Vauxhall Astra Hatchback (2004 - 2010) 1.4 Life 5d (2008/58) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

I thought with its black colour it would make me look me a boy racer (I'm a girl) but when I floor it and it just about gets to 20mph. I'm left looking like a joke.

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

Parents are happy as its "something to get me for A to B" but now that I'm not just going from A to B, it's not very suitable.

Would you buy this car again and why?

I wouldn't buy this car again as I don't think it's good value for money - I spent just over this amount on my first Ford Focus and got a lot more inside.

What are you likely to buy next?

I would go back to my Focus any day.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchised

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£4,599

When did you buy the car?

February 2013

Did you get a good deal and why?

Got the dealership to repair a chip in the windscreen, crack in gear stick and front right wing mirror as it was damaged, all for free.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Heard that Astras were good for a first car as 1.4s could have reasonable insurance for young drivers.

What was the dealer like?

Staff were rude, realised I was not coming in to purchase anything above £5,000 so didn't really want to know and just left me to it.

What's it like to drive?

Very slow off the line, even when you've got your foot to the floor, revs very loudly and you'd expect it to take off but it's like the engine that just couldn't...

What's it like to park?

Quite small so easy to park. Could not reverse park until I had this car.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Battery was dead within first week of use as hadn't been looked after but I would have expected a battery to last longer than 4-5 years ? I'm not a big car expert so I wouldn't know, gear stick is stiff and I'm always putting it into reverse because it's reverse is placed next to 1st. I topped it up with £50 worth of petrol and it took a while for the gauge to register that I'd put petrol in it. Petrol cap feels loose sometimes after a long motorway drive.

What's most practical about your car?

I was moving in my first 4 weeks of having the car and managed to fit a lot in the boot and also with the seats folded down.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Very basic on the inside, I'm lucky I have a CD player. Disappointed as Ford give AUX points as standard with most of their models.