VXOC Astra-J/GTC

What you had and what you got?

Me...

81 Fiesta
89 Metro
00 Daewoo Lanos

Then


Then


Then


Then


With the OH having


Then got shot of Almera for my own GSI


Then went to one car



Then


Went back to 2 cars adding



Sold truck for


And Vectra for


Then


Then


While Focus changed to


And the Warrior is a now an Audi A4 convertible

First car was a Y reg Mk1 Fiesta. I had 12 months and then got rid and swore I wounld never own another ford again.
So the first real car I had was a F registration Mk2 Astra Merit Made it look like a GTE had fitted electric windows all round central locking LCD dash and even managed to get the 5 door GTE skirts. After 2 and a half year I ended up crashing it and writing it off :(.

So I replaced it with a 3 door Mk2 Astra Estate I had kept all the bit's from the 1st Astra to enable me to rebuild another. I ran around in the estate for a few months whilst saving up. This was then replaced with another MK2 Astra

Model this time was a Tiffany in midnight Blue. I only had it for 7 months when somebody drove into it and wrote it off on me. :(

Next I got another MK2 Astra this time it was a white CDI as insurance had come down enough to get a larger engine. Had this less about 2 months when a woman in a Metro pulled out of a side street on me. She caused about 2k of damage to the car so it wasn't worth repairing.

I spotted an Mk2 Astra SXI so I got that instead. After 11 months and seeing a few GTE's I got an insurance quote and found out it was the same cost for me to insure a GTE as it would be to insure the SXI so I started the search.

I found a lovely 2 owners from New 16v GTE with full service history and receipts for everything it had ever had spent on it. A deal was done with the garage and the car was mine 28 days later it was sitting in the road looking sorry for it's self. :( A young lad driving his dads merc the wrong way down a one way street and taking the front of the car off as he shot out of the junction put and end to my car. After a lot of back and forth he claimed he was coming down the other side road. Claimed his dad was in the car and that I was speeding due to the car I had. Their insurance paid out and I started searching again. Lucky for me the factory workers on the corner had seen the accident and offered to be witnesses and also my mate worked round the corner and had come around with a disposable camera and had pictures of the guys dad turning up in a van before the police got there.

Next up was another 16v GTE in Blue was a lovely car but it had been modded and bodged quite a bit by the vast number of previous owners after 12 months I decided to cut my losses on this car. Here's the only picture I have of it



Bet you can guess the next car... That's right another Mk2 Astra GTE. This time in white 3 owners from new a load of receipts for work been done just a very flat paint job. Spent a whole 2 days cleaning it and it looked immaculate. Had this car for 3 years during which time I had to replace the steering column 3 times, the drivers door twice and all the tires in one go. As the locals near my other half kept trying to steel it and failing. After 3 years I noticed mayo in the header tank. So did all the tests and all the signs pointed to a knackered head. So I had was left with a car that needed quite a bit of engine work and to be honest quite a bit of body work. I'd become a member of AstraMk2.com and had spotted what look like a rather tidy GTE shell going rather cheap. So a deal was done and I had yet another MK2 Astra (This was to be last)

Here's a picture of the White one on 1st day of cleaning


Here's how the Grey one arrived.


I had this one for over 3 years, during which time I retro fitted heated seats. Height adjustable rails on the passenger side. Seatbelt pretensioners these came with the height adjustable rails. One touch electric windows a few engine rebuilds due to oil pump failures. Brand new original full exhaust system from Vauxhall. This is how the car ended up looking in the end.

Yes it's in a dealer ship they borrowed the car for the release of the MK6 so they had an Astra from each range.



Due to the millage I was doing I thought it was best to get a diesel so had a look at the J's and did a deal with the local dealer who for the previous ten years had been brilliant sorting out parts for me. So on the day of my birthday I picked up the following.

Astra Elite Mk6 in Waterworld Blue. With our cat guarding the car.



I had this for 2 great years when I saw the GTC VXR and I was hooked. Order was placed and the wait started.

Current car is the VXR




If I'm honest I wish I'd been able to keep the last GTE and the Elite. But space and money put a stop to both been kept.

1st = Ford Escort B-reg
2nd = Ford Escort c-reg
3rd = Metro c- reg
4th = Ford Orion E reg
5th = Clapped out Mercedes estate a-reg
6th = Ford sierra a-reg
7th = Ford sierra
8th = Astra GSI N-reg
9th = Frontera
10th = Honda accord
11th = Peugeot estate
12th = Nissan Sunny
13th = Astra G
14th = My beloved Veccy




15th = Zaffy which I took one pic of for an insurance claim


16th = The Astra-j


and I also use the wife Peugeot 206.

Well history is very short tbh. My very first car wasn't mine. It was a loan car for a few months while I found one. It was a petrol 2.0 Renault megane. Don't know what year reckon it was t or y reg. ***** car. Can't stand French cars. Then I moved to a hand me down from my father. A t-reg 1.8 tdi ford focus sedan ghia spec. Served me well but smoked like hell. Always needed engine cleaner before mot so it could pass. Then I moved to a Saab 9:3 04plate 2,2 tdi. In diamond black vector sport. I miss that car. It was sweet. Really shifted. But it had problem with turbo it would randomly cut out when you give it some welly. Dealer couldn't find what was wrong with it. This is the only pic I have off it.



Then I replaced it with this



Then it was involved in a mischief




And I've ended up here




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1st) Vauxhall corsa 1.2 sxi
2nd) Vauxhall Astra sport hatch 1.4 sxi
3rd) Ford Fiesta 1.2 - for about a month.
4th) Alfa Romeo Mito 1.4 turbo. My first brand new car.
5th) Ford Fiesta 1.6tdi titanium new shape or what was before they chopped the front grill.
6) Mini Cooper D, spice orange
7) Mini Cooper Coupe S, black with racing stripes.
8) Current Astra GTC 2.0cdti
White.

I recon I've done quite well over the past 6 years, I chop and change a fair bit.

1st) N reg for Orion

2nd) V reg 306

3rd) Y reg ford focus

4th) Alfa 147

5th) Peugeot 307

6th) Land Rover Freelander

7th) Astra H

8th) another 147

9th) insignia

10th) my new J se 1.7cdti :-)


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1) 1.2 corsa ls N reg
2) 1.4 escort summer ltd L reg
3) 1.6 carina e R reg
4+5)became 2 car household with 2.0 Chrysler Neon R/T 51 reg fave for looks up to now.
& 1.2 Clio S reg.
6+7) 1.7 cdti astra design estate 55 plate (1st diesel) & another 1.2 clio 53 plate.
2 engines later in the astra 8 gave up on it & got
8) Peugeot 307 sw se 1.6 diesel, great car but did nothing for me.
Got rid of the Clio & picked up
9) zafira tourer 2.0 cdti Sri with all extras 12 reg, awsome for a family bus. 19" biturbo alloys led rear lights, afl, sat nav etc etc & vxr styling. This spurred me on to change the Peugeot for my
10) 62 plate gtc 2.0 cdti Sri with 20" polished alloys & up to now dtuk red box on both & pedalbox on the gtc.


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My first car was a ford focus mk1 1.6 petrol.
i had it for 18 months and it was a good car but waned something else

so i bought a new astra gtc 1.4

Gatch Wrote:1) 1.2 corsa ls N reg
2) 1.4 escort summer ltd L reg
3) 1.6 carina e R reg
4+5)became 2 car household with 2.0 Chrysler Neon R/T 51 reg fave for looks up to now.
& 1.2 Clio S reg.
6+7) 1.7 cdti astra design estate 55 plate (1st diesel) & another 1.2 clio 53 plate.
2 engines later in the astra 8 gave up on it & got
8) Peugeot 307 sw se 1.6 diesel, great car but did nothing for me.
Got rid of the Clio & picked up
9) zafira tourer 2.0 cdti Sri with all extras 12 reg, awsome for a family bus. 19" biturbo alloys led rear lights, afl, sat nav etc etc & vxr styling. This spurred me on to change the Peugeot for my
10) 62 plate gtc 2.0 cdti Sri with 20" polished alloys & up to now dtuk red box on both & pedalbox on the gtc.


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Can you post a picture of your gtc please??


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Will do when I get home. Became a dad again today, first girl after 3 boys. Over the moon, & hence the 7 seat zafira tourer. Why u ask?

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Always like to look at the gtc's. Interested in seeing your wheels.

Congrats on the birth of your daughter.


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Ahhh, all about the wheels to be honest the biturbo wheels on the daddy are nicer but an inch down from those on the GTC

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Not the best piccys, or the cleanest cars, but here they are.

Thought I'd resurrect this thread for newer members based on our discussion in another thread lol the MG & convertible was around when I was 23.

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My car history.............very very long, had something like 300 cars in my just under 30 years of driving

Currently I have, '13 Astra Sri 2.0 cdti, '15 Audi A1 1.4tsfi sport and a  '63 Kia Picanto 2 1.0

1991 seat marbella saved from scrap yard. Had a hole in roof but using abit of wood and the back of a old school locker. Shoved hamerite on it. Looked interesting till i rolled it. Landed on a gas main and closed a village oops lol.

1993 polo 1l. I got it crushed as found out it was 2 cars welded up. It was crap.

2002 ford ka in metallic red but went pink lol. Bought in wigan for 2800 part exd it 18 months later. Got 3000. I guess small cars are worth more down south.

2006 streetka. Saved nearly 4k by getting a car from ipswich.
Hit a guy who had no insurance etc. My excess was 650 he got fined 400 lol

2006 c2 vts. When it was about 7 years old it started to fall apart so part exd

Then bought a 2008 fiat bravo. Had for 11 weeks till i managed to get refund.
Shaked at 41 mph. After 20 miles driving ud go from 2nd to 3rd and itd go in 1st.
Alloys after a week flaked off. Cd player broke. Think car had been crashed as the driver seat seemed at a funy angle. All these things were noticed after a while.
The car supermarket messed me about so i threatened court action hence the refund. They could of fixed the car but chose not to. Oh well.

Then my lovely other half convinced me to get a smart fortwo cabrio. Was ok but very bumpy.


Then disaster. I started to have fits and my doctor had to tell dvla. So no licence. It took for ever to get the right treatment and now ive been fit free for 19 months. And as alot of you know im waiting for my licence back so i can get an astra

My other half in the time weve been together has had.
2004 fiat motorhome, 2004 206cc 2l, freelanda diesel. Shogun 7 seater. Berlingo van.ldv maxus van, c5 esztate. And now we have a berlingo with a amdro boot jump camping conversion. Its awesome.
Oh and i have a 1987 atlanta 24ft grp canal cruiser

Where do I start?!

#1 - Ford Escort Mk4 1.1
#2 - Peugeot 106 1.1
#3 - Ford Escort Mk6 1.8 Ghia X
#4 - Rover 416i 
#5 - Peugeot 106 1.1
#6 - Nissan Almera 1.4
#7 - Citroen AX 1.1
#8 - MK3 Astra 1.4 GLS
#9 - Citroen AX 1.1
#10 - Peugeot 306 1.9 DT (Ph1 Diablo)
#11 - Renault Clio 1.2 
#12 - Rover 220D 
#13 - Fiat Cinquecento 900cc
#14 - Peugeot 206 1.4 Quiksilver
#15 - Peugeot 306 1.9 DT (Ph2 Blaze)
#16 - Peugeot 306 1.9 DT  (Ph1 Diablo)
#17 - Peugeot 306 1.9 DT (Ph2 Nile)
#18 - Renault Laguna 1.6 
#19 - Vauxhall Astra 1.6 Mk4
#20 - Ford Fiesta 1.3 
#21 - Mazda Eunos
#22 - Vauxhall Astra 1.6 Mk4
#23 - Citroen ZX 1.9 DT 
#24 - Vauxhall Astra 1.6
#25 - Peugeot 306 1.9 DT
#26 - Peugeot 306 1.9 DT
#27 - Vauxhall Astra 1.6 Sport Mk4
#28 - BMW 318CI E46
#29 - BMW 318TI E36
#30 - Peugeot 306 2.0 which we converted to 1.9DT
#31 - Peugeot 306 GTi6
#32 - Land Rover Discovery 2.0
#33 - Vauxhall Vectra 1.9 CDTI 
#34 - Suzuki SJ 1.3
#35 - Volkswagen Golf 1.9 TDI
#36 - Peugeot 306 GTI5 cabriolet
#37 - Peugeot 306 HDI Cabriolet
#38 - Vauxhall Astra 1.7 SE CDTI
#39 - BMW 320D E90
#41 - Peugeot 205 1.8TD
#42 - Peugeot 206 GTI 180
#43 - Vauxhall Astra 1.7 SRI CDTI (CURRENT CAR)
#44 - Renault Laguna 1.9 DCI
#45 - Peugeot 309 1.3 GL


I've definately had more but I can't think for the life of me.

I also have my company van which is a 2014 Transit Custom LWB.


My Mrs has had:

#1 - Citroen C2 1.4 Furio
#2 - Honda Civic EP1 (Full Type-R replica)
#3 - Mini Cooper (Current car)

She uses the Astra mostly now as she covers the miles in the week when I'm out in the van, I therefore use the mini if I'm off work!

N reg?? Fiesta - Never got to driv
R reg - Corsa B 1.0 sting
04 reg - Corsa C 1.2 sxi
11 reg - Corsa D 1.0 excite
11 reg - Astra J 2.0cdti sri

Oooo, mines a right random mix.

1) R reg Rover 400
2) 54 plate Vauxhall Corsa SXI
3) 51 plate Peugeot 307 LX
4) Y reg BMW 320i SE
5) Y reg Vauxhall Astra coupe
6) 02 plate Ford Focus Zetec
7) 07 plate Ford Focus Sport S
8) 61 plate Vauxhall Astra SRI

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D reg XR2
C reg XR3i
E reg Nova SR
B reg XR3i Convertible mk 4 conversion
E reg RS turbo
H reg calibra 2.0 16v
Then I turned 21
P reg corsa 1.2
L reg 320i
X reg golf GTTDi
2004 320d e46
H reg RS Turbo
2006 320d e90
2008 C220 amg sport
2010 Astra SRi CDTi
2006 320i

They were my main cars, my secondary cars for work and to keep miles down on main car

S reg astra 1.7td
2002 astra 1.7 dti eco 4
2002 astra sri dti
2004 astra H 1.7 cdti
2005 astra H 1.3cdti
2004 astra cdti van
62 astra 17cdti exclusive that I mever got round to doing ha

Had a few toys aswell that the mrs runs round in, couple of 206cc, a 207cc, mini cooper S hatch, Cooper S convertible, plus ive had a road legal quad, couple of road registered crossers

Although the registration plate shows 53 my vehicle was registered on the last day of Jan 04.
So I can call my vintage machine as a six year old instead of seven. Might be worth a hundred squids more then.
Ta for the link.

Started out with a 1999 Vec B, 2.0L diesel. Good car, but too old, too many miles, given too little maintenance and was too expensive for younger me. Drove it from 200k till 250k miles.


Replaced the vec with a SEAT, 1.8 20V, the first car I really toyed around with. I still like the design of the car and did a ton of mods on it. Xenon conversion, 2-din radio, self-made comfort blinker, anti-roll bar/strutbars, leather steering wheel, short shifter, trunk lighting, footwell lighting, fully amplified stereo/subwoofer install, added heated seats, heated mirrors, front- & rear-cameras, illuminated gear stick, illuminated air vents, larger EBC braking discs, homecoming lights, and probably a whole bunch of things I forgot. Enjoyed driving it for 4 years, from 100k till 180k miles. Very reliable car but the fuel economy wasn't good at all, and I felt a few (expensive) issues coming up.



Thus came another diesel, and I'd been eyeing siggys for quite a while. Wasn't hard to find one at all, an I'm currently enjoying the process of getting this car exactly how I want it.

1982 Ford Escort 1.3 - Yellow
1983 VW Golf GTI 1.8 Mk 1- White (Ported and polished head, exhaust)
1987 VW Golf GTI 1.8 Mk 2 - Gunmetal
1991 Opel Kadett 1.8 GSI/Vauxhall Astra 1.8 GTE (Gas flowed head, exhaust) - White
1995 Opel Astra 1.8 sedan F - Monaco blue/green (Chip, FPR)
2002 Opel Astra 1.6 sedan G - Gold (Piggy back chip, powerflow exhaust)
2003 Ford Focus 2.0 mk 1 - Blue (Superchips remap, powerflow exhaust)
2006 Honda Accord 2.4 Type S - Albaster Silver (Vtec Yo )
2004 Vauxhall Astra H 1.6 - Grey
2008 Honda Civic 1.8 Type S - Albaster Silver
2012 Vauxhall Astra 2.0 cdti sri vxline (Racechip, Pedal box)

1990 1.2 Corsa Merit 5dr
1989 Fiesta XR2i
1993 Calibra SE 8v
1994 Citroen AX 1.4
1989 Cavalier GL 1.8
1996 Calibra 16v
1998 Astra 2.0 SRi 3dr
1995 Vectra 1.6 L
54 C-max 1.8 Zetec
60 Insignia SRi 2.0 CDTI 130
15 Insignia SRi Tourer 2.0CDTI 140
14 Astra Elite Tourer 2.0CDTI 163