Vauxhall Astra Hatchback (1998 - 2005) 1.6i Club 5d (2002/02) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

That I needed a decent runaround in a hurry and didn't have time to shop around for long.

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

Decent car, but nothing special. They are very common which made finding one easy, but means that only special or high end models stand out.

Would you buy this car again and why?

No. I don't think this model has aged well - although its not in poor condition, it feels flimsy and the cheaper parts used are ageing badly.

What are you likely to buy next?

Already ordered a Skoda Fabia Greenline ii for the fuel economy and free road tax.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Independent

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£1,800

When did you buy the car?

October 2010

Did you get a good deal and why?

Negotiated a discount on the asking price, but I'd say a fair deal rather than a good deal - the car is in ok condition for its age but its nothing special.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Old car was written off and needed something reliable quickly.

What was the dealer like?

Very friendly and reasonable. If I lived in the area I'd probably use him again.

What's it like to drive?

Sporty to drive and gets going quickly - important when pulling out into heavy traffic at junctions in South East London. Will sit quite happily at 50 on dual carriageways, but doesn't really like motorway driving and fuel economy is pretty poor.

What's it like to park?

Very easy to park, good visability and short back help.

Have you had any problems with the car?

The car seems to have quite high consumption of engine oil. After a few months of ownership I noticed a ticking sound coming from the engine - sounded almost like an old diesel - but checked the oil and it was fine. I don't think the dip-stick is all that reliable: I topped up the oil and the noise disappeared.

What's most practical about your car?

Decent amount of room for passengers and good boot space. Good runaround as feels quite sporty to drive.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

N/A