2000 Holden Astra TS review from Australia and New Zealand

Total failure of starter motor after 20000 Kilometres. Almost 1 week delay in obtaining replacement part.

Pinhole leak in radiator at about the same time. Part available in this instance and repaired immediately by dealer.

Ongoing problem with bad rattle from dashboard, which has never been resolved.

Ongoing problem with bad creaking from drivers seat when going over bumps or undulations. This has never been resolved.

Bonnet release fails to work intermittently. Two attempts at repair, but I have now given up on this.

At 550000 Kilometres the rotors and brake pads (both front and rear) need replacing. This repair will cost over $1000.00 as brake wear is considered normal.

This car is nice to drive at highway speeds, being quiet and sure-footed.

At low speeds first gear is almost impossible to engage, unless the car is almost stationary. At these speeds second gear has no torque making the car very unpleasant to drive in "stop-start" traffic.

The car body feels very tight, strong and rigid. This is backed up by good results in European crash testing of this vehicle.

Dealer service is terrible (Melbourne Eastern suburbs). All services were subject to 2-4 week delays. Some of the earlier services were subject to even longer delays and I was coerced not to record any faults if I wanted to get the car serviced in a resonable time. Parts are not readily available. I had to wait a week for the starter motor and brake rotors are continually in short supply.

I have been told that it is normal for the brake system (rotors and pads) to wear out every 50000 Kilometres. This is totally unacceptable.