2002 Vauxhall Astra Soft Top 2.2 litre

Summary:

Cool, spine shattering, masochistic, riot!

Faults:

Not Vauxhall's fault! The previous owner obviously had an incident and replaced the bonnet... with high grade rust!

Dodgy electric windows, if you want them to open, you have to ask them nicely! Offer them a cup of tea perhaps.

New electricity making thing... dead battery.

General Comments:

What a good looking car!

It's a scream to drive too, and holds the road very well indeed Big, wide, low profile tyres ensure lots of grip.

The acceleration 'feels' good, even if it is, actually, not that special; it revs frantically but well.... you won't win at Santa Pod.

Comfort...Hmmmm, if you want comfort, fit some cushions woven from pig iron, that should improve things no end. I wouldn't want to drive it for more than an hour or so but I do suffer with a glass back bone so you must bear this in mind before you make your judgment.

Parking...get Yoda to park it for you. You do need ESP. The rear visibility is marginally worse than if you don a pair of welding goggles. Truly dire!

Being a 'rag top', it's surprisingly quiet at speed, which is quite disappointing and peaks just shy of twice the national limit with its top up. But that's not the point. The best bit is to have the roof off, the windows down and honk along the motor way as a passenger in the back... It's a complete riot!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th May, 2008

2002 Vauxhall Astra Van Sportive 1.7 dti diesel

Summary:

The best small van I've ever had!!

Faults:

Pops front headlamp bulbs like it's going out of fashion.

Air con broken.

General Comments:

This is my 3rd Astra Van in succession.

My first one was the new 1998 shape Astravan with the Isuzu engine (1.7 td). This one was a good workhorse. I purchased it at auction, and it was very reliable, even though it had quite high miles (130k).

Second up was a lovely 2001 registered Astravan (LS MODEL IN SILVER - MINT) model I managed to steal from a guy for £3000 with a genuine low mileage of just 34,000 on the clock. It was in silver with the all new dti engine.

Sadly this one I had a turbo problem, and it gave up on me at 52k, and ended up costing me £1800 to put right, which hurt the wallet to say the least.

Which brings me to my latest van; the Astra Sportive...

I LOVE IT!!!

I managed to get it on eBay for £5000 02 plated, with just 52,000 on the clock. It boasts a full Irmsher kit all round, air conditioning, cruise control, alloy wheels, electric front windows, full alarm & immobiliser and tinted windows all round.

The performance from the dti 16v engine is not overly great; it's OK and does the job well, also giving excellent mpg, and on a run the debadged Recaro seats are just excellent, & really supportive on a run up the motorway.

The cabin is a bit dreary, and feels a bit cheap, but all of these model Astras feel this way, so it's not really that much of a downer. I really prefer it to the new Astra's silvery look dash.

The van's overall look is just one of sheer coolness; the bodykit really turns a pretty plain looking van into a tarmac terrorist, and it gets admiring glances from all walks of life on the road.

I hope some fellow Astravan drivers read this, as if you can invest in a upgraded van, I really would recommend buying a Astra Sportive.

The kitted ones are extremely hard to find, but if you find a good one, snap it up as quickly as you can, and I promise you'll never want to change it again!!

I will be keeping my one for as long as I can, I know that!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th July, 2007

10th Dec 2007, 16:57

Losing lots of water any ideas.not head not heater matrix and no wet patches any where help.

11th Dec 2007, 05:14

Radiator most likely, also remove the oil cap, and if there is any white stuff, could be the head hasket on its way.

21st Jun 2008, 15:33

To be honest mate it could e a thirsty van and likes the taste of antifrezze.

5th Jan 2009, 16:15

Just a update; the Astra has now gone :(

My line of business went bankrupt and I sold the van last year.

It was excellent fun to drive. The only major thing to go on it was the fuel pump at 59k. £800 later it was done, and drove it on for another 5000 miles before selling it.

Just considering a new Astravan now, the new sportive 150ps model. I'll update you all if I take the plunge.

7th Aug 2009, 06:41

The Astra Sportive Van I drive has just started to make a high pitched whine, almost scream when driving - when idling the engine is fine.

We have just replaced the front engine mount and replaced the rear engine mount bolts.

The vehicle has only done 52000 miles - has anybody got any thoughts?