my bruv is looking to buy a 1990 Astra GTE, he can afford the price of the car which is around a grand but hes not sure about the running costs. is it worth buying or would it be too costly to run? its a sporty car and i think he should buy something sensible but he really wants to buy it but hes not sure he can afford to run it.

any hot hatch of that age will be not only expensive on fuel, but also expensive to maintain.

car like dat is a money pit unless some old bint has had it and well maintained it.

tell da bro to forget it and get a newer but same price not as exotic car.

get a 2000 focus 1.6

i think its gonna be too expensive for him to run. im gonna try and talk him out of it but his heart is set on buying it. lol. i think hes gonna get a shock when he tries to get insurance for it. hes only 19 with just a year of accident free driving.......

Is it an 8v or a 16v?

Both the 8 & 16v Astras arent too bad on fuel when driven kinda normally,but both can be a bit thirsty if thrashed.

Key points to look out for on the mk2 Astra are:

Rear wheel arches-mud collects inside the inner lip and rusts rapidly.Infact i'll be suprised if you can find an Astra without rotted out arches! Spray liberally with 'Wax oil' if you find a good one...

CV joints-Get the car in a wide open place and drive it on full lock both ways.Listen out for knocking.

Fuel leaks-Often the fuel hoses weep petrol which fills the cabin with vapour.

Water pumps-Get yourself under the car and see if theres any coolant leaking.

Power steering-check pump for leaks and also check fluid level is at correct height on a warm engine.

Other than that-they're pretty easy to work on and parts arent too expensive.Same cant be said for insurance...

VXR best!

mate, my bruv only has a grand to spend on a car. a vxr would be nice but you can`t buy one for a grand yet

AX Forte, VTS Suspension and engine... can be done for under a grand!

My car slaughtered a GTE 16v

quote:

Originally posted by Bamford:
VXR best!

There was no such thing in 1990

Really? Wow!

quote:

Originally posted by Knockside:
My car slaughtered a GTE 16v

Pity the same couldn't be said of lamp posts!

Sorry, couldn't resist!

I think I'm going to drive in a different area to Knockside... it sounds a bit dangerous!

So original Gary, man you're intelligent aren't you? Wow, harping back to an accident that happened well over a year ago now... we still going to be bringing that one back in five years time?

Officer dear chap, just look out for black ice!

I did some sliding on some white ice this morning! Not seen the black stuff for a while!

quote:

Originally posted by Knockside:
AX Forte, VTS Suspension and engine... can be done for under a grand!

My car slaughtered a GTE 16v

Under a grand?
How Oli?

Prices for complete engines with loom and all bits are down to around 2-300 quid now. suspension and brakes are about £250.. you can get everything you need for £600 and a decent shell for 300-400

you got an AX knockside mate?

Hi h3ro. I've had several with all different kinds of engines, now got something different.

Which i can confirm goes very well.

quote:

Originally posted by Knockside:
So original Gary, man you're intelligent aren't you? Wow, harping back to an accident that happened well over a year ago now... we still going to be bringing that one back in five years time?

Ach, chill, fella, I were only yanking your chain - I'll bet there's scarcely one of us on here who hasn't a youthful bit of metal bending to our name, and certainly in the circles I went around with, we all took a ribbing for our various prangs for far more than a year afterwards - mine especially, as it involved a tractor!

As for intelligence, yes, I have a City & Guilds in Dance (Contemporary & Tap) and was once runner up in the local heats of a Connect 4 tournament... I reckon that makes me something of a Tefal-head if nothing does....

quote:

Originally posted by mr.sticks:
any hot hatch of that age will be not only expensive on fuel, but also expensive to maintain.

Im afraid i disagree sir, No cat means about 12% better fuel economy, bosch fuel injection means no piddling about with carbs and tuning.
Running it well, theres loads of very cheap parts at the scrappers, and these are mechanically ok to work on. They weight about 950 kg (guessing) which aint much to chug about.

quote:

Originally posted by Knockside:
Hi h3ro. I've had several with all different kinds of engines, now got something different.

so what you driving?

He drives a lightly modified Rover 220 turbo.

Lovely 20vt for sale on Ebay... hmmm!