Faults:

Air conditioning packed up before 70000 km.

Thermostat unit replaced at 130000 km, in an effort to diagnose a problem with the revs staying high on gear changes. Didn't solve the problem, and now the emission light remains on, and there's a flat spot on acceleration, which is very frustrating.

Further investigation is ongoing; have been told it's maybe the car's computer? $$$$

General Comments:

The car had ran reasonably well until now, but have found it to be costly overall. When problems occur, it usually proves to be expensive.

The car bodywork remains in good condition, and is the only saving grace, preventing me from scrapping the car!!

So will hopefully get the current problem solved, and will get rid.

Faults:

Nothing in the time I had it.

Previous/first owner changed wheel bearings.

General Comments:

My version was a 3 door city with rear spoiler and a set of aftermarket wheels. Not only did the car look great on both the inside and out, it went great!

Super smooth and very zippy, especially from around 3000rpm. It feels refined and is very comfortable.

Handling is excellent, if not amazing for a car in this class, and although my base model was not fitted with all the luxury features, all the basics including duel airbags, remote locking, air con and power steer were all included - even the tape deck had 6 speakers and aux input, so I could play my iPod though the system. Very handy!

I have owned nearly 15 cars from all the major makes, and this car tops my list as the best.

Find a good example that has been maintained fairly well, and you can't go wrong!

A real drivers car, that is also surprisingly easy to drive.

Faults:

Doors clunk, even when oiled.

Engine emission part faulty.

Blaupunkt CD player blasts on full when turned on - have been told that they have been recalled.

Major oil leak - have taken it to 3 mechanics, all of whom have informed me that the vehicle has a cracked engine head (in the casting). They say because of the location of the crack, that there is no way that it has been due to misuse of the vehicle. The vehicle has been regularly serviced, the oil is regularly changed. The mechanics have all informed me that the fault is in fact a manufacturing fault.

General Comments:

The car is beautiful to to drive, even our friends who own BMWs and Jaguars prefer to drive my little car.

Faults:

Nothings gone wrong, but it has been costly to service.

The last service has been nearly $1000 (brakes were $500 alone).

General Comments:

Great car to drive.

Handles really well.

Paint lasts forever - accidentally scratched the car, and the scratches just disappeared!!

Faults:

Engine Management Light came on at 20,000km and has been on ever since despite 3 Holden dealers looking into it over the last 5 years, the latest one has (finally) identified that the sensor is faulty - cost is $645!!!

Brakes have been replaced too often.

Front tyre's seem to wear out quickly.

Electric windows at front make a lot of noise. Rear door stays regularly need tightening up.

Key barrel is failing making it sometimes very difficult to start - Holden dealer says this is a common problem!

CD/Radio comes on at full volume in cold weather - deafening!

Car started making a noise at 105,000. Local mechanic unable to identify, Holden says needs new gearbox - $5,000+ and even they say they've never had this problem with a Holden before.

Power steering is failing - another $1600 to fix.

General Comments:

I was impressed by the Astra after seeing one in a crash and noticed intact it still was (the cars behind and in front were crushed, but the Astra was still in one piece).

The car was really great to drive during the first couple of years - now it feels much older than it actually is - have a Mazda which is over 10 years old, but still runs like a dream.

Far too expensive to service, indifference from all Holden dealers I've dealt with.

I would not recommend a Holden to anyone after my experience with one - buy a Japanese car instead.