Faults:

Warped front disks at 93000.

Thermostat at 95000.

Drivers side door seal.

Drivers side C. V joint at 93000.

General Comments:

A very quick car due to stainless exhaust,sports discs and pads all round, re-bored to a 2000cc, K&N filter and also a Astra turbo gearbox.

It must seem wierd for other cars when a standard car races them and they can not keep up.

A very quiet car even at top end (137), but still manages 40mpg when steady and 0-60 in 7.9secs.

Faults:

The starter teeth worn, so I replaced this, then the glow light lighted when I selected reverse gear!. The engine cooked on the motorway, I was traveling home, and the engine stopped, and now people say I cooked it due to a water leak. Some say it could be the head gasket, others say it could be the head itself.

General Comments:

I used this car for general transport, and towing other cars on a towing dolly, as I used to weigh in scrap cars at the metal recycling plant. It tows well, you can only tell that theres a car on the back when you start towing the heavier ones like Sierras etc. without the towing dolly there, it handles smooth.

Faults:

Temperature Gauge is inaccurate constantly.

General Comments:

My 2.0 Engine does not seem to have any miles, it's 1998CC engine has good acceleration, even for an automatic.

The handling is good.

There are several modern features on this relatively old car, such as ABS, electric front windows, and fully electronic systems (Auto Aerial)

The best thing about the car, however is the sports gearbox feature which allows devastating acceleration, 0-60 in 5 seconds.

The car is comfortable.

The Dashboard is well arranged.

Faults:

Gearbox lost 3rd and 4th gears at 80,000 miles, and had to be replaced.

Heater matrix burst at 83,000 miles.

Anti roll bar broke at 115,000 miles.

Alternator died at 122,000 miles (2 days after a £400 bill for the MOT!!).

Rocker cover gaskets developed a leak at 110,000 miles - Vauxhall wanted £240 in labour alone to replace them!

Thermostat jammed open during entire ownership period - Again, a £200+ bill as it resides right down in the 'V' of the engine (Vauxhall garage allegedly didn't know this, quoting me an initial price of £60 all inclusive).

General Comments:

Acceleration is superb, and sees off the GTi brigade with disdainful ease!

The engine is smooth and willing, but makes a pleasantly sporty growl when revved. It's also very flexible, which is handy, as in true Vauxhall tradition (I've had 3!) the gearbox is atrocious, being vague and rubbery. Quick gear changes are not an option, so don't even bother trying!!

The handling is below average - it just wants to plough straight on in the corners.

Fuel economy is good for the engine size, giving a consistent average of 30mpg, no matter how it's driven, and the engine feels as if it will go on forever. This cannot be said of the bits that bolt to it, though, as they really don't seem up to the task of managing the power.

Overall, this car is comfortable, easy to drive and will cosset you at a high speed cruise for hours in very comfortable seats.

A final word of warning - the service costs at a Vauxhall Masterfit outlet are very reasonable for cars of this age - I found them to be cheaper than most independent specialists. Just remember that the tiny footnote "not applicable to V6" creeps into the situation regularly, and can see labour or parts prices double from those advertised in the big print!