Faults:

The air-conditioning does not work in temperatures above 25. In order to make it cold, I have to blast the air for 10-15 minutes and then turn the aircon on, and THEN it works. Mechanic said it is something to do with the pressure in the fan? Too much to fix, so I just get do the air first thing that I worked out.

Several times I have been driving and all of a sudden the radio turns up extremely loud. It has also done this several times when I turn the car on.

When I turn my car on after it hasn't been in use for several hours, it revs as if I'm pushing the accelerator, which I'm not. The car also 'jerks' when I first start driving it, as if the gears don't change properly (I have an auto). I have had the spark plugs changed and it still does these things.

When I first got the car, I wanted to see how many kilometres I could get out of my 44L tank. 4 years later, I thought I was filling up more regularly, so I measured again and now my car only goes half the kilometres it used to on a full tank.

Throughout the years, the engine light for no reason comes on and will stay on for weeks. I have paid hundreds of dollars getting my car checked by mechanics, who say there is no reason for the light being on.

The back left electronic window cables snapped and the window fell into the door - apparently a common Astra problem.

The timing belt needs to be changed twice as regularly as other vehicles, otherwise it'll snap and your whole engine will be useless.

The car lacks power, it accelerates up to 60km/hr, then takes time getting faster.

When I drive at more than 90km/hr, I can feel the wind pushing against the car.

All of the above problems have been experienced by many other Astra drivers from the early 2000 range.

I can't speak for the later Astra models, but I would never buy an Astra again, and would definitely advise against buying an early model Astra.

General Comments:

The car is a good looking, with adequate foot room for the front passenger and driver, however there is little room in the back.

Boot size is large considering the size of the car.

Faults:

Blown cylinder pack - replaced 3 times.

Jammed gear box - replaced with new.

Faulty accelerator switch - replaced twice.

Jammed ignition - one key doesn't work at all.

Broken part in driver's seat.

Engine light comes up constantly.

Air con has stopped working - apparently it's the compressor, not just a re-gas or electrical work.

Radio turns on really loud during cold weather.

Screen has come loose and falling away (the top screen that says time/weather etc).

CD player has stopped working completely - the standard one fitted to the car.

Central locking doesn't work, even with new batteries in the remotes.

General Comments:

It was my dream car to begin with, drove really well for first couple of months, then everything starting going wrong.

You need to have a lot of disposable cash to own an Astra, as every part seems to cost a fortune (and that is 2nd hand!).

The car is efficient in regard to petrol use, is easy to clean, and looks nice. It's quite roomy for a small car, and has a tidy interior.

There are 2 belts that need to be changed regularly - so well before they snap! And the brakes need changing more often than most newer model cars.

If anything in the engine goes, you are looking at replacing a whole part, plus ongoing problems with that area of the motor.

I do feel safe in it, it's zippy but handles well and doesn't allow too much grunt. If only I wasn't always breaking down and handing my hard earned cash over to mechanics, it would be perfect!