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: Performance, spec, reasonable insurance
Disadvantages: Some think the looks are too conservative

...Please humour me as what I am going to do here is actually a review of the Astra 2.0 SRi 16v, but hopefully you will still find it useful. This is the model I have and Ciao don’t seem to have included it on their list of Astras so I’m sticking it under the 2.2 ok?!! Anyway it is basically the same car as the 2.2, just with an ever so slightly smaller engine. I purchased my Astra SRi about a year ago. This was from a Vauxhall dealer I found in Slough after doing a used car search on Vauxhall’s very helpful website. I had decided on the Astra as both the Golf GTi and Peugeot 206 GTi had very similar performance as the Astra but much higher insurance groups. (The Astra 2.0 SRi is Group 11). The price of £11,000 I thought was quite reasonable for a sports model that was just over a year old and only had 8,000 miles... Read review

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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: Diesel engine so fuel economy is good. Much better styling inside and outside
Disadvantages: It's still a Corsa from Vauxhall, which means it's still by General Motors.

..., it was different somehow. The car had a different sort of styling to it, it had a different feel. The angled headlights made the car look angrier now, and the angled back made it look like a sports coupe. The alloys actually looked like they were the right size for the car and the backend didn’t look bad either, but it still has an unnecessary spoiler. I was thoroughly surprised, a Vauxhall Corsa that was actually pretty nice to look at. My mate then got out of his car, walked up to me with a slight swagger, and smiled at my surprised face. “It is a Corsa that is, and it is a SXi. But this is the new Corsa SXi CDTi 1.3l 16v 90ps.” For those that don’t know what that meant, he was boasting about his Corsa being the ‘sport’ model, which if you have read my previous review, I slated immensely. But this was a different sort of Corsa, it was a CDTi... Read review

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Advantages: Cheap, Very Reliable, Carry Large Loads, Safety
Disadvantages: Fuel Economy is Poor while the HI TORQ claim is false advertising, Security

...a banger you need only third party which is an advantage. With 3 years no claims last year cost £290 after shopping around. Security does not apply to this car. In fact the only car with worst security is the older mark 2 Astra. I believe a survey found that the expert thief could get in and away within 10 seconds. I have had no problems although I use two locks - one over the steering wheel and one over the gear stick. Road Tax is £115 for 12 months CONCLUSION A great car that is a true utility vehicle. When my current one dies I will replace it with the same make, mark and model but I may go for the 1.6 16v litre engine which has better fuel economy but a great deal more power.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

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

...... Read review

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Advantages: Sexy design, sporty look, good on boot space
Disadvantages: Cheap interior appearance, not comfortable

...*~*~Introduction~*~* This review is based on my experience of using the Vauxhall Astra each week for regular motorway journeys down South every week for work. The Vauxhall Astra has been said to have been developed to offer technical sophistication and exceptional comfort, I wonder if my review will agree with that…read on if you wish to find out. *~*~Exterior Appearance~*~* The Astra SRi looks tasty I am definitely not a fan of the Vauxhall's but even I have to admit this model is a pretty attractive car. The model I am reviewing is the 3 door hatchback complete with a sleek spoiler, body colour bumpers, mirrors and tinted glass. My absolute pet hate is the black plastic on the Vauxhalls and the SRi has definitely skipped on this. The standard black trim on the car is replaced with colour coded trim which gives it a much... 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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