Opel Astra Sport Hatch - Which Model?

toilet_ducks

Hi There,

I'm thinking of availing of Opels current 5050 deal and getting the new Opel Astra Sport Hatch. The problem is I can't figure out which model to go for. For insurance reasons I'm going to get an 1.4 but that leaves the SXi or Design model. From what I can see the SXi is the base model (it's €800 cheaper) but does that mean that the Design has all the features of the SXi and more? From the PDF files on Opel's website its not that obvious.

If anyone could shed light on this for my I would be very appreciative.

bazz26

Opel Astra 3dr 1.4 Design:
http://www.carzone.ie/newcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=Details&vehicle_id=716058820050808&strSpecs=SSCIRL2002

Opel Astra 3dr 1.4 SXi
http://www.carzone.ie/newcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=Details&vehicle_id=716059220050808&strSpecs=SSCIRL2002

Hope this helps.

toilet_ducks

Thanks Bazz.

Under the "General" section of these descriptions it says either:

"Trim level: DESIGN"

or

"Trim level: SXi"

Any idea what the difference is? Apart from that the only difference on those descriptions are small things like sport seats and rear electric windows.

blahblah06

hey toilet. Im collecting mine next week. ordered last oct and riddled with extras body kit etc etc. i went for the sxi because i preferred the interior in the sxi as it was chrome. the design is black. design has nicer wheels and half leather interior but just so bland. design also has auto wipers and lights but i added this feature to the sxi. i will get the design wheels on my sxi for free though. mind u if u do go for extras be prepared to wait unless your getting the one of the floor i waited 5 months.. anything else u would like to know

by the way what garage r u buying it from and what price.

toilet_ducks

Hey Blah.

Wow 5 months is a long time. What was the delay? Yeah I agree with what you say about the SXi having nicer interior features than the Design so i was wondering why it was more expensive :-)

I am going into Kenilworth motors this week to talk to them and have a budget myself for €25k so don't have a final answer yet. Does the amount on the website include VAT? Wanted to get metallic paint, better CD/radio and the auto wipers/lights as extras.

What else are you getting as extras?

blahblah06

Hi lad. ok well listen what ever kenilworth say prepare to wait and its very annoying. i am getting a yrs road tax but 5 months takes the piss. its just the extras thats the delay nothing specific. I wouldnt get it online just go in and see seriously pm me and i will help you save a few bob. i just went for the standard red paint as i dont think the other colours suit it. what colour were u looking to go for

well for my motor i got

mp3 cd30 radio
sight & light
rear parking sensor
climate
cruise
body kit
alarm
folding mirrors

im sure im mising something out. all this cost me 27 or in and around. if you want pm me and i will tell ya about the person im getting it off. ive always wanted to get a few sports hatch owners together. there great cars

Henry Ford III

I was going to say anything but a 1.4. It's a bit flat tbh.

toilet_ducks

Was thinking 1.4 because insurance for a 1.6 is €2700 while 1.4 is €1400...

bazz26

Actually the 1.4 Astra is not bad and is nippy enough for everyday driving. It has around 90bhp and feels alot more flexible than the equivilant Focus or Golf 1.4 litre.

HungryJoey

Anybody who owns an Astra or Who knows alot about them, Where does the " 7 " speaker system come into play ? I mean how is it 7... Its normal 4-6 or 8 Speakers. I am presuming the 7th is a subwoofer ?

Care to explain,

Hj

Henry Ford III

toilet_ducks wrote:

Was thinking 1.4 because insurance for a 1.6 is €2700 while 1.4 is €1400...

Wow that's heavy duty :eek: My insurance on the Focus ST is much less than that.

I understand your decision fully.

toilet_ducks

Thanks :-)

Anyone know, do the prices on dealer websites include VAT for new cars?

bazz26

toilet_ducks wrote:

Thanks :-)

Anyone know, do the prices on dealer websites include VAT for new cars?

I would presume that dealer prices included VRT and VAT but may not include delivery related charges or metallic/pearl paint.

optiplexgx270

Guy beside me in work is ordering a Astra OPC (i think he called it) in the morning he was mumbling something about 0-62Mph in 6.4sec, Sounds sweet. Isn't sure if he should go for the built in phone (€800) or sequential gearbox (€1200) .... Man lifes tough when you have to make decisions like that :rolleyes:

Re VAT etc you should be able to make that out from the page you are viewing (its the kind of thing they should specify on their sites)

blahblah06

Opti he will be waiting a long oul time for his OPC. i know dg opel have a black one in stock but its standard with no extras

kluivert

Opel SXi is class - very tempted to get one myself - cant afford one at the mo though Stick with my 1.4 Opel Astra Club.

Henry Ford III

blahblah06 wrote:

Opti he will be waiting a long oul time for his OPC. i know dg opel have a black one in stock but its standard with no extras

He'd be better off going with a stock one tbh.

The extras will fetch very little when he's selling or trading in. Having said that €1200 for a sequential 'box sounds like good value. VW are the daddies in this area I think. Reviews of their DSG unit are really good.

The OPC is very quick but reports suggest the chassis struggles, and the interior is not up to the best in class standards.

optiplexgx270

i think hes mad forking out €35K + on one but anyways sorry to OP for the slight hijack, can we get back on topic

blahblah06

Henry Ford III wrote:

The OPC is very quick but reports suggest the chassis struggles, and the interior is not up to the best in class standards.

u have been watching to much top gear. also remember the astra pisses all over the golf.

Henry Ford III

With 40bhp extra it really should. Power is nothing without control and the ability to get it down on the road.

Anyhow enough of this - I don't want to get into a barney over POC vs GTI vs ST.

blahblah06

Its OPC HAHAHA just takin the piss

Are they doing an equivelent of the VXR in this country?

Henry Ford III

Oops:eek: Must have had my rugby hat on

bazz26

ronoc wrote:

Are they doing an equivelent of the VXR in this country?

Yes, the OPC is the Opel equivilant of Vauxhall's VXR.

ubu

Toilet duck, check out the link to the thread posted below, i posted it with regards to the SXI and the Design spec differences, mainly in relation to the brakes but there is other info in the thread about the two cars and a link to the brouchure, my mam ended up getting the Design model, another thing i remember is that there is more chrome on the exterior of the design than on the SXI, along the side windows and on the front where the opel badge is, hope this is of some help......

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054853311&highlight=astra+sport+hatch

blahblah06

Hi ubu yes your right but the inside of the design is Cack

blahblah06

correct me if im wrong

Lots of interior differences.
Design gets sight & light pack as standard.
Different colours on dash and surround (SXi gets silver).
Half leather, different fabric.......

Main differences are:
The SXi sits on lowered suspension with firmer springs.
The SXi has disc brakes all round, Design has drums at the rear.

If you're a fan of backroads, SXi is better.
The car is only as fast as the engine you get, but they can all carry a lot of speed in the twisty bits.
Discs at the rear made my decision for me - don't like drums.
It's a safety thing as far as I'm concerned.

kluivert

bazz26 wrote:

Yes, the OPC is the Opel equivilant of Vauxhall's VXR.

There is a version available that is a 2L turbo with 234bhp in England which is the same spec as the OPC (less bhp).

There is two 2l turbo models the VXR and a lower horse power one, we have the later and its called the OPC.

Check Regal Sport in the UK for tuning.

Its a bloody monster inside just waiting to be woke up.

blahblah06

Just for you Henry.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6415481612270651855&q=opel+astra

kluivert

Nice lap

Henry Ford III

Excellent video. Good driver too. Impressed by just how flat it corners.

Here's one of the Focus ST. Nice engine note. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8719368712545334326&q=ford+focus+st

blahblah06

So you taking that back about the handling? HAHA

Henry Ford III

I think not. Parkers gives it 3.5 out of 5 and comments thus:-

"There is a limit to how much power can be fed through the front wheels of a car - too much and the steering wheel can tug in your hands and the front of the car start to wander. This occurs in the VXR especially when the road is wet or slippery. It isn't enough to cause a problem, but it does need you to really concentrate when driving fast particularly on bumpy roads. This unruliness is part of the VXR's appeal - if you like boisterous behaviour. To keep it smooth, you need to take it a bit easier. A set of very large brakes copes well when it comes to slowing things down and inspire confidence, and a stability control system keeps things tidy on the corners."

The Focus ST gets a full 5 out of 5

"The Focus has always had very impressive handling although the previous hot Focus, the RS, was something of a handful especially on bumpy roads. The ST is not, however. The suspension has been stiffened and lowered, but it retains the confidence-inspiring, easy-to-drive-quickly attitude of its lesser relations. The ride is noticeably firmer and you'll certainly feel harsh imperfections in the road, but generally the ride remains good and it will cruise motorways as happily as it chews up alpine hairpins. An ESP stability control is deleted from the specification of the cheapest ST1 model. On the ST2 and ST3 it is a recalibrated system that intervenes only when it considers that the driver really needs it. Turn it off in search of ultimate driving thrills, and unlike some systems, it really is off."

blahblah06

does that not mean the same thing. u pay for the extra stabililty part and both cars are fine. ppl that test drive these do so in the most basic models.

Henry Ford III

Too complex to explain all of this. You should, I suggest read the reviews.

The OPC is I'm sure a fine car with buckets of power. The ST is just that bit better according to all the journos.

My forthcoming car is an ST1 and will not have ESP. I didn't want it tbh, and based on a test drive (in the wet) it didn't need it.

blahblah06

wel who am i to argue lol ill neevr afford one. ill stick to my 1,4

Henry Ford III

There is that! Start with 1.4, move up to a 1.6.....a 2.5 is a new departure for me and I'm in my 40's.

Cars are a personal choice ultimately, and all the sense in the world will not change someones opinion.

My Mum for example decides in about 2 seconds, purely visually. If she says "I don't like that" it's time to give up and move on. No amount of logic will change her mind.

blahblah06

yummy http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=OPC+astra

Moanin

I had one of the 1.4 engined ones for 3 days when opel were doing that 3 day fee driving offer.The exterior looks really good especially in black and its very solid on the road,but that was about all that was good about the car.The interior silver trim is very tacky and there is no power in that engine