Astra... go drive! (Vauxhall Astra Expression 1.6i 5-door)

Member Name: Sci_aj

Product:	Vauxhall Astra Expression 1.6i 5-door
Date:	29/04/06 (2273 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good value, mod cons, easy to drive

Disadvantages: EGR Valve can be an issue

I bought my Astra over 2 years ago and I still wouldn't change it… despite being told by my partner to buy a Japanese car… well that was until I let him drive mine… and guess what? Now HE wants to buy an Astra too!

OK so what can I tell you? Well before I go on please be sure to note that this is written by someone without a huge driving experience, in fact I have only ever driven 4 cars…A Ka 1.1, A Ford Fusion 1.4 CDTi, A Suzuki Jimny 1.3 and finally the Astra. I aim to rate these cars in relation to one another in the review.


The Engine & Driving…
Well the Astra by far has the better engine, a 1.6L 8V (3 secs longer on 0-16 than the 16V but £2000 cheaper!) I find that achieving 60mph in 3rd gear is no problem and I can more than keep up with motorway traffic while running at about 3500rpm. An easy car to accelerate in and not notice the speed you are doing.
The Suzuki Jimny 1.3… in 2 wheel drive the acceleration is what you would expect for a small jeep, not great… but it was able to maintain a steady 75mph on the motorway. Having said this it took a while to get there! In 4 wheel drive obviously acceleration is reduced by grip and suitability for snow etc is improved.
The Ford Fusion 1.4 CDTi - what can I say other than a bathtub on wheels! Acceleration was slow and at times I sat in the drivers seat yelling at the car to "go faster!"
The Ka 1.1… scared me… when I went over 60mph the thing rattled and I slowed down quickly… not a car to drive fast!

The Astra wins, good acceleration, not laboured, and quiet!


Economy
Easy comparison here… a 100mile journey on combination of motorways, 1 roads and small country backroads.
Astra £9.50
Suzuki £12
Fusion £10 (diesel)
Ka £14

The Astra wins… this is the car I currently drive and I get between 300 & 400 mi from the tank depending on urban or motorway driving.


Braking.
Again comparing the 4 on ease of braking, feel of brakes and stopping distance.
Astra, good solid feel to the brakes, bonus of ABS. Stops sharply when needed but also does a nice slow braking and slowing down. Brake pedal is firm but not too hard to depress.
Suzuki stunning brakes, stops on a penny. Brake pedal is firm but you can feel this in the braking ability of the car.
Fusion, somewhat soggy, brakes felt sponge like and more than once left me praying!
Ka… brakes what brakes??? I used engine braking in this car way too often to stop.

On braking ability alone the Suzuki would have to win, but with the addition of ABS at no extra cost well the Astra has it!


Gearbox and Clutch.
Humm what is a girl to say???

Fusion and Ka both being Ford had a clunky gearbox in my opinion. Gear changes weren't as smooth as I would have liked and the biting point was a bit murky… it almost seemed to be a movable feast.

Suzuki… admits and hangs head in shame… I burnt the clutch through in 3 years (It was my first car…) Cost approx £750 for full replacement and checking of gears. I know the new owner… my mum… she has now had the car for 5 years without a problem with the clutch… so either new driver error or a slightly dodgy clutch to begin with?

Astra, smooth gearbox and changes. Clear and precise biting point. SO far 2.5 years of driving no problem with the clutch.

So overall on feel of gear changes and associated problems I would say the Astra has it.


Steering and Suspension

Ka: Oversteer, understeer… I was scared!

Jimny: Great steering (power assisted), suspension was very stiff and I cracked a shock in the first week of owning the car.

Fusion: Power assisted steering, tended to pull to one side (but this could have been the car I was driving.) Suspension was too soggy.

Astra: Power assisted speed dependant steering… GREAT! Hugs the road like glue. Suspension makes the ride comfortable but still allows you to feel the road.

Again the Astra has it!


Comfort and Interior

Ka… nasty… the sooner I was out of this car the better!

Jimny… a hard ride. Good interior cloth covered seats and co-ordinating carpet throughout. Air con and front heaters.

Fusion… too soggy. Cloth covered seats, with co-ordinating carpet throughout. Air con and front and rear heaters, side demisters, heated rear and front windscreens.

Astra… firm but comfortable ride. Cloth covered seats, with co-ordinating carpet throughout. Air con and front and rear heaters, side demisters, heated rear windscreen.

Due to the addition of a heated front windscreen and it being the coldest January on record I was driving the Fusion… it wins!


Entertainment

Ka - basic radio 2 band with 6 presets and tape deck. 4 speakers.

Suzuki - basic radio 3 band with 18 presets and tape deck. 4 speakers.

Fusion - basic radio 3 band with 12 presets and CD player. 6 speakers. Radio controls on steering column. Mute button for conversations. Traffic Reporting available

Astra - basic radio 3 band with 18 presets and CD player. 7 speakers. Radio controls on steering column. Traffic Reporting available. Best sound quality.

In this case as I love my music the Astra wins!


Load Space (In terms of actual available space)

Ka… way too small… I might get a bike tyre in!

Jimny a little better… rear opening door at thigh height so this can be hard to lift heavy items in. Wouldn't fit my bike!

Astra comes next…. Removable shelf which gives you a larger volume and the rear seats go totally flat. There is also a 60/40 split on the seats. This space will fit my bike with the seats down. There is a slight lip you have to lift things over but it is not too bad.

Fusion (a mini mpv) so it should be larger! Very large area, flat loading and fitted the bike no problem.

So this time the Fusion has it!


Security and Safety
How do I feel driving them?

Ka scared for my life!

Jimny … good high driving position and visibility. Security is poor! I had a thatcham cat 1 alarm/immobiliser fitted after being broken into.

Astra feels safe when driving airbags and good crumple zones combined with a energy absorbing steering column. I have never worried driving this car. central locking and deadlock with immobiliser - very good, no problems so far.

Fusion - seemed fine in the time I had it. Immobiliser as standard, airbags good crumple zones.

So on experience alone it has to be the Astra with the Fusion in a close second.

Features on the Astra:
Engine immobiliser, Key left in ignition audible warning, Locking fuel filler cap, RF remote control central locking, Security code/remote display protection for audio, Visible vehicle identification number
3 point seatbelts on all 3 rear seats, Anti jam door design with burst proof door locks, Deformation zones front and rear, Driver airbag, Energy absorbing steering column, Front passenger airbag, Integral protective side door padding, Reinforced passenger safety cell, Side intrusion beams in doors

Insurance and Servicing
Ka & Fusion were hire cars so I can't comment.

Suzuki servicing every 6mths, no service indicator, cost approx £190 from an independent dealer. Insurance just over £400

Astra serving once every 12mths, with a service indicator on the dash, cost approx £210 from a main dealer. Insurance currently just over £400.

As insurance is the same, it comes down to cost of servicing where the Astra pips the Suzuki at the post.

In conclusion… yes I love my Astra… they are now really good value for money as the new body shape (Mk5) has been launched. You will get a lot of car for not a lot of money!

There is a huge list of features... if you want this drop me a line! Aj

Summary: Economical car, lots of goodies for the money, esp on old body shape!

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