Originally Posted by Oranoco
That GTE looks lovely Mike. Don't see many around now and even fewer nice examples. Shame really.
The geometry of the rear is sposed to be slightly different on the 16v cars to allow the rear brakes discs (8v had drums) which is sposed to make the back a bit more skitish
That is indeed correct - the 16v was slightly lower than the 8v and ran negative camber at the rear. The 16v also had in effect 2 rear anti roll bars. This does make them handle differently to the 8 valve ones. Vauxhall slightly revised the geometry on the 16v cars about mid 89.
As people say, they are quite reliable, sound great even with the standard exhaust and I used to get 35mpg running round ( although to be fair most of my journeys are on fast A and B roads ).
My wife had a Saxo VTS at the same time as that car, another friend a 106 GTi, and although both those cars handle better, the Astra could pull away from them on any decent straight once the speeds get over about (ahem ) 80ish.
As stated, check the rear arches and sills for rust because they do go badly there.
I sold mine to a local lad but I don't think it lasted long
