USED Vauxhall Astra Hatchback (04 - 12)

My car

After owning SEAT Diesels for the last 5 years it has come as a bit of a shock to be driving a petrol Vauxhall again.

The 1.6 petrol (115bhp) engine is ok but has no top end but that is typical of average petrol engines.

The cabin is big and comfortable enough although the touch sensitive inidicators can be a pain when they decide to be twitchy - maybe I'm just a bit ham fisted with them though. The MW radio reception is appalling and constantly squels as you pass power lines.

I was surprised to be quoted £250.00 by the main dealer for the second service so opted to go independent for half the price.

It's an average car that does things averagely well.

Can't wait to upgrade to a decent diesel hatchback agin though.

My car

I love this car to drive but it is the worse car I have ever owned. It breaks down about 3 times a year and more recently 3 times in as many weeks. It has had major parts replaced every year the first when it was one week out of warranty - Vauxhaull were not interested. I have done 44,000 miles and I think the engine has practically been rebuilt I have spent 3.5k in the last 3 years alone on repairs and now it is back in the garage for a starter motor. I could not bring myself to by another vauxhaull. I may have been unlucky but the risk is too high. I need this car to get me through the next month by which time we will be parting company. I have lost all confidence in it.

My car

Beware if you are thinking of getting a Astra! yes the 1.9 150bhp goes very very well! but you will regret buying it, I have had mine from new a 2006 car its coverd just 38,889 miles!. Its just had a new ABS pump £1320.00 and been told it needs a fly wheel another £1500.00. And a MONTH after the 3 year VAUXHALL warrany finished the starter moter failed Vauxhall dident want to know! (Pathetic customer care) another £400 for the starter moter. Its also had 2 front disc's,3 track rod end's,2 bottom ball joint arm's, one front spring. ITS FAILED ITS MOT EVERY YEAR bearing in mnd its a 2006 car!. ALSO the tyres dont last long i have given up putting expencive tyres on it because it eat's them in no time, so go for budget tyres now at a cost of over £200 a pair. I WILL NEVER EVER BUY A VAUXHALL AGAIN! IGONRE THIS ADVICE BUT YOU WILL BE SORRY GETTING A VAUXHALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! im getting a Honda next!

My car

I own an Astra SRI CDTI 100bhp Hatchback 5 door. It is and has been fantastic. It has had a few niggles but the Isuzu diesel engine ( same engine as old honda civic) pulls like a train, it corners like its on rails, and still returns average 45mpg with mixed driving. I have had various electrical problems which i have managed to sort without going to Vauxhall. Latest being alternator (again) loss of power steering due to no output from alrenator. I had the old unit repaired or checked 3 times, tip - dont bother get a new one off ebay - paid £100 for a brand new hitachi unit, everything behaving itself now... I changed all my tyres to Avons and they are spot on, made the car a lot quieter when motorway driving. No one can touch vauxhall for parts prices, the sheer numbers of Astras you see shows how good they must be!! Buy an astra with a CDTI 100 engine - a perfect family car, if you get a dog, get an estate like I am going to have to do..