2011 Vauxhall Astra SRi 1.6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Good value family hatch

Faults:

Typical consumables of age and mileage. I keep the car serviced on time. No serious issues in 7 years of ownership. A/C is weak and the exhaust has a rattle that needs checked, currently nothing else.

General Comments:

First of the "Newer" shape Astra for 2011, my black SRi model is pretty smart looking.

Nothing special to drive, but it is fast enough for me while doing around 45 mpg.

Interior is very dull and grey, but nicely laid out and comfortable.

One of the cheapest used hatchback cars on the market currently, and worth every penny for a good one.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th March, 2023

2011 Vauxhall Astra Exclusiv 1.4 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Good value hatchback

Faults:

Console display missing pixels, mid and rear exhaust sections replaced, had new wheel bearings and front brakes at last MOT and service. Inside and outside of car are remarkably in good order despite age and mileage.

General Comments:

The Astra has always been a run of the mill hatchback car, but when you look closely at it, it is actually a decent car and represents excellent value for money. Had mine a few years and it has never let me down and been very economical. Assuming of course buying used you get a looked after car with history, avoid the rough examples.

Exclusiv model is very basic, no fancy electrics here. It does have A/C and electric windows, but that is pretty much the expected standard in cars these days. Comfortable enough and spacious.

To drive it is not bad but not special either, 1.4 keeps up with modern traffic and is obviously no race car, but you will get just over 40 mpg.

Hard to say anymore about it other than if you want a reliable family car and do not have much cash to spend, then looking for a good condition used Astra is a good choice.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st October, 2022

2011 Vauxhall Astra Elite 1.7 CDTi turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Vauxhall have come on so far. Forget your old prejudices, they're German now

Faults:

So far tight as a drum, only a recall job tomorrow for indicators apparently. No cost to me though!

General Comments:

Absolutely fantastic quality on the interior, I counted over 70 buttons that all do stuff, just my kind of thing! But if you rebadged it and said it was an Audi, you'd be hard pressed to say no.

The 1.7 is seriously good. Keeps up with anything, and the only things that have left me standing are performance cars e.g. my cousin's Impreza. But at 1750rpm the turbo comes in, giving immediate to full power, so leaving roundabouts and the likes, you put your foot down and it flies!

Handling used to be an issue with my old '99 Astra, but with the new Watts linkage suspension, you can fly into corners at crazy speeds for a front wheel drive. I'm hitting 90 degree corners at 40mph and I'm getting hardly any understeer, and the nose doesn't even run wide!! Same corners in my old one, you would have been brave to hit them at even 30!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th July, 2011

28th Apr 2012, 12:25

Absolutely agree!

Just taken delivery of the 2.0 litre SRi Diesel, and it's a revelation! I'll be writing my own review of it soon.

Tad Davison.

Cambridge.

15th Oct 2022, 21:32

The Astra became a much better car circa 2004 onwards.