2007 Astra?

[Astranomical]

So the time has come, I'm looking at getting a car. Sadly, since my parents are involved, its NOT going to be a Commodore. At the moment I'm looking at a 2007 Astra...i really know SFA about them apart from that they're an Opel, and the one I'm looking at has the 90kW 1.8L engine and is auto, just wondering what your thoughts on them are, if they're a decent car.

[Tim Smtih]

Well....let me put it this way. I stopped by the local car yard a couple of weeks ago as they were having a special. The best i could do for the price was a proton jumbuck. It didn't look too bad and had low kilometres. The dealer did his best to persuade me to buy the car but i didn't buy into his crud and went and did my own research. The internet is a wealth of information you see. To my surprise the proton turned out to have one of the worst safety ratings, even lower than the great wall brand. That and the power output was pitiful. So i didn't bother with the jumbuck, sucked it up and scraped together a couple of extra thousand dollars and got a VX acclaim. Moral of the story, get the damn commodore.

[MasterOfReality]

If you are looking at a smaller car, why limit yourself to a Holden?

There are quite a few second hand euro and jap cars available for that cash.

Are these the astra's built in europe?

[Bravotwozero]

Have a look at VW Golf! Great little car with a zippy 2.0 litre. Great build quality too.

[smith#29]

If your gonna get an Astra or the like, try and get a manual, auto's in those cars are gutless imo.

[Astranomical]

Yeah, ideally I'd just get a Commodore and be done with it, unfortunately my parents are getting involved, as I'm loaning the money off them, and they'd really prefer me to get a 4 cylinder, since apparently "they're safer". We're going to a government auction tomorrow...there's also a Lancer there that I was looking at. I'd actually prefer to get the Lancer simply because I've driven Lancers before and therefore know what to expect, however my parents are pushing me towards the Astra mostly because it has 8 airbags in it rather than the 2 the Lancer has. (yes, i'm serious about all this) They originally always suggested I buy a bloody Corolla (as if), thankfully I've managed to talk them out of that.

Tim Smtih: Lol, I've actually driven a Proton Satria before...dreadful car, had virtually no power and despite Proton saying in all their ads "Handling by Lotus", well lets just say I'd be terribly disappointed if I spent all that money on a Elise and it drove like that.

[MasterOfReality]

Actually, on the corolla thing, you can get a Sportivo for less than 20k.

1.8 litre, 141 kW yamaha built motor.

They haul ass for a small car, and pull low to mid 15's down the 1/4.

My mate has a slightly modded one, and I almost bought one a few years ago. Great for fanging around town but not so great sitting at 3800rpm at 110km/hr on the highway.

[TVR-190]

id rather be hit by a truck in a commo than a little zip box.

people might say smart cars are safe cause they have no power.

WRONG:

[Calaber]

So the time has come, I'm looking at getting a car. Sadly, since my parents are involved, its NOT going to be a Commodore. At the moment I'm looking at a 2007 Astra...i really know SFA about them apart from that they're an Opel, and the one I'm looking at has the 90kW 1.8L engine and is auto, just wondering what your thoughts on them are, if they're a decent car.

The Astra's have a high safety rating, excellent handling, good build quality ( though not as good as Jap quality - they are built in Belgium). The 1.8 requires regular servicing, including new timing belt, guides and rollers every 60,000k without fail. If you can't do the mechanical work yourself, the 60k service is a killer, around $5-600 a time. From other posts in this forum, spare parts are not cheap. The 4 speed auto kills their performance completely as they are a bit heavier than the TS model they replaced, but have basically the same motors.

Someone mentioned the Golf. Brilliant car, fantastic safety levels, braking, handling, steering, but when things need replacing, they are even dearer than the Astra. Servicing costs are high - my Mk 5 Golf had a 65k service and it cost over $600. Electrical components have been suspect in the Mk 5 and that was my experience. Mk 5's were built in South Africa, which might account for the slightly iffy build quality. Mine had a couple of interior parts that needed replacement or repair under warranty, as well as the numerous electrical faults.

Hate to agree with others, but the Japs seem to have the reliability and quality game wrapped up and won't break the bank at service or repair time, compared to the Euro's.

[GenReaper]

Hey mate, maybe when you wake up in the morning, wrap yourself in cotton wool and you may just be able to buy a commodore

[Sabbath']

Brakes on Astra's will need doing every 45,000km's approx. $1000ish for front and rears genuine.

[Bravotwozero]

Or you could buy a Commodore and machine them every 5000kms.

[levymetal]

i reckon astra's are sweet cars, definitely want either SRI or SRI turbo though

[Tom_1569]

We have a few 2007 Astras for work cars.
I dont know anything about the mechanical/cost side, but as far as driving goes, they are a nice car to drive.
Im 6' 4" and I find the Astra to be about the only small car I can sit in comfortably and drive for long periods of time. They handle quite well, only down side is they arnt a power house, I cant tell the difference between the VZ wagon and the Astra as far as power goes. The other thing is the brakes are queer. Its firm the whole one down but its like, nothing, nothing, nothing HOLY **** WE ARE STOPPING. Brakes take alot to get use to.
Also these cars are flogged day in and day out and keep going, but we dont keep them past 80k anyway so not sure on prolonged hard life.

[bandidoben]

mate if your parents are pretty much telling you what to buy and you dont want what they say. buy a bike and ride it untill to you get the money yourself to buy what you want. not what someone else tells you what you want or thinks what is best for you.

[HoldrodeoLT]

You can kill your self or countless other people in ANY car you buy.

[Tsunamix]

What sort of Budget are you looking to spend ?

I was not imprested by a 2006 Astra auto, even though its build quality was good. Gutless drivetrain - way to gutless. Corolla was better.

[Astranomical]

Well I ended up getting the Astra. I have to say, I'm really impressed with it...I honestly never knew a FWD car could drive as nicely as this one does. I've mostly driven Mitsus before, which tend to understeer, I have to admit though, I'm impressed with the way the Astra handles, while its not a Commodore, its a great car.

[Troy711]

Well I ended up getting the Astra. I have to say, I'm really impressed with it...I honestly never knew a FWD car could drive as nicely as this one does. I've mostly driven Mitsus before, which tend to understeer, I have to admit though, I'm impressed with the way the Astra handles, while its not a Commodore, its a great car.

Time to change your username to goASTRA?

Nah, congrats on the car dude. Most people never get the car they want as their first car.. I had an '83 Bluebird station wagon as my first! Do up a My Ride thread when you get the chance

[Astranomical]

Thanks, I've taken care of both things - I've submitted a request to change my username, and I've posted a My Ride thread, just waiting for it to be approved

[soop]

The Astra's have a high safety rating, excellent handling, good build quality ( though not as good as Jap quality - they are built in Belgium). The 1.8 requires regular servicing, including new timing belt, guides and rollers every 60,000k without fail. If you can't do the mechanical work yourself, the 60k service is a killer, around $5-600 a time. From other posts in this forum, spare parts are not cheap. The 4 speed auto kills their performance completely as they are a bit heavier than the TS model they replaced, but have basically the same motors.

Someone mentioned the Golf. Brilliant car, fantastic safety levels, braking, handling, steering, but when things need replacing, they are even dearer than the Astra. Servicing costs are high - my Mk 5 Golf had a 65k service and it cost over $600. Electrical components have been suspect in the Mk 5 and that was my experience. Mk 5's were built in South Africa, which might account for the slightly iffy build quality. Mine had a couple of interior parts that needed replacement or repair under warranty, as well as the numerous electrical faults.

Hate to agree with others, but the Japs seem to have the reliability and quality game wrapped up and won't break the bank at service or repair time, compared to the Euro's.

Except Subaru's. In regard to the cost of servicing. 100k-km service timing belt needs to be done. Which is a $1000+ excursion if you can't do it yourself.

[S.T.K.E]

Except Subaru's. In regard to the cost of servicing. 100k-km service timing belt needs to be done. Which is a $1000+ excursion if you can't do it yourself.

Try owning an Alfa............
Just like the Astras they require their timing belts changed ever 60k religiously. $1,500 every time + the service that comes with it.... This has to be done by Alfa.
When i bough the alfa it come with one key. Stupid me never got around to getting second done up, ended up drowning they key........ that was a $3,300 lesson.