Advantages: Nice styling, outstanding drive and handling, good quality interior!!
Disadvantages: Finicky new toys, 1.6 lacks real muscle and Vauxhall badge!!

...Test Model Vauxhall Astra 1.6 16v SXI Reg no: BF55 FYP UK model RHD Mileage 5912 Actual 0-60: 9.6 Printed max speed: 115 mph Printed economy: 32.8mpg urban Actual economy: 25mpg The new generation Astra has gone through a complete revamp since its ageing predecessor, both externally and internally there are very few features kept from the previous shape. The main improvement overall is the driving experience which has been improved by 80%. The New Astra is a beautiful looking car in sport hatch form and in 5 door form (like the one I tested) is still sporty looking, especially with alloys and front spot lights. As mentioned before the similarities between the previous Astra and the new generation one is minimal, Vauxhall choosing more sporty and dramatic lines to complement the cars shape. Have to say I am no big fan... Read review

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Advantages: it's sporty, compact and has most extras as standard
Disadvantages: It has a small petrol Tank

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Advantages: goodlooking, sexy, excellent ride ;-)
Disadvantages: common!

...control key once, it locks the car, press it again and the car deadlocks. Electronic engine deadlock immobiliser Locking wheel bolts - (don't lose the key for these as you need it when you get your tyres changed!) ~ Engine ~ Now this is the complicated part! I have 1.6i 16v ECOTEC-4 twinport petrol (1598cc), which means: Max power: 103PS (76 KW) @ 6000 rpm Max torque: 147Nm (108 lb. ft) @ 3600 rpm Emissions: Euro 4 emission compliant Max speed: 117 mph (which of course I've never done….) 0.60 mph in 10.5 seconds ~ The ride ~ The Astra is extremely comfortable the seats have lumber support and the headrest is adjustable so when you are sat in traffic (bored) there is somewhere to rest you head! The steering wheel is a nice size not too skinny and not too big, the horn is on both sides of the wheel for easy access... Read review

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Advantages: Price, fuel economy, cheap insurance, cheap parts, nice looking
Disadvantages: Drab uninspiring interior, basic equipment levels, horrible seat trim, needs the pokier 16v engine

...I had this car up until last year. It was a 2001 Mk 4 Astra Club in Metallic dark blue with a 1.6 8v engine. The engine to be honest was a major bone of contention for me, leading to me getting rid of the car and upgrading. The 1.6 8v is the same ageing engine used in the Cavalier and frankly just wasn't good enough in a modern car like this. Carrying on with the bad points, the other major bugbear with this car is the frankly awful interior. One gets the feeling vauxhall deliberatly choose the worse colours to use in the basic Astra, I got horrible grey velour seats (yes the same colour as in the cavalier!!) and a horrible brown/beige/black colour dashboard which was franlkly irritating to sit behind. However, good points for this car definitely outweigh the bad, especially if (unlike me) you are not after good performance from your... Read review

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Advantages: excellent handling and engine power, very reliable
Disadvantages: alternator quite expensive, suspension should be looked at at 40k

...I bought mine in October 2005, its on a 'V' plate which is 1999. all i have had to get done on it was the exhaust which only set me back £80 which is very cheap compared to other cars in the same class i believe. the only serious cost i have had to incurr is a new alternator which was £180 but the car had done 65000 miles so thats not so bad. i bought mine second hand with 54000 miles on the clock for £3100 which was also from a dealership... the cars are generally totally sound, have a good double central locking feature which makes you feel a bit more comfortable leaving it places overnight. as far as the performance goes... the 1.6 16v is a surprisingly powerful engine (101bhp i believe). the handling is also second to none with lotus tuned suspension, this gives the car the ability to hold the road better and gives the care a totally... Read review

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Advantages: Space, Comfort and Looks
Disadvantages: ???

...**1.6i 16v Twinport - Easytronic** I got our new Astra 1.6i Elite Easytronic November 2004 on a 54 plate. I didn't think i'd like it as i'd seen pictures and wasn't keen on the back end... thought it looked a little like a Megan... and i hate those cars! The car is a company car so i didnt get to see it before it was delivered and i didnt want to say goodbye to my Audi A3 as i loved it so much. *Colour* I got it in lightening silver... sort of an ice blue tinge to it, gorgeous! a big change from the firery red i had before. It has chrome detail on it and looks amazing! *Size* The car is alot wider than i'm used to, only just fits in my driveway! But the inside is brilliant. There is loads of room! The length of the car is bigger than the norm too. I noticed when parking that the car hangs out more than most other cars... Read review

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Advantages: Rewarding Handling, Torquey Engine, Driving Position
Disadvantages: It's a Vauxhall, Depreciation

...is very usable and seems to have been put together properly. The driving position is good, I’m over six foot and can (just) fit comfortably, all the pedals are light which makes the car particularly easy to drive, however as I mentioned earlier the Vectra gear box means it can be difficult to change gear smoothly. Like the previous model the best aspect of this Astra is it’s engine. It may only be a 1.6 and has just 8 valves rather than 16, but it’s very torquey and pulls well, even when the estate is fully laden there is still enough grunt to overtake safely. It’s also a very responsive engine, which combined with plenty of grip and feel in the steering makes for fun driving if you can find a quick twisty road (A74 into Moffat). I never thought I’d ever say fun and Vauxhall in the same line! As for resale, well fortunately this is my... Read review

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Advantages: Safety ,Comfort reasonably low insurance and running costs
Disadvantages: Rear folding split seat does not fold flat Space save wheel spare of limited use

...I have owned this car for just over 12 months and was bought with 17K on the clock. It is a 1.6 v developing a useful 105bhp and can deliver a top speed of 115mph (though not on UK roads) from the 1598cc engine with a 5 speed manual transmission and runs on unleaded fuel which is held in a 52L tank The body shape is a 5 door hatch and is solidly built which is fairly standard for the Vauxhall range it is this combined with the abs braking system and in my version six airbags which help contribute to its excellent NCAPS 5 star rating The driving position is comfortable the seats are firm and offer good support the driving seat is adjustable for height and backrest position. Passenger comfort is enhanced by full air conditioning although without climate control but is effective ventilation heating being delivered with a 4 speed fan... Read review

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Advantages: Very nippy
Disadvantages: No CD player

...single problem with the car and never had to take it back to the garage. However, once I had passed ownership to my husband he had one problem with the car which was a design fault with the Cat Converter and it was rectified painlessly and with no charge. It was an economical car to run. The standard features of the car were good, air con, electric front windows. I am glad I upgraded to the 16v from the 8v. Felt I got a much better performance from the car. There was plenty of storage space in the car front and back. I also liked the way the seat divided in the back and the armrest access to the boot. This gave us plenty of possibilities when carrying large and unusually shaped items. This car has been quite a workhorse for us and we have not been disappointed by its performance and reliability.... Read review

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Advantages: Space, Aircondition, Automatic
Disadvantages: 8 valves, Noisy, fragile

...It was time to buy a good family car, so according to the word around, I decided to ake it a Vauxhall, as I had a Cavalier once before and it was a very reliable car. I went to Network Q, with 118 point check to be sure of quality, not even 3 years old car, paid in cash in advance,and they got me the 1st Astra Club 1.6i car 2 weeks later with 15K miles on. Lots of issues from broken rear mirror to water leaking lights and a noisy suspension system were found. The car is only 3 years old (not even). Returning the car the very next day, the trip was about 3 miles, the Engine light went ON ! 2nd car came and so did the 3rd, Tooo noisy, no power in the push and suspension is Badddddddd to say the least. A friend of mine drives an Astra CD estate, they love it , I dorve their car and it is at least 200% better than the club... Read review

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