Astra G Bertone

[vitessetony]

I've seen what looks to be a lovely, one owner, low mileage Astra Bertone coupe very near to me.

What do I need to know about these cars? Any quirks or just the normal 20 year old car stuff.

I can't see many horror stories on the web and the 1.8 engine seems to be pretty robust.

The only down side is it's at a dealer that I can't find any info on and when I've tried to ring the number it just cuts to not available.

I messaged the guy on ebay and left my number they just messaged back. "it's still available" nothing else, not even their name.

Still it's only 20 miles away so it may be worth a punt, what do think?

[vitessetony]

The plot thickens, I managed to actually talk to the seller and got a bit of history on the car, it's an se1 and only 200 were made 100 1.8s and 100 2.2s, it came from a guy who worked for Vauxhall and was a bit of a collector he developed some sight issues and stopped driving so the car has been in storage since 2011.

It does have an mot but I'm not taking that as gospel, if you know what I mean. The seller says it has no service history so at the least its going to need a service, timing belt, water pump and possibly 4 tyres I'm thinking, then whatever else I find coolant flush, brake fluid etc, being sat still is no good for any car.

So the guy is asking £2850 which I think is top end of the market for this car especially as it's going to need work straight away but it is a limited run car so does probably attract a premium because of it.

From the pictures it looks like a new car it's only done 32,000 miles so it's what you would expect I guess.

Any coupe enthusiasts on here with any thoughts?

[astranaut]

I'm sort of a Vaux guy, the Z18 is an ok engine but slightly gutless, the one I had in a Vectra Sri was adequate but you weren't setting the world on fire. Mk4s are a nice drive, strong money for a mk4, you can get a coupe turbo for that kind of dosh. Depends on what you want in a car. One thing I will say is a lot will need replacing if you start to daily driver it, the Forementioned Vectra had 40k on it, when I started putting miles on it things like bushes, belts and seals started failing quite quickly.

[filmidget]

I am not any sort of Vauxhall guy, but did buy a 2002 Z18'ed Astra with 40k miles, but used 'little but often', and with a service history.

I have put about 30k on mine, and only needed a couple of front drop links and rear springs (less than £40 total!), and a rear exhaust section (£75 with new fittings and mounts). Plus servicing of course.

I find the engine to be surprisingly torquey for an 1800 16v, and quick enough for a daily (and more than a match for the chassis...), although apparently there is an early version with 115bhp and later with 125bhp, and mine is attached to a close-ish ratio 'box (which it really doesn't need). Plus the Astra must be a chunk lighter than a Vectra.

Having said that it's competent but dull to drive, and nearly £3k seems a hell of a lot for a car of that age/spec/dullness, especially having been sat doing nothing & deteriorating.

[ferny]

If it's like the Astra G's I've played on - check sill end caps. The plastic traps dirt and happy rusts out without you knowing.

[crossy10]

Strong money for a pretty mundane car if you ask me. Don’t think they’ll ever be sought after IMO,

[vitessetony]

Feb 13, 2021 17:55:11 GMT crossy10 said:

Strong money for a pretty mundane car if you ask me. Don’t think they’ll ever be sought after IMO,

I spoke to the dealer and got a feel for what type of operation he was running if you know what I mean, the car also had zero service history and so although it was low mileage it would have needed everything perishable doing and a service plus a cambelt and water pump etc.

So I passed on it, like you say strong money for a 1.8 with no history and the main feature being the special blue interior.

[pseudonymous]

Not bad looking cars and decent enough as daily drivers but a fairly mundane chassis. Worth it at the right price. Sadly they have, round my way at least, always had a massive image problem. They are just associated with chavtastic women and/or blokes in tracksuits with gold chains.

[andy88]

Feb 17, 2021 18:35:54 GMT pseudonymous said:

Not bad looking cars and decent enough as daily drivers but a fairly mundane chassis. Worth it at the right price. Sadly they have, round my way at least, always had a massive image problem. They are just associated with chavtastic women and/or blokes in tracksuits with gold chains.

Interesting, 15 years or so ago I would've said exactly the same about Calibras!   

The 1.8 or the Turbo are the ones to get IMO, the 2.2 can be very problematic.

[sleag40]

I had a new one in 2000 - 2.2 coupe. It shat its timing chain tensioner at 6000 miles and had a new engine under warranty! After that shaky start, it was faultless for the next 5 years then it was sold to a colleague who enjoyed it trouble free too.

[hairdoo]

Bit of a thread revival but just putting it out there but I will soon have a Y-reg 1.8 astra coupe coming up for sale. Once its motd I will get my brother, hoodrat superstar, to do a proper for sale post. Quick run down, its 139k, has been owned by a long standing customer of my work and school friend of my ex wife (still on good terms, pays off). Its a light metallic blue and has had shed loads of run of the mill work over the years, she has owned it since 2011. It has its blemishes, don't we all, and it will be priced sensibly as and when its motd an ready to rock (requires 2 front springs, a rear spring an shocker so far).