Faults:

Nothing as yet.

General Comments:

This is one of the best cars I have ever owned. The car has plenty of pick up which I thought it would not because of its heavier weight, but it goes along nicely. The on board computer takes a bit to get used to, but once you master it is amazing the things it will tell you. The one touch indicators also take a bit to get used to. The Astra is the best value for money compared to the competition it has space and handling. The fuel economy is great as well.

Faults:

Very small sun visors.

No interior light or mirror.

Have had a problem with the paint chipping on thr front, but is being repaired under warranty.

Great service supplied by chch dealers.

General Comments:

Great all round car.

Faults:

Nothing (yet :)

General Comments:

I was going to buy a 2.0 TDI golf, I already have a 2003 Passat that I bought new, so it’s not as if I am new to the VW badge.

What was attracting me to the Golf was the 320 Nm or torque and a generous 103 kW. I did quite a few miles test-driving the Golf. I wanted to get the Golf, but the interior (boring grey on grey) and exterior (looking like a corolla) were depressing me. I also thought the ride on the golf was a bit jiggly. And the demo car had some squeaks and rattles…my Passat had the same squeaks and rattles…what was I going to do I seem doomed to buy a boring, squeaky car with a great engine.

Enter the Astra, 320 Nm torque and 110 kW, looks better inside and out, goes harder, handles better than the Golf (IMO) and had a better ride quality…for about $8000 less (after haggling) than the similarly equipped Golf. This car put a smile on my face and hardly dented my bank account. You have a national network of Holden dealers to back it up…I mean how many VW dealers are there around Australia…there is only 1 in Adelaide where I am.

I love this car.

Nothing is perfect –

This diesel engine is a little noisy at idle (although you get used to it after a couple of days). At any speed over 30 km/hr the engine has a smooth grunty sound. At 80 you are struggling to hear the engine any more.

This has to be the Holden of the decade.

Welcome to the future Holden.

Faults:

We had problems with sales staff (initially condescending and disinterested until a male returned with the buyer). When will we be able to buy on-line from the manufacturer, and bypass these sharks?

There are some mild paint blemishes on vehicle and it has limited passenger storage spaces. Don't even think of adding after-market electrics, such as sound-systems or driving lights since the vehicle systems are proprietary and tightly integrated.

General Comments:

I largely agree with the previous reviewer on this car. Ours was bought as a replacement 'shopping trolley' / commuter for my wife's Pulsar, with a view to upgrading a little for holiday trips (My other vehicle is an RA Holden Rodeo Turbo Diesel Crew Cab). We had also considered Subaru and VW models.

I am an unabashed diesel fan and this little beauty did not disappoint me. I have not felt acceleration like that since my beloved V8 Torana. It does low 8's for 0-100 and the published top speed is 208kmh.

The cars are built in Belgium and Germany. The diesel design comes from a European 'skunk-works' involving a consortium of GM, Fiat, Alfa and Saab. The engine is literally a 21st Century creation and is as good as diesel gets, period. The turbo is a top-shelf Garret unit with variable-vane technology. The common-rail injection system is capable of multiple squirts in each cycle, each accurate to one cubic millimetre of volume.

The car is 'tight' in all respects. There is no body flex and the handling inspires great confidence. The car feels 'safe' to ride in and the suite of electronic stability enhancements lifts amateur drivers into the Schumacher class (well, protects them from the consequences of their mistakes to a large extent). It has more airbags than a 737 (grin). This is a car you would be comfortable sending your loved-ones out in.

Overall, we feel that we have made a very good choice!

Faults:

Have only owned the car for a short time so as would be expected nothing has gone wrong.

General Comments:

This car has astounding acceleration, far better than my previous car, the Alfa 156 (and I thought that was fast).

Suspension is slightly harsh, but that is the price you pay for very good handling.

Interior is a bit spartan and the instrument panel old-fashioned and boring, but the level of standard equipment, including ESP, six airbags, fuel management system/trip computer and MP3 CD player, is outstanding for a car in this price range. Rain-sensing wipers would have been a nice addition.

Love the six-speed gearbox and the "sport" button which boosts acceleration even in sixth gear.

Overtaking and driving hard through corners is sheer joy. This is definitely a driver's car.

I love the looks on the faces of young guys in their "rice burners" when I blow them away at the lights.

Faults:

Wheels were not aligned or balanced when I picked the car up.

Dealer failed to install rear demister. This required a visit to dealer.

Radio volume/reception is hopeless at the best of times.

Noticeable rattle in rear doors. Dealer unable to locate cause.

Air-con piping came loose in engine bay after only 6000km, which required another visit to the dealer and was rectified.

General Comments:

Easily the best looking car in the class.

Comes with more standard features than almost any other competitor.

Well priced.

Very informative, if not easy to use, trip computer.

Holden could easily have installed the MP3 compatible sound system that you get in the cheaper CD model, but chose not to.

Could do with a few more engine options. 1.8 doesn't quite cut it compared with the rest of the cars in the field.