Much like their fast Ford adversaries, it appears that quick Vauxhalls have suffered an equally drastic decline in numbers over recent years. Cars that once seemed to feature on every other street corner or car park are now notable only by their scarcity, either tucked away in collections, for sale at ludicrously inflated prices or sacrificed to scrappage schemes.
Their popularity at one time, though, ensures the cars are fondly remembered. Cars like this Astra GSI will have once been the dream hot hatch for young drivers making their first journeys in LS or GLS Astras. Perhaps it was to a car they'd work hard to buy, only to be sold once family commitments intervened. It might even have been something exciting to a younger audience; an Astra like Mum and Dad had but with 150hp. Whatever the case, the car's visibility not so long ago - or what seems like not long ago - will have ensured plenty of people know (or remember) it very well.
The Mk3 GSI was always going to have a difficult job on its hands; not only were the early 90s a real sullen period for the hot hatch, insurance costs rather castrating the breed, but it also had to replace the Mk2 GTE - a car revered by seemingly all who drove it.
The end result won't be remembered as a hot hatch hero, but precious little of the era will. This is the time of the Golf Mk3 and Escort Mk4, don't forget. And although the GSI may not have been the most electrifying hot hatch around, it was brisk enough and looked pretty smart - arguably still does, in fact. Furthermore, you may have noticed in recent times that dynamic talent has proved no barrier to quite considerable appreciation...
With apparently just over 100 left registered in the UK, to find an unmodified, low mileage GSI really is quite notable. The condition is good for a car not far off 30, too, though the advert does note that some remedial paintwork wouldn't go amiss. As an early car with the more desirable Redtop engine, this GSI is about as good as it gets for this generation.
While £5k will no doubt shock a few, it's easy to see why the Astra commands this sort of price; as the advert states, "find me another in this condition". While all manner of other hot hatches from other eras are on offer for the same money, it should be noted that an Escort RS2000 of similar vintage and mileage is also £5,000 - comes with the territory, nowadays.
But if a Mk3 GSI is a car you've coveted for a while, it's hard to imagine a better one coming along anytime soon. With numbers presumably only set to dwindle further, an asking price above this in a couple of years wouldn't be a surprise. Funny how people remember how much they want something when there's less chance of getting one, isn't it? Finally, if it must be a really old fast Vauxhall or nothing at all, then another £1,000 buys this Mk2 GTE, newly working digital dash and all - buyers are spoilt for choice. Get in now, before there's an astranomical rise in value...
SPECIFICATION - VAUXHALL ASTRA GSI
Engine: 1,998cc, four-cyl
Transmission: 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 155@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 145@4,800rpm
MPG: 28.9 (CAR test average)
CO2: N/A
First registered: 1992
Recorded mileage: 64,000
Price new: £15,600
Yours for: £5,000
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