Vaux Astra 1.4 16v 2000+

Luke15 · 23 Feb 2006 at 20:53

What are these cars like, performance wise?

Would they be suitable for the learner driver?

Enfield · 23 Feb 2006 at 21:06

Why would the peformance matter if you're a learner?

Why wouldn't they be suitable?

ajgoodfellow · 23 Feb 2006 at 21:27

They're a good car for a learner driver - easy to drive with a light clutch. I learnt in one. Group 4 insurance so cheap to insure too. Safe cars as well

Performance - 89bhp, 0-60 11.5sec, Top Speed 112mph

I bought one as my first car. They're nippy enough and rather nice cars. Avoid the 1.6 8v like the plague though - horrible, rough engine, no power (74bhp later uprated to 84bhp) and a thirst for fuel

[TW]Fox · 23 Feb 2006 at 21:29

Luke15 said:
What are these cars like, performance wise?

Absolutely gutless - had an 03 1.4 16v Club as a hire car. Appears to be geared purely so it can get to 60mph in 11.9 seconds to look good in the brochure.

ajgoodfellow · 23 Feb 2006 at 21:32

Are you sure you had a 1.4 or a Club spec? It's just that you can't get the Club spec with the 1.4 litre engine - you can with the 1.6 8v which is an awful engine

Give them some revs and they're fine. You don't want a sports car for a learner, anyway. As for gutless - I've driven far worse cars!

saitrix · 23 Feb 2006 at 21:34

Yeah the Club didnt come in the 1.4 16v, only the 1.6 8v and 1.7 DTi.

[TW]Fox · 23 Feb 2006 at 21:43

The Club did come in 1.4 16v form, just not as a Vauxhall. Car was an LHD Opel Astra, and the specification was suprisingly high - aircon, front and rear electric windows, but that dreadful 1.4 16v engine.

Cryfreeman · 23 Feb 2006 at 21:47

[TW]Fox said:
Absolutely gutless

as the man says.

had one as a hire car when I was having some work done on the Evo.

Ok i know I was coming down from a evo but OMG that is one very slow car.

My aunties ford Ka was faster im sure of it

ajgoodfellow · 23 Feb 2006 at 21:51

It isn't a dreadful engine!

1.4 Focus - 74bhp, 0.60 13.7sec, 106mph
1.4 Xsara - 74bhp, 0-60 12.7sec, 107mph
1.3 323 - 72bhp, 0-60 15.3sec, 100mph
1.4 307 - 75bhp, 0-60 14.6sec, 104mph

I've driven a few of these and the Astra is noticeably better

ajgoodfellow · 23 Feb 2006 at 21:52

Cryfreeman said:
as the man says.

had one as a hire car when I was having some work done on the Evo.

Ok i know I was coming down from a evo but OMG that is one very slow car.

My aunties ford Ka was faster im sure of it

You're coming from an Evo! A 2.5V6 Mondeo will seem slow after that!

The 1.3 Ford Ka has an ancient engine in it that produces 59bhp, 0-60 in 13.7secs

[TW]Fox · 23 Feb 2006 at 21:52

It is a dreadful engine - posting a list of other cars with similarly dreadful engines makes it no less dreadful

And stop getting so hung up on 0-60, the Astra is geared to hit 0-60 and look good in the brochure

Cryfreeman · 23 Feb 2006 at 22:13

ajgoodfellow said:
You're coming from an Evo! A 2.5V6 Mondeo will seem slow after that!

The 1.3 Ford Ka has an ancient engine in it that produces 59bhp, 0-60 in 13.7secs

think she has the 70hp version.

stats aside...

astra 89bhp/1120kg(depending on model) = 79bhp/ton
ka 70bhp/871kg = 80bhp ton

close

not just the straight line speed that I didnt like, the drive was just very boring.

edit: to say the thread starter did mention for a leaner and in that case its a fine car

lordrobs · 23 Feb 2006 at 22:45

[TW]Fox said:
It is a dreadful engine - posting a list of other cars with similarly dreadful engines makes it no less dreadful

And stop getting so hung up on 0-60, the Astra is geared to hit 0-60 and look good in the brochure

I've driven a few of these and the Astra is noticeably better

Comparing the Astra to the other 1.4's in the list which he drove some of the Astra had a better engine. Thats quite a useful comment if the OP is looking to buy a small engined petrol hatch isn't it?

[TW]Fox · 23 Feb 2006 at 22:50

lordrobs said:

I think my point was crystal clear - being better than other dire things doesn't make something good.

A Trabant is better than a bicycle doesn't mean you should buy one

ajgoodfellow · 23 Feb 2006 at 22:51

Yes but would you have a learner drive a powerful car?

lordrobs · 23 Feb 2006 at 22:51

Fox- I see the point your trying to make but as I said if the OP wants to buy a 1400cc hatch then saying that x is better than y is more useful than they all suck

[TW]Fox · 23 Feb 2006 at 22:52

ajgoodfellow said:
Yes but would you have a learner drive a powerful car?

No, I'd have a learner drive a car with an engine suited to the size of the car.

In this case, a 1.6 16v would be sufficient. If he only wants a small engine for whatever reason, move down a size, consider a Fiesta or a Saxo or something.