Dom's Astra VXR & Corsa D SRi

[Dom]

Hello again Sax-P!

I'm back with two new toys, this place has changed since last year with plenty of new faces. As some will know my old projects;

The Low Milage Yellow 106 GTi which started out drastically different..
http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j426/stuart-gray/dom106/DSC01079edit.jpg

The BMW that had battled through a court case, and won..
http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx294/Domleydon/photo.jpg

After the headache and heartache the BMW put me through, I decided it wasn't worth the risk of keeping it. At the age of 20, I wonder why I bought a Diesel Automatic, I always felt like I had something sporty and a project missing. It sold for a stupidly low trade in price, if you see BM58 DOM or WF58 HVU, do not buy it. It has cracked alloys, again.

As a few of the locals on here know, I work my nuts off in regards to hours at work, so I treated myself. A trip to Evans Halshaw Vauxhall later, I somehow came out with two cars, one as a present my lovely other half and an animal toy for me!

So here they both are;

http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx294/Domleydon/IMG_0955.jpg

The Corsa is a lovely smooth drive to be quite honest, and I like driving it myself. Its the 1.4 SRi, low on power at the low rev's, but pulls quite well on motorways. It sits at 100mph without rattles and feels quite sturdy inside. 62 plate that had done sub 5k miles, its quite a minter tbf. Today it got its first clean, wash and wax only just to keep the better half happy. Already starting to show the dreaded swirl marks from its previous owner taking it to the polish one too many times!

http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx294/Domleydon/IMG_0940.jpg

http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx294/Domleydon/IMG_0939.jpg

http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx294/Domleydon/IMG_1008.jpg

http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx294/Domleydon/IMG_0990.jpg

The Astra VXR is my little toy, nothing better than jumping out of the work van and into a little rocket. Oh how I've missed the power! Completely standard example, but its proving to be a right bastard paintwork wise as I noticed today. I'll elaborate on that a bit more in a second. Again today this one got its treatment, and found some annoying things, thanks vauxhall.

http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx294/Domleydon/IMG_0923.jpg

http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx294/Domleydon/IMG_0926.jpg

http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx294/Domleydon/IMG_0949.jpg

http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx294/Domleydon/IMG_0950.jpg

http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx294/Domleydon/IMG_0958.jpg

http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx294/Domleydon/IMG_0964.jpg

Full Leather interior too, quite rare on a VXR from what I've heard;
http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx294/Domleydon/IMG_0976.jpg

http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx294/Domleydon/IMG_0977.jpg

http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx294/Domleydon/IMG_1038.jpg

As I said, the paintwork problem, I didn't notice this when I collected the car, you win some, you lose some. It'll get sorted once the time and money becomes freely available, until then, its a 5 year old car that'll only devalue more.
http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx294/Domleydon/IMG_0971.jpg

Modifying wise, the VXR will be going heavily down that route. I hope to make a number of tweeks and changes and smash through the 350bhp mark before the end of next year. Although saving for a house at the same time will be a struggle.

Comments and criticism welcome as per!

PS. Ross, trade you a go on my other half for that machine polisher you've got.

[smiith]

Smoking is bad for you Dom.

VXR's are cool though! Shame about the scuff, but at least its no where noticeable!

[LSOfreak]

can i ask, why the corsa?? surely that must be so dull and depressing to drive knowing that you can drive the vxr?

love the astra though (not the corsa lol)

[Dom]

Smoking is bad for you Dom.

VXR's are cool though! Shame about the scuff, but at least its no where noticeable!

I now only smoke 10 cigs a week, compared to the 20 a day before :D smoking is a waste of money and life.

Cheers, yeah luckily enough the rest of the bodywork only needs a polish and/or a filler pen on the stone chips. It'll get sorted eventually.

can i ask, why the corsa?? surely that must be so dull and depressing to drive knowing that you can drive the vxr?

love the astra though (not the corsa lol)

The Corsa is mainly for my mrs, as a present for her, but for me to run to the shops and back in if need be.

[LSOfreak]

oh.. i thought the mrs bought it for you lol

[Jay_]

I hope you don't smoke in the car :n:

VXR looks lovely, brave buying the GF a car at such a price though!

[jeffchiz]

i gave my gf my p reg 1.1 and thought i was generous ha

[Dom]

oh.. i thought the mrs bought it for you lol

Lol like she would ever be that nice to me.

I hope you don't smoke in the car :n:

VXR looks lovely, brave buying the GF a car at such a price though!

Nope, no smoking car, it will remain clean. Hopefully.

Maybe.

I'll try.

i gave my gf my p reg 1.1 and thought i was generous ha

Tbh, my original choice was a 1.4 quicksilver until I thought about the long nights repairing its problems after work. So I guess the warranty and safety pulled me into buying it.

[jeffchiz]

without trying to be nosey im guessing you got both cars for not much more than the price of the bmw? just did a little search and one 58 plate 320d seems just a little less than a '12 1.4 sri and the '08 vxr

but then again you did buy them from a dealer and you said you didnt get much for the bmw.. so my guestimates could be well out lol

[Dom]

Well, well out my friend. I got 10.1k for the BMW. The VXR was £9k in total and the Corsa finished up near the £9.8k mark. I wish I got more from the BMW, something near the £12k was my original hopes.

It's dealer prices but also a main dealers warranty on both.

[weve33]

Love the vxr, I've had 2 of these both which was tuned by Courtney sports! Love them

[Lewis]

Love the VXR, Ouch! on the prices though. Surely the VXR would have been a better private buy, and the Corsa on lease/finance like every bugger else.

Watching closely though :y:

[Stefan_Wood]

Pshhhh, Another diastra

[MJ05LLY]

Dom

Your now my twin!!!
Full leather is very rare in the normal VXR!

I've got a machine polisher sat in garage, let me know if you struggle to get hold of one.

350bhp though, you'll need to change turbo, even the hybrids don't push 350. Your looking at Garrett or Loba turbo upgrade. Hybrid your turbo with a few mods and 320/330 is achievable with plenty of torque.

Also if you think it's quick now, just a map and its so much different to drive!

Quite a few VXR owners on here now, Paul, Moxy, Myself, you, and am sure there is someone else!

Also save some penny's for a rainy day just in case your gearbox wants to be a pain!

[JAGVTS]

Dom

Your now my twin!!!
Full leather is very rare in the normal VXR!

I've got a machine polisher sat in garage, let me know if you struggle to get hold of one.

350bhp though, you'll need to change turbo, even the hybrids don't push 350. Your looking at Garrett or Loba turbo upgrade. Hybrid your turbo with a few mods and 320/330 is achievable with plenty of torque.

Also if you think it's quick now, just a map and its so much different to drive!

Quite a few VXR owners on here now, Paul, Moxy, Myself, you, and am sure there is someone else!

Also save some penny's for a rainy day just in case your gearbox wants to be a pain!


Yeah me :) love mine! Oh and mine has full heated leather recaro's :)

[Dom]

Wehey I'm back with updates..

Not so good ones though..

The VXR has been back and forth to Vauxhall, firstly to sort out some issues with the bodywork, which were touched up to "Vauxhalls high standards" which is also known as everyone elses low standards.

All was repaired, done and dusted. Then we had the Brake problem, took back yet again, new brakes fitted, Vauxhall agreed they should have been done before sale. Hmm.

Engine fault, one after the other. Coilpack, spark plugs and a list of other sensors to sort, all got done under the warranty, after a battle that is.

Finally, to add to my woes, after the car being in and out for weeks and weeks, the Alternator finally died, days before the 3 month warranty was up. Needless to say, the VXR was 'dumped' on their forecourt. Grrr, never buy a Vauxhall ladies and gents, the customer service is below par (comparing to VW's and BMW's for example), the cars are not very well built neither.

Ps. Anyone thinks I'm being pedantic, far from it. The car has done less than 500 miles since buying it, and its not hammered at all (yet).

[GolfJay]

I haven't slated you on any of the other cars and i'm not now but what the hell is it with you buying complete dogs when it comes to cars? lol

[Dom]

I haven't slated you on any of the other cars and i'm not now but what the hell is it with you buying complete dogs when it comes to cars? lol

Haha do not have a clue. At the moment though I can only laugh about it. I'm hoping this VXR will get half inched. There is a spate of VXR thefts in my area lately, apparently Expanding foaming under the rear arch and leaving over night to silence the alarm, then back to override the ECU/Keyless entry system using the same technology the BMW's are plagued with.

[MJ05LLY]

Haha do not have a clue. At the moment though I can only laugh about it. I'm hoping this VXR will get half inched. There is a spate of VXR thefts in my area lately, apparently Expanding foaming under the rear arch and leaving over night to silence the alarm, then back to override the ECU/Keyless entry system using the same technology the BMW's are plagued with.

Muhahaha mine has gone now! Prices are dropping on the new ones big time which only means the H is gonna plummet. So I got in before the drop with a decent price

:homme:

Hairdressers car next for me I thinks

[Dom]

Muhahaha mine has gone now! Prices are dropping on the new ones big time which only means the H is gonna plummet. So I got in before the drop with a decent price

:homme:

Hairdressers car next for me I thinks

Think you've made the right choice, what sort of price do you think my VXR would go for without any problems? It's food for thought, if they're worth a bit I may get rid. As I've said, I barely get time to drive the VXR!

[Nik_L]

Such a shame about the VXR as it looks great in black with the 19s.

I would put your problems down to buying a bad 1 with a careless previous owner. They are normally only plagued with gearbox issues.

I would deffo like to own an Astra VXR 1 day but it would need to come with a good warranty which covers the gearbox, or buy 1 from an owner who has looked after it with extensive history of parts and a box change.

[MJ05LLY]

Think you've made the right choice, what sort of price do you think my VXR would go for without any problems? It's food for thought, if they're worth a bit I may get rid. As I've said, I barely get time to drive the VXR!

I know it's quite broad but anywhere between 8-10
8 being minimum and a quick sale. 10 being top end and holding out abit.

You have had quite a lot done and it's got full leather (rare) it then depends on milage and paperwork and just the right buyer tbh.

[Dom]

I haven't seen the VXR in over 3 weeks. Still got problems that Vauxhall cannot find. I feel like asking for my money back at this rate. This progress thread isn't making any progress.

Ps. After all the slating of Corsa's I have done over the years, they're actually pretty good cars. Somethings wrong with me lol

[Viper]

*Corsas

I'm not a fan of them. Good for a generic run around but the VXR I drove wasn't particularly enjoyable around town.

[MJ05LLY]

I haven't seen the VXR in over 3 weeks. Still got problems that Vauxhall cannot find. I feel like asking for my money back at this rate. This progress thread isn't making any progress.

Ps. After all the slating of Corsa's I have done over the years, they're actually pretty good cars. Somethings wrong with me lol

Ive now got a new car.... must say am not missing the VXR, but still loved every minute with it. Its taking the mess they're taking this long. Id ask for your money back with it not being fit for purpose. Your paying for something you never use

[Dom]

Sent the Mrs and her Dad to go and pick up the car. Alisha accidentally on purpose recorded the conversation on her phone. Apparently it goes something like this;

Yes we have taken the car out on two long road tests and cannot find a fault with it..

So why is the mileage still 60023? Was her answer. They've done nothing in 3 weeks they've had it.

[matt_vtr_15a]

Sent the Mrs and her Dad to go and pick up the car. Alisha accidentally on purpose recorded the conversation on her phone. Apparently it goes something like this;

Yes we have taken the car out on two long road tests and cannot find a fault with it..

So why is the mileage still 60023? Was her answer. They've done nothing in 3 weeks they've had it.

That's pretty bad man, hope you sort it all out what are you going to do now?

Must agree with your previous comment about aftersales customer service etc.

My mate had a 2007 r32 and it had to have a new box which was near on 3k iirc. It was out of warranty by a matter of weeks and volkswagen agreed to cover 60% of the cost of the gearbox as good will gesture to continue his custom and also fitted it for free.

It's nice to feel looked after, and I can see why this is wearing thin!

[D4MJT]

Dom, I'm sure it's not the case but it doesn't sound like you're helping yourself massively here.

If they've done nothing with it in 3 weeks, and you were already at a point where you weren't happy, why aren't you down there getting some results from someone and asking for some answers? Sending your lass and her dad doesn't sound like you mean business from their point of view, it sounds like you're bored and you'll shutup eventually.

[Dom]

That's pretty bad man, hope you sort it all out what are you going to do now?

Must agree with your previous comment about aftersales customer service etc.

My mate had a 2007 r32 and it had to have a new box which was near on 3k iirc. It was out of warranty by a matter of weeks and volkswagen agreed to cover 60% of the cost of the gearbox as good will gesture to continue his custom and also fitted it for free.

It's nice to feel looked after, and I can see why this is wearing thin!

Agreed, VW and BMW after sales is very good. BMW put me in a chair and give me a coffee when I walk in, same as VW, they gave me a good amount off engine oil on Friday, and asked me if I wanted a coffee while I waited the 30 seconds for them to get the oil lol

What else am I going to do next? Well, wait for Ross to wake up and check his phone to see what he thinks of the voice recording.

Dom, I'm sure it's not the case but it doesn't sound like you're helping yourself massively here.

If they've done nothing with it in 3 weeks, and you were already at a point where you weren't happy, why aren't you down there getting some results from someone and asking for some answers? Sending your lass and her dad doesn't sound like you mean business from their point of view, it sounds like you're bored and you'll shutup eventually.

From the outsiders POV it could seem that way. When really I work 70+ hours a week at the moment and their opening hours are 8-5.30.

I'll get round there next time I work in MK.

[mattknight1984]

What was their response when they were asked why the mileage was still the same?

[Dom]

I'll find a way of posting up the voice note on here. Give me till this evening guys x

[Dom]

Car is back at Vauxhall, haven't seen it for over 4 weeks now, not drove it since Xmas Eve.

... And vauxhall still refuse to give me my money back.

[Saxman2014]

Yellow pug's cool! Seen a few VXR's last time I was up Brampton with a few ex-mates. not bad motors but too new for me. I'ma Old Skool car man :P

[Brendan]

Car is back at Vauxhall, haven't seen it for over 4 weeks now, not drove it since Xmas Eve.

... And vauxhall still refuse to give me my money back.

Bad times! You may as well send them a link to your thread about CarShop and then they might just give in :P

[Dom]

Wish it was that easy, one of the guys that works there, it's his old boss at the CarShop that I took to court.

I didn't post it in here, turns out the car doesn't have one previous owner nor full service history, two reasons I bought it in the first place, they advertised it wrong, I'm
It's third owner and the car hasn't had a service since 2010.

I smell courts again tbf.

[jmwilliams]

Mmm very sexy both cars. Shame about the problems your having :(

[Giraffe]

Wish it was that easy, one of the guys that works there, it's his old boss at the CarShop that I took to court.

I didn't post it in here, turns out the car doesn't have one previous owner nor full service history, two reasons I bought it in the first place, they advertised it wrong, I'm
It's third owner and the car hasn't had a service since 2010.

I smell courts again tbf.

Did you not check the service history and the V5 though?

[Dom]

I never had a copy of the V5 to see until my new V5 came through the post, the service history I took a big dealerships word for it.

First formal letter sent. No reply.

Going to send a second tomorrow night, and then proceed in court action. This will be 100x easier than CarShop lol

[smiith]

Have you ever considered taking up cycling Dom?

[Dom]

Have you ever considered taking up cycling Dom?

Yes.

I'm buying a bike ASAP.

My choice in cars is shit. As a guy at work said, if there was 9 scrapped cars and a Lamborghini gallardo available to buy, and I advised him to buy a Gallardo, he would buy a scrapped car as it would probably work better.

[logic_guy]

I've just read this Dom. Your luck and motors never go hand in hand. I hope you got this sorted soon. Got rid of the vtr and have a C2 now.

[Dom]

.. And the Astra has gone back to Vauxhall, and I get a full refund.

Scirocco or E93 BMW 330d?

Either way, glad a nightmare is almost over of a car sold from a main dealership with clocked mileage, more owners than advertised and fake service history.

Thanks Evans Halshaw.

[Ross]

Get the zimmer dom. You know my feelings about it. :)

[CampDavid]

.. And the Astra has gone back to Vauxhall, and I get a full refund.

Scirocco or E93 BMW 330d?

Either way, glad a nightmare is almost over of a car sold from a main dealership with clocked mileage, more owners than advertised and fake service history.

Thanks Evans Halshaw.

FFS

Still, you have the good fortune to live in Bedford.

We found VW in Northampton to be better than Bedford.

I'd probably go for the BMW though

[MJ05LLY]

Just don't buy a car.....

Id say a push bike but you would probably still have problems with that. Stick with your work van.

[martin1985]

glad you finally got a full refund, these sales people must be idiots

[Prickle]

Try VW out :P

[Dom]

Get the zimmer dom. You know my feelings about it. :)

I thought you said I would be a massive faggot?
Ps. I'll text you tomoz about that ring.

FFS

Still, you have the good fortune to live in Bedford.

We found VW in Northampton to be better than Bedford.

I'd probably go for the BMW though

Agreed, VW Bedford are nowhere near as good service as Northampton, deal with the Northampton branch with the work vans, I went in to buy Oil, whilst they checked to see if I needed long life oil or not, I was sat down with a coffee.

Great service from them!

[Ross]

I thought you said I would be a massive faggot?

Ps. I'll text you tomoz about that ring


You are/will be. Regardless of car choice.

[LSOfreak]

i'd just avoid buying a car from a dealer tbh

[D4MJT]

i'd just avoid buying a car tbh

Edited ;)

[Brendan]

Nice to see the good news! I liked the Scirrocco you had as a courtesy car and with your past experience with the BMW it's an easy choice to me :P

[Jamie]

Your luck with cars astounds me...

Lol I lived in Luton for a year or 2, would never buy a car from anywhere near.