Vauxhall Astra Coupe (2000 - 2004) 1.8i 16v 2d (2001/X) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Not sure really - it's a fairly sporty car but it's also an Astra!

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

They all like it

Would you buy this car again and why?

Nope, never. It handles badly, performs badly and has proved to be rather unreliable.

What are you likely to buy next?

A Citroen Xsara Coupe VTS or a Ford Puma 1.7

Type of dealer you bought from?

Independent

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£3,999

When did you buy the car?

January 2008

Did you get a good deal and why?

Thought that it was an OK deal - the price was about right for the car and spec at the time (it had plenty of options like leather seats and the car was immaculate)

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

I bought the car because I liked the looks and I'd had a 3-door Astra previously. I also wanted a car which would be cheaper to run than my previous MG.

What was the dealer like?

Very helpful. The dealer wasn't pushy and just let me look at the car on my own. When a had a few problems under the first three months warranty period they were fixed quickly without any questions and with a free courtesy car.

What's it like to drive?

Very disappointing. The engine feels very sluggish with no life to it at all. The engine has no power at all below 3.5k rpm and a flat spot at 1.5k rpm making it difficult to pull away from standstill. The traction control is over intrusive and kicks in frequently. The clutch and steering are light and lifeless. The car wallows around bends and never feels at all settled. Not at all what you'd expect. OK at crusing on the motorway but very low geared so revs far too high at 70mph (3.5krpm). The engine lacks torque too.

What's it like to park?

Easy. Good visibility and a tight turning circle.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Yes, plenty. Faulty thermostat, loose passenger seat, faulty cooling fan leading to consistent overheating. The Aircon, ABS and Traction Control have failed. The gearbox is temperamental and the clutch continually looses pressure so the pedal collapses onto the floor and you cannot change gear. The build quality is shocking - the chrome trim has fallen off the bootlid, the glove box doesn't shut properly, the car is full of rattles, the door skins are loose, etc. The sensor to raise and lower the windows to allow you to get in and out of the car fails from time to time making getting in and out of the car difficult. The car has also needed a new ECU and there's a rather load whining noise when driving. The car has only done 70,000 miles with a full service history.

What's most practical about your car?

Large boot (although access isn't great), split/fold seats

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

The heated leather seats