Vauxhall Astra Hatchback (2009 - 2015) 1.6i 16V SE 5d Auto (2011/61) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Nothing. I had it as a hire car whilst mine was being repaired.

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

N/A

Would you buy this car again and why?

I would never buy this car with this engine and gearbox combination. If I was given one I would sell it straight away.

What are you likely to buy next?

Not one of these. Cannot wait until my VW is repaired.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Didn't buy from a dealer

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£0

When did you buy the car?

January 2013

Did you get a good deal and why?

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Hire car as mine was in for repair.

What was the dealer like?

What's it like to drive?

Terrible. I don't know why the combination of a 1.6 petrol with this auto box got off the drawing board. The performance is non existent and this car is dangerous for motorway driving. Today I entered the M6 via an uphill on slip and could not attain the 56mph required to comfortably join the motorway in front of a HGV. Foot to the floor, lots of noise but just no performance. The brakes are very "grabby". Press the pedal a bit and the car starts to slow. Press it 1mm more and you will be sent forward against the inertial belts. The fuel economy is awful. Driving sedately (which is the only choice) the car struggles to return more than 40mpg. The car is impossible to start or stop smoothly due to the auto box and grabby brakes.

What's it like to park?

Terrible. High back window and no parking sensors. Ridiculous quarter lights on the front doors. Parking this car is a nightmare. It also also very hard to regulate the speed when parking due to the brakes just grabbing all the time.

Have you had any problems with the car?

The car has 10,000 miles on the clock and there are rattles from the headlining.

What's most practical about your car?

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

None. Trip computer doesn't even have the most basic of functions - journey time. No foot rest from the accelerator pedal means your foot needs to go on the floor whilst sitting at the lights etc. The seats do not have rotary adjustment controls meaning its hard to get the seat rake exactly as you would like it.