New Astra

Author
Discussion

00161wj

Original Poster:

566 posts

214 months

Tuesday 2nd January 2007
quotequote all
I'm 17 and currently have an 03 1.4 golf.
I'm feeling the need to change cars but cant get insured on anything much bigger. So i was thinking about the new astra sporthatch. Either a 1.6 or 1.7cdti.

Anyone got one or know if there any good or not. And whats the best model to go for. i.e. sxi etc.

agent006

12,058 posts

270 months

Tuesday 2nd January 2007
quotequote all
The current Astra is one of the most horrible cars i've ever had the misfortune of driving. Poor pedal placement, bad steering, gearstick feels like it's connected by a few old post office rubber bands, clutch may as well have a switch rather than a pedal. You'll really notice a step down in quality from your golf.

KD56GNY

66 posts

215 months

Tuesday 2nd January 2007
quotequote all
If i was you i would go for the 1.7 CDTi - it will be quicker than the 1.6 across the whole range - and i would ignore agent006 opinion he is obviously like clarkson and against VXL's my m8 has a 1.9 150 CDTi SRi sport hatch - and its bloody quick handles well and no probs with the gearbox apart from the occasional crunch from 2nd to 3rd when ur gunning it. and i find for the level of car the steering is very responsive. as your'll probably see from my profile i have the New VX Corsa and mine is a 1.4 SXi and very much based on the astra sporthatch and is brilliant ive only had it a month - i get the same gearbox problem from 2nd to 3rd but again steering very responsive.

for insurance yor'll also save ya self a couple of hundred pounds by going for the diesel over the petrol. for model wise - i would say for sporthatch youonly have the choice of SXi SRi Design and 888, i personally for your age would go for the 1.7 CDTi SXi as it would be the overall cheapest to run out of the lot while still getting the sporty feel.

but i would say you would make a good choice whether you went for petrol or diesel sometimes its just personal opinion and model wise they all have pros and cons so it depends on what features you want but any model would be a good choice when getting the Sport Hatch

Regards

Michael West (KD56GNY)

agent006

12,058 posts

270 months

Tuesday 2nd January 2007
quotequote all
KD56GNY said:
he is obviously like clarkson and against VXL's


Only against astras, the rest of the Vauxhall range is actually quite good. Given how good the new focus is (and the old astra was) i'm really surprised they sell any of the current model astra. I'd agree that the 'best' of the bunch is the 1.7 diesel though.

KD56GNY

66 posts

215 months

Wednesday 3rd January 2007
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Fair Enough I'll Take the Clarkson Comment Back,

I agree the old astra was very good - but due to the fighting of manufactures they have to make radical changes in the shapes of the cars occasionally - its like the new corsa very much like marmite so people like the look some people hate the look - i personally like all aspects of the astra just couldnt afford the extra lump to get one - mind you i wouldnt have lumped for a 5 door only the sport hatch - if i wanted a 4 or 5 door i could get a good deal on a Vectra - being a VXL Partner - but then again depends on the deals at the time if they had a massive discount on a 2.0 Turbo 5 Door Astra SRi i wouldnt say no.

00161wj

Original Poster:

566 posts

214 months

Wednesday 3rd January 2007
quotequote all
Thanks for the advice. I'm going to go for an astra but i dont know what engine or model yet. Just depends what i can get hold of as im not buying new and dont wanna pay autotrader prices.