Highlights
• A comprehensive maintenance history
• Sublime exterior and interior condition
• Rare paint choice
• Early example with low mileage
• Low ownership
• Great fun to drive
• Garaged its whole life
• Unmolested
The Background
This is a stunning example of an early Vauxhall Corsa VXR presented in a rarely optioned silver lightning paint code (Currently only 1 for sale in this shade of silver) over the normal black part leather interior making for a desirable colour combination. These early VXRs are becoming harder and harder to come by in such condition with only 28,000 miles and only 2 previous owners from new. This VXR was first registered into a main Vauxhall dealership where it acted as an ex-demo/pre-registered car.
The next lady owner then owned the car from late 2008/early 2009 up until 2020 in which very few miles were covered and always garaged. From 2020 to 2021 a gentlemen used it as a run around, again always garaged. This Corsa VXR would be a great proposition for any hot hatch enthusiast or the collector. Ready to be tucked away and used as a weekend toy or make for a great and enjoyable run around.
The next lady owner then owned the car from late 2008/early 2009 up until 2020 in which very few miles were covered and always garaged. From 2020 to 2021 a gentlemen used it as a run around, again always garaged. This Corsa VXR would be a great proposition for any hot hatch enthusiast or the collector. Ready to be tucked away and used as a weekend toy or make for a great and enjoyable run around.
These early VXRs are highly regarded in terms of their handling and performance. They’re a lot of fun and the 1.6 turbocharged engine is no slouch meaning the car can go from 0-60 in just over 6 seconds and if you keep your foot planted it will max out at 140mph.
The History
This VXR retains a great, and comprehensive Vauxhall main dealer history. This VXR has 13 service stamps in the book where the 10 services between 2009 (1751 miles) and 2018 (16064) were all carried out at a Vauxhall main dealer. The toothed cambelt was also replaced in 2017 for peace of mind for any buyer.
This was also carried out at a main dealer. This example also retains all MOT certificates from new to warrant the mileage. The car has recently had two new front tyres and was last serviced in October 2021 at 27,429 miles so the car is good to go. This VXR has also had 3 body work inspections with stamps to prove at a Vauxhall main dealer in which it passed all three.
This was also carried out at a main dealer. This example also retains all MOT certificates from new to warrant the mileage. The car has recently had two new front tyres and was last serviced in October 2021 at 27,429 miles so the car is good to go. This VXR has also had 3 body work inspections with stamps to prove at a Vauxhall main dealer in which it passed all three.
The Paperwork
This example features lots of paperwork, including all MOTs and service invoices, general maintenance invoices and all the book packs. This car has been maintained to a very high standard and its clear to see this in the way the car drives and looks. No expense has been spared when it comes to maintenance on this car and all paperwork is correct and present.
The Exterior
The exterior is in great condition. Paying dividends to its sheltered garage life. The paint work is bright and free of swirls. The wheels are in great condition. All the seals, door shuts and drainage routes remain clear, undamaged and clean. As to be expected from a used car there are a few stone chips on the front however nothing to write home about.
There is also a very small dent on the front bonnet. Can only be seen when close to the car. The exterior features many VXR exclusive parts such as the rear diffuser, larger spoiler, centre exhaust (which is original and sounds great, not too loud) and more aggressive bumpers giving the car a very purposeful look.
There is also a very small dent on the front bonnet. Can only be seen when close to the car. The exterior features many VXR exclusive parts such as the rear diffuser, larger spoiler, centre exhaust (which is original and sounds great, not too loud) and more aggressive bumpers giving the car a very purposeful look.
The Interior
The interior is in like new condition on this Corsa as to be expected for the mileage and history of the car. The only area to note that isn’t like new is the gear knob. Some of the plastic chrome coating has peeled off. The interior is a pleasant place to be and the star of the show has to be the factory fitted Recaro seats.
A lovely feature in a hot hatch like this one. This Corsa also has cruise control, trip computers, and aux functions making it an easy car to live with.
A lovely feature in a hot hatch like this one. This Corsa also has cruise control, trip computers, and aux functions making it an easy car to live with.
The Mechanics
The car is in very fine fettle indeed. The car corners great and stays very planted in the corners. The steering is fast, precise and confidence inspiring. The engine has clearly been well maintained over the years. It pulls very strong. The turbo seems healthy, and there are no oil leaks.
The engine bay has not been washed, however still remains very clean. The suspension is firm but is well damped which is well suited to its sporting nature with its every day usability appeal.
The engine bay has not been washed, however still remains very clean. The suspension is firm but is well damped which is well suited to its sporting nature with its every day usability appeal.
The car isn’t completely original, the previous owner made some very small and subtle modifications. The wheels have been refurbed in a dark agate metallic grey which offsets the silver paintwork nicely. Rim protectors were also installed all round which have paid dividends to the rims condition and are all in pristine condition. The front protectors had been removed when the front tyres were replaced.
The car also has some different indicator side repeaters. The originals come with the car and can be changed depending on preference.
The car has also been fitted with a genuine Vauxhall higher spec infotainment screen which works well with no faults. However, the old radio will be included in the sale and can be reversed easily.
The Appeal
These VXRs are seriously good fun and have enough poke to really feel the great chassis balance. The VXRs have many visual and mechanical upgrades over the standard Corsa including a rear diffuser, centre exhaust, deeper bumpers, larger wheels, Recaro seats, stiffened chassis and suspension, and a powerful Turbo charged engine.
These cars are big on the modification scene and to find one in this good of a condition and minimal modifications is very hard nowadays, especially early 2008 ones. These cars are sure to become a collector’s item in the next 10 years just like many of the 80/90s hot hatches so bagging one like this early could be a good idea.
You won’t find another one like this any time soon with low ownership, garaged its whole life, rare and attractive spec, Full comprehensive Mot and service history with all the correct paperwork and original 2 keys making for a highly desirable collectors’ piece especially with the low mileage of 28500.
The 1.6 turbo engine has a Jekyll and Hyde character. It can be a quiet cruiser in the lower RPMs for those motorway journeys or the ultimate driving machine when you want to drop a cog, and rev the punchy 1.6 engine out to 7000 rpm
Extras
The car retains its original Vauxhall Nidd Vale number plates, book packs, 2 keys and full Vauxhall toolkit.
The Specification
This VXR boasts a rare Silver Lightning paint code which is in great condition all over and really pops in the sunlight. The wheels are the optional extra 18-inch wheels which were certainly the ones to have.
The car features all the mod cons too such as standard radio, trip computer functions, cruise control, air con, and aux functions which are all in good working condition.
The car features all the mod cons too such as standard radio, trip computer functions, cruise control, air con, and aux functions which are all in good working condition.
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