Astra GSi from Estonia

[Ardi]

Thank you, Dave! Did not want to start a new thread, so I will continue here.

Hi, my name is Ardi and I live in Estonia. Because there aren't many Opel (especially Astra) forums alive, I thought I would share my journey here too. Trying to keep this forum thing alive.

My ex-GSi that I kept OEM+ (wheels are 16x7.5 BBS RN016).





I was rather young and dumb at that time, so after a small accident I didn't believe it could be fixed properly and sold it. But before we take the quick time travel to a decade later.. Let me show you what OP-s car looked like back in the 2010s.







This was proper German Style car with Borbet T 16x9 in the back, 16x7.5 in the front. Rieger grille, FK headlights and other usual stuff that was popular at that time in the tuning scene.

 

[Ardi]

I have been dreaming of an Astra GSi since the day that I sold my last one (december of 2013). Low key I could say that I promised myself that in the future I will own one in good condition.

The first couple of years I was quite distracted, but since I first met this particular car in 2016 - I found myself getting more and more nostalgic. At first I didn’t even think about owning this car, as I thought the owner was very keen of his pride and joy. But after returning from a short trip to the Netherlands (two years in Nijmegen), I found myself somehow hearing the words “for a right price, I just might let it go”.

We tried to find the right price for couple of more years and in 2020 he told me his asking price for the first time. It was too much for me and I didn’t even dream of buying it. Couple of years passed by and in the beginning of 2022 he made me an offer I couldn’t believe... just to find out that he also couldn’t believe himself and raised the price still. But at that time it was becoming more and more clear to me that it just might happen eventually.

Life got in the way and again... couple years passed by without a word. I was a little downhearted, because I already had dreams of owning a GSi once more. I mean dreams as seeing different GSi-s in my sleep.

Until I just let it go myself and forgot about it. It wasn’t a practical idea and I found myself a new hobby already (photography)..

20 December 2023, exactly ten years after selling my last GSi, I get a message from the owner asking if I am still interested. I was. And a new chapter began.



We had the deal made in December 2023. And then the waiting game began. I was already sourcing out new old stock parts that I knew the car needed and also collecting parts for the maintenance. Finally in March I was able to bring the car home. A week later I had some maintenance done and it had a clean slate MOT after 6 years of standing still.

This is not the current state, it is how I bought the car in March. Since then I have replaced the taillights (new SWF OE lights) and the steering wheel (MOMO Monte Carlo). Everything else is exactly how I bought it. The pictures were taken after a thorough polishing and ceramic coating.

P.S! There is too much to write down, so if you are more interested in the backstory and a lot more pictures, there is an IG account for this car: Login • Instagram

The next update will come when I have couple more steps done with the car. 2/3 is done already, so I hope it won't take too long.

 

[Kev_mk3]

That is stunning. Also great story with it which is worth more. I keep looking for another phase 2 GSI or something but so expensive now I can't justify it anymore so have moved on but still have a passion for them.

Have you any more plans for the car?

 

[DavebGsi]

Yea that really is stunning mate, giving me the passion to get mine back on the road!

 

[Ardi]

I do not have plans per se. Just a long list of stuff that needs to be fixed. Therefore I am trying to find the right balance between fixing everything wrong with the car and enjoying it once in a while.



Trying to achieve OEM+ look with this one too. So a lot of period correct “corrections” have been made.

Borbet C (17x7.5J ET35) with 205/40 R17 tyres. Have new headlights and blinkers (Carello and Britax) waiting for the next step. Original GSi grille is also being prepared for paint.

So in the end it will look more true to it’s era and be classy.

 

[DavebGsi]

those wheels are nice

 

[Kev_mk3]

Love the wheels remind me of Vectra B GSI wheels

 

[Ardi]

 

[Ardi]

 

[Ardi]

It's been a while.

Got the car looking OEM+ in May. The stock grille looks perfect and is an ideal fit - every other option had slight misfits to them.

Re-installed the rear GSi16V badge too. And got Eibach 15mm spacers for the rear. Fitment is now spot on - function over form, so it's not stance.

 

[Ardi]

 

[A.tapos]

Steering wheel is a nice choice

 

[Kev_mk3]

cant believe I spotted this for sale

 

[Ardi]

It is for sale. But the price is quite high, so it won't be a quick sale.

The reason behind it is that I was recently made redundant. So therefore the GSi became the first thing to let go. As it is constantly asking for more investments.

But again, I am aware that I won't be getting a GSi this good anymore. So it won't be a hasty decision - will only sell if a reasonable price has been met.

Ad from mobile.de (if interested)

 

[Kev_mk3]

fingers crossed you get a new job soon though

 

[Ardi]

This car is sold. A rather quick run - only one season that was filled with lots of emotions (good and bad), yet not so much of nostalgia.

It was a totally different breed this one, the best condition GSi that I have seen. For a 30 year old Opel the condition was immaculate. But at the same time, it was modified enough that it didn't have the feeling of a stock(ish) GSi.

I guess having sold this GSi, I won't be coming back to mk3 Astra anymore. I gave it my best - a lot of time and money was invested, so I was sad to let it go, but it was for the better.

 

[Kev_mk3]

I get that feeling as I am the same. I love them but cant see myself getting anymore. Sad to see but it was a lovely car.

 

[Ardi]

You may close this thread again. Thanks!