Faults:

Excessive heating in the engine leading to coolant leakage.

One time there was a failure in the transmission control unit; the car only worked on 3rd gear and acceleration was dismal.

Strange rattle noise in the engine.

General Comments:

Very good car overall in quality finish fit, and very beautiful engine sound.

However the performance is affected when the air conditioner is on.

Very nice suspension and noise isolation.

Sensational to drive.

Faults:

The car consumes a lot of gas, it is far from the 12 km/l that the sales person offered, actually we are consuming around at 6.1 km/l.

Alternator went out at 20,000 km.

Gas Injectors problems at 28,000 km.

The wheel is bit unstable after 120 km/h

Head lights problems since 5,000 km, still present (lost their bright, the adjusting level got damaged), and in general they don give enough light in the road.

General Comments:

I share this car with my wife, and I am comfortable leaving her the car to drive it along tough Mexico City’s streets, that means: I trust the car (having a not reliable car in this City might be dangerous).

The car is very comfortable and even luxurious for its class (it has tons of useful gadgets and equipment that make it out-stand).

Faults:

One common failure on models before 2003: condensation on headlamps.

General Comments:

The engine is incredibly emotional... once you hit the gas pedal, you fall inlove with that sound. Although I pushed it to the limit, I was not able to beat a Nissan Maxima with 175HP, however, it could not beat me as well. Perhaps the manual Astra can beat it. That feeling with the engine can give the owner a false feeling of power, although it has enough power to beat any lousy VW Jetta 2.0L (gas), I would not be so sure about a 1.8L turbo. The other version of the Astra, the 2.2L 145HP can be amazing though, be careful Jettas...

Faults:

By now nothing, the car is operating perfectly, no complaint.

General Comments:

Good assembly quality.

Excelent equippment.

This car is quick and handles quite well in any kind of road.

Good braking system.

Faults:

Nothing by now.

General Comments:

Excellent car, very roomy and very good quality.

Excellent performance and equipment, as good as expensive cars, but with a reasonable price.

Security as the Volvo S40 (4 stars in front offset).

I will recommend this car.