Can a Vauxhall Corsa VXR Impress A Lotus Owner?

I'm not a fan of hot hatches. I'm definitely not a fan of cheap superminis. But they're popular, and for good reasons - they provide a lot of performance in a practical package and they're many people's first steps into performance car ownership.

The market is currently dominated by the Focus ST, but the Corsa VXR is a strong second for the supermini marketplace. One of my viewers offered me the chance to try his, so what did I think?

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[ralphpurves]

I'm not a young person and I've recently got one of these to replace our aging Scooby for my Mrs. I get the image thing but we were after a small hatch with some zip and the Fiesta ST seemed overpriced for what it is but we could have had a Clio RS instead but when it comes to reliability I'd always avoid French cars full stop !
I'm a company car driver and had Vauxhalls for over a decade. I've never experienced any catastrophic failures or any real problems with them as I didn't abuse them. We found a 13 plate VXR with 29k miles for reasonable money and have had it for a couple of months now.
Haven't spanked it too much yet and the Mrs doesn't do many miles in it so no issues to report yet. It's quick when you want it and very linear with its delivery, stops well and handles pin sharp. Ride is very firm ( to be expected ) but more refined than a Cooper we had a few years ago. The seats are the star of the interior but as you say, its a Corsa so don't expect Jag levels of luxury. Only thing ours is missing is bluetooth but the DAB is a nice bonus.
As for the reliability 'issues' I'd say just serivce them regularly and allow them to warm up and cool down when you give it the beans. Clearly if your extracting more horses you can kiss goodbye to reliability ( same as Scooby's ) so if you put a dodgy map on and a piss poor air filter on your going to ruin your turbo and starve the engine of oil just when it needs it. My advice is that if 190bhp isn't enough just get a car that already has more, it will work out cheaper and won't give you the headaches of a modded one !

[shaunofthedead]

When you talk about
You've got a nerve with that revolting shirt pal.

[munsonvxr]

I bought my VXR back in December, with some crappy little mods but price was right. In that time, I have Stage 4'd it and she's pushing 285bhp/290lb torque and it's a different animal to the one that you test drive in this video.

Upgrades are as follows (work done by Warren at WG Motorworks): Forged Wiseco pistons (79.5mm), ARP rods, uprated valve springs, Turbosmart recirc valve, Turbo Dynamics ko4 hybrid turbo, Airtec Intercooler, Enhance Performance turboback (sports cat) exhaust system and mapped by Richard @ Rabbid Tuning. Expensive but well worth it if you can afford it.

Nice cars, but standard they worry you mostly because of the infamous "P4 issue" which took my enjoyment from the car until I had the works done. She's shocked a few people suffice to say.

[Anekiii]

My first turbo is the Corsa D VXR in the best colour - Arden blue! Literal pocket rocket. Absolutely in love with it. Last a long time, so long as you look after it and don't rag it.

[Birmingham_racing]

Love the looks and sound of these but the chavy image and reliability puts me off ever owning one

[roadreg]

Always loved these cute little Corsa VXR’s. I love the styling and the bright colour’s the come in. My friend has one in white with a Remus exhaust on it. He let me drive it. It was brilliant fun!

[psions]

The fact I had a Fabia vRS instead really just paints a different portrait of the owner 😅

[bigdaddy]

It’s how u look after it forget the gearbox piston bollocks it’s the people behind the wheel thrashing the shit out of them you never here the pros of these cars

[RDVR]

Nice little car. Only bad things about these are the badge hate that they seem to get and the gearbox.... I've got the Astra VXR which shares the same box. Can be be fixed for reasonable money so if you are looking at a Corsa don't let the box put you of the car!

[waynekerr]

Had one in the same colour brand new 62 plate for four years and not one problem of note. The only problem I had was the Driver seat broke a cable on the seat adjustment lever. Brilliant little cars to be honest glad i did have one.

[EGGLOVER]

I'm a bit of a Corsa VXR fanboy and used to own one, glad you like it Jay! Gearboxes are made by Nestle but the around town mpg I don't agree with, around town in really bad traffic I'd get low twenties high teens, on average I'd get 27mpg mixed and that was on Arctic edition which came with a Remus exhaust so similar to your test car, the blue seats are part of that Arden edition btw!

[dair]

Brings back memories... I used to own one of those back in 2008!

[mitchelldring]

Ive got arden blue one also, the car is the bollocks. Had stage one remap and standard parts run fine. Look after your car and you wont have any of said issues with it. Awesome car

[MrDean]

Owned my stage 2 corsa vxr a little over 2 years now, overall very happy as mine has only ever gone wrong once with that being the eps unit. It's a crazy little car that has that scary hot hatch feeling when pushing on tight twisty lanes.

I have also had the pleasure of driving the fiesta st and it is a much better car in every way, don't let that sway you though the corsa vxr is cheaper to buy and a mad little car and loads of fun if you find a good one.

[tommygun]

I disagree I had mine 3 year and drove it hard every day even when the engine was cold and didn't have one single problem with fantastic little car

[ukunboxings]

I am not saying they are perfect and yes I own one have had one for a few months now and honestly hasn't caused me any problems yet. what makes me laugh on these comments is people who bad mouth them usually are the same never have and never will own a Vauxhall car even they admit it in there comments, so how can them people have an opinion on a Vauxhall VXR. :)

[caryssgaming]

This guy looks like Anne Hegerty of "The Chase" 🤣

[tattooedgamer]

I had the 2009 Arden edition and had nothing but endless problems with it. Yes it's fun to drive and grips fairly well when chucked in to a corner, however like you mentioned in your video about the engine and gearbox, that is right on money. The gearbox went bang and set me back a pretty penny. Traded it in and got myself an audi A3 sportback.

[novalutiongsi]

If you liked the handling of the Corsa, take an Astra VXR out. Due to the half sub frame at the front of the Corsa it's good, but isn't an Astra.

Will try and catch up with you on Friday, come and have a look round my Nova as well. 👍

[youtubedork]

Had my Corsa vxr for 3 years and still makes me smile.