... Under duress they have sorted out a few niggly bits for me under the Vauxhall 3 year warranty. If you are going to buy one, do not get a Network Q warranty until the manufactures warranty has expired, it’s pointless and a waste of money, certainly get one after.
Conclusion
Having worked ... Read review
Advantages: Affordable, good alrounder Disadvantages: Cambelt change every 40000 miles (expensive)
...bits for me under the Vauxhall 3 year warranty. If you are going to buy one, do not get a Network Q warranty until the manufactures warranty has expired, it’s pointless and a waste of money, certainly get one after.
Conclusion
Having worked in the automotive industry for sometime now, I have a fair knowledge of cars and would not hesitate to recommend the Astra SRI (ashtray) to anyone. All things being said they are a fairly ... ...pull chicks, but mine has served me well and have no complaints with it. If you are seriouly looking make certain of service historys, none will void any warranty!
Ohh! one more thing, if you do get one or already have one, doesn’t smash up the wing mirrors!! I did one last week and it cost me £145.00 to replace.
Intro A solid, reliable, practical car all round I must say! The performance is good and the suspension serves the car well, it is light and very easy to drive, with good steering and a good ride, maybe a little firm for some. The SRI is a little more expensive than the base models but for that you get a larger engine and considerably higher spec, more gadgets.
Engine and Drivetrain The 1.8l 16-valve ecotec engine has a very smooth and responsive power delivery. It can be a little thirsty if you ring it’s neck The gearbox has an average set of ratios, first is a bit too short, basically you have to change into second a little sooner than you would want to, and a sixth gear or a longer fifth would not go amiss. Gear selection can be a little stiff on cold mornings but that is fairly commonplace with any car. The suspension serves the car well, maybe a little firm for some. The power steering I feel is a bit light and non-responsive but does make it easy to drive. The ABS (anti lock) brakes with discs all round and traction control make the cars safety aspect good. The traction control is no fun in the snow, boring! Others are skating about the place and I am just driving along like I am scared to get the back out. (Should I have mentioned that?)
Interior The interior is basic but very user friendly, everything is well visible, easily accessible and simple to follow. You get electric windows (front only) electric mirrors, it does have air-conditioning that I do not use, and it’s got windows that do open. Both driver and passenger airbags are fitted. My love of music and gadgets encouraged me to turf out the CD player on the second day of ownership to make way for an infotainment system, so cant comment on the original one. The instruments have coloured dials to create that false impression of being in a racing car but do look nice at night with the lights on. There is adequate space for four large adults and a slightly smaller person in the middle of the rear seat, which does have three seat belts fitted. The rear seat splits and folds for added boot space. One thing I really like about this interior is that it’s all rattle and squeak free!
Exterior An attractive set of alloy wheels is standard, but are not curb friendly. Fog lamps all-round here, the rear one is good for annoying the mates behind you at night. The central locking, immobiliser and alarm work well but at times you have to be practically in the car before the remote will work. The metallic paint is durable and robust, it does not scratch that easily. A heated rear window is good for them cold mornings and does a really good job, lots don’t. The rear spoiler is a nice touch. All the above are nice features that make the car all the more pleasurable to own and drive.
After sales As with most main dealers, they are brilliant and couldn’t be more helpful until you have bought. Then they really don’t seem to care. Under duress they have sorted out a few niggly bits for me under the Vauxhall 3 year warranty. If you are going to buy one, do not get a Network Q warranty until the manufactures warranty has expired, it’s pointless and a waste of money, certainly get one after.
Conclusion Having worked in the automotive industry for sometime now, I have a fair knowledge of cars and would not hesitate to recommend the Astra SRI (ashtray) to anyone. All things being said they are a fairly average sort of car, by no means upmarket and wont pull chicks, but mine has served me well and have no complaints with it. If you are seriouly looking make certain of service historys, none will void any warranty!
Ohh! one more thing, if you do get one or already have one, doesn’t smash up the wing mirrors!! I did one last week and it cost me £145.00 to replace.
Advantages: Performance, Cost, Looks Disadvantages: Common car, petrol and SUSPENSION!
What do I think of the 1.8 Sri mk4 Astra?
Well, those of you who might have read my review of my own 1.6 Sxi will already understand why i like the Astra However, would i swap it for the 1.8? the answer is NO!
For the extra money you don't get an Awful lot more, the engine is more torquey i'll give it that.
acceleration is only slightly quicker but I cant make £35 pounds worth of petrol last 400 miles in the 1.6, in the bigger 1.8 it takes around ... ...insurance which is boosted up a whole group or two meaning you'll be spending a lot more money than you need to be able to enjoy a sporty astra.
Okay, its not all bad and if money isn't a problem, then go for the 1.8. they all come optional with the OPC bodykit (which you could get for the 1.6 SXi anyway), it goes a little quicker (top end about the same though - from experience)!
and obviously the looks are the same the wheel size etc... you can ...
james_rules2000uk 04.10.2005
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Hatchback
Advantages: Great handling, Cruise Control, 125BHP Disadvantages: Wheel spin with heavy acceleration.
So firstly this is my 2nd car, moving from 1.6 litre Peugeot 306, and boy was I blown away by the vast improvement in switching cars!
The handling in the Astra ( SRi 1.8) is excellent, and takes coners with a breeze. From start to 60mph in 9 seconds. And is a surprisingly nippy car, Now for the boring stuff...
The gear shift is short and well positioned. The pedals are sited without any offset from the driving position. There is adequate clearance ... ...weight on the clutch is perfect although the resistance of the accelerator pedal is a little light. The instruments are clear and attractive, and have like a brushed aluminiuim thing around them which compliments other details on the dash and interior, which is rather spacious, than say the corsa, or other vauxhalls, exculding the vectra. The 5 speed gearbox is amongst the best I have ever used. Gear change is fast, accurate and dependable, both ...
Ady-M 13.09.2006
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Hatchback
Advantages: responsive and quick off the mark Disadvantages: seats bit too firm
We have had our astra for over a year (it was 12 months old) and although we had astras in the past our last car was a honda accord. The difference between the two, in handling, was huge. The astra is just so responsive. The steering wheel, the gears and especially the brakes (which can be a little too responsive!).
The car starts first time and comfortably seats our family of four. Petrol consumption is good and costs us no more than the Honda ... ...the last 6 years).
The boot easily fits our suitcases when we go away. We also have a roof box (which fits to the trim on the roof) if we need any further luggage space. The Astra has all the features that you'd expect, power steering, CD, air conditioning and the nifty cruise control (just press a button and the speed is set. Great for motorway driving).
I enjoy driving this car very much. It never feels sluggish and has plenty of power when I ...
beepbop 23.04.2004
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Hatchback
Advantages: Very reliable car Disadvantages: fuel consumption not great
Being over 6 feet tall, I found this car very comfortable, with all the gadgets in good locations and the seat being comfortable over long distances. Very comfortable to drive at any speed, and stops very safely. The performance is there when required and will cruise as required, I found the gear ratio good for the 30mph mark, avoiding constant changing up and down. I got a good feeling of control from this car, although it felt a little light on ... ...of junctions - nothing too serious. The overall look and appeal of the car is long lasting, this car will fit those people who change cars regularly or it will last for many years without loosing its style. The fuel consumption in the petrol model is average, not particularly good or bad. I personally like this car and would consider buying another one at a later date. ...
mickle026 19.06.2008
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Hatchback
Advantages: Cheap to insure and run. Comfortable, good equipment levels, pretty quick! Disadvantages: Its not the 2.0 or 2.2 SRI =O(
I bought my 5 door Vauxhall Astra SRI 1.8 just over 2 years ago as a family car. It looked stunning, shiny black and the lovely SRI alloys. The equipment levels in the car were very good, with CD player, remote controls on the steering wheel, ABS, PAS, airbags, traction control etc. I was very impressed.
To drive, it is one of the nicest cars i have ever driven, comfortable with enough power to put a smile on your face but not enough to warrant ... ...i took the car to Vauxhall who fixed it instantly for free.
All in all it is a superb car for not a huge amount of money. Cheap to insure and run and it really is very comfy. Only disadvantage is that it doesn't quite have the same power as the 2.0 and 2.2 SRi's - so i now have a 2.2 myself ;O)
BUY IT! ...
fezza101 13.04.2006
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Hatchback
Value for Money
Road Handling
Comfort
Features
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Looks
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Purchased a three year old model in May of 2003 , had an immediate problem with the fuel filter causing the car to cut out when revs were idling , the car came with a network q warranty and the dealer replaced immediately (also replaced the brake pads without any prompt or info from myself).
The Car came equipped with a Radio Cassette player (added a single CD player by myself) , Air conditioning , lotus sports suspension (great for hugging those bends although a bit harsh on bumpy roads)and interior sports seat (which i must say are extremley comfortable) , Vauxhall alloys and rear boot spoiler.
The dashboard is plain and dull , they have tried to jazz it up by use of white dials , but i think they look tacky.
The car to drive is a dream , it really is a wolf in sheeps clothes , i have the 5 door hatch version so it looks like ...
