Used car buying guide: Vauxhall Astra VXR

Special editions included the excellent Nürburgring Edition of 2008. Inspired by Reuter’s exploits, it had white alloys, chequered flag graphics, a slightly wider track and a noisy Remus exhaust giving an extra 15bhp. Then there’s the VXRacing Edition of 2009 (the same power- boosting Remus exhaust plus 19in alloys) and the run-out Arctic (white and black paint scheme, heated Recaro seats, 19in alloys and a panoramic windscreen).

Today, prices for early, standard VXRs start at just £3000 for a 2006- reg car with 85,000 miles. “Gearbox is tight,” says the online advert for one example. It’s a reminder that the six-speed M32, nicknamed the ‘chocolate box’, is a weak affair. Its issues are explained on the right and more fulsomely at eco-torque.co.uk.

The K04 turbo is another weak spot. Well, not weak exactly; more a victim of abuse and neglect. Fortunately, a new one is ‘only’ around £750 supplied and fitted. Saying that, have the actuator checked first because it’s only £200.

Otherwise, like all Astra Mk5s, the VXR is a tough old bird and today represents terrific value for money. Bag a good, unmodified one before anyone cottons on.

How to get one in your garage: 

An expert’s view - Gary Conway, owner, GCAP performance:

“The Astra VXR Mk5 is a great hot hatch: cheap, quick and a bit unruly.

It’s a great basis for a tuning project, too. Almost everything on the car can be uprated. We’ve just finished a £16,000 upgrade on a £2500 VXR that arrived a month or so ago. It came with a bent con rod, and after we quoted for repair, the owner said he might as well go the full distance. You don’t have to spend that, though. A stage one remap to 270bhp is around £400, and that plus a full exhaust system is £1500. Add an uprated intercooler and you’re looking at £2000.”

Buyer beware...

ENGINE - Valve stem seals are a weak spot so check for smoke on a cold start and at idle, and when blipping the throttle. Tappets are hydraulic, so worry if they’re ticking. Pistons are strong but con rods are weaker and can’t take more than 320bhp/350lb ft. A cambelt change is best every 45,000 miles rather than the official 80,000.

TURBOCHARGER - Lack of routine servicing cripples the Borg Warner K04 turbo. Look for smoking on and just off boost, and listen for bearing noises. The turbo’s vacuum lines at the rear of the engine can pop off or perish so listen for a ‘turkey gobbling’ noise off boost. 

GEARBOX - First and sixth gear bearings are notoriously weak. A failed ’box will pop out of gear and there’ll be some gearlever play. To preserve it, change the gearbox oil every year.

SUSPENSION - Standard droplinks are plastic and perish. Replace them with metal items. Powerflex polyurethane suspension bushes are a sensible upgrade.

BODY - The front bumper can pull away where it connects to the wings. Check for surface rust on the rear wheel arches caused by stone chipping. Inspect the panel fit, and for ‘orange peel’ paint finish and overspray.

INTERIOR - Recaro side bolsters take a beating. The expensive steering wheel wears easily but can be retrimmed for £100.

Also worth knowing:

To avoid buying a ringer, cross-check the VXR’s identification info, which can be seen on the floor in the form of a VIN plate, on the top of the dashboard and on the offside inner B-post. The engine number is visible next to the gearbox.

How much to spend: 

£3000-£4750 - Launch to 2007-reg cars typically with 85,000 miles.

£4800-£5495 - Facelifted 2008-reg cars with around 100,000 miles, plus higher-mileage cars up to 2010. Also more 2006 and 2007 cars with around 80,000 miles.

£5500-£6750 - More tidy 2008-reg cars with around 50k-70k miles, plus more 50k-mile 2006s and 2007s