A review of my Astra Coupe complete with current problems

[juno_first]

I used to have a Calibra, which looks very much like these Astras.
In 5 years it never really went wrong & died a death of old age rot.
It had the 2.0L 8valve 115 BHP ( less CAT J reg ) & was SLOW!!! 1.6tonne (heavier than Cavalier), also the handling was very poor.
I'd not have another Vauxhall again unless I thought it had good handling.

 

[Janesy B]

I posted on an Astra forum asking about the Cooling Control module (which controls the fan and could have failed) but I haven't got any replies yet

Probably all busy fixing their own GM Based rubbish

 

[Minxy]

The suspension and chassis are different on the Gsi compared to the other models in the range.

It is only the front shocks that are different.

I had problems with my mk4 1.8 SRi when it was just out of warrenty.

The TC/ABS will mean that one or the other of your front wheels hubs is up the creek. I have replaced both mine and they cost me £100 a piece from www.lmfvauxhall.com . Vauxhall wanted £180 for them.

However, your other problems I am unable to sympathise with as I find my 1.8 not too sluggish for what it is. 8.5 0-60 isn't all that bad for a luke warm hatch. I don't really have a flat spot either and the engine revs to around 3.5k when I'm sat at 70. What is yours doing?

Don't lose heart with the car yet. Get your bump fixed and you may find yourself feeling a little brighter. We all kick ourselves after a prang.

 

[Locky]

Do these engines have the fly bi wire, 1.4 astra did and it was horried to drive.

 

[Begbie]

Hi

Just over 7 months ago I sold my MG ZR and bought an Astra Coupe 1.8. The main reasoning behind this was to get a reliable cheap to run car (after the MG) to help to get my finances back under control.


Unfortunately this turned out to be a bad decision. The car itself is very disappointing - not that great to drive, handles badly and just has no power. The gearing is poor (as is the dreadful gear shift that is a nightmare to get from second to third) so the revs are rather high on the motorway.

Had no problems at all with mine, non at all runs fine. Mines would easliy out handle my mates golf gti on the twisties and 'once' toke him on the outside of a dual lane corner in his leon cupra (all fairness he isn't the best of drivers!).

The traction control is a nightmare too as is the flat spot at about 1500 rpm. It doesn't move below 3500rpm and if you put your foot down it just pauses, hesitates, thinks about it, then starts to accelerate.

Yes the traction control is absolute pants, there when you don't want it and turns off when you do, there is a fix for this which will cost about a £5 and a hours work.

 

[Begbie]

Hasn't the Turbo got much better suspension? I'm sure I read that when I was reading about the Coupe

Better shocks as far as i'm aware, the springs are the same as the coupe's are lowered 30mm compared to standard mk4's.

Altough the gsi is about 100kgs lighter.

 

[ajgoodfellow]

It is only the front shocks that are different.

I had problems with my mk4 1.8 SRi when it was just out of warrenty.

The TC/ABS will mean that one or the other of your front wheels hubs is up the creek. I have replaced both mine and they cost me £100 a piece from www.lmfvauxhall.com . Vauxhall wanted £180 for them.

However, your other problems I am unable to sympathise with as I find my 1.8 not too sluggish for what it is. 8.5 0-60 isn't all that bad for a luke warm hatch. I don't really have a flat spot either and the engine revs to around 3.5k when I'm sat at 70. What is yours doing?

Don't lose heart with the car yet. Get your bump fixed and you may find yourself feeling a little brighter. We all kick ourselves after a prang.

Thanks for the advice. As for the performance - that's what the book says (and it's the same as it was for my MG) but it feels a lot slower so I'm not sure if it's performing on par

As for the revs - yep, just over 3.5k. The MG was under 3k so quieter. The engine also seriously lacks torque

 

[Scania]

You went from one crap brand to another and had an unfortunate bump just to rub some salt into the wound.....

Next time, buy either German or Jap and hopefully, don't have a prang!


Ultimately mate, cars are a liability and probably, the most expensive part of owning one is to actually change it.

If you do decide to sell it, get it fixed first if you want any hope of a half decent price.

 

[ajgoodfellow]

Do these engines have the fly bi wire, 1.4 astra did and it was horried to drive.

They do unfortunately

Had no problems at all with mine, non at all runs fine. Mines would easliy out handle my mates golf gti on the twisties and 'once' toke him on the outside of a dual lane corner in his leon cupra (all fairness he isn't the best of drivers!).

Yes the traction control is absolute pants, there when you don't want it and turns off when you do, there is a fix for this which will cost about a £5 and a hours work.

The Mk4 Golf GTI wasn't known to be that good handling a car from what I've read. The suspension is rather soft so it rolls all over the place and doesn't feel at all planted.

You went from one crap brand to another and had an unfortunate bump just to rub some salt into the wound.....

Next time, buy either German or Jap and hopefully, don't have a prang!


Ultimately mate, cars are a liability and probably, the most expensive part of owning one is to actually change it.

If you do decide to sell it, get it fixed first if you want any hope of a half decent price.

Yeah I'm going to have to. It cost me a fair bit to change from the MG and I just cannot afford to change (I can barely afford to fix it)

 

[Scrutinize]

They do unfortunately

The Mk4 Golf GTI wasn't known to be that good handling a car from what I've read. The suspension is rather soft so it rolls all over the place and doesn't feel at all planted.

Yeah I'm going to have to. It cost me a fair bit to change from the MG and I just cannot afford to change (I can barely afford to fix it)

Dunno why everyone goes on about the reliability and cackness of the VXs. All the ones I have had have been pretty good (3) and spent the least time being fixed out of all of my cars I have owned.

 

[ajgoodfellow]

My first Mk4 Astra was fine - a great first car - and it's one of the reasons why I bought this one. My parents have owned a Mk4 Astra for about 4 years or so and it's been faultless

This one has turned out to be a nightmare but I fully appreciate that they're not all like this

 

[ajgoodfellow]

Another issue which I forgot to mention earlier (which started before the accident) is that when I'm in stop start traffic for a long period of time (a few minutes or more generally) the biting point of the clutch gets lower and lower and stops disengaging the gears properly. I have to put the car in neutral then pump the clutch pedal (as it stays on the floor) for it to start working again. To stop this I cannot sit in traffic with the clutch depressed - I have to change in and out of neutral while lifting up the clutch inbetween

 

[Sime]

Sounds like youve got some serious problems with your coupe mate...

 

[ajgoodfellow]

Yeah

 

[ajgoodfellow]

After coming back from work today the chrome strip on the boot lid finally decided to fall off - it had been loose for some time!

 

[Begbie]

Sounds like you bought a banger, mines needs body work done. But mechanicaly it is sound!

Drives like a dream, and I find the handling quite active and spirtly. Obviously be better when the new shocks and springs go on.

 

[Sime]

Sounds like you bought a banger, mines needs body work done. But mechanicaly it is sound!

Drives like a dream, and I find the handling quite active and spirtly. Obviously be better when the new shocks and springs go on.

tbh I find mine the same...Its got enough power for me anyway. Any faster and I would probably kill myself tbh

Shouldnt really think about getting an RX-8 really should I?

but ye, mines got some bodywork issues on the front bumper but thats about it really. Car seems to be pretty hardy...

 

[Begbie]

tbh I find mine the same...Its got enough power for me anyway. Any faster and I would probably kill myself tbh

Shouldnt really think about getting an RX-8 really should I?

but ye, mines got some bodywork issues on the front bumper but thats about it really. Car seems to be pretty hardy...

It could do with more power, wish I had gone with the turbo now. What engine you have?

Mines has a crack on the rear bumper, plastics are faded. But been working my ass off latley to get it fixed next month

Should order my springs + shocks then too

 

[Sime]

It could do with more power, wish I had gone with the turbo now. What engine you have?

Mines has a crack on the rear bumper, plastics are faded. But been working my ass off latley to get it fixed next month

Should order my springs + shocks then too

ive got the 1.8L. You?

Ye I was looking at the turbo but couldnt afford the insurance .

Ye mines just got some dodget respray someone did. So ill probably buy a GSi bumper and stick it on.

OR

Leave it and get a new car next year...Have to wait and see. As long as the cars running im happy

Not really the right time or place to be buying a beasty car atm (new job, stupid London roads)

 

[Begbie]

ive got the 1.8L. You?

Ye I was looking at the turbo but couldnt afford the insurance .

Ye mines just got some dodget respray someone did. So ill probably buy a GSi bumper and stick it on.

OR

Leave it and get a new car next year...Have to wait and see. As long as *** cars running im happy

Not really the right time or place to be buying a beasty car atm (new job, stupid London roads)

2.2, altough in all fairness I don't think theres much of a difference.

Yeah nor could I they where wanting silly amounts for the turbo.

Would love the GSI bumper, altough the price is crazy. On the lookout for a cheap irmy kit