NovaGTE2
Member
Registered: 26th Sep 06
Location: Peasedown St John, Bristol Avon
User status: Offline
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I have a real itch for a convertible; every summer for the last 5 years i have had one as a toy or daily driver; but sold the M roadster last year to fund a second house and have had a 307 HDi as my second car since; its a work horse that does 48MPG but i really want a vert. So thinking of looking at chopping it in for a convertible around the same price £2K-£3K and the astra convertible comes into that. Had a couple of turbo coupe's in the past and liked them.
But what are the 1.8 and 2.2's lilke to live with; and what sort of realistic MPG would i be looking at?
Or anything else around that money worth looking at?
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Gareth T
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Registered: 14th Feb 06
Location: newcastle
User status: Offline
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A friend of mine had a 2.2 a few years back. It was comfortable, pulled well, quick, gets my
Vote.
Is it possible to he a BMW in the prIce range?
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Jambo
Member
Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
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No way 
I've been thinking about this also 
Drove my aunties 2.2 Astra vert and was actualy quite impressed. Felt a lot more solid than my old Gsi did. Been warned they are wobbly, but it's no M3 ao I'm sure I can live with that. Equipment levels are good in most and seat 4 comfortable with a relatively big boot considering.
Prices seem to vary wildly though. Seen them as little as £2.5k and as much as £7k.
Want to make a Gsi rep with a few small Zlet mods and a nice system.
Very tempted.
Only bad thing I noticed was unlike the bmws I'm used to they aren't "flat" when roof is down. I.e sling your head round and your looking at seats and not the road behind you so you don't have the same feeling of space/outdoorsyness ( that IS a word )
Would say roof doesn't conceal road noise too well either
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NovaGTE2
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Registered: 26th Sep 06
Location: Peasedown St John, Bristol Avon
User status: Offline
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To be honest with a diesel 307 has about as uch road noise; and is hardly a sports car so cant be much worse. I know what you mean about the back.
I dont think i would be modding it myself; nor do i think i would be getting a turbo  (how things change!!!)
As for BMW in that price range would be a e36 and not the best example; also want to avoid the BMW running prices as already have an audi a4 so this is only going to be a second car so running costs need to be kept to min
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Colin
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Registered: 4th Apr 02
User status: Offline
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http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2849508.htm
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Jambo
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Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
User status: Offline
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I've looked at e36 M3s not a bad option, but needle in a haystack to find one that hasn't been chaved up or neglected or it has moon miles.
2.2 Seemed nippy enough to me. If I found one in decent spec I'd consider any of them tbh. I am just after the turbo as I'm liable to keep it longer 
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Jambo
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Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Colin
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2849508.htm
Too many miles, engine rebuild could be excellet or might have been done by Chloe16v.
Too risky
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Colin
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Registered: 4th Apr 02
User status: Offline
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Looks like its parked outside a decent gaff & not on some council estate....could be worth a look!! Miles wouldnt put me off, done less than 10k a year.
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Jambo
Member
Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
User status: Offline
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It doesn't bother me in that sense but it's an old car, meaning the bushes will need doing as it's done 110k
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Mieran
Member
Registered: 28th Jan 08
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
User status: Offline
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I had a 1.8 coupe, handling terrible as standard but coilovers transformed it (nothing special, just cheap ebay ones).
Nothing broke, only needed downpipe because flexi was gone.
If you're getting a convertible try get 2.2 or 2.0 because 1.8 would slow in a heavy car.
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Warren G
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Registered: 14th May 06
Location: Kent
User status: Offline
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dont bother with the 2.2, just get a 1.8 much better engine and alot cheaper to run
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Jambo
Member
Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
User status: Offline
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2.2s can be temptemantal I have heard. My aunties blew up needed a new head. But that was probably down to her not servicing it in 3years 
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Corsa_Sport21
Member
Registered: 13th Apr 08
Location: Leven, Fife. Drives : 205 GTi
User status: Offline
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Mates 1.8 Z18XE Vectra costs more to run than my 2.2 Astra hatch.Granted his is heavier,but then when comparing the cabby to the hatch,the cabby is heavier too.
Ive drove his umpteen times and mine of course,and i would disagree that the 1.8 is a better engine.Its slower,and it needs revved to go anywhere.
Only real issue with the 2.2 is timing chain related.Either the old oil squirter jet blocks up,or the tensioner gives way causing the chain to run dry then stretch and snap.
GM chain kit can be had for 110quid and will sort both those problems.
[Edited on 03-06-2011 by Corsa_Sport21]
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Jambo
Member
Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
User status: Offline
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http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2858297.htm
Thats a better one Colin.
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harrisp
Member
Registered: 15th Dec 07
Location: Derbyshire
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Jambo
I've looked at e36 M3s not a bad option,
I got a quote for £17000 to insure one fully comp today
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Jambo
Member
Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
User status: Offline
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This is what i would want to make minus the daft handles and a drop on eibachs:
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Jambo
Member
Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by harrisp
quote:
Originally posted by Jambo
I've looked at e36 M3s not a bad option,
I got a quote for £17000 to insure one fully comp today
E36 is worse the 46 for insurance. Probs due to how long they havbe been around and how many claims etc
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Ben G
Member
Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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that is smart. would look nice with anthracit wheels.
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harrisp
Member
Registered: 15th Dec 07
Location: Derbyshire
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Jambo
quote:
Originally posted by harrisp
quote:
Originally posted by Jambo
I've looked at e36 M3s not a bad option,
I got a quote for £17000 to insure one fully comp today
E36 is worse the 46 for insurance. Probs due to how long they havbe been around and how many claims etc
TPFT was 6k too, this was just on confused though, but I cant afford the car nevermind the insurance
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Ben G
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Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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the reason insurance companies throw up quotes like that is because they are obliged to quote you so as not to discriminate, but they know that no one in their right mind will actually go ahead with the quote.
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Jambo
Member
Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
User status: Offline
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BEn: M old one with Anthra wheels. (Credit to Blino/Luisa!)
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Ben G
Member
Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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that is lovely 
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Corsa_Sport21
Member
Registered: 13th Apr 08
Location: Leven, Fife. Drives : 205 GTi
User status: Offline
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Would have to be Red or Europa Blue for me.
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Jambo
Member
Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
User status: Offline
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Quick shop (Lame i know im no expert)
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MarkSport
Member
Registered: 22nd May 09
User status: Offline
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I'm saving for a coupe atm, I want a really good example one though but i'm only going for the 1.8. there is a very nice one here
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2004-VAUXHALL-ASTRA-1-8-COUPE-CONVERTIBLE-BLUE-IRMSCHER-/120728419825?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item1c1bf97df1
but quite expensive considering the year
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