cammack
Member
Registered: 22nd Jun 07
Location: Thame, Oxfordshire
User status: Offline
|
hi all im looking into getiing an mk3 astra gsi.
just wondering are the old redtops ie 91-mid94 much better than the ecotech mid94 on?
i mean i know the older engine is better.... but the cars are 5 years older than the newer ones ish so which is better to go for?
cheers guys
also if any vaux techys could help with stats, data on the redtop vs eco version... ie fuel ecomony, power, insurance cat etc?
|
N3CRO
Member
Registered: 12th Apr 07
Location: Sandy, Bedfordshire
User status: Offline
|
I would also like to know this as am looking into getting a Gsi also.
|
Baskey
Member
Registered: 31st May 06
User status: Offline
|
my mate had an ecotech gsi.
was about the same speed as my corsa 1.6 sport at the time so pritty slow (0-60 etc)
The red top ones are much quicker mate, but as you said you know this. Power is about 130 vs 150 so it really down to if yuo can afford the extra costs of running an older car. If not get the echo tech one.
|
ShEp
Member
Registered: 9th Aug 05
Location: Dingwall, Highland
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by Baskey
my mate had an ecotech gsi.
was about the same speed as my corsa 1.6 sport at the time so pritty slow (0-60 etc)
The red top ones are much quicker mate, but as you said you know this. Power is about 130 vs 150 so it really down to if yuo can afford the extra costs of running an older car. If not get the echo tech one.
rubbish
i had an astra 2.0 ecotec sport, (same engine as gsi) and it wa far far quicker than my 3corsa 1.6 sports and the gsi
granted they aint as good as redtops but they are pretty quick
|
Baskey
Member
Registered: 31st May 06
User status: Offline
|
fair doo's. I had a corsa gsi and a 1.6 sport and nether were really any slower than my mates echo tech gsi off the light. spose he did have 17's which could of slowed it slightly but there wasnt alot in it. Im not talking about timed runs. Just racing from traffic lights in my younger days.
Also if they are about 130 (iirc) and corsa are about 105 theres not going to be to much difference in power to weight. How much do the astras weigh??
|
Baskey
Member
Registered: 31st May 06
User status: Offline
|
Just checked and they do have a slightly quicker 0-60 time than a corsa sport. Mabee my mate couldnt drive
|
cammack
Member
Registered: 22nd Jun 07
Location: Thame, Oxfordshire
User status: Offline
|
lol... fair does, reckon i am gonna go for the older redtop... mored power, more fun hehe! plus insurance of 550..... that'l do nicely!
anything in particular i should look out for on these? part from rust!
|
ShEp
Member
Registered: 9th Aug 05
Location: Dingwall, Highland
User status: Offline
|
Rust (as you mentioned)
tapping engine
strut top mounts
exhausts prone to going all the time
tbh your gonna be pushed to get one without rust,
try and get one with minimal arch rust though, check the inner arches, and ger under the bodykit,/skirts have a good feel about
most redtop's are going to have had the arse thrashed off them by now aswell
|
cammack
Member
Registered: 22nd Jun 07
Location: Thame, Oxfordshire
User status: Offline
|
theres a few about, and as we all know redtops are a good engine, go for quite a while.
yeah exhausts are prone, but thats superficial, can be sorted easily, its parts, ie the rust on inner wings etc. how can you check the sills?
|
j10E W
Member
Registered: 30th Sep 04
Location: maidstone
User status: Offline
|
hard to check the sills really as there behind the skirts, they rust bad too around the filler cap and rear arch's
i think the xe's the best engine to go for and the early gsi's look better than the later ones imo
|
cammack
Member
Registered: 22nd Jun 07
Location: Thame, Oxfordshire
User status: Offline
|
what are the engine codes for the early and late gsi's??
|
Joicey
Member
Registered: 17th Jan 07
Location: Spennymoor
User status: Offline
|
The phase 1 gsi has more kit but also a lot more rust as with any other early 90's vauxhall rear arches tend to rot badly, original standard phase 1's are also starting to rise in price but it is hard trying to find a decent example that isnt rotting also watch out for bodged repairs, The later phase 2 ecotec gsi is seen as nothing more than an astra sport but is newer with the last ones on a r reg i think and a lot less prone to rotting than the earlier ones.
|
cammack
Member
Registered: 22nd Jun 07
Location: Thame, Oxfordshire
User status: Offline
|
mm so pros and cons for both, but ill keep my eye open for a cleaner old er gsi.... what are the engine codes plzz??
|
Joicey
Member
Registered: 17th Jan 07
Location: Spennymoor
User status: Offline
|
phase 1 - c20xe
phase2 - x20xev
|
R1CH
Member
Registered: 28th Sep 03
Location: Kent
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by Baskey
fair doo's. I had a corsa gsi and a 1.6 sport and nether were really any slower than my mates echo tech gsi off the light. spose he did have 17's which could of slowed it slightly but there wasnt alot in it. Im not talking about timed runs. Just racing from traffic lights in my younger days.
Also if they are about 130 (iirc) and corsa are about 105 theres not going to be to much difference in power to weight. How much do the astras weigh??
I have a mk3 Astra sport 1.8 16v, and I have a corsa gsi, the astra is a lot faster with out question
|
willhouse
Member
Registered: 11th Jul 06
Location: Sheffield
User status: Offline
|
dont forget that the Phase 2 Ecotec Astra GSi's came with Bilstein Suspension, some had air con, some had sunroofs, nicer interior than the Phase ones, plus they are not slouch, and really not much slower at all than an XE.
I had my old ecotec sport at the same time as my mates XE 5 door astra sport, and his was not much quicker at all on the bottom end.
And they are noticably better than Corsa Sports or GSi's and handle better
|
Rob H
Member
Registered: 28th Oct 00
Location: Staffordshire Drives: Astra SRi
User status: Offline
|
Been looking at Mk 3's the last few days - The price of a tatty looking early Gsi that needs work is about double the price of a later P/R plate 2.0 3dr Ecotech Sport. I've just got my fingers crossed it'll stay that way a bit longer till I can scrape some funds together.
|
wilson_sri
Member
Registered: 31st Aug 04
Location: Dunfermline Drives: Technics 1210s
User status: Offline
|
I had a phase 2 astra gsi. Cracking car and would have one again over a phase 1 anyday.
Drove brilliantly, ok the engine is a bit down on power but they are still quick cars. Few pics of mine, was in pristine condition.God knows why i sold it 
|
Ste L
Member
Registered: 3rd Jul 06
Location: Manchester Drives: 106 16v Rallye
User status: Offline
|
i prefer the look of the ph1, not keen on the irmy skirt's or spoiler on the ph2
[Edited on 21-01-2008 by Ste L]
|
