2002 Holden Astra Reviews - Page 3 of 13

Hi there, I too own a 2002 Holden Astra. I have owned it for one year exactly.

In that time I have also had to replace my radiator due to a leak in the core, which was not fixable.

I have also had my air conditioning compressor rebuilt at a cost of NZD$991.30. It works beautifully now, and should be good for a further 9 years or more.

I have been experiencing a loss of pixels in my radio, temp, time screen every now and again. Not fun.

I had my cambelt, two idlers and my aux belt replaced in the last fortnight by Holden. They refused to change my water pump and tensioner, as they said I would be wasting my money! How considerate. Ever since I have had a horrible whirr noise. Holden blamed my aux tensioner, which was replaced at NZD$108, which they paid for and didn't fix the problem. They are now blaming my alternator bearings, which I have to pay for!

My father is a mechanic, and he will be doing that job. He doesn't believe it's the alternator, but will remove the aux belt for himself, and if there's no change, then the idiots at Holden will be getting another visit from me with serious demands.

Overall, it's a nice vehicle, but come hell or high water, I will never own another Astra again. Ever.

My next car will definitely be an Australian Holden Cruze.

Hello all.

I also have had the misfortune of owning a 2002 TS CD Holden Astra. I have had it for 9 years, and had nothing but costly break down repairs for the whole time.

Despite regimental servicing, its components were continually breaking down.

Ignition barrel replaced twice.

Air conditioning system stopped working.

Timing belt replaced at 60k.

Radiator cooling system repairs.

Constant wheel alignment problems.

Now there is a horrible rattle in the engine, which I was quoted a minimum of $1000 to repair.

In the last 3 years, just in repairs, I have spent well over $5000.

Overall comment.

These cars seem to offer good value, & are reasonably well appointed, however, be warned, if you buy one of these cars, you will be forever forking out. My advice is to stay the hell away from these cars; absolute money pits. Never again.

That car is not a local car - it's a rebadged Opel Astra, likely assembled in Belgium. Its parts are not domestically made.

All 2002 model Holden Astras hatch, sedan and wagons were produced in Germany.

The parts were sourced from GM suppliers around the world. The aircon systems are built in Mexico, and are also used on Rover and Mini cars!

Most parts are European obviously. The floor mats come from Holland. The roof grab handles are from Portugal. The number plate light cover is from France. The front tow hook cover is from India. I know all that because they are all what I have have purchased in the time I've had the car.

I bought the roof grab handle for the driver. The indent in the roof is there, but they put two space fillers over it, so I thought I'd make it look flash, so now my Astra is the only one in the world to have 4 grab handles!