03-04 TS Astra SRi Turbo

[barra240t]

Hey,

Has anyone driven or own a TS Astra SRi Turbo? I am really keen to know what they go like, they did win bang for your bucks in 03 I think?

[EF Futura 07]

Hi, none to both, but i have seen them being drivin on the road and they scream. about 7 sec and 15.3 i think?

[Bucket]

I've driven one...they have a LOT of mid-range torque....fun car to drive

[GSH]

I know people that have driven them and ive driven a normal 1.8 Astra and it had a fair wack of balls to it! The SRi Turbos scream and Astras have amazing handleing/feel they feel VERY tight to drive. Almost like a small BMW or something IMO.....VERY good cars

I got chopped by one at the drags he ran a 14.7 i ran a 15.0.

Chopped by an Astra thought the day would never come!

[Buddy 1]

The Mazda 3 MPS kills it.

Or what about the upcoming FORD Mondeo Turbo

[Disciple]

They have horrible torque steer, no LSD and they understeer like no tomorrow. There are a host of better cars in that category for that money. I'd be looking at Ralliart Colt, Golf GTI etc.

[merlin]

Originally Posted by Disciple

They have horrible torque steer, no LSD and they understeer like no tomorrow. etc.

Incorrect on all counts...

I owned a TS Astra Sri Turbo (2003 model) for 12 months - paid about $23K a year ago before the WRX and yes it did win the Bang for your Bucks award in 03 which surprised a heap of people (I bagged it out at the time).

To be honest it was a great car with very few faults - no tourqe steer to speak of (it has stability control, traction control and ABS) so you didn't get unwanted wheelspin unless in the wet. The limit where it starts to understeer I couldn't find on a public road, the suspension is tied down very well. The motor makes excellent torque from very low down, minimal lag, but not much of a top end rush (its very linear).

The interior is full black leather with heated bucket seats, dual airbags, very nice steering wheel with the audio/crusie controls on it, ski port ect. Standard with 17's and nice kit. Easily nicest interior on any car I have owned.

I left mine standard bar an airfilter and the performance was quite strong - raced a few Golf GTI's and could despatch them fairly easily. All whilst achieveing 7.9 litres per 100km with very cheap insurance. That being said its no where near as strong as the WRX (but still quick enough). You can buy a flash tune for about $400 which gets you high 13's/low 14's.

Negatives - Its a euro car made in Belgium therefore indicators ect. on the wrong side of the wheel.
- Parts can be more expensive than jap parts (especially if you source them through Holden) but not massivley so.
- Pretty hard to access rear seat (its a 2 door afterall)
- Literally no aftermarket support (be prepared to get to know the small astra turbo forum well).

Any other questions feel free to ask.

[merlin]

Link to Astra Turbo forum:
http://www.opelaus.com/forum/

[sfr rob]

Originally Posted by barra240t

Hey,

Has anyone driven or own a TS Astra SRi Turbo? I am really keen to know what they go like, they did win bang for your bucks in 03 I think?

They also suit male hair dressers who own hand bags.

seriously, my Mrs mum has one, they go alright, but nothing special really.
If "zippy" is your thing, then go for it.

[merlin]

Originally Posted by sfr rob

They also suit male hair dressers who own hand bags.

seriously, my Mrs mum has one, they go alright, but nothing special really.
If "zippy" is your thing, then go for it.

This was my main concern when initially buying them but when you weigh up the alternatives (i.e. small performance cars with good economy to commute in) they are even girlier - Corolla, Golf, SP20 ect. - all hatch backs. At least the Astra was more coupe like. I debadged the Astra badges and put on an Opel front and rear lightening badges to manly it up a bit. This is why Ford/Holden would make a motza if they brough back Cortina/Torana.

[colossus]

Originally Posted by Buddy 1

The Mazda 3 MPS kills it.

Or what about the upcoming FORD Mondeo Turbo

Except the thread is about the TS turbo which ended in 03/04 so is now 3 to 4 years old and worth low $20K's. The cars you and others are talking about cost $40K and are brand new.

My house mate owned one - they were an awesome city car. Fast, small, bit of a sleeper.

[sfr rob]

yeop, I agree with the last comment 100%
My mate has one of those new Golf Turbo things, goes like stink, but he gets picked on a lot because it's not a "blokes" car, even though it would kill most of our cars.

[barra240t]

Thanks guys, that has been a great help. I know all about the "girls car" calls but you will get that will nearly every hot hatch, your more of a man if you can just shrug those comments off. I was only asking because I have noticed that yes, you can pick up an 03-04 for around $21k will low km's and I find that a great buy. Only thing is it has a holden badge :( But Ford's got nothing except the ST170 but I've driven one and they aren't that fun engine wise. Chassis is beaut. Just starting to look for a new car and they caught my eye. You can go the whole other way an look at a BA XR6T for around the 24-25k BUT its the old 4-speed auto, the 6 is sooo much better. And no I wouldn't buy a manual XR ever. ever. Anyway thanks so much for all ya help ;)

[barra240t]

Originally Posted by merlin

Incorrect on all counts...

I owned a TS Astra Sri Turbo (2003 model) for 12 months - paid about $23K a year ago before the WRX and yes it did win the Bang for your Bucks award in 03 which surprised a heap of people (I bagged it out at the time).

To be honest it was a great car with very few faults - no tourqe steer to speak of (it has stability control, traction control and ABS) so you didn't get unwanted wheelspin unless in the wet. The limit where it starts to understeer I couldn't find on a public road, the suspension is tied down very well. The motor makes excellent torque from very low down, minimal lag, but not much of a top end rush (its very linear).

The interior is full black leather with heated bucket seats, dual airbags, very nice steering wheel with the audio/crusie controls on it, ski port ect. Standard with 17's and nice kit. Easily nicest interior on any car I have owned.

I left mine standard bar an airfilter and the performance was quite strong - raced a few Golf GTI's and could despatch them fairly easily. All whilst achieveing 7.9 litres per 100km with very cheap insurance. That being said its no where near as strong as the WRX (but still quick enough). You can buy a flash tune for about $400 which gets you high 13's/low 14's.

Negatives - Its a euro car made in Belgium therefore indicators ect. on the wrong side of the wheel.
- Parts can be more expensive than jap parts (especially if you source them through Holden) but not massivley so.
- Pretty hard to access rear seat (its a 2 door afterall)
- Literally no aftermarket support (be prepared to get to know the small astra turbo forum well).

Any other questions feel free to ask.

Great help merlin thanks!

[Quicksand]

Originally Posted by barra240t

Thanks guys, that has been a great help. I know all about the "girls car" calls but you will get that will nearly every hot hatch, your more of a man if you can just shrug those comments off. I was only asking because I have noticed that yes, you can pick up an 03-04 for around $21k will low km's and I find that a great buy. Only thing is it has a holden badge :( But Ford's got nothing except the ST170 but I've driven one and they aren't that fun engine wise. Chassis is beaut. Just starting to look for a new car and they caught my eye. You can go the whole other way an look at a BA XR6T for around the 24-25k BUT its the old 4-speed auto, the 6 is sooo much better. And no I wouldn't buy a manual XR ever. ever. Anyway thanks so much for all ya help ;)

Not sure how long they have been around for so i can't vouch for a competitive price (as i know you are looking at 03/02 and about $21k) but have you looked at a second hand Focus XR5T or even the XR4?

Details about the Focus XR5T here (such as 0-100, fuel economy etc): http://www.redbookasiapacific.com/au...s.php?id=58387

And here are the details about the XR4 (pretty cheap from new really):
http://www.redbookasiapacific.com/au...s.php?id=58646

Might be able to pick up a bargain; just offering some alternatives if you are worried about the Lion Badge. Not sure if these are available in Auto

Might be worth it to stretch the budget a tad to get a newer car?

Good luck!

[JPDyno]

I agree with Merlin, mostly. It DID have a fair bit of torque steer, but nothing that was uncomfortable to deal with. I think you'll find most high-powered FWD cars will suffer the same. The torque curve is great, very little turbo lag.

I had mine for 18 months, loved it. Miss it. Shoud've kept it. i ran consistent 15's at Caulder, and had a fastest of 14.6 (I know thats not exactly fast, but this is dead stock, and i only took it a couple of times for a laugh). Left a lot of early 90's V8 commodores and falcons for dead. The missus bought an AH turbo, but its just not the same. that extra 200 or so kilos really kills it.

oh and i did get told i had a 'barbie car' by my brothers, but the one that builds drag cars for a living even commented that it was quick, and fun.

[dredd_xr6]

delete this post plz... my bad

[barra240t]

hey guys,

does anyone have the issue of Motor's 2003 bang for your bucks? i believe it will be Sept 2003. I am having trouble finding it! If anyone does I would greatly appreciate a scan of the BFYB section or even buy it from you.

[sprjenkins]

yeah it won 2003 bang for your bucks but chase up the 2004 copy and see how poorly it fared. Heaps of torque steer, flimsy chassis, no lsd. Buy yourself a Golf instead

[barra240t]

Originally Posted by sprjenkins

yeah it won 2003 bang for your bucks but chase up the 2004 copy and see how poorly it fared. Heaps of torque steer, flimsy chassis, no lsd. Buy yourself a Golf instead

i have the 04 copy and it didn't do that poorly? can you buy a golf for me? have you driven this model astra?

[Steffo]

Originally Posted by merlin

This was my main concern when initially buying them but when you weigh up the alternatives (i.e. small performance cars with good economy to commute in) they are even girlier - Corolla, Golf, SP20 ect. - all hatch backs. At least the Astra was more coupe like. I debadged the Astra badges and put on an Opel front and rear lightening badges to manly it up a bit. This is why Ford/Holden would make a motza if they brough back Cortina/Torana.

When the Astra was released you had...

Corolla Sportivo
Golf GTI MkIV
Focus ST170

That's pretty much everything I can think of, from that time (2003). The Astra was faster then all of them... though the only one I'd really call girly was the stupid Corolla. 1.8 4-cyl N/A, 141kW @ 7800rpm, 181Nm @ 6800rpm, 1224kg. Absolutley no power at all whatsoever below 5000rpm... very loud but very slow.

Today that segment is a whole different kettle of fish and I wouldn't call it 'girly,' at all with choices like...

Volkswagen Golf GTI MkV
Ford Focus XR5 Turbo
Volvo C30 T5
Renaultsport Megane 230 R26 F1
HSV VXR
Mazda 3 MPS
Mercedes-Benz A200 Turbo
Skoda Octavia vRS (coming soon and/or just released)
Honda Civic Type R

There's one glaring omission that Australia unfortunately does not receive, and that's the BMW 123d. 2.0litre Twin Turbo Diesel Four-Cylinder with 150kW and 400Nm. 0-100km/h in 7.1 seconds (claimed), and 54.3mpg (4.33L/100km). As usual though, Australia misses out.

[Sri kid]

Hay I just bought astra 2003 Sri turbo got few things done n can vouch it is a little weapon it surprised me

[Franco Cozzo]

[Sri kid]

Wats that mean no one talking bout this any more would like to no if anyone has performance parts to suit astra 2003 Sri turbo

[Express]

Originally Posted by Sri kid

Wats that mean no one talking bout this any more would like to no if anyone has performance parts to suit astra 2003 Sri turbo

I would have thought you'd just go to your local Ford dealer and ask that question.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Sri kid

Wats that mean no one talking bout this any more would like to no if anyone has performance parts to suit astra 2003 Sri turbo

You do realise that this thread is 9 years old and that this is a FORD forum ?

[Sri kid]

I no it's a Ford forum it just came up WEN put in astra 2003 Sri turbo n I no how old it is thought it mite b worth a shot

[Sri kid]

Just trying to track down parts ie anything go fast?

[Stefan]

HAHAHA, thread mine......gotta check them dates on threads..

[mike_nofx]

Originally Posted by merlin

put on an Opel front and rear lightening badges to manly it up a bit.

Wow... whats considered 'manly' sure has changed in the last 9 years!