Faults:

The alternator failed once and had to be replaced.

The light on the dashboard failed 1 hour after the alternator, so I thought there was no problem until the car broke down.

After 10 years, some of the buttons on the integrated radio have started to crumble.

General Comments:

This car has been well tested. The car has driven around beaches, through bonnet high flood waters, around fields and down muddy lanes, as well as at 112mph down the motorway...

The car drives a lot lot better with good tires, so I have replaced the tires regularly, about once every 18 months: every 16-26,000 miles.

The 6000 pounds I spent buying this car seems like a complete bargain after the 110,000 largely trouble free miles I have had with it.

I have always struggled to understand Top Gear where the presenter attacks Vauxhalls.

The 1.6mpi engine is excellent - so much strength out of such a little motor. I cannot understand why other manufacturers can't deliver equivalent performance out of the 1.6 engine.

The metallic satin red paint still looks good after 12 years, even though some signs of age are showing through.

The seats have lasted remarkably well, the fabric is worn.

The boot is enormous.

Stereo/Radio speakers are excellent.

It can run with 5 people plus luggage, plus stuff on the roof-rack, but then it is a little slower.

Faults:

Radiator hose burst. Required new hose and replacing of radiator coolant.

Suspension ball joint needed replacing.

Brake hose needed replaced.

Clutch damaged from over tightening of clutch cable by a Ford dealer (over tightened during a completely unrelated insurance repair - not my insurance - discovered fault a few months later when clutch seized).

Drive-shaft wore out and needed replacing.

Whole exhaust needed replacing and resealed several times.

General Comments:

The car has some flat spots on acceleration, but otherwise powerful.

Dealer repair shop can be very good with quick repairs, but are prohibitively expensive on major jobs due to badly designed engine compartment (try some home repairs yourself to see why).

Good economic drive on motorway, but not so good in town.

Faults:

Alternator replaced at 63,000 miles.

Head gasket blew at 88,000 miles.

Water pump replaced at 90,000 miles.

Distributor replaced at 130,000 miles.

General Comments:

Fuel consumption averages 55 mpg on the motorway journeys that I usually do.

Considering the mileage that I now do, the car is reliable and cheap to run.

I will hold on to this car for as long as possible if it continues to perform as it has done.

Faults:

Re- occurring electrical fault causing the car to break down a number of times. a piston going in the engine, brakes were a joke and I replaced everything and they were still terrible.

General Comments:

This is a late mk2 Astra convertible, looks like a gte seats, skirts, everything, but was the 1.6. It was underpowered flexed about, was noisy and generally unpleasant to drive. Was the best condition Astra convertible I'd ever seen only had two previous owners and was looked after, and was very eye catching. But it didn't change the fact that it was rubbish. I'd buy another Vauxhall, but not a convertible.

Faults:

Failed an MOT due to a failed Lambda sensor. Also needed a new rotor arm and distributer cleaned which didn't cost much to fix.

Engine complication meant that it was apparently using more fuel than it should have been. All MOT sorted for £300.

Speedometer started sticking at 30mph on the way down.

General Comments:

I never thought it was very economical for a 1.4i before its problems developed.

The interior was impressively durable and seats were also comfortable.

It was quick off the mark and reasonably fast when left to pick up higher speeds in its own time (Not really good for overtaking!).

The 1.4i engine while quite fast suffers from a lack of torque and was gutless on hills.

5th gear is strictly a cruising gear and would gather much speed while in it.

With standard alloy wheels on, it handled like it was on tracks with little body roll.

Surprisingly roomy inside and with a big boot and could be used as a small family car.