Holden Astra

[Stattic]

Hey everyone sorry if this is the wrong place to post but I need some info. Not looking for Holden bashing but my girlfriend is very keen on getting an astra as a first car despite whatever else has been thrown at her. Are they any good? How do they age? What are some common issues and are they cheap to fix? What years should she go for/ stay away from? She's looking 2000+ as she wants Abs as a minimum. Also fuel economy must be reasonable.
Let me know your experience with these cars, I don't want to encourage her to buy a fuel sucking breakdown machine and all the same I don't want to discourage her getting something reliable that she finds stylish. So which would he be getting if she got one?

Thanks for your help everyone!

[Yellow_Festiva]

http://www.drive.com.au/used-cars/HO...422367508&pt=1

Click on "Reviews" (under the images) and you will find some information and user reviews of the 2000ish model Astras.

[dannyhilton]

The ex has a 2007 SRI and though this model is the newer one, the new model was mostly just a reskin in the same way as the FG Falcon update. It's been great for her, plenty of punch and lots of fun. Is still very good, but I've noticed some of the plastic has seen better days. Sips fuel and hasn't broken down, just minor things like keyless entry stoped working and the like. The previous model sold quite well, and always seemed to me to be a decent little run-about. Good luck fella.

[ZA-289]

Watch out for steering issues, noise, notchyness etc they run an expensive electric power steer setup, oh and they generally just drive like rubbish. But thats just IMHO.

[DELAI]

My sister inlaw had a early 2000 model. Never had any issues with it and seemed to drive ok.

[Mr Hardware]

timing belt + non-clearance motor = DO NOT BUY

[sgt_doofey]

I spoke to a mechanic about one once and he mentioned that a simple job like having to change a blown globe somewhere in the dash (couldn't remember where though) was a major exercise which pretty much resulted in the dismantling of the whole dash to get to this globe. This was an older model, possibly early to mid 2000's. Might be different in newer ones.
Mechanically, can't comment. One of the wife's friends has one and it seems to give her no grief that I am aware of.

[jcxr]

My daughter has a 2003 auto, has been faultless apart from a coil pack, which cost $1'000 !!!!

[Silver Ghia]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

timing belt + non-clearance motor = DO NOT BUY

Yes, timing belts need replacing at 60,000km intervals, otherwise they will fail. Originally they were scheduled for 120,000kms, but belts were failing well before that, so Holden had to halve the interval.

[blueoval]

Also is your mrs adept with indicator stalk on the other side of the steering column?

My mrs hates that in the early 00 Astra's personally. If this is an issue, go for a 05+ AH model rather than the earlier shape.

[a_misfit]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

timing belt + non-clearance motor = DO NOT BUY

Spot on with this one...timing belt tended to go a long way before scheduled service too (from memory at 90K instead of 120K).

EDIT: my memory was wrong based on later post

[Stattic]

Ohh the earlier models have euro steering columns? Didn't know that it could be an issue she hasn't got her license yet

[pauljh74]

I looked into this 5 years ago for a friend and in the end got her a 2001 Mazda 323. The Astras were better when new, but the timing belt and soft and faster wearing brake rotors (there's quite a few euro cars that have this) sent me looking elsewhere as it meant higher running costs. An example - my friend, who doesn't hammer his 2001 Astra, I know I would drive my car harder than he drives his - his front rotors wore out at 40,000kms and the rears at 60,000kms. My EL Falcon went through the front rotors at 100,000kms and at 170,000kms is still on the original rear rotors. I'm happy with the brake performance in my car.

Go the Mazda 3 if it is in the budget. Get the 1.8 litre if the 323 (BJ & BJII series) is the pick. Or perhaps the SP20 with the 2.0 litre and extra features

http://www.drive.com.au/buy/market_v...variantseries=

The late Laser/Focus would be another excellent alternative, both share some DNA with the Mazdas.

One question, what is the budget? A decent 2005> Astra might be out of reach if the budget is under $10,000

[Stattic]

what are the 323s like once they start getting on in km? weve seen a nice red one, 2001, seems very tidy but has 197,000km on it, asking price $8990
she wants to try and stay under 10 grand but im trying to convince her to spend a bit extra and get something good

http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/search/vehicle-details/P9320478/@Nf=pYear|GTEQ%202000|pPrice|LTEQ%2010000&origin=a dvanced&N=4294962119+450+623+406&No=165&type=cars& searchType=3&vehicleType=3&pos=172&pr=P9364753&nr= D_14095100

mazda 3, her dream car. im worried cuz it has 50,000km and its only $9700, also there are no comments and no features and only 1 photo. look dodgy to anybody?

[rst2000]

Originally Posted by pauljh74

I looked into this 5 years ago for a friend and in the end got her a 2001 Mazda 323. The Astras were better when new, but the timing belt and soft and faster wearing brake rotors (there's quite a few euro cars that have this) sent me looking elsewhere as it meant higher running costs. An example - my friend, who doesn't hammer his 2001 Astra, I know I would drive my car harder than he drives his - his front rotors wore out at 40,000kms and the rears at 60,000kms. My EL Falcon went through the front rotors at 100,000kms and at 170,000kms is still on the original rear rotors. I'm happy with the brake performance in my car.

Go the Mazda 3 if it is in the budget. Get the 1.8 litre if the 323 (BJ & BJII series) is the pick. Or perhaps the SP20 with the 2.0 litre and extra features

http://www.drive.com.au/buy/market_v...variantseries=

The late Laser/Focus would be another excellent alternative, both share some DNA with the Mazdas.

One question, what is the budget? A decent 2005> Astra might be out of reach if the budget is under $10,000

my wife has a ts 2001 astra - manual, had it since new & just hit 115k's, had the timing belt done at 70k and still on original brakes and rotors. no warranty claims at all and have only just replaced the original battery and tyres were done at 90k. fuel consumption is excellent with 750klms between fills(90% highway k's). so from our experience i wouldn't have a problem in recommending it. now our ford territory...well, will leave that one to another day.

[Stoney!]

Mazda 3's can be more of a money nightmare than the Astra as well. They are riddled with tedious electrical problems and alternators failing on them seems to be the norm and mazda's electrical parts cost an absolute fortune.

Also look at the last of the Mk 4 Golfs, a 2.0 Sport is well kitted and and looks great if looked after, interior quality is second to none, and whilst they still get electrical gremlins from time to time they are not as expensive to fix as mazda.

I'm sure the safety aspect in these would be right up there also, as well as the sheer driving enjoyment.

Stoney!

[pauljh74]

Originally Posted by Stattic

what are the 323s like once they start getting on in km? weve seen a nice red one, 2001, seems very tidy but has 197,000km on it, asking price $8990
she wants to try and stay under 10 grand but im trying to convince her to spend a bit extra and get something good

http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/search/vehicle-details/P9320478/@Nf=pYear|GTEQ%202000|pPrice|LTEQ%2010000&origin=a dvanced&N=4294962119+450+623+406&No=165&type=cars& searchType=3&vehicleType=3&pos=172&pr=P9364753&nr= D_14095100

mazda 3, her dream car. im worried cuz it has 50,000km and its only $9700, also there are no comments and no features and only 1 photo. look dodgy to anybody?

That link says it is not available/ removed
I think you can do better than one with almost 200,000kms for less than $10k
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...carhome&Nne=15

But a Mazda 3 for under $10k - probably not worth touching as that will be the bottom end of the market. Paying about $12000 -$13000 would get something with lower kms.

While the Mazda 3 might be closer to her dream car - for a first car she needs to be a little more realistic. I'd like to get a BKII SP23 with 6 speed manual in a couple of years, but need to put more money aside for it.

[GavL]

Originally Posted by Stattic

what are the 323s like once they start getting on in km? weve seen a nice red one, 2001, seems very tidy but has 197,000km on it, asking price $8990
she wants to try and stay under 10 grand but im trying to convince her to spend a bit extra and get something good

I had a 1997 323 Protege before my XR6. When I sold it (to my sister) it had 160,000 on the clock and did ok. It was a bit tired from the way mum used to drive it before she sold it to me (rode the clutch constantly and used to burn a bit of oil on cold - nothing overly noticable out the back though).

Had the clutch replaced and just kept an eye on the oil level and it was a great little car. Sold it to my sister and she recently did 4,000kms around queensland in it with the only trouble of the fuel pump dying when she got back cause she ran a batch of mega dodgy fuel!

Apart from that, would highly recommend a 323

[Chopped]

Originally Posted by Silver Ghia

Yes, timing belts need replacing at 60,000km intervals,.....

Ouch (dollars)

[Charliewool]

My daughter bought a 2006 Astra coupe (brand new) and it has been faultless in the 3+yrs she's had it. Her Mum bought a new 323 a year before, and although no real problems, the Astra is twice the car.
It feels much "tighter", less obvious torque steer than the Mazda, and generally much more refined.
Both are manuals BTW.

[colossus]

I used to own a 2003 Sri Turbo. Was a great car - very well made, very solid Euro feel to it. Only thing I found was parts are a bit pricey though in the two years I had it I only did a timing belt change (precautionary as per log book) and replaced the coolant overflow tank in the engine bay (they crack in the Aussie heat after about 60,000km - new one was $70). Fuel economy for a turbo was superb.

[uranium_death]

A friend of mine had an Astra around 03/04 and she told me it was terrible.
Car would stop running for no reason and would not start up again. Electronic fault that kept playing up.

She sold it and got an RX and has never looked back.

Goes to show that in every batch of apples, there is a rotten one.

[Dave R]

We've got an '07 CDX (bought it new), 3 years old, 40,000km and nothing has ever gone wrong with it. Fit and finish is excellent, no squeaks or creaks from anywhere in the car, motor seems to be very reliable, power is sufficient, the interior is fantastic and the car looks nice. Nothing but praise for the Astra, which was the last of the European Holdens to be sold here. It's a cut above the Falcon in terms of quality, that's for sure.

[LTDterri]

we have had a couple here at work as pool cars which means everyone drives them, one had 120k on it in 3 years at changeover and it ran really well, no major issues.I have been told though if something does go wrong they are expensive to repair. As rst2000 my Territory is a different story. My wife has a current model Misubishi Lancer no timing belt so far been fantastic

[FGX-351]

I'm going through the same thing with the gf wanting an ashtray.
Alot of good info in this thread.

[mrbaxr6t]

I hired one of these astras when I went on holidays if you want a car that will give whiplash under breaks and whiplash on launch yet still being slow as a snail in a mudpuddle go right ahead the whole family even my 6 year old son and 11 year old daughter ALL thought the car was crap surprising seeing the reaction coming from the kids in the back after we had the car for a sumtotal of around 25 minutes they didnt like the whiplash effect the car gave and no matter how you drove it it just did it - all I can say is I hope it was a thrashed hirecar hence driving the way it did if I test drove a car that drove like that I would ask the dealer if it comes with a HANS device for all occupants it was a shocker

[4.0i_SiX]

Common Astra faults that I see regularly through our workshop

They chew brake rotors ( most euro cars do )
riddled with A/C dramas, particularly the diode in the clutch coil on the compressor
Timing belts breaking = bent valves
Timing belt tensioners fail and SHOULD be changed each time the timing belt is
Head gasket failure
Radiators splitting
ECU dry solder failure due to ECU being mounted under the bonnet ( heat )
Bonnet cables breaking

Other than that, they drive pretty well with enough grunt to keep most happy, I cant stand the smell of the interior, parts can be exxy

[ZDHLANE]

Originally Posted by 4.0i_SiX

Common Astra faults that I see regularly through our workshop

They chew brake rotors ( most euro cars do )
riddled with A/C dramas, particularly the diode in the clutch coil on the compressor
Timing belts breaking = bent valves
Timing belt tensioners fail and SHOULD be changed each time the timing belt is
Head gasket failure
Radiators splitting
ECU dry solder failure due to ECU being mounted under the bonnet ( heat )
Bonnet cables breaking

Other than that, they drive pretty well with enough grunt to keep most happy, I cant stand the smell of the interior, parts can be exxy

Yep
Same but more

Just do a google search on Holden astra
You will be surprised!!!!!

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Stattic

what are the 323s like once they start getting on in km? weve seen a nice red one, 2001, seems very tidy but has 197,000km on it, asking price $8990
she wants to try and stay under 10 grand but im trying to convince her to spend a bit extra and get something good

http://www.carsguide.com.au/site/search/vehicle-details/P9320478/@Nf=pYear|GTEQ%202000|pPrice|LTEQ%2010000&origin=a dvanced&N=4294962119+450+623+406&No=165&type=cars& searchType=3&vehicleType=3&pos=172&pr=P9364753&nr= D_14095100

mazda 3, her dream car. im worried cuz it has 50,000km and its only $9700, also there are no comments and no features and only 1 photo. look dodgy to anybody?

My Dad has a BJII J48 323 astina, 250,000km on the clock and still going strong.

[Stattic]

Budget isn't the biggest issue. She wants under 10k originally she said 8k but shed fast finding out if you want a small auto you pay good money. She's also very picky. The budget is self imposed, she has the money to buy a brand new car but she wants something a bit older as she's not a confident driver and doesn't want to wipe out her savings account.
Are mazda 3s that bad with electrical faults? Ideally id like to see her in a nice 5-6 year old Mazda 3, focus or corolla Im just gonna have to convince her to spend a bit more