A pocket rocket!
Nothing yet!
This is a very good car with a fair amount of power. It is very reliable as well and comfortable.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 24th June, 2001
Avoid the 1.6 8v at all costs!
No real problems yet, a few squeaks and rattles to sort out.
This is my dad's car which I drive now and again.
The car is OK to drive, but feels rather dull and lifeless, not for anyone with a sporty driving style.
If you are going to buy one avoid the 1.6 8 valve engine which is very slow to pick up and is really for those after economy and relaxed cruising, my Citroen ZX 1.4i is a lot quicker.
I told him he should have bought a Focus!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 14th April, 2001
It's a good car if you don't mind waiting to get anywhere
This model appears to be trouble for every one who has owned one.
After about 10,000 miles the exhaust falls off at the join near the manifold.
After 20,000 the electronic engine management system fails and for some reason the dealers won't replace or repair it.
After about 50,000 the plastic gear linkage breaks away at the gear box end, again the dealers won't do anything about it until you are towed into a garage by a rescue service.
The model used to be a great car, I've had 5 of them in the past with no problems.
This one is terrible, its top speed going up any gradient will eventually fall to 40 MPH.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 9th April, 2001
Fantastic
None.
It's a brilliant car, the only problem is the engine has not got much pick up but that is because it is only an 8 valve. I have been in a 16 valve Astra and that was pretty nippy.
I love the way the car looks from the front in the sun and the back.
We had extra safety features put on our car, they were side airbags and ABS and that was quite cheap.
I think the Astra rival, the Ford Focus looks like a load of crap, especially at the back.
One more thing, the Astra's steering is one of the best things about the car. You get good feedback and it's weighted out very well.
IT'S A BRILLIANT CAR.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 2nd January, 2001
Totally Awesome :o)
Nothing to date.
Great car all round! Performance is brisk, handling is great, even in some very dodgy weather. Coped with the recent floods like an amphibious vehicle!!
Interior is well styled with plenty of room for most. Practical load carrying ability too, which is a nice change for a coupe.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 2nd November, 2000
Good design - poor build quality
Rear brake discs binding requiring new discs, callipers & pads.
Dreadful quality fitting of the dealer fit alarm, causing false alarms and other problems.
Seat belt pretensioner replaced.
Courtesy light switch fault.
Bad rattle from the back seat area (still unresolved).
Sales side of dealership was dreadful. Service side has been much better.
Handling is outstanding - embarassing the much hyped Ford Focus.
Group 7 insurance for this performance is hardly believable.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 20th October, 2000
Update:
I still have the car after 4 years and 33K miles.
The rear brake problems have returned and it will cost me £180 to have the fix done that they should have done the first time.
What should have been a routine cam belt change at 4th service turned into a £300 cam belt, tensioner, rollers & water pump change at only 32K miles. Again, by all accounts a common problem, but one which the customer is left to pick up the bill for.
The alarm finally went totally haywire last year so I just removed it.
At the 3rd service the dealers wanted to replace the exhaust back box (for >£100) due to a tiny hole in it. The alternate 10p repair with exhaust putty is still holding firm 14 months and another MOT later.
3rd Aug 2004, 15:57
I have the same engine in my astra.. and I really don't think it is that underpowered. Yes, at 90ish MPH the engine is spinning at about 4500rpm, but just turn the radio up. The downside to the low gearing is the fuel economy. You can almost see the fuel gauge moving at high speeds!