Considering an NA 1.6 Astra J Elite 2011-2014 era

[Acuity30]

They seem very well kitted out with nice interiors for a £4k budget, but my only concern is it's going to be dog slow and bad on motorways having only 5 gears. 115HP there abouts, 10.9s 0-60 and IIRC 120ftlb torque. Has anyone driven one and can comment? If not the Elite I'd get an SRI since they seem a lot more common.
I'm put off the turbos because I've heard horror stories from the 1.4T, although I believe the 1.6T has an uprated gearbox?
Only to be used for around 12-18 months of trouble free motoring with enough power to overtake on country roads, while feeling planted in wet weather.

[Truckosaurus]

It'll feel slow if you are used to turbo diesel torque but shouldn't be too woeful, especially as a short term proposal.

Like you say, it should in theory be less likely to go wrong with no turbos, but these days turbos are hardly exotic and probably cost less to replace than a full set of decent tyres.

[soad]

It’ll be fine once up to speed, just use the revs to accelerate. I have done just over 32,000 motorway miles in a similarly (under)powered motor, the RPMs are close to 3800/4000 when pushing on. That’s with a five speed gearbox, never bothered me.

[RazerSauber]

My other half has an Astra H with a 1.6 115bhp engine (probably exactly the same one) and an "easytronic" gearbox. It's alright tbh. It won't rip your face off but it's nippy in the power band. Just got to make sure you use the rev range.

[GreatGranny]

OP, it's 115 not 15!

I commuted yesterday in our 3rd car, 1.4 TDCi Fezza with, I think, 70 bhp and a 5 speed box.

It cruises at 75-80 on the A1 with no issues.

Accelerated with traffic ok and I even dropped it to 4th and did a few overtakes on the A15!

[Jonny_]

It doesn't seem that long since a 115bhp NA 1.6 and a 5 speed manual was the norm in a family hatchback.

It'll be absolutely fine for daily use. And I would say a much better choice than the 1.4 turbo used in that generation of Astra, which has a pretty poor reputation for failures.

[Truckosaurus]

Jonny_ said:

It doesn't seem that long since a 115bhp NA 1.6 and a 5 speed manual was the norm in a family hatchbackdesirable hot hatch.

[dan98]

Don't forget it's surprisingly heavy - the 1.6 is simple/reliable but pretty sluggish and IMO really not great for regular motorway work.
The 1.4t should be fine if you test drive the gearbox/turbo carefully for whining.
But I'd take the 110 diesel.

[ZX10R NIN]

Acuity30 said:

They seem very well kitted out with nice interiors for a £4k budget, but my only concern is it's going to be dog slow and bad on motorways having only 5 gears. 115HP there abouts, 10.9s 0-60 and IIRC 120ftlb torque. Has anyone driven one and can comment? If not the Elite I'd get an SRI since they seem a lot more common.
I'm put off the turbos because I've heard horror stories from the 1.4T, although I believe the 1.6T has an uprated gearbox?
Only to be used for around 12-18 months of trouble free motoring with enough power to overtake on country roads, while feeling planted in wet weather.

They have a decent amount of go but need stoking both the 1.4/1.6T are harder to find but both are decent.

1.6T:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211011...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210291...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210271...