Opinions on Astra OPC

Omega28

Hi all,

Im thinking about getting an astra OPC, I know a mate selling a 06, I dont know anything about them though, my main concern is are they heavy on petrol? rumour has it there only gettin 21 mpg?!

I took it for a drive and even though its a 2.0 turbocharged engine producing (240bhp) it really felt slow, I was expecting to be blown away, compared to say the golf gti which only produces 200bhp, also it felt like I was in a tin box and it was very very compact inside, it corners nicely, another thing I didnt like about it is the fact I felt every little bump, it was a very uncomfotable drive also the car was pulling to one side and when I stopped at a set of lights the steering wheel would go to the left, however, it is going at a nice price and I am tempted, I reckon I could it for around 11k cash, it has 50km on the clock, well takin care of, Its a lovely machine but has its downsides.

Is there anything else to watch out for?

thanks guys:)

Henry Ford III

A wild car. I'd be very wary if it doesn't track straight. It's likely to have had a hard life.

If your main concern is economy buy something else.

Omega28

Henry Ford III wrote: »

A wild car. I'd be very wary if it doesn't track straight. It's likely to have had a hard life.

If your main concern is economy buy something else.

A wild car? in what sense?

cashman123

I have a GTC 1.6 ltr. was looking into upgrading to a OPC awhile back...before i became broke....

My car tends to drift left but think thats down to the tracking being off due to hitting few potholes.... Astras are heavy at the back end, probly due to the spare tire in the booth. great car in general but do lack a bita poke...

Henry Ford III

Dylanmc111 wrote: »

A wild car? in what sense?

Brutal power delivery. and a not particularly good chassis. They suffer loads of torque steer.

They are very rapid. If the one you drove felt slow I'd suggest something is wrong with it.

Omega28

I have a GT TDI myself, the 170bhp one but I got her remapped to jus 200bhp and I have to say mine felt 10 times quicker, there lack of poke was unreal! It just wouldnt go! In general mine felt such a better car to drive!

Cyrus

Dylanmc111 wrote: »

I have a GT TDI myself, the 170bhp one but I got her remapped to jus 200bhp and I have to say mine felt 10 times quicker, there lack of poke was unreal!

whether it 'felt' quicker or not, it wasnt, 40 bhp extra in a car weighing the same will be quicker

Omega28

well even though there was 40bhp, it "felt" like it wasnt there!

.Longshanks.

cashman123 wrote: »

I have a GTC 1.6 ltr. was looking into upgrading to a OPC awhile back...before i became broke....

My car tends to drift left but think thats down to the tracking being off due to hitting few potholes.... Astras are heavy at the back end, probly due to the spare tire in the booth. great car in general but do lack a bita poke...

The astra OPC doesn't have a spare wheel in the "booth". There is no space due to the central exhaust. Comes with a repair kit

....although a 16" space saver will fit in the boot, however it will only fit over the rear brakes - but not the front. If you get a front tyre puncture, you need to take the rear wheel off and swap it with the front, and use the spare on the rear

-Chris-

I'd steer clear, they're a relative dog to drive. You'd enjoy the Golf or the Focus ST more.

Don't buy it just because it's under your nose....

Omega28

-Chris- wrote: »

I'd steer clear, they're a relative dog to drive. You'd enjoy the Golf or the Focus ST more.

Don't buy it just because it's under your nose....

thanks very much! I think I'll stick with my GT TDI

kazul

I agree on the brutal power delivery, they torque steer and tramline a lot. Never heard someone describe one as slow
I also agree about the ST being better to drive.
Not sure about the comparison with a diesel, it's not all about bhp.
TDI seems to have some sort of cult status in this country. The combination of VW and Turbodiesel is some sort of culchie wet dream.

Omega28

kazul wrote: »

I agree on the brutal power delivery, they torque steer and tramline a lot. Never heard someone describe one as slow
I also agree about the ST being better to drive.
Not sure about the comparison with a diesel, it's not all about bhp.
TDI seems to have some sort of cult status in this country. The combination of VW and Turbodiesel is some sort of culchie wet dream.

It just really lacked power, maybe I was expectin it to blow me away but I put my foot down and it didnt go as I expected it too!

regarding petrol lads what are these like? are we talkin 21/22mpg here? and do they need regular servicing? how are they mechically in general?

Esel

Dylanmc111 wrote: »

thanks very much! I think I'll stick with my GT TDI

Dylanmc111 wrote: »

regarding petrol lads what are these like? are we talkin 21/22mpg here? and do they need regular servicing? how are they mechically in general?

Looks like you are prepared to go against your own better judgement....

lav1

Dylanmc111 wrote: »

thanks very much! I think I'll stick with my GT TDI

dont not buy one because someone said they thought it was hard to drive/dog to drive,
make up your own mind if you think you could drive it or not

Omega28

Think I'll go with my first judgement and keep away, thanks everyone for your opinions, I appreciate it.

.Longshanks.

Dylanmc111 wrote: »

It just really lacked power, maybe I was expectin it to blow me away but I put my foot down and it didnt go as I expected it too!

regarding petrol lads what are these like? are we talkin 21/22mpg here? and do they need regular servicing? how are they mechically in general?

I know a few people with them in uk. 28-32 mpg would be normal out of town driving, but you could half that if you were pushing on.
The focus ST is suppose to be a lot heavier on petrol - but I've no experience with them

bf

The OPC probably has too much power for what it is & suffers badly from torque steer. I looked at one before buying my ST Focus, which also suffers torque steer, but it was nowhere as bad as the OPC an can be largely cured with the right tyres.

In theory the OPC is a good car, the sum of the parts just don't seem to add up.

VolvoMan

-Chris- wrote: »

I'd steer clear, they're a relative dog to drive. You'd enjoy the Golf or the Focus ST more.

Don't buy it just because it's under your nose....

Dylanmc111 wrote: »

thanks very much! I think I'll stick with my GT TDI

Ah, sure if he can handle a GT TdiddlyI then he can handle anything.:D

vectra

If it is economy oyu are concerned about.
Stay well clear.
I have a few buddies with them
One guy drives it occasionaly as it robs him blind on petrol ( Heavy right foot ):D