Is the GSi a good buy?

[pe+e]

I was considering the 3.2V6 GSi as you can pick up an 04 for about £4k which seems like a LOT of car for the money.

They would appear to represent better value for money than the SRi as you get all the toys. I would have thought the engines are equally reliable. The quoted fuel economy isn’t massively different between the 2.0T SRi and the 3.2 GSi and if you don’t do loads of miles (I do 10k max per annum), then I cant see this being too much of an extra cost. Road tax will be a bit more.

Is there something I am overlooking or should be wary of?

Sri 2.0T 100 Vrs Gsi?

Fair enough, the 2.0T can be fettled with to get more power, but the Gsi probs has enough for me. Whats bad about them, or are they a good buy?

Many thanks

[VectraV6CDTi]

There's nothing wrong with the GSi at all! Cracking engine...

Have a read of this, might be helpful:

http://www.fastsaloons.com/newsstory...ld=1304&type=9

then this:

http://www.fastsaloons.com/newsstory...ld=1646&type=9

(ignore the reference to the Jaguar S-Type - about time they corrected that, its been like that for years on that website)

[gtr1000]

GSi all the time (am I biased? ). Go for one with as many OEM factory fit options as you can. Biggest expense will be the cambelt and water pump, c.£4-500 so if it's been done, all the better. It'll be all you've ever wanted.

I've got loads of factory fit stuff on mine but is otherwise totally standard. This is on a 52 plate and doesn't feel as if it's 7 years old.

[pe+e]

interesting reads from the fast saloons.com. As a second hand buy, i would say the equivalent GSi is actually cheaper than the SRi...which deminishes some of the argument.

The GSi I was looking at was £4k for an 04 with 70,000 miles and in very tidy condition. I've looked at a few SRis, but mostly the 2.2 Direct as the 2.0T are much rarer.

£400-500 for a waterpump and belt change is certainly not cheap so i would definately be trying to check that...although not easy to prove without receipts from a 'reputable place'

thanks guys

any more?

[gtr1000]

Age v price v mileage. The earlier GSi's (IIRC up to 2004ish) had several items as standard which became options in its later life, eg. Xenon headlights. Also, up to 2004, the front brakes were 302mm diameter, then became 314mm. Upgrade kits available for £3-400. Factory fit sat nav with a colour screen was worth £1400 all those years ago but a decent Tom Tom today is better IMO.

A motor with 70k on the clock may well have had the cambelt done whereas one at 50k may not have done. Seems that 03/53 platers are sub £4000 with 50-60000 miles.

Just to give you an example -on Autotrader at the moment is an 04 plate. only 34k miles at £4490. So your £4k budget will get you a good deal. Now is the time to buy - December 07, I paid £6k for my 52 plate with 57k on the clock so I've lost £2k in a year.

EDIT - FSH is worth looking for, especially on the V6's.

[i320]

GSi all the time (am I biased? ). Go for one with as many OEM factory fit options as you can. Biggest expense will be the cambelt and water pump, c.£4-500 so if it's been done, all the better. It'll be all you've ever wanted.

I've got loads of factory fit stuff on mine but is otherwise totally standard. This is on a 52 plate and doesn't feel as if it's 7 years old.

Off topic a bit, but I just have to say that this is a B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L example!

EDIT: Bah, the image didn't carry over - needless to say I am referring to the blue one in the pic above. Nice one GTR1000.

[gsi32]

I have just paid £340 for a cambelt change (vauxhall kit with tensioners) etc, water pump, aux belt etc. I looked carefully at the 2.0T and GSI, and glad I purchased the GSI. No turbo to go wrong, only 1-2 MPG less. Loadsa toys, fantastic motor - love it !!!!!!!!

[Ste]

Are they a good buy? For me definitely no. For you? WHo lnows.

It depends what you want / need out of a car and what finances you are willing to use buying it, maintaining it and running it, and what performance you want. Only you can decide if that model is a good buy for you, as only you knows your needs and requirements.

[adfrodsham]

i got an ex demo car, so ive got alot of extras in mine, had it over a year, and other than maintainence nothing wrong with, at the moment alot of car for a very cheap price

[gtr1000]

Looking back at what I paid in December 2007 (£6000), my 2002/52 GSi was a 2 owner, FSH model. When it was new back in December 02, the cost was approaching £26000 . I picked it up with the following factory fit OEM bits:

Metallic paint
Rear parking sensors
Sunroof
NCDC2013 stereo with satnav and colour screen
Auto box
Rear door sunblinds
Folding exterior mirrors
Full leather & heated front seats
VX detachable towbar (OK, was a dealer fit at delivery)
Parrot CK3100 Blue Tooth (fitted sometime in its life before I got it )
VX mud flaps (yes, I know, dealer fit)
VX thick pile carpet mats (as per flaps)

The extras back in 2002 alone came to in excess of £6k, so basically I've bought a car load of extras.

What's the point of this post you may ask??

As my motor is now only worth £3-4K, buy one with as many extras and goodies as you can possibly get. What other motor could I get for this money that offers such luxury and performance?

Oh, if I'm careful on the motorway, 36mpg @ 70-80mph. . Round town, 26-28mpg on an auto (has been de-catted and has Courtenay performance air filter).

Here endeth the case for the GSi.