Vauxhall Astra TwinTop (2006 - 2010) 1.8 VVT Sport 2d (2009/09) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Probably another mid life crisis!! Silly old fart trying to recapture lost youth! Who cares? I don't!!

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

My long time friend and fellow petrol head thinks it's 'gay' as do my sons but my wife likes it apart from the doors (see 'parking' above) and when the roof is down!!

Would you buy this car again and why?

Haven't had it long enough really to say and much will depend on what problems it might develop. The first time we have a puncture might decide because there is, of course, no spare wheel! The chemical and electric pump you do get would, of course, be useless on anything other than a small puncture made by a nail etc.

What are you likely to buy next?

Don't know - only just got this one!!

Type of dealer you bought from?

Independent

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£0

When did you buy the car?

March 2012

Did you get a good deal and why?

It's low miles and one owner so towards the top end of the scale. However, I think it was a fair deal.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Wanted something a bit different to a bog standard car and the drop roof makes it that!

What was the dealer like?

Very helpful - as you might expect! Having said that, not all where!

What's it like to drive?

Doesn't go as fast as it looks! My previous car had approaching 300bhp and was sub 6 sec to 60mph so judgement possibly clouded!! The roof mechanism etc also makes it a heavy. The engine is tractable though and with such a slippery shape it goes along pretty well. The 5 speed box is nice to use and quite long legged in top although the syncro on 2nd can be a bit 'crunchy'. The brakes aren't bad with light pedal pressure needed at lowish speeds although the pressure needed increases disproportionately for bigger 'stops'! The hand brake is next to useless!

What's it like to park?

Awful!! You had better be good using mirrors or have the parking sensors (mine hasn't!). Nil rearward view and you can't see either the front or the rear end! Not helped, of course, with relatively limited lock common to front wheel drive cars. You also need to be aware that the doors are very long (again common to 2 door cars!) so you had better find a space with one either side of you as well and hope no one parks next to you! If they do you may have trouble getting back in depending on how fit and flexible you are (not very in my case!!).

Have you had any problems with the car?

Early days yet so we shall see! It has the odd quirk like the roof not always completing it's full cycle but another push of the button has done it up to now! Maybe not surprising with all that 'gubbins' but the roof will squeak and rattle on bumpy minor roads but is fine on main roads. Usual on anything but expensive 'top end' stuff but you will find lots of scuttle shake with the roof down!

What's most practical about your car?

Huge boot for size of car but of course only with the roof up! Still not too bad with it down though.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

The roof of course and the trip computer is sort of useful and a bit of a novelty if you haven't had one before.