Vauxhall Astra Estate (2004 - 2010) 1.7 CDTi 16V ecoFLEX Life (110ps) (AC) 5d (2009/59) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Nothing

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

Its my work car!

Would you buy this car again and why?

Not if I had the choice

What are you likely to buy next?

It is up to my employer but most probably another Astra. I just hpoe I can refuse the Ecoflex engine.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchise

Did you buy this car new?

Yes

What price did you pay?

£0

When did you buy the car?

September 2009

Did you get a good deal and why?

Company probably did

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

No. This was supplied as a company car

What was the dealer like?

Probably OK

What's it like to drive?

Terrible in comparison to my previous 99BHP 1.7 CDTi Astra Est which had a really nice power delivery through every gear and simply pulled like a train belying its sub 100BHP status. The introduction of the Ecoflx engine arrangement has simply ruined what was a fantastic engine. In first gear the engine is inclined to almost die on you then it will suddenly lurch forward with a surge of power. Quite dangerous to say the least. This is NOT a car which is nice to drive around town or out of junctions. As an open road or moterway cruser it is fine. Comfort is practically non existant but this is a common feature in British / German derived vehicles of this size, but then I am used to the supreme comfort offered by both French & Italian manufactures in my own private vehiches. On the plus side

What's it like to park?

Fine

Have you had any problems with the car?

YES. Strut bearings give up after a few thousand miles. Wipers had to be repaired due to a faulty arm linkage a few weeks after delivery. Need to be ultra careful with the gear box as you may be just as likely to select reverse as first gear dispite reverse requiring you to activate the select knob. (Potentially dangerous)

What's most practical about your car?

Boot size

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

None. This vehicle is the base model (Life) and does not even have electric heated mirrors which after being used to them on other cars I would regard as an essential safety feature. The quality of sound from the standard radio / CD system is pretty good, but the RDS feature on the radio is terrible (I would regularly need to manually re-tune as the radio fails to do what it is supposed to do). The British & German car manufactures really do need to sit up and take note of what is on offer from French & Italian car makers as standard.