USED Vauxhall Astra Hatchback (98 - 12)

My car

owned this car for 6 six years, its well built and been very reliable, added a new set of alloys, lexus style lights etc to improve its looks. wish i picked the 1.8 sri model thou.

My car

I chose this car in 2006, getting it at eight months old with 3800 miles on the clock.

It's an 05-plate, and is an 'Enjoy' model (not Envoy) - a run-out trim for Vauxhall to finish the model at the end of its life. That means it got air-con, larger alloys, and some other bits and pieces (but, oddly, manually adjusted door mirrors).

I chose it over the Focus and current Astra mainly because its boot was the only one in its class to take our (fairly small) baby buggy lying on its side.

I've had it now for two years and it has done everything asked of it. There are compromises - the cabin is dull, not nearly as well made as I would like and the diesel is dated and unrefined, but it'll do just short of 50mpg on a run and costs very little to service, insure and refuel.

It's also a fine-handling car (although models with smaller wheels do ride more smoothly) and very practical - it'll take five adults (at a pinch) and easily cope with four and a little 'un in a child seat.

Boot space is fantastic - there's lots of room even after the pram is put in and copes with all our luggage and baby paraphernalia.

I'd definitely recommend it, but in retrospect I'd give more careful consideration to the 1.6 petrol, and probably buy one of Vauxhall's 'standard' trims (i.e. not a run-out version) for better build quality.

I'll keep it for a few years yet as it's incredibly reliable, well-made (interior excepted) and beautifully cheap to run.

My car

Iit's amusing reading the other great reviews knowing what I do about my astra! I bought the car 6 months ago and in that time it has had... a new egr valve, air con sensor cleaned, new cam shaft sensor (this was a great fault as it made the car cut out anytime it wanted like driving along a motorway) engine flushed and 2 new rear suspension springs. Just had it to vauxhall and now they are telling me the cylinder head needs to be investigated! Currently in a fight with the garage i bought it from to have the car exchanged. Shame really cos all in all i enjoyed driving it.

My car

This is my second Astra. I now have a 2.0 DTI Elegance 5dr.

This car is so cheap to own I can't complain. In 60,000 miles, all it's needed is a set of brake pads all round and the usual stuff like filters and tyres etc.

The fifth year MoT came as a disappointment when it failed due to broken suspension springs. My previous 1.8 CDX 2001 Astra also failed with the same problem. It cost about £180 to repair.

The 2.0DTi engine is a real performer - it's nippy once you're above 2000rpm. It goes like stink on the motorway. Agreed, it's noisy like a bag of nails when cold, but once warm it goes like a rocket.

The car is now on 82,000 miles and I've never had any warning lights come up on the dashboard.

This week, to my disappointment, my car failed to start on a cold morning - the glow plugs require replacement, but they are the original set.

It goes through headlight and tail light bulbs very quickly.

It's still on the original exhaust, battery and brake discs all round, which is good for a car on 82,000 miles.

The car may appear dull, but it's very reliable, and strong. This is my second Astra of the 1998-2004 shape. I'd recommend this car as the police use them (so they can't be rubbish). You get good economy with the 2.0DTi and tax is good, too.

They're common as muck and not without reason - they may not turn heads, but they're a solid, reliable used buy.

Well done, Vauxhall.