Used Vauxhall Astra Estate 1998 - 2004 review

What's the used Vauxhall Astra like?

You wouldn't go cruising for wolf whistles in this Astra estate, but if it's a cheap load carrier you're after, it isn't bad.

Although the boot isn't as big as the Ford Focus's (which certainly isn't the class-leader, either), it's not far off. However, what's more of a problem is that the loadbay isn't quite as usable as the Ford's, with some wheelarch and suspension intrusion. However, both the loading height and width are respectable.

Overview

A cost-effective, if unexciting, way to move your bits and bobs here and there

Pros

• A comfortable and cheap way to transport a reasonable amount of gear

Cons

• It's tight in the cabin and all models lack basic safety kit

Used cars available now

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Vauxhall Astra

1.6i 16v Club 5dr

£989

Vauxhall ASTRA

1.6i 16v Club 5dr

RRP £13,847

£1,190

Vauxhall Astra

1.8i 16v Design 5dr

£1,300

Vauxhall Astra

1.8i 16v Design 5dr

£1,445

Vauxhall Astra

1.8i 16v Life 5dr

£1,495

Vauxhall Astra

1.8i 16v Design 5dr

£1,690

Vauxhall Astra

1.8i 16v Design 5dr

£1,699

Vauxhall Astra

1.6i 16v Club 5dr

£1,750

Vauxhall Astra

1.6i 16v Club 5dr

£1,750

See all available cars

On the road, the Vauxhall again falls a little short of the Focus - but only a little, and that's better than most. If you want it to be entertaining, the Astra can deliver, and it's also a comfortable companion on a long motorway journey, too.

More disappointing is the cabin: its styling is functional rather than funky, and it'll be almost fully filled by four people. Five adults only fit at a pinch.

Our recommendations

Which used Vauxhall Astra should I buy?

The first rule of Astra buying is: take your time picking a car, and be choosey - Astras are available everywhere.

There's also a wealth of engines and trims to wade through, so forget the entry-level 1.4 and eight-valve 1.6 petrols straight away. We'd also avoid the stone-age 1.7 diesels and the 2.0Di.

That leaves the 1.6 16v (a really good all-rounder, and the best balance of price and performance), the nippy 1.8, or super-quick 143bhp 2.2 (from June 2002 on) if you want a petrol model. The 2.0 DTi and later CDTi are the best of a relatively poor bunch of diesels.

In terms of equipment, the newer the model you buy, the more it's likely to get, because, as with engines, improvements were made over the years. Envoys have virtually nothing, LSs are reasonably well catered for, but you'll need a Club or Comfort if you want to be sure of getting air-conditioning.

CD and CDX add more toys, and were available up to 2001. Even more highly specified Elegance cars took their place in 2002.