Vauxhall Corsa GSi 1.6 16v Review

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★★★★★
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spliff1star's review of Vauxhall Corsa GSi 1.6 16v

“I sold my Corsa Sport and got a rare non Ecotec Corsa...”

★★★★★

written by spliff1star on 28/03/2006

Good Points
Rare, best looking Corsa b,gsi front bumper,early models quicker than Ecotec.

Bad Points
Side skirts? Certain people who have owned one may know what I mean. Expensive to replace front bumper almost £300. Most with non elec windows

General Comments
I sold my Corsa Sport and got a rare non Ecotec Corsa GSi. I have only ever seen two of these for sale. The engine is a 1.6 16v and is not an Ecotec and is .5 sec quicker to 60mph than the Ecotec version 0-60: 9.0sec standerd opposed to the ecotec and 1.6 16v sport 9.5sec. The cars been superchipped and has Kent Kams so 0-60 is around 8.6sec not bad considering those are the only mods. A good car and very rare, shame most don't have elec windows evan some of the late n reg models. Turns heads because it's a nice car and dont need any bigger bumpers. 15inch and slammed and it looks good or 17-18inch. Cheaper and better looking than the 1.6 sport

  • 1994

    Year Manufactured

  • 1 month

    Length of ownership

  • 3

    Doors

  • Performance

  • Practicality

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Matbob's Response to spliff1star's Review

Written on: 02/05/2006

just read your review mate I have got a gsi corsa, its my second one and everything you said in your review is spot on. if you can find a good one with service history and only a couple of owners then you can\'t go wrong. mine is a non ecotech m reg in totally standard immaculate condition apart from its been lowered 40mm. looks cool, great fun and deserves respect nice one mate. matt.

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Gregers69's Response to spliff1star's Review

Written on: 29/08/2009

I found this review very helpful because...ihave a none ecotec gsi corsa and some of the prob that i have had have been on this site i have sorted alot of probs with wirering and engine its good two no that there is help out there plus just be come a member

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Lee18Gsi's Response to spliff1star's Review

Written on: 23/04/2007

I have had 2 Corsa GSi s both non ecotec the first one had big engine problems but it was quick - beat Saxos and Novas. My first Corsa used to tap a lot because it was burning oil basically I needed a new engine so I got rid of that and got another Corsa GSi standard 1 lady owner I've had no problems with it so far keeps up with GTIs and leave VTR Saxo for dust no one can fault the Corsa GSi.

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Rakeshp1984's Response to spliff1star's Review

Written on: 23/04/2007

Just bought a Corsa gsi 6 weeks ago for £850. Its grey little damage to paintwork interior perfect, elec windows but its got 115,00 runs perfect apart from misfiring a bit, just dun a full service on it plugs and leads, is this a common problem and how do I go about fixing it. And any tips on mods would help but have a fout for my pocket. Any help much appreciated.

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Spliff1Star's Response to spliff1star's Review

Written on: 28/06/2006

Cheers lads. I have now had the oil and oil filter changed along with some new spark leads - the car drives completely different. The day before I had the work done I was on the motorway pushing over 70 and a huge pile of smoke came out of the exhaust and I mean a lot - it must have been oil. The car also held back as if it didn't have any power and didn't want to be pushed anymore. I thought the engine had had it's day but the oil change seemed to have done the trick. It's quieter, smoother and with no tapping noise from tappets - I still warm it up for 5 mins before driving anywhere though. The car is showing 101k on the clock now.

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Matbob's Response to spliff1star's Review

Written on: 23/06/2006

Alright matey - my first gsi Corsa used to be really tappy on start up for a good 5 mins but then was OK - probably because it had 140k on the clock as my new one only has 80k and that is as quiet as a mouse - it shouldn't cause you any trouble really - if you want a tip though don't be thrashing it too much until the engine has got to normal operating temperature as that is most likely what caused the problem in the first place. Plus it wears the valve stem seals which will in time make it drink oil and smoke its backside off. Take it easy and I hope this has helped you... Matbob.

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Tuscan03's Response to spliff1star's Review

Written on: 22/06/2006

My sport only made that noise after a few mins of proper caining and then would quieten down as the engine cooled back down. Unfortunately that's the last of my problems as my pride and joy was written off by a bus three weeks ago :-(

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Spliff1Star's Response to spliff1star's Review

Written on: 21/06/2006

Wasup lads only just read the comments. I will have to get back to you on my superchip but it does make a big difference in acceleration and mid power. Like you said the bhp difference isn't that big between the non ecotec gsi and ecotec but the 0-60 is faster. The ecotec is still very good. My tappets are noisy when cold now and takes 15mins to stop tapping. I was told I should change the oil and filter. Does anyone else have this problem on their corsa sport or gsi for such a long time. Even if I have just driving the car and left it for 1hr the noise comes back on start up for a few mins and sometimes doesnt and decides to come back 5mins into driving. I know it;s common for most vauxhalls to do this my - astra gsi did as well. Apart from that the cars running fine. Everyone loves my gsi because it looks nice and the kit is smooth and nice. I'm just annoyed with crummy 1.2 and 1.4 corsas trying to race me.

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Matbob's Response to spliff1star's Review

Written on: 15/05/2006

hi tuscan my chip was also done by superchips not too sure how much difference its made as it was on it when i bought car. just got paperwork with it to prove it had one fitted so I haven't got anything to compare it to apart from my old gsi corsa but that had kent cams k&n filter full stainless exhaust etc. but even that didn't seem much different to the one i've got now. I do want to do bits and bobs to it exhaust etc but its in such mint condition, that i can't bring my self to alter anything on it. Only paid £1400 for it, already been offered £1700 by two work mates. 'Ive been throwing cash at it but on maintainence work major service, under sealing, brakes etc. I do like the sport models my mate has one they just look a bit plain when standard, ok if you willing to part with bit of cash for body-kit. cheers take it easy.

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Tuscan03's Response to spliff1star's Review

Written on: 15/05/2006

I'd just uprate the fronts tbh, heard that 1.8 veccy discs and calipers go straight on front not too sure about back. What chip you got? Got mine done by Superchips and tbh hardly noticed any difference, the only thing i noticed was it was more responsive under normal driving - and lets face it i dont do too much of that ;) and the rev limiter was removed lol.

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Matbob's Response to spliff1star's Review

Written on: 14/05/2006

cheers matey yea mine is red only 80k on clock also has chip and power valve just bought a fuel regulator for it to try and improve economy seems to work by about 10% 0nly cost £58 so well worth getting one mate. a quick question for you have you any idea how to convert back brake drums to discs ? i been told that 1.8 vectra rear discs go straight on or calibra ones but not to sure cheers mate.

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Tuscan03's Response to spliff1star's Review

Written on: 12/05/2006

Good work for finding a non ecotec mate, very rare. What you need next is a Mantzel power box, you should be seeing 140+ bhp, i've recently had the equiv Dbilas inlet manifold on my 1.6 sport and they make a very big difference. The only reason i'd go for a GSI over a sport would be for the body kit. There's only 3bhp difference between an ecotec and a non ecotec baring in mind any non ecotec will be around 11 years old now, i've raced plenty and theres hardly anything in it. But like i said good work.

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Spliff1Star's Response to spliff1star's Review

Written on: 04/05/2006

Cheers mate, mine is the carabic blue color, its standard apart from lowered 35mm on 15inch alloys. My front spliter rubs when coming of my drive and some speed bumps so i don't know how people lower them to 60mm. It handles like a go kart best handling car i have owned so far, has no body mods at all, as you know the gsi body kit sets it apart from other corsas. The car has been chipped now with a proper chip by superchips along with the kent kams magacure sports plugs and leads its alot quicker. Also a k&n panal filter. I need to get it tested but recon its 130+bhp easy. Will change the gearbox, and clutch eventualy to cope better with the extra power. I love the car and i love the fact i have gained so much extra bhp from the mods it has, and like you say you have to buy a good 1, cheap ones will need either body work sorting or engine probs. The ecotec gsi is still a good engine to anyone looking at buying one and should still be slightly quicker than the corsa sport 1.6 but the non ecotec version is the rarest better engine if you can find one. 1.4 sport 90bhp against the 1.6 gsi 107bhp might not sound like a lot but the gsi is near 2secs quicker to 60mph more torque and higher top speed. Pay the extra on insurance and get the gsi to any 1.4 sport buyers, or 1.6 sport buyers.

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