Other cars Opinions anyone? (Astra)

[Robbieee]

I am still looking for my new car....

Apart from looking at civics, i am looking at astras too:


Vauxhall Astra Hatchback Sport Hatch SRI CDti 150 on eBay, also, Vauxhall Opel, Cars, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 15-Feb-08 03:04:51 GMT)

In red 150bhp cdti sport hatch. Any got any opinions on this car?

[Type S Bournemouth]

I like the astra to look at but the interior is just horrible in my opinion. Would put me off even considering it. For me the interior is more important than the exterior.

[R GT]

had the new 06 astra but got rid when started to have cold wet starting problems. Nice car though and handles well not a patch on an R type though. bit bland inside and the boot shape can be a problem with prams etc. No rattles and stuff standard cd is ok some access trouble to rear seats as they do not come forward as much as the civic. you must really think about what for and how you will use it as the civic offers more overall space and access. There is more room in my type R than the new shape Lexus is220d i traded it in for at quite a big loss but family forces sale and all that the room in the civ is a godsend as my little boy can no longer kick my seat. In my opinion go with the civ and fingers crossed you will be like me and have no problems. good luck though.

[cb550]

Originally Posted by Robbieee

I am still looking for my new car....

Apart from looking at civics, i am looking at astras too:


Vauxhall Astra Hatchback Sport Hatch SRI CDti 150 on eBay, also, Vauxhall Opel, Cars, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 15-Feb-08 03:04:51 GMT)

In red 150bhp cdti sport hatch. Any got any opinions on this car?

Looks smart in the pictures,except the interior which looks a little dull.

Same engine as Alfa-had that in my 147.A great engine,smooth except for usual diesel tickover,responsive and economical too.

Comparison to the Honda?The Honda's superior by a fair margin in every area.Would'nt wish to go back after the Civic Type S

[robbo51]

I wouldnt have one!!

[FWH]

I have driven quite a few miles in rental Astras.
Not the diesel though.

I think they are quite ok transport.
Very much prefer one over a F*cus for example.

Good handling and comfort.
Build quality a bit suspect.
I could drive one if I had to.

But no match for a Civic.
It is transport, not a car.

[AndyC]

I find it quite staggering you have to buy an Astra SRI to get an alarm. From memory any spec below that only gets an immobiliser! Also, warranty is 1 or 2 years manufacturer (cant remember which) and the other 2 or 1 years is only dealer warranty. I prefer the thought of 3 years manufacturer backing.

Then there is Vauxhall depreciation... Looks good and goes well though, depends if it is your own money you are spending or companies!

[davee7]

I had a 1.9 diesel 150 bhp Astra as a rental for a fortnight last year. I must admit I absolutely loved it!!!
It was a very sporty drive - excellent handling, lovely low driving position and oodles of performance and torque. I loved pressing the 'sport' button just to feel the throttle response sharpen and the suspension hunker down (to be honest I had it engaged all the time!). I also thought it looked good on the outside as well - it was a 3 door, with 18" wheels and a big exhaust (yes I know - on a diesel!!).

The fact that it was winter when I had it - bad weather, etc - and I was loving taking it for a blast down windy country roads, I think says a lot for the Astra. For some reason I've never had the same feeling from my Civic!

For me, it was the interior that let it down badly. It let it down enough for me not to buy one - though depreciation would have been awful as well.

I think maybe a good used buy?

[jaydh]

i drove an astra 1.4 sxi hire car last week, it was aweful. obviously the SRI will be better in some areas but the car i drove had rubbish steering, rubbish seats, rubbish power, rubbish interior space/quality/appeal, rubbish economy and rubbish handling. the most annoying thing of all were the steering wheel controls which take a while to get used to (plus the lights switch is a silly dial on the dashboard)

if you hadnt guessed, i dont rate this car and would not buy one. the SRI may be ok on some of these issues, but not all of them

[Robbieee]

It will be my money i am getting the astra with and it will def be used! I could pick up an astra 07 for about 12-13k (about 18k new). This probably shows have bad the depreciation actually is!!

I did test drive the 150, it is a nice car i have to admit. But i agree with everyone about the interior! Bit cheap looking if you ask me.

hmmmm not sure lol

[Sandozer]

I regularly drive a broad section of what Hertz have to offer. The Astra is my bottom of the heap choice, the dash layout is just plain bad. Its so obvious they can make it a LH or RH drive with absolute minimal change..
Heater controls force your eyes way off to adjust, its just very poor design.

[Clive242]

Each company car I select has to be for 4 years.

I couldn't even contemplate looking at the Astra dashboard for 48 months.

[davee7]

It's funny how everyone is saying the same thing about the interior. It's a shame it's enough to put people off (including myself!) - because I thought the 1.9 cdti 150bhp was an otherwise excellent car....

[civicfan]

Originally Posted by Robbieee

I am still looking for my new car....

Apart from looking at civics, i am looking at astras too:


Vauxhall Astra Hatchback Sport Hatch SRI CDti 150 on eBay, also, Vauxhall Opel, Cars, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 15-Feb-08 03:04:51 GMT)

In red 150bhp cdti sport hatch. Any got any opinions on this car?

Some people say Opel / Vauxhall is now over its cheap-cr*p phase, I would disagree. Once wanted to test drive the new Astra, got inside, looked at the interior and felt the wheel, and decided I don't want a test drive any more

[jaydh]

Originally Posted by davee7

It's funny how everyone is saying the same thing about the interior. It's a shame it's enough to put people off (including myself!) - because I thought the 1.9 cdti 150bhp was an otherwise excellent car....

it is a shame, but you would think a company as established as vauxhall would be able to make the part of the car that we all look at most, a nice thing

[Unknownsoldier]

Had a look at the Astra, and the whole thing still shouted REP to me, sadly, it was well equipped though, but it was boring, even thoughed they'd apparently sportily styled it, also the salesman put me off, he asked me 5-6 times if I wanted a test drive, even though I'd said no to all of them he persisted to ask me (in the space of about 15 minutes).

Tom

[Topcat]

I think you should buy what you like, its pointless asking for opinions on here when most people will say everything is boring apart from the civic.

My brother told me last weekend that he actually hates the civic and the interior, he thinks the dash is one big mess of dials of differnet shapes and sizes. In fact at least four of my friends dont like the civic at all they think its quite ugly but I still bought one.

I really like the look of the Astra but for me the boot is too small otherwise I would definately have considered one as my next car.

Happy Choosing

[jaydh]

Originally Posted by Topcat

I think you should buy what you like, its pointless asking for opinions on here when most people will say everything is boring apart from the civic.

he thinks the dash is one big mess of dials of differnet shapes and sizes.

Happy Choosing

i agree

also, about the dash, it is kind of a big organised mess, which is exactly what i love, its unconventional

[BigP]

I've driven a few astra hire cars (not ctdi 150 tho) and they were pretty dull. Petrol versions really slow! Interiors really drab- all Vauxhalls are the same. Also have we have astravans at work (new shape) and to be fair they are very reliable- all do a lot of miles and none have any problems at all. The indicator and wiper stalks are really annoying and steering (cars & vans) is really rubbery and numb. Civic soooo much better!

[bucketp]

I have had several Astras over the years and really rate them, but the interior of the latest ones is awfull, acres of dull palstic, boring.