AndyKent
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Registered: 3rd Sep 05
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After my VXR Track Day a few weeks back can't stop thinking about getting myself a VXR so went and test drove the Astra today.
Great car, really nice to drive and surprising comfortable on poor roads I thought.
Only trouble is the cost I guess. 08 plate, 9300 miles.
Haggled them down to £15700 with 6 months tax and they would give it this years service for free, plus they'd give me £8k for my Golf diesel which is probably a fair price, though I could get more privately. And it'll be round about £1200 insurance meaning I need to find nearly £9000 to buy it in total.
Am I mad for considering it?
Previously had a B (1.0), C (1.2) and now the Golf (1.9 tdi). Funny thing is, I really like the Golf as well, just that the Astra is that bit more special (and fast!).
If it was your money, what would you do?
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Ellis
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Registered: 11th Sep 07
Location: Aberdeenshire
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I would run to dealer and buy it, you could be out driving like a loon just now.
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Nic Barnes
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Registered: 5th Apr 04
Location: nowhere near ginger people
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can you get 9k easy enough? or wait another year and save up more towards it perhaps? then again golf will be worth a bit less cash then also so probably be no better off.
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DannyB
Premium Member
Registered: 6th Feb 08
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If it was me I'd get an older one for a lot less money, but that's just me
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Ojc
Member
Registered: 14th Nov 00
Location: Reading: Drives : Clio 197
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You will be able to get a 2nd hand VXR cheaper than that Andy.
This is brand new 10 miles only

CC:
1998
Fuel Type: Petrol
Body Type:
Hatchback
Transmission:
Manual
Colour:
Power Red
Drive:
Mileage:
10
Registered:
March 2009
Price:
£16333
Previous Owners:
-
Insurance Group:
34, 17 (New, Old)
http://sis.virtual-showroom.co.uk/(5fcp2c55eya1wd45fz2gxw55)/templates/AstonVauxhall/searchResults.aspx?LogID=11726&clientCode=AstonCustomGroup&mode=search
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AndyKent
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Registered: 3rd Sep 05
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I can get £6k easily enough I think from savings, would have to borrow the rest probably from family. Even from my bank would only cost a few hundred quid over two years, so not a problem.
I do like the fact its got hardly any miles on it and it is newer. Maybe that just means it'll cost me more in depreciation.
Maybe I'm thinking about it too much 
I didn't think the insurance quote was TOO bad for a 21 year old though!
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Ojc
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Registered: 14th Nov 00
Location: Reading: Drives : Clio 197
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Chris Knott are doing VXR insurance deals.
http://www.chrisknott.co.uk/
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AndyKent
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Registered: 3rd Sep 05
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Interesting Ollie, I'll look into that......thanks.
If I got it though, it would DEFINATELY be taken on track, no doubt about it.
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DizzyRebel
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Registered: 2nd Jan 09
Location: Lincoln
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Buy an older one, as long as its got reasonable mileage theres no reason not to avoid them. Thing is vauxhalls drop in price like a prostitutes knickers and from a dealer you always pay over the odds so if you buy an 08 plate you will loose 2k as soon as you roll it off the forecourt.
Buy a cheaper one, aim for the 11-12k band in private sector and you wont have to outlay as much and you wont suffer a big depreciation hit either.
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DizzyRebel
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Registered: 2nd Jan 09
Location: Lincoln
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http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1121535.htm
Fuck all miles and i bet you would get it for £12,000 cash too.
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AndyKent
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Registered: 3rd Sep 05
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I like the look of the second one here actually - http://www.astonvauxhall.co.uk/vauxhall-dealer-used-cars-astra.htm
And just wiped £2000 off the cost with still not too many miles. Will have to give Chris Knott a call in the morning - office just shut for the day
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AndyKent
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Registered: 3rd Sep 05
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quote: Originally posted by DizzyRebel
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1121535.htm
Fuck all miles and i bet you would get it for £12,000 cash too.
Even better
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Ojc
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Registered: 14th Nov 00
Location: Reading: Drives : Clio 197
User status: Offline
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Don't buy private IMO
Get one from a garage and try to get as new as possible for warranty.
That 06 will now be out of warranty and you won't get the option of the extended Network Q when going private.
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AndyKent
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Registered: 3rd Sep 05
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I am a bit more tempted by the Astons one if I'm honest, and would (hopefully) mean they will take the Golf in part-ex saving a lot of hassle. I've sent James a message on VXROnline, see if I can find out more of its spec.
Presumably you'd recommend going for extended the warranty when the manufacturers runs out Ollie?
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Ojc
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Registered: 14th Nov 00
Location: Reading: Drives : Clio 197
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Yes and no, if you get that 09 plate one you won't need it as it's got 3 years warranty. If it's an 07 plate it might be worth looking at.
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DizzyRebel
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Registered: 2nd Jan 09
Location: Lincoln
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Why would you not buy private? I never buy from dealers as you loose the VAT as soon as you roll it off the forecourt and they already whack an extra 2k on its private sale price so you loose out so much on depreciation it easily outweighs the benefit of a warranty. Plus its a 3 year old car... how many problems are going to plague something with 19k on the clock with a FSH?
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AndyKent
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Registered: 3rd Sep 05
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You don't pay VAT on a second hand car from a dealer or otherwise.
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Ojc
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Registered: 14th Nov 00
Location: Reading: Drives : Clio 197
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The dealers prices are sometimes especially in Astons case cheaper than private, and you get more to negotiate with as well.
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DizzyRebel
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Registered: 2nd Jan 09
Location: Lincoln
User status: Offline
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quote: Originally posted by AndyKent
You don't pay VAT on a second hand car from a dealer or otherwise.
Yes you do, its built in with the price. You think that when a dealer sells a used car the government wont tax him on it? Of course its got vat on it. Seriously id go buy the blue one i posted tomorrow if i was looking for an astra vxr.
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Brett
Premium Member
Registered: 16th Dec 02
Location: Manchester
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Not trying to piss on the VXR's bonfire, but you said you went on a track day with them and your car history isn't a very "fast" one. You sure the VXR hasn't got you wet just because you've been able to blast it round the track?
My point being that there are lots of fast and good looking 2nd hand cars you could have for similar money, Impreza, Evo, ST, S3, to name a few. I'd take a look at the variety before committing to anything.
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Ben G
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Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
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get one imo.
i went from a 1.2 corsa to a 1.6 fiesta then to my st and it felt awesome at the time. still feels quick and i love taking it for a weekend blast.
do it, you won't regret it if you love your vauxhalls.
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AndyKent
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Registered: 3rd Sep 05
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That is probably some of it Brett, but after I came back from the trackday I put up a thread trying to find something that ticks all the boxes which wasn't a VXR and came up with very little.
As I say, I really like my Golf - the only thing its bad at is the sheer fun factor. I drove a Mini Cooper (supercharged) recently with a view to buying and whilst it was nice, I definately prefer the Astra. I could never see myself driving an impreza or evo and since the family has always had Vauxhall, makes it seem a sensible choice tbh.
Thats partly the point of this thread though, and why I put up a list of cars.
[Edited on 27-07-2009 by AndyKent]
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Ojc
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Registered: 14th Nov 00
Location: Reading: Drives : Clio 197
User status: Offline
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Servicing costs on the Impreza & Evo are higher as is insurance.
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Brett
Premium Member
Registered: 16th Dec 02
Location: Manchester
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Sorry, didn't see the previous thread. If a VXR ticks all the right boxes then go for it I wouldn't get one from a dealer tho personally.
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Ojc
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Registered: 14th Nov 00
Location: Reading: Drives : Clio 197
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See I would deffo get one from a dealer. They aren't any more expensive than private if you know how to deal with them, I should know I've bought 3 of the fucking things now
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