Faults:

Starter motor failed at 80,000 miles.

Offside front brake caliper seized at 78,000 miles.

Developing a creaking and grating in the rear when cornering right sharply (90,000 miles).

Lights behind heater controls not working.

Thermostat failed, resulting in very high running temperature - it was the original thermostat, so not particularly surprising!

General Comments:

This model is what I'd call a basic car.

It's got power steering, but nothing else in the way of mod cons.

The acceleration's good up to about 60 mph and it handles well, except at very high speeds.

The car isn't too thirsty - averaging 40 miles to the gallon with lots of short trips, town traffic and longer journeys.

The car's done very well for us over the 18 months we've had it - it's taken a lot of hammering and always come back for more. The few faults we've had have been normal wear and tear for a car this age, in my opinion.

We've now replaced the Astra with a newer Vectra, for greater comfort and space.

Faults:

Nothing really major has gone wrong with the car in the time I've had it. I have had to replace both Front lower suspension arms for its last MOT, but at only £13 each I wasn't complaining! The only other thing which I could comment on is an occasional ECU glitch, where the orange light illuminates on the Dash board (To warn of an engine management problem), and engine revs are restricted to below 4000rpm. This clears when the ignition is switched off and back on again. I have spoken to two other people one with the same car and one with a Cavalier SRi and both their cars do the same thing. I have never bothered to investigate why!

General Comments:

I am impressed with these cars overall. To use a famous analogy its not superb at anything, but its good at everything. They're affordable, reliable, economical, quick, cheap to insure, reasonably roomy, and not bad looking either. All that in one car has got to be worth a second look!

Faults:

In the 1st week of ownership the windows kept misting. My wife said I was being fussy, estates had more glass, however soaking wet front foot well carpets showed the pollen filters had been incorrectly fitted, every rain storm emptied into the car!

Dealer, (Tile Hill Car Sales, Coventry) fixed it immediately.

2 new tyres fitted when I bought the car wore out in under 15000, turned out suspension was worn, wishbones replaced at 63000m.

Lights for heater controls, blowers, heated rear window have all gone out one by one, can't see a thing in the dark. Quoted 8p pre bulb, but £47+ vat to change them! Yes, I could do it myself, but I have seen how much dash has to be stripped, can't guarantte I could put it all back again.

Very good on fuel, average 47mpg, lowest was 41 mpg, highest an astonishing 63mpg, fully loaded on holiday to Cornwall.

Huge load space, move all sorts of furniture, garden rubbish, etc.

Rear seat space getting a bit tight for growing children, 1 adult and 2 teenagers a bit too cosy.

Slightly annoying judder coming from front wheels when braking, suspect 1 or more warped discs. Would change them myself, but heard that Astra master cylinder seals prone to reversing if fluid pumped back too fast, anyone know more?

Only rattles are a vibrating gear lever, cured by driving with my knee against it, and a squeak from the empty passenger seat, cured by whacking the seat back with my elbow each time!

Came with a full service history, (1 company owner) all repairs /service done at main dealer, so I am trying to maintain that record.

To sum up, a very good car, and all being well I will hang on to it some time.