2001 Holden Astra TS review from Australia and New Zealand

My main concern is the lethargic throttle response. It seems that the 2001 Holden Astra is fitted with a slightly different motor to its 85 kw predecessor. It has a drive-by-wire throttle and an engine management computer set to hold the throttle open on decelerating.

I find this annoying and a little unsafe. Any tips on how to rectify this would be appreciated (kcole@iprimus.com.au)

I noticed water in the driver's side headlight, but a smear of silicon around the joints fixed that.

The key remote is too chunky.

Very little has gone wrong with my car and its build quality seems very high.

It doesn't handle like my 1990 BMW 525i, but it is agile and sure footed with a pleasant steering feel unlike most front wheel drive cars. If you let the tyres down a little it jiggles less on the road. The Michelin tyres roll along like a push bike.

The controls are all slick and easy to use, although the stubby gear shift takes a little time to adapt to.

It is very quiet with under-bonnet sound deadening rarely seen in cheap cars.

It is amazingly frugal for its weight. Much better than the last Barina. It seems to always give 39 mpg + regardless of how you drive it.

The radio is of good quality, but it is hard to replace the mediocre door speakers which appear to have surround glued to their in-door supports.

The engine is all a bit too electronic and everything is adjusted by the computer including timing and idle.