. Everyone has one!