Vauxhall Astra 1.7CDTi EcoFlex

wassap · 11 Jan 2009 at 20:20

Ed said:
There is an odd level of perspective when it comes to Vauxhalls, almost to the point of hate which I find very strange. There's far worse out there for sale. Why doesn't the awful Peugeot 307 share some pain too?

All I ask for, from a company the size of Vauxhall, is to give us something that is more than acceptable, show some ****ing ambition for the love of God, apart from the VXR range, which is flawed in itself, they sell distinctly average cars, which do nothing well, just ok, and they are not exactly cheap.If it werent for their fleet outlets, the far eastern companies would prob sell more than VX in this country.

Ed · 11 Jan 2009 at 20:25

wohoo said:
All I ask for, from a company the size of Vauxhall, is to give us something that is more than acceptable, show some ****ing ambition for the love of God, apart from the VXR range, which is flawed in itself, they sell distinctly average cars, which do nothing well, just ok, and they are not exactly cheap.If it werent for their fleet outlets, the far eastern companies would prob sell more than VX in this country.

OK, that's a perfectly valid viewpoint. Take the basics of supply and demand, if other cars are superior for the same money, why do Vauxhall continue to trade? How many Astras are there on the road in private hands? Why is this?

[TW]Fox · 11 Jan 2009 at 20:26

Ed said:
if other cars are superior for the same money, why do Vauxhall continue to trade?

Yes, because of course GM are in perfect financial health :confused:

Ed · 11 Jan 2009 at 20:27

[TW]Fox;13268389 said:
Yes, because of course GM are in perfect financial health

That statement is ridiculous. You can level that at all of them, BMW too.

[TW]Fox · 11 Jan 2009 at 20:29

Ed said:
That statement is ridiculous. You can level that at all of them, BMW too.

It's not ridiculous at all. You are asking how Vauxhall is still trading - I am informing you that they are only just still trading, by virtue of the financial calamity specifically facing their parent company.

Peerzy · 11 Jan 2009 at 20:30

Ed said:
That statement is ridiculous. You can level that at all of them, BMW too.

I've applied to BMW for my Uni placement year but have been told there has been a block put on all new hiring right now due to the financial situation.

Ed · 11 Jan 2009 at 20:30

[TW]Fox;13268425 said:
It's not ridiculous at all. You are asking how Vauxhall is still trading - I am informing you that they are only just still trading, by virtue of the financial calamity specifically facing their parent company.

And you know full well that isn't the point in this context. OK, paraphrase then.

Why do new Astra diesels sell?

Ed · 11 Jan 2009 at 20:31

Peerzy said:
I've applied to BMW for my Uni placement year but have been told there has been a block put on all new hiring right now due to the financial situation.

Perhaps their cars are crap and people aren't buying them anymore? :eek:

[TW]Fox · 11 Jan 2009 at 20:33

Ed said:
Why do new Astra diesels sell?

A combination of ignorance on behalf of consumers (You would be amazed at some of the purchasing criteria, there exist people who will only buy from Dealer Y because it is at the end of the road) and fleet discounts so huge that the fleet manager would be stupid not to - in this cases how a car drives is irrelevent, it simply needs to be as low cost as possible as the purchase maker is not the product user.

Lopéz · 11 Jan 2009 at 20:36

Ed said:
Why doesn't the awful Peugeot 307 share some pain too?

Bloody awful thing.

For the record, I don't specifically dislike Vauxhalls. I own a German Vauxhall FFS¬

[TW]Fox · 11 Jan 2009 at 20:37

I specifically dislike Vauxhalls but curiously cannot explain why. I think it's because they stand for all thats mundane about annoying and motoring - you name it, Vauxhall stands for it. People buying diesel Corsas becuase it will 'save money' when doing 10 miles a week, crap rep cars with no redeeming features, rabid fanatical owners clubs, etc.

Do you know what the cruel horrible irony is?

My girlfriends car is a 2006 Corsa 1.3 CTDi Enjoy.

Ed · 11 Jan 2009 at 20:37

[TW]Fox;13268463 said:
A combination of ignorance on behalf of consumers (You would be amazed at some of the purchasing criteria, there exist people who will only buy from Dealer Y because it is at the end of the road) and fleet discounts so huge that the fleet manager would be stupid not to - in this cases how a car drives is irrelevent, it simply needs to be as low cost as possible as the purchase maker is not the product user.

Right, so excluding busines and looking at the private sector, ignorance and inertia are the largest factors for choosing a particular car. The Astra in this case.

I liken it to people who stick by Tiscali for their broadband. Ignorance and inertia stop them using a superior service for the same money. Question is, how much do consumers have to know about a product to buy it? A car is an expensive purchase but it's also a complex one too. Should my mother, for example, not buy an Astra if they've served her well in the past and she likes them? Should she compare the handling of a Focus first? Does she know what handling is? Should she know?

NathanE · 11 Jan 2009 at 20:38

What about their new Insignia though?

Ed · 11 Jan 2009 at 20:39

[TW]Fox;13268495 said:
Do you know what the cruel horrible irony is?

My girlfriends car is a 2006 Corsa 1.3 CTDi Enjoy.

Then you fail and have lost man points.

JRS · 11 Jan 2009 at 20:40

[TW]Fox;13267406 said:
It's only nice to drive if you've recently stepped out of a Corsa or a Yugo.

At least the Yugo is cheap. And actually quite fun to drive, in a 'truly dreadful' sort of way.

Also, you can try and jump the bridge in one.

Ed · 11 Jan 2009 at 20:40

NathanE said:
What about their new Insignia though?

I sat in one and it's cool, but I hear they're not as polished on the road as the superb Mondeo.

[TW]Fox · 11 Jan 2009 at 20:40

Ed said:
I liken it to people who stick by Tiscali for their broadband. Ignorance and inertia stop them using a superior service for the same money

This is exactly what it is and exactly what keeps them going.

Question is, how much do consumers have to know about a product to buy it? A car is an expensive purchase but it's also a complex one too. Should my mother, for example, not buy an Astra if they've served her well in the past and she likes them? Should she compare the handling of a Focus first? Does she know what handling is? Should she know?

She'd probably have a better ownership experience from a Ford, Toyota or Nissan, though. She just doesn't realise. Ignorance is bliss - but it also means you dont know what you are missing out on.

NathanE said:
What about their new Insignia though?

My judgement is reserved as my only experience so far is poking around one at the Motorshow

Lopéz · 11 Jan 2009 at 20:49

JRS said:
At least the Yugo is cheap. And actually quite fun to drive, in a 'truly dreadful' sort of way.

Also, you can try and jump the bridge in one.

I read that as "hump a bridge" which isn't even close to what you typed.

Must stop drinking on a Sunday.

BeatMaster · 11 Jan 2009 at 20:54

[TW]Fox;13267528 said:
Actually the Kia Ceed is supposed to be pretty decent - I'd not commit without a proper drive but I suspect given the choice I'd take it over the Astra.

I test drove one and wasn't impressed. The suspension was far too hard which resulted in a rather bouncy affair when pushing on through some dips

Also, hardly any feel from the steering but other than that it was OK. Although considering the price, I'd take a Skoda Fabia vRS. The vRS handled much better and was much more fun to drive plus cheaper! Win win

cheets64 · 11 Jan 2009 at 20:55

[TW]Fox;13268195 said:
I think GD is 3rd door down on the left, thanks!

Oh hi.

I remember when you ripped into me about selling my Corsa, you was right but as I had no knowledge in the subject it was a bit harsh, you need to remember not everybody is a car enthusiast.

What I have learnt from this place is great bodes well for the future and all for free.

You need to let bygones be bygones. Did you have to ride in Nova when you was little?