Vauxhall Astra Estate 1.6i

This Lotus tweaked Astra is a complete revelation over the previous incarnation. I drove the previous model for a short spell and didn’t particularly enjoy the experience, although it had decent styling inside and out, the only real positive aspect was the engine. I’ve been driving the new Astra for over a year now, and learnt to drive in this very model. I have found that it has blown away the brief memories of the old car, and aside from its Vectra gear box – a rather nasty long shift action, the Astra is indeed a cracking mainstream car. Although from the outside it looks very inconspicuous ... more

It is nearly 6 years ago that I boung a 120,000 mile Astra Estate 1598cc L in a private sale. The chap getting rid was just going for a newer model & regularly drove to London & back from Wigan. I have had a terrific time with it and have now run it up to 240,000 miles. There have been a few problems as one would expect and there are a few rust spots starting on the nose and the wheel arch tops, but apart from these, it was a fantastic buy for just 2000GBP. The repairs I have done myself include three out of four driveshaft joints (25GBP each) brake discs & drums (20GBP each) and new battery ... more

I don't get excited about cars, so when my previous one started to die I looked around to see what came into my price range, without a clear idea of what car I wanted. I seem to be rather hard to please. A lot of my friends choose a car because of the way it looks and what extra gizmos are fitted to it or even how fast it goes, but not me. I see my car as a tool. It has to help me do what I want, when I want and for as little cost as possible. I wrote a list of must-haves and passed the problem onto the local garage. Within a week I was called in to look at a Vauxhall Astra LS 1.6i Estate ... more

What can I say about the Vauxhall Astra estate? : Wonderfull, fantastic a stunning little car with the build quality of a Volvo. From the moment you get in and hear that sound of the solid door clunk as it closes you know you're in a good car. This car has fantastic build quality for medium range family car everything on the car is built to last. Comfort is good to as the seats are strong and comfortable and very adjustable. I have the automatic version and it really is a pleasure to drive,its smooth,and responsive when you need to put your foot down and is has to be said it's no slouch, when ... more

The Astra estate is a spacious vehicle which is ideal if you need extra boot space but need to drive on a budget. I own a diesel estate in blue and have done so for almost a year now. In that time the only repair needed has been a replacement suspension spring/coil which was due to wear and tear from driving on country roads. However, the Astra estate is prone to one condition which I was advised of by a mechanic prior to purchase but has only materialised now after 10 months of daily use: bonnet discolouration. Astra estate engines have a tendency to overheat somewhat and although this may ... more