2000 Vauxhall Astra Coupe Turbo 2.0 16v turbo from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Wait for the Focus RS if you want real performance at 20,000ukp

Faults:

Severe turbo lag in damp weather.

General Comments:

Poor performance for a 2.0 turbo and drinks as if it's packing 350bhp not 190.

Don't go for leather as the quality of the finish is suspect for a £1,000 extra. You would be better off getting the body kit fitted to spice up those dull looks.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 1st February, 2001

2nd Feb 2001, 19:04

Yes, you could get a Focus instead - but why trade in a good-looking Bertone coupe which is almost as handsome as its Calibra predecessor in favour of the ugliest hatchback in Britain?

4th Feb 2001, 00:00

Focus, that's a joke in itself, for starters the Focus is something my Grandad would drive to take him shopping in, it's a horrible car (come to think of it, all Fords are horrible!).

The Astra Coupe is a sexy looking car, I don't own one, but I did own a Calibra Turbo which was an amazing car, it would leave my friends cars for dust, and they owned Escort crapy Cossies.

All I'm saying is you should try and think about what you are saying when you disrespect a top car like an Astra Coupe.

2000 Vauxhall Astra LS 2.0 DTi from UK and Ireland

Summary:

I'm not saying its crap, but you will be on first name terms with the AA after six months of driving

Faults:

Please leave and make a cup of coffee before finding a comfortable chair to sit in to read this.

Lets see, to start off with we have front fog lights filling with water.

(Non) ABS faulty.

Gearbox refused to admit there was a third gear it there.

Power window (driver's side) screeching when parked in the sun.

Engine underside splash guard detached itself from the body, hitting a manhole and jamming itself between the car and the road.

More power window noise (same window).

Drove through a ford less than a foot deep, replacement engine splash tray detached itself while traversing the river and pushed a bow-wave in front of the car and the resultant locking of the engine when water was sucked into the air-intake. Waited a month for the new engine.

Radio uncoded when the vehicle was returned, waiting a further week for the code.

Both engines, new and original, drink oil like Keith Floyd on booze, apparently this is 'normal' consumption of 1 litre/1000 miles upto 18000 miles (that's a lot of oil).

Steering and suspension seriously out of alignment since delivery, fault corrected but has returned in less than a month.

Back brakes have a nasty habit of gently applying themselves, or not releasing themselves after braking, thus causing heat and illumination of the rear brake assemblies.

I think that covers most of it. There's been that much wrong with it, I've probably forgotten something.

General Comments:

Crap car. Would recommend anything else. Raising the standard? Rubbish!

Dealers generally unhelpful (except for Wilson and Co, Humberston. Thanks lads!) and pretty much useless. Three attempts at ordering the correct wiper blades. In the end I had to go back to the dealers, take the blades off myself and show them which ones I wanted! (Thurlby Motors, Louth - avoid like syphilis and dodgy maidens).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 25th December, 2000

2nd Jan 2001, 20:21

I have a 1998 Astra diesel 2.0L DTi auto estate and I have not had any problems whatsoever with it. I have now done 35,000 miles and I have nothing but praise for this car.

The Lotus suspension is fantastic and drives like a dream.

It uses no oil in between oil changes and it is very economical on fuel.

2000 Vauxhall Astra Coupe Turbo Edition 2.0i 16v turbo petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Nothing really yet.

Vibration can be heard when the driver's door is shut, but this can only be heard from the outside and is inaudible inside the car.

Fuel computer and odometer disagree about the mileage covered. Will mention to the dealer eventually.

General Comments:

Ride is firm, but is still amazingly good considering it's running on 215/40ZR17 tyres.

Tyre roar is quite noticeable, but varies wildly on the road surface.

Engine is superb, but the electronic throttle takes some getting used to! With the turbo it's a bit like an automatic kickdown - the performance changes from sedate to neck jerking when the throttle is 'floored'.

Peak torque (250Nm) appears at only 1,950rpm so you don't have to thrash the engine at all - rapid progression can be made using 2,000 to 5,000 rpm only.

Standard equipment (multi-CD, cruise control, AC, fuel computer) is excellent - only had the boot spoiler added by the dealer.

The electronic cruise control is a vast improvement over the previous mechanical systems.

Smart looks which are fairly anonymous but I like that...

Handling is excellent for a front wheel drive - torque steer isn't too noticeable but you definitely need both hands on the wheel when accelerating hard!

Personally, I think the turbo quells some of the blandness associated with the other models - the 17" rims and other minor details help (I have the 'Europa Blue' paint - which is only available on the Turbo).

Getting 30mpg which is impressive. Group 15 insurance is a major plus too! Plus got £1,000 off in the November price cuts - on top of a good discount!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th December, 2000

10th Feb 2001, 07:11

I love my Turbo. Upgraded from an old Cavalier 2L CDI. It is the difference between a Shetland pony and a Grand National winner.

I have give it more marks on comfort, although I upgraded to the leather pack which may make the difference. This is the first car I have owned which is comfortable to drive for four or more hours.

My only gripe is the lack of a rear windscreen wiper in UK, the angle of the rear windscreen is not sufficient to clear away water by wind alone.