I'm new n looking for a Barina SRi

[AusScare]

Hi there,

I'm in the market for my first car and have had a good look around different model specific forums and now I'm here on the Barina site!

So I'm looking at this Barina SRi (http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/HOLDEN/BARINA/details.aspx?R=6623117&trecs=36&PriceMax=10000&Model=BARINA&sort_type=2&State=Queensland&__Nne=20&Make=HOLDEN&__No=20&PriceMin=5000&silo=1003&seot=0&__sid=11F8A7C38B1B&state_id=79&__N=4294965857%2079%201622%20462%20408%20429496577 3%201216%20834%20285%20257&__Ns=pCar_Price_Decimal%7C0%7C%7CpCar_PrivateSpeci alFlag_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_ImageCount_Int32%7C1&Cr=11&distance=25). Any thoughts on this? Price, k's, appropriateness as a first car?

Can someone please point me in the direction of some good threads relating to, performance upgrades, handy SRi mods, what to look for when buying an SRi, etc.

Any help is much appreciated!

Thanks
AusScare

[mr corsa]

welcome! only problem i find with the 2001 barina sri is no power windows

[immenotu]

Welcome to the site mate :)



welcome! only problem i find with the 2001 barina sri is no power windows

+1

Winders get very annoying after a while. Definitely go for an '02 upward if you can find one for a good price.

There wouldnt be too many model specific things to watch out for, just your usual used car things really. They do need a timing belt change every 60k so if you look at one just over 60k or 120k check that the belt has been changed. The service cost for the replacement is around $600+ depending who you go to so you dont really want that extra cost just after purchasing the car.

The price on that one seems a little bit high for an '01, although it does have reasonably low km's. An SRi would make an awesome first car. Its got plenty of go and great handling so its pretty hard to lose control unless you are being a fool.

If you can find an '02 with around 100k on it for $10k i think that would be a good one to go for.

[AusScare]

Thanks for the replies.

I don't mind windup windows, I use them often anyway, so it's not much of an issue.

I'll try and find an '02 model over the next month or so.

[lithium]

welcome. there was a thread on this a while back:

http://www.opelaus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17704&highlight=sri

they are about as much fun as you can have for the money, i think they make a great first car.

[sooty]

Happy birthday mate;)

[EL BURITO]

http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/HOLDEN/BARINA/details.aspx?R=6515113&keywords=SRI&Model=BARINA&__Ntk=CarAll&State=Queensland&__Nne=20&__Dx=mode%20matchany&Make=HOLDEN&__D=SRI&silo=1003&seot=0&__sid=11D0B6CD9112&state_id=79&__N=4294965857%2079%204294965773%201216%20834%2028 5%20257&__Ns=pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32|1||pCar_ImageCo unt_Int32|1||pCar_LastModifiedDate_DateTime|1&__Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&distance=25&Cr=2&__Ntt=SRI&trecs=7

thats a good one

[AusScare]

http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/HOLDEN/BARINA/details.aspx?R=6515113&keywords=SRI&Model=BARINA&__Ntk=CarAll&State=Queensland&__Nne=20&__Dx=mode%20matchany&Make=HOLDEN&__D=SRI&silo=1003&seot=0&__sid=11D0B6CD9112&state_id=79&__N=4294965857%2079%204294965773%201216%20834%2028 5%20257&__Ns=pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32|1||pCar_ImageCo unt_Int32|1||pCar_LastModifiedDate_DateTime|1&__Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&distance=25&Cr=2&__Ntt=SRI&trecs=7 (http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/HOLDEN/BARINA/details.aspx?R=6515113&keywords=SRI&Model=BARINA&__Ntk=CarAll&State=Queensland&__Nne=20&__Dx=mode%20matchany&Make=HOLDEN&__D=SRI&silo=1003&seot=0&__sid=11D0B6CD9112&state_id=79&__N=4294965857%2079%204294965773%201216%20834%2028 5%20257&__Ns=pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_I mageCount_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_LastModifiedDate_Dat eTime%7C1&__Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&distance=25&Cr=2&__Ntt=SRI&trecs=7)

thats a good one

Looks alright too, except it's a 1.5hr drive from my house :'(

[ASTRAY]

Looks alright too, except it's a 1.5hr drive from my house :'(
hi mate, and welcome!

i wouldnt let distance deter you from a good car at a good price.
also just so you know, (and you have probably already realised) opelaus isnt just for barina/corsa, its for all opels, so if you have any friends who have barina/astra/vectra/zafira/calibra/tigra/combo let them know about the site :)

hope you enjoy the site
jason.

[gslrallysport]

welcome! only problem i find with the 2001 barina sri is no power windows
What's the weight difference?

[Neeko]

corsas are awesome cars :) go karts around corners

[AusScare]

While I've got some time to burn, what websites sell wheels and brakes for a Barina SRi?

I know of Tempe Tyres, but not sure what will fit a Barina...

[immenotu]

Just about any wheel shop will be able to get wheels to fit the barina. They have a 4x100 stud pattern which is pretty common to small cars. I shopped around and ended up getting mine from Tyre Plus.

[mr corsa]

no tempe :hand:

[gslrallysport]

While I've got some time to burn, what websites sell brakes for a Barina SRi?
www.gslrallysport.com
www.qfmperformance.com

[DEE-80Y]

While I've got some time to burn, what websites sell wheels and brakes for a Barina SRi?

I know of Tempe Tyres, but not sure what will fit a Barina...

If you're gonna look at TempeTyres they have a wheel wizard on their website which shows what wheels will fit on the Barina.

[Neeko]

i highly recommend getting brake setup through gslrallysport. Greg's the man to talk to. Rear swaybar makes one hell of a difference too. Also available through Greg :)

[AusScare]

Still in the market it seems lads.

Looking at this one just north of Brisbane.

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=6929899&keywords=sri&tsrc=allcarhome&__Ntk=CarAll&__Nne=15&__Dx=mode%20matchany&__D=sri&silo=1011&seot=0&__sid=11F8A7C38B1B&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282%204294965857% 204294965773%20900&__Ns=pCar_Price_Decimal|0||pCar_RankSort_Int32|1|| pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&__Qpb=true&__Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Cr=0&__Ntt=sri&trecs=10

Your thoughts?

[glider]

price seems good, possibly needs the timing belt etc done at 120K maybe see if that's been done already?

[immenotu]

Still in the market it seems lads.

Looking at this one just north of Brisbane.

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=6929899&keywords=sri&tsrc=allcarhome&__Ntk=CarAll&__Nne=15&__Dx=mode%20matchany&__D=sri&silo=1011&seot=0&__sid=11F8A7C38B1B&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282%204294965857% 204294965773%20900&__Ns=pCar_Price_Decimal|0||pCar_RankSort_Int32|1|| pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&__Qpb=true&__Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Cr=0&__Ntt=sri&trecs=10

Your thoughts?


Seems like a good buy pending an inspection :)

The price is pretty good and the '02 model got the most goodies :D

Its sitting on 119k meaning the timing belt change is due straight away unless it has already been done. That service recently cost me just under $700 at holden (more if it needs a water pump which is quite likely) so keep that in mind if it hasnt already been done.

[AusScare]

Thanks for the replies, I'll give him a call now and see what's been done to it.

[AusScare]

Dam he said it's just been sold.

Calling the guy from the link I posted in my op.

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=6623117&keywords=sri&tsrc=allcarhome&__Ntk=CarAll&__Nne=15&__Dx=mode%20matchany&__D=sri&silo=1011&seot=0&__sid=11F8A7C38B1B&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282%204294965857% 204294965773%20900&__Ns=pCar_Price_Decimal|0||pCar_RankSort_Int32|1|| pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&__Qpb=true&__Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Cr=2&__Ntt=sri&trecs=10

[AusScare]

That guy said the timing belt was done around 70k kms, so that would give it good life till when ~135k kms?

[btm]

That guy said the timing belt was done around 70k kms, so that would give it good life till when ~135k kms?
if you're happy to take the risk

[AusScare]

if you're happy to take the risk

lol well how long do the belts usually last? 60k kms was my guess...

I wouldn't do more than 10k kms a year, so $700 in two years time looks fine to me.

[GreyRex]

Hey and welcome to the site.

As others have said the very first ones from 2001 didn't have power windows. I think from around 2002 onwards they did. With electric windows if you put the key into the drivers door lock and hold it to one side for a few seconds, both windows will go up.

In 2004 the update shape came out. This model lost the Traction Control, gained Brake Assist and projector look headlights (not xenons, but look the same). You can tell an update shape as the entire car is colour coded. Around 2005 the headunit become double DIN size and was mp3 compatible. The rest of the car primarily remained the same. There's nicer seat trim in the 04 update as well

As for problems, all I had with mine were groaning brakes when reversing say... out a driveway. This is a common problem. The body also creaked a bit too... but apart from that... heaps of fun

17" wheels are a comfortable upgrade (18's are possible but you may rub). As someone else said the stud pattern is 4X100 and from memory the offset is +42. Too much variation on this means they will rub

Also another FYI: the cruise control doesn't have an on/off symbol on the dash, so if you test one... work out how to use it (easy as) just to make sure

In terms of power mods... ask PaulyJ and others. I went for handling with mine. Adjustable Whiteline sway bar is a great minimal investment

[PaulyJ]

Mines just hit 100K, and the head gasket went.
Check the spark plugs. If there is a sign of rust, you may have a small gasket leak.
With the belt, I'd do it every 50K to be safe. Also when the belts are done, the pulleys will need to be changed too, as they are plastic and tend to start cracking around that time.
If I were you, I'd get the updated version (MY04.5).
Mods wise, Whiteline rear sway as Ben mentioned above. Then you have the usual springs, intake, exhaust etc. Only difference, you can get a remap for the pre-facelift, and not the 4.5.

[Taffy]

...

[AusScare]

I might inquire about this 2002 Astra Sri as well.

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/dealer/details.aspx?R=6963369

[AusScare]

Thought I'd let you guys know what I ended up with.

I went on a VW cruise last week with a friend, and met a VW mechanic who owned 3 mk2 Golf Gti's. One had already sold and the other two were for sale, so I snapped this one up. The interior is perfect, a few marks on the body (nothing major), he provided all service records and even gave me a spare brand new set of rear rotors/pads and told me to let him know when I wanted them installed free.

Cost me $5.5k, runs very well, I'll be getting it serviced through him as well.

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/3074/oneexh.jpg

Due to my budget being a bit higher, I've now got the hard choices to make on coilovers, engine parts, exhaust, audio :)

[btm]

interesting choice

[Neeko]

doesnt look like an opel to me :p
nice buy

[ASTRAY]

$5.5k? are they worth that much? what year model is it? looks like 80s model?

[AusScare]

interesting choice

I've always wanted a VW, been an active member of vwwatercooled, but haven't been able to find a good vw in my price range.


doesnt look like an opel to me :p
nice buy

lol yea, I was sort of after reliability in a more expensive/lower k's car, but I couldn't pass this off.


$5.5k? are they worth that much? what year model is it? looks like 80s model?

Best thing about this car is almost everything works on it, which is rare for a 1991 model, so yes very much worth it, plus the owner has been a vw mechanic for 15 years or something, and his gf has been driving the car the last 2 or so years, so it's in great shape.

I was in the process of buying Valve Bounce's VR6 (http://www.opelaus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17472&highlight=vr6), but it couldn't get its roadworthy over a few bad problems, so I'm glad I've settled with a problem free car.