I bought this Astra as a cheapish stop gap till I can decide what I really want... but for some reason everyone is loving it compared to my Civic Type R EP3 I've just sold! And to be honest, I quite like it myself and I think it is good enough to be a keeper 🙂 It's by no means immaculate on the outside but the interior is really, really smart. But I will do a bit of tidying on the centre console I think and a small bit of paint and wheel refurb on the exterior. Otherwise in good nick for age and milage. It's a 2004 53 reg so only a smidge older than the Civic but cost over 2.5 less than I sold the Civic for!
I was after a 1.6 or 1.8 3 door, SXi or SRi, decent economy and all that but got bored of looking at crap cars and wasting money on fuel, days wasted going all around the place, thought sod it this thing looks smart, I keep scooting past the advert for it because it's a 2.2 but I may as well go look at it! So off I went and it was good enough to buy 🙂
To drive, it's quite a nice car. Comfy, but definitely more of a cruiser than racey like the Civic - so I aren't too fussed how quick it is as long as its reliable - fingers crossed! Quite happy to pimp about in it 🙂 Pulls from nothing which is a nice change! Gearbox is nothing on the Civic so quick changes are a thing of the past! But it goes fine for my needs at the moment.
Some dealer pics for now.
Spec:
Astra 2.2 SRi, z22se engine
Cobra cat-back stainless steel exhaust
Eibach Pro Springs, -30mm, standard shocks I think!
Prodrive bodykit
Opel OPC front grill
GSi smoked front lights
Custom rear light surrounds
Gas bonnet lifter struts
Astra GSi alloys, 17" snowflakes
Astra GSi Recaro's trimmed by Plush Automotive in black leather with quilted cream centres
Astra Coupe black leather door cards
Tailored mats with creme leather piping on order
Astra GSi clocks with green needles?! (Must be to match the green i on SRi side badges 🙂)
Piano black detailing on the clocks and centre console bits
6000k HID kit
Ice White LED sidelights
GM flat aero blades up front, some posh smooth looking rear arm too lol needs a new blade I noticed
No real plans mod wise as it's got some decent bits already, but I'll add some basic ICE, then just tidying up some small bits I'll make a to do list for, servicing when needed, bit of paintwork on one rear 1/4 needs doing properly and wheels all need refurbing - possibly in Vauxhall smoke grey; probably do my brake calipers like the Skoda VRS green stylee and that will do really.