MODERN FUTURE CLASSIC CAR BLOG
Vauxhall
Nova GTE/GSI
Cavalier SRI/GSI
Astra GSI
Astra GTE
The Nova was a boy racer icon of the 80's and early 90's. The little car never really has the success in the main stream of its rivals but it still built up a loyal following. Both cars had 100BHP well below the class leaders but still enough to enjoy. The GSI beneifited from a more modern engine that helped running problems found in the GTE.
This was Vauxhalls asnwer to the ever growing fast saloons of the 80's. First we had the SRI with its 2 litre 130BHP then we got the GSI 2000 with 150BHP. These figures were enough to kept it a threat to the big hitters but not enough to really beat them. As with all these types of cars you find yourself fighting for a particular camp whether that be Vauxhall, Ford etc. You will have to pick what you think is best.
With it futuristic dashboard you would think you were sitting in something other than an Astra. The Astra first came along with just 115BHP. It grew to 130BHP and finally got the power it needed with 150BHP. The 150BHP model being be the one to opt for. This really was a true 80's hot hatchback. Able to only to go fast off the lights but attack corners as well. Just watch out for the electronic dash because fixing a broken one won't be cheap.
I couldn't make up mind whether to put this in the wild cards but due to its age I've included it in the main listings. Still keeping a 2 litre 150BHP engine it kept pace with the likes of the Mk3 Golf 16v. But the Mk3 GSI only had a shortish production life meaning as of 18/9/15 there are only 167 16V taxed models left on UK roads.