astra vxr or st3
#1
Virgin
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: loughborough
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://passionford.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
hi just joined the forum looking to get either a st or astra vxr as i need 3 seats in the back due to a new arrival. whats the difference between the st2 and st3 and does it have a limited slip diff i like the st as it has a 2.5 litre engine. i will be looking to tune them to 300 plus anyway but the bigger engine is usally stronger. any advice is appreciated
Last edited by Physio; 11-10-2009 at 08:53 PM.
Trending Topics
#8
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: redditch
Posts: 966
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://passionford.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
get an st2 Im gonna say this but get an st lol imo i drove a vxr nurburg before i brought mine and prefer the st any day of the week and there are loads of bits for them ive got mine running 304bhp and love it the sound and the looks but one thing i will say are st's are heavy on fuel im currently averaging 19.3 mpg.
#10
PassionFord Post Troll
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: liverpool
Posts: 2,665
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#11
saffy cossie yes
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: london
Posts: 830
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#12
PassionFord Post Troll
#14
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://passionford.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Astra VXR - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1F2Z9CGVK-8
Fit a Diff and rear roll bar and lowering springs and you've got something much better than an ST
Enough said
Fit a Diff and rear roll bar and lowering springs and you've got something much better than an ST
Enough said
#16
PassionFord Post Whore!!
iTrader: (1)
![Default](https://passionford.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Astra VXR - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1F2Z9CGVK-8
Fit a Diff and rear roll bar and lowering springs and you've got something much better than an ST
Enough said
Fit a Diff and rear roll bar and lowering springs and you've got something much better than an ST
Enough said
![Surprised](https://passionford.com/forum/images/smilies/bigcry.gif)
As said, the ST3 is only a four seater, so go for ST2, but it's just no contest. Yes the Ashtray is slightly faster, but big woop, doesn't matter how quick it is when it's buried in a ditch
![Surprised](https://passionford.com/forum/images/smilies/bigcry.gif)
#17
Ban[B][/B]ned
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: The Pool.
Posts: 34,090
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://passionford.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Astra VXR - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1F2Z9CGVK-8
Fit a Diff and rear roll bar and lowering springs and you've got something much better than an ST
Enough said
Fit a Diff and rear roll bar and lowering springs and you've got something much better than an ST
Enough said
Benni.
#18
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#19
Regular Contributor
Join Date: May 2005
Location: yorkshire
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#20
![Default](https://passionford.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
no not better, a little quicker but definatly not better..
watch this it should help you decide
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeXr50LNJfM
Last edited by mozzy; 11-10-2009 at 07:32 PM.
#21
Advanced PassionFord User
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Newton Aycliffe
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://passionford.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
people go on about when JC took it round the top gear track but that wasnt the final product and had the astra sport suspension not the VXR suspension and my mate has 1 remapped and even that dont torque steer as much as the one on TG
not saying the ST is a bad car but could of been alot better
#23
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://passionford.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Such aload of crap, The suspension on the vxr is good its got passive dampers designed by lotus! Don't blame the equipment when it's 10x better than the driver! I've already made my choice no matter what you want to say the ST feels nose heavy and thats something you can't change!
#24
Regular Contributor
Join Date: May 2005
Location: yorkshire
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://passionford.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
![tiff](https://passionford.com/forum/images/smilies/punchballs.gif)
If you can't make a VXR go round corners you shouldn't be driving quick cars at all IMHO
#25
PassionFord Post Whore!!
iTrader: (1)
![Default](https://passionford.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
So what we've established is that the only way Vauxhall can produce a car that handles, is to give it to Lotus to fix after they've fucked it up ![Surprised](https://passionford.com/forum/images/smilies/bigcry.gif)
As for Ford making the ST better. They did, it's called the RS.
I think every review I've ever read about any of these hot hatches puts the Focus above the Astra in terms of handling, with the Golf/Focus seemingly always fighting for top spot. In my experience, Vauxhall are still way behind Ford in the handling stakes. They're more gutsy with producing performance cars though, I will give them that.
Incidentally, although for flat out pace the Astra is quicker, how do torque figures compare? From lower revs, say a pull from 30mph in 3rd/4th, how would they compare? As the five pot in the Focus is quite a grunty engine I would imagine.
I do find it amusing that fitting different springs and roll bars would make the VXR better than the ST. So if you carried out similar modifications to the Focus, what then? Comparing modified to standard is pointless in this debate.
A lot of it comes down to personal preference of course, we're all entitled to our opinion, but virtually everything I've ever seen on the VXR outside Vauxhalls fans, has it down as a very fast, but pretty wayward, torque steering, understeering beast.
![Surprised](https://passionford.com/forum/images/smilies/bigcry.gif)
As for Ford making the ST better. They did, it's called the RS.
I think every review I've ever read about any of these hot hatches puts the Focus above the Astra in terms of handling, with the Golf/Focus seemingly always fighting for top spot. In my experience, Vauxhall are still way behind Ford in the handling stakes. They're more gutsy with producing performance cars though, I will give them that.
Incidentally, although for flat out pace the Astra is quicker, how do torque figures compare? From lower revs, say a pull from 30mph in 3rd/4th, how would they compare? As the five pot in the Focus is quite a grunty engine I would imagine.
I do find it amusing that fitting different springs and roll bars would make the VXR better than the ST. So if you carried out similar modifications to the Focus, what then? Comparing modified to standard is pointless in this debate.
A lot of it comes down to personal preference of course, we're all entitled to our opinion, but virtually everything I've ever seen on the VXR outside Vauxhalls fans, has it down as a very fast, but pretty wayward, torque steering, understeering beast.
#28
Regular Contributor
Join Date: May 2005
Location: yorkshire
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#29
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://passionford.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
So what we've established is that the only way Vauxhall can produce a car that handles, is to give it to Lotus to fix after they've fucked it up ![Surprised](https://passionford.com/forum/images/smilies/bigcry.gif)
As for Ford making the ST better. They did, it's called the RS.
I think every review I've ever read about any of these hot hatches puts the Focus above the Astra in terms of handling, with the Golf/Focus seemingly always fighting for top spot. In my experience, Vauxhall are still way behind Ford in the handling stakes. They're more gutsy with producing performance cars though, I will give them that.
Incidentally, although for flat out pace the Astra is quicker, how do torque figures compare? From lower revs, say a pull from 30mph in 3rd/4th, how would they compare? As the five pot in the Focus is quite a grunty engine I would imagine.
I do find it amusing that fitting different springs and roll bars would make the VXR better than the ST. So if you carried out similar modifications to the Focus, what then? Comparing modified to standard is pointless in this debate.
A lot of it comes down to personal preference of course, we're all entitled to our opinion, but virtually everything I've ever seen on the VXR outside Vauxhalls fans, has it down as a very fast, but pretty wayward, torque steering, understeering beast.
![Surprised](https://passionford.com/forum/images/smilies/bigcry.gif)
As for Ford making the ST better. They did, it's called the RS.
I think every review I've ever read about any of these hot hatches puts the Focus above the Astra in terms of handling, with the Golf/Focus seemingly always fighting for top spot. In my experience, Vauxhall are still way behind Ford in the handling stakes. They're more gutsy with producing performance cars though, I will give them that.
Incidentally, although for flat out pace the Astra is quicker, how do torque figures compare? From lower revs, say a pull from 30mph in 3rd/4th, how would they compare? As the five pot in the Focus is quite a grunty engine I would imagine.
I do find it amusing that fitting different springs and roll bars would make the VXR better than the ST. So if you carried out similar modifications to the Focus, what then? Comparing modified to standard is pointless in this debate.
A lot of it comes down to personal preference of course, we're all entitled to our opinion, but virtually everything I've ever seen on the VXR outside Vauxhalls fans, has it down as a very fast, but pretty wayward, torque steering, understeering beast.
Last edited by Drunken Master; 11-10-2009 at 09:04 PM.
#30
PassionFord Post Whore!!
iTrader: (1)
![Default](https://passionford.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Let me disect this more thoroughly ![Surprised](https://passionford.com/forum/images/smilies/bigcry.gif)
Yes driver input is an important factor, but surely the fact seemed to be that the general consensus is that the Vauxhall is more prone to understeer than the Ford? A fact that didn't seem to win it friends in the motoring press compared to it's rivals.
To be honest, that comment was meant more in jest than anything, as it's a great way to bait Vauxhall fans. It never fails. Like telling them the only good cars Vauxhall have produced were the Lotus Carlton and the VX, both of which were Lotus' ![Surprised](https://passionford.com/forum/images/smilies/bigcry.gif)
Can't say I've heard that before myself. Seems like a poor decision by Vauxhall, something that was ill thought through? Surely tweaking the anti roll settings would have been more clever, to give it more neutral or understeer biased handling. That suggests to me, that Vauxhall made a poor technical decision that made the car worse than it could have been.
Are the 19s not optional? I thought they came with 18s as standard? I might be wrong of course, just thought I'd seen some with 18s and some with the 19s on.
I can't say I've ever heard of the Focus being described as nose heavy before now. Perhaps personal opinion playing a part?
I think the proof of it is in how many you see. I see Focus ST's every day, in abundance, and yet, the Astra VXR, which I thought was cheaper, and apparently quicker in a straight line, you see very few of by comparison. So unless Stafford is just unusually devoid of Astra VXRs, then the sales figures speak for themselves.
I can't say I've driven either, I'm just going on what I've read/heard from owners, my own experiences on car set up and manufacturer's marketing, partly playing devil's advocate, and partly just causing trouble
![Surprised](https://passionford.com/forum/images/smilies/bigcry.gif)
![Surprised](https://passionford.com/forum/images/smilies/bigcry.gif)
I can't say I've ever heard of the Focus being described as nose heavy before now. Perhaps personal opinion playing a part?
I think the proof of it is in how many you see. I see Focus ST's every day, in abundance, and yet, the Astra VXR, which I thought was cheaper, and apparently quicker in a straight line, you see very few of by comparison. So unless Stafford is just unusually devoid of Astra VXRs, then the sales figures speak for themselves.
I can't say I've driven either, I'm just going on what I've read/heard from owners, my own experiences on car set up and manufacturer's marketing, partly playing devil's advocate, and partly just causing trouble
![Surprised](https://passionford.com/forum/images/smilies/bigcry.gif)
#31
PassionFord Post Whore!!
iTrader: (1)
![Default](https://passionford.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Perhaps not.
No doubt there would have been pressure from a marketing point of view to get the car out there and in the television spot light.
I'm sure there was countless meetings on whether it was a good idea to release the car to Top Gear in that state, and obviously they decided to do that.
Calculated risk I suppose. They lost though, as the car didn't get a great review, which almost certainly had some impact on sales. As we all know, Clarkson has an army of loyal followers amongst the car buying public.
Incidentally, it's been a long time since I saw the TG review of the VXR, did they mention the fact the car they had wasn't finished?
No doubt there would have been pressure from a marketing point of view to get the car out there and in the television spot light.
I'm sure there was countless meetings on whether it was a good idea to release the car to Top Gear in that state, and obviously they decided to do that.
Calculated risk I suppose. They lost though, as the car didn't get a great review, which almost certainly had some impact on sales. As we all know, Clarkson has an army of loyal followers amongst the car buying public.
Incidentally, it's been a long time since I saw the TG review of the VXR, did they mention the fact the car they had wasn't finished?
#33
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://passionford.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Ask this Radical SR3 driver if vxrs can handle:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToiQs0Xr0oc
#34
PassionFord Post Whore!!
iTrader: (1)
![Default](https://passionford.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Thats where the problem lies I've driven both. And lowering springs, Rear anti roll bar and diff and the vxr is brilliant:
Ask this Radical SR3 driver if vxrs can handle:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToiQs0Xr0oc
Ask this Radical SR3 driver if vxrs can handle:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToiQs0Xr0oc
Lets look at it, and this is purely just guess work here cos I can't be bothered to look properly.
How much is a Quaife diff say, what, £500? Plus fitting it, which is going to be a good few hours labour no doubt.
Then the roll bar, how much are they? Plus fitting costs again.
Springs, well, gotta be over £100 notes, plus fitting again, another couple of hours labour.
You've spent quite a bit of money there to be honest.
Fit a diff to the Focus, some springs and some anti-roll bar tweaks, and how do the two compare then? You can't compared a modified VXR against a standard ST, that's irrelevant to the arguement.
I'm going to take a stab in the dark here and say that due to the amount of STs on the second hand market compared to VXRs, that you could probably buy a Focus for less now? So by the time you've bought your VXR, spent a good bit of money on the upgrades, you're probably a good bit worse off? I might be wrong, I can't be bothered to check prices, but with the ST being so common, I would think you'd probably get one for less.
I haven't driven either, you're right, and I'm not necessarily saying the VXR is a bad car, I'm just going on what I've heard from people who've watched them understeering and tyre smoking their way round the Lotus test track, and the opinion of the majority of the motoring world, is that the Focus ST, from the factory at least, is a better handling car.
A modified VXR might be a fantastic machine, but that isn't quite the point of this debate...
Last edited by massivewangers; 11-10-2009 at 11:42 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post