0 useful votes
Review Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Manual SRI 2005
Submitted by greg222
Key strengths: Well built, comfortable to drive
Areas for improvement: High revvs
This is a great effort by vauxhall. the new astra is well built, comfortable to drive, both in town and on the motorway.
There is plenty of space inside for four or five adults. the bucket seats in the sri are deep and hold you well in place when you decide to have a bit of fun. the back seats are slightly firm, but very supportive. no matter how long the journey, I and the family have yet to step out of the car stiff and aching.
When I test drove the astra origionally, I tried the 2.0 turbo models, which were fantastic! but as my driving needs take me through a lot of towns I opted for the less powerfull 1.8 normally aspirated model. this is also far cheaper on insurance. fuel economy is reasonable enough returning around 34 mpg combined.
The only niggle I would have with the 1.8 is that it revs quite high on motorways, and could ideally do with the 6 speed gearbox fitted to the 2.0 petrol, and all turbo deisel models.
For example 80mph is reached about 3800 rpm.
Having said that though, the engine is quiet throughout the rev range, so don't let it put you off.
The sri is fitted as standard with 17" wheels, or 18" as an option. both have a 225 tyre width, which makes for fantastic grip.
The sri model I personally found to be a more refined than the sxi, thanks to the magic sport button on the dashboard.
This button when switched off leaves the car in its general every day runabout state. comfotable although slightly firm ride, with enough power to get about with. when the button is switched on, its changes the chassis settings, stiffening the suspension, and increasing the response of the steering and throttle.
It completely changes the whole driving experience of the car. held for a further period of 4 seconds the button switches off the traction control, and all that esp nonsense, and then it becomes a proper car to drive.
The bonus with owning a vauxhall nowadays is the servicing intervals are now 2 years or 20,000 miles. so it theoretically makes it cheaper to own. I have had some quote from vauxhall dealer and standard service is only £150. obviously that won't include things like brake pads and discs or whatever, but then they never seem to quote for those until its in the garage.
The styling of the car is brilliant. I personally think its one of the nicest looking cars on the road. it has a great shape, but stands out from the rest of the competition which seem to make everything look very similar.
Inside the car you get a good range of standard equipment, inlcuding cd player, mp3 player, air conditioning, on board computer, elecrtic windows, etc...
Everything is within easy reach and is well laid out on the dash.
I would say some of the buttons, for example air conditioning button, could be a bit bigger, as people like me with fat fingers can find it a bit fiddly switching it on.
Rear head and leg room is brilliant on this car, my wife is 6'2" and she can sit with comfort in the back.
The boot is the biggest let down on this car. its not as big as you would expect. as they have put the fuse box, and another cubby hole opposite at either side of the car. these have some neat carpetted panels covering them. which makes the boot space althoug fairly deep, very square.
A pushchair HAS to be put in diagonally! which makes going shopping a bit awkward sometimes if you have a lot of bags.
Overall I am very happy with this car. it does everything it is supposed to do, and does it well. I was a bit dubious with it being a new model, and thought it might be riddled with electrical gremlins, but it has just kept running.
A true turn the key and go car.
The running costs for Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Manual SRI are normal
Areas for improvement: High revvs
This is a great effort by vauxhall. the new astra is well built, comfortable to drive, both in town and on the motorway.
There is plenty of space inside for four or five adults. the bucket seats in the sri are deep and hold you well in place when you decide to have a bit of fun. the back seats are slightly firm, but very supportive. no matter how long the journey, I and the family have yet to step out of the car stiff and aching.
When I test drove the astra origionally, I tried the 2.0 turbo models, which were fantastic! but as my driving needs take me through a lot of towns I opted for the less powerfull 1.8 normally aspirated model. this is also far cheaper on insurance. fuel economy is reasonable enough returning around 34 mpg combined.
The only niggle I would have with the 1.8 is that it revs quite high on motorways, and could ideally do with the 6 speed gearbox fitted to the 2.0 petrol, and all turbo deisel models.
For example 80mph is reached about 3800 rpm.
Having said that though, the engine is quiet throughout the rev range, so don't let it put you off.
The sri is fitted as standard with 17" wheels, or 18" as an option. both have a 225 tyre width, which makes for fantastic grip.
The sri model I personally found to be a more refined than the sxi, thanks to the magic sport button on the dashboard.
This button when switched off leaves the car in its general every day runabout state. comfotable although slightly firm ride, with enough power to get about with. when the button is switched on, its changes the chassis settings, stiffening the suspension, and increasing the response of the steering and throttle.
It completely changes the whole driving experience of the car. held for a further period of 4 seconds the button switches off the traction control, and all that esp nonsense, and then it becomes a proper car to drive.
The bonus with owning a vauxhall nowadays is the servicing intervals are now 2 years or 20,000 miles. so it theoretically makes it cheaper to own. I have had some quote from vauxhall dealer and standard service is only £150. obviously that won't include things like brake pads and discs or whatever, but then they never seem to quote for those until its in the garage.
The styling of the car is brilliant. I personally think its one of the nicest looking cars on the road. it has a great shape, but stands out from the rest of the competition which seem to make everything look very similar.
Inside the car you get a good range of standard equipment, inlcuding cd player, mp3 player, air conditioning, on board computer, elecrtic windows, etc...
Everything is within easy reach and is well laid out on the dash.
I would say some of the buttons, for example air conditioning button, could be a bit bigger, as people like me with fat fingers can find it a bit fiddly switching it on.
Rear head and leg room is brilliant on this car, my wife is 6'2" and she can sit with comfort in the back.
The boot is the biggest let down on this car. its not as big as you would expect. as they have put the fuse box, and another cubby hole opposite at either side of the car. these have some neat carpetted panels covering them. which makes the boot space althoug fairly deep, very square.
A pushchair HAS to be put in diagonally! which makes going shopping a bit awkward sometimes if you have a lot of bags.
Overall I am very happy with this car. it does everything it is supposed to do, and does it well. I was a bit dubious with it being a new model, and thought it might be riddled with electrical gremlins, but it has just kept running.
A true turn the key and go car.
The running costs for Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Manual SRI are normal
Safety: 75
Reliability: 75
Equipment: 68
Comfort: 82
Design: 73
Driving: 78
0 useful votes
Review Vauxhall Astra 1.6 1998
Submitted by greg222
Key strengths: Boot size, simplicity of mechanics, strong engine, cheap to maintain.
Areas for improvement: Fuel economy?
Great, simple and uncomplicated car. Very reliable but if anything failed, it was dirt cheap to fix. I'm sure mechanics loved it! I enjoyed driving it long and sjort distances, it had an enormous boot, which could swallow 2 sets of golf bags. I thought this was a great, versatile hatchback.
The running costs for Vauxhall Astra 1.6 are very low
Areas for improvement: Fuel economy?
Great, simple and uncomplicated car. Very reliable but if anything failed, it was dirt cheap to fix. I'm sure mechanics loved it! I enjoyed driving it long and sjort distances, it had an enormous boot, which could swallow 2 sets of golf bags. I thought this was a great, versatile hatchback.
The running costs for Vauxhall Astra 1.6 are very low
Safety: 67
Reliability: 74
Equipment: 65
Comfort: 66
Design: 61
Driving: 69
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