Faults:

As far as I know from the previous owner:

Snapped Clutch cable at about 140,000.

Worn wheel bearings at about 150,000 Miles.

Warped Disc's at about 160,000 (Mainly due to the driver)

Rusted Wheel arches, around filler cap, Under rear reg plate and slightly on drivers door.

Started turning to the left slightly, but the previous owner hit a central reservation at 40+, Just needs a look at the tracking.

General Comments:

Very reliable car! The engine still runs pretty sweet without any knocks.

Pretty comfortable on long journeys especially at high speeds.

The fuel guage runs out slightly above the bottom of the red, I have ran out of go go juice a few times due to expecting a reserve.

The interior isn't anything excellent, but it's a lot better than a few cars I've been in.

Faults:

Nothing major so far, I'm pleased to say.

However, there does seem to be a problem developing with the clutch, in that on most occasions when letting the clutch in after changing gear, the car judders quite markedly. I have checked both drive shafts and they seem OK. I suspected the rear engine mounting, so I fitted a new one, but this didn't make any difference to the juddering. When driving, I can feel a definite "notch" occuring on changing down from fourth gear to third.

I have priced a new complete clutch assembly (£55.00) from a local motor factors, and when the summer arrives, I will renew the clutch - from what I've read in the workshop manual, it is quite straightforward to do.

General Comments:

I bought this estate because it was a Vauxhall, and I had previously owned a Nova saloon for 6 years, which had proved such a reliable little car, with an exccellent 1200cc engine, when I came to ned a bigger car, I naturally considered an Astra Estate. The 1600 engine seems to be built on very similar to the 1200 engine in the Nova.

The Astra is more luxuriously appointed than the Nova, having electric front windows - which work efficiently despite the age of the car - and are a great convenience.

The front seats are "body hugging" but the metal edges do hurt a little if you happen to sit on the edge of the seat when getting in the car - perhaps the edging fabrick has worn thin because of the cars age?

The cabin layout is very sensible with all controls easy to get at. I particualrly like having the interior light switch being incorporated in the main light switch - it's better than fiddling with the kind of switches witch are mounted on the light itself.

My wife likes the flat portion of the dashboard - she can stand a cup of tea on it when we stop any where!

I like the fact that it is an Estate.

Faults:

Passenger side outer CV joint shattered at around 95000 miles.

Alternator belts seem to wear out very quickly.

Idle speed control valve stopped working at 110000 miles, but a 2nd hand replacement was easily found (£20)

Other than that, the only problems I've had with it are the same things that all high mileage cars need - mainly suspension joints and shockers.

General Comments:

The interior is very comfortable, and has lasted well, apart from the carpet under the driver's left heel, which is showing some serous wear.

It's reasonably quick for what it is, whilst still being quite cheap to run - I've managed 38mpg cruising on the motorway.

Watch out for rust around the back arches.

Faults:

The only thing that's gone wrong with the car since I've owned it was when the coil went on the way to work. This was about three months after I bought it. Other than that it's just needed general service items such as oil filter, plug leads, air filter and a new battery (the original one was crap).

Oh yeah, and the rear wheel arches are rusty, but then it is a Vauxhall so you already knew that.

General Comments:

The car has now been thoroughly sprayed with anti-rust wax to stop the rest of the body going the same way as the wheelarches.

Whilst not being an especially quick car, it's performance is a whole lot better than the Mk1 Fiesta I previously owned, and it will cruise along motorways without the engine screaming its nuts off due to it having 5 gears.

It is now also a lot more comfy inside due to me finding a CDi interior in a scrapyard complete with rear headrests and fake wood on the doors for a bargain price. This also looks a lot better than the standard LS 'TV interference' trim.

I have also modified the exterior, fitting clear indicators, a black panel across the tailgate as found on newer models, and a set of Cavalier CDi alloys. New rear wheel arches and colour coded bumpers next.